GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 5921

PURSUANT to Regulation 21 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, County Government of Machakos proposes to construct Machakos airport comprising a runway of up to 1350 meters, taxiway, terminal building, associated facilities and amenities on L.R. No. 1491R on approximately 104 acres within the New Machakos Town in Muvuti, Kiima Kimwe Ward, Machakos County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impact Mitigation Measures Site Preparation Airport Construction Phase Dust disturbances • Employees involved in the airport construction and amenities installation work to be provided with dust masks. • Project management and contractor to enforce strict use of personal protective clothing. • Complains of dust related aliments among employees given access to medical attention. Noise disturbances • Diverting or closing rights of way could mitigate noise to certain communal areas as well as effects on visual appreciation. • During construction, sound attenuation of plants and noise barriers within a site compound would reduce the ground noise during the construction period. • The access routes of the contractors could be diverted to minimize the impact on the local communities. • Where significant amounts of waste are generated the soil could be re-used or the aggregates recycled. • Keeping construction waste to a minimum. • All construction works installation works to be limited to daytime only. • All employees likely to be exposed to ear noise to be provided with ear protectors. • Contractor to ensure strict enforcement on user of ear protectors. • Where applicable and possible exceptionally noisy machines to be fitted with noise reduction devices. • Any employee who may complain about ear related pain and or complication while at work to access medical attention at the expense of the contractor or project proponent. • Where employees are likely to be exposed to continuous. Solid wastes • Solid waste to be handled, managed and disposed according to the waste management regulations. • Waste handling bins to be provided for workers onsite, each bin should have a lid which should always be covered. • Colour code to be used to distinguish waste bins of different waste. • Solid waste to be disposed only at licensed disposal sites. Impact Mitigation Measures • In a case of cement bagging, they can be stored recycled or put into different usage. Occupational injuries • Appropriate personal protective equipment such as safety belts for workers working at height to be provided. • Proper use of PPE provided. • Appropriate training of workers of ways of working safely. • Appropriate supervision at workplace. • Rest times to be strictly observed to reduce stress. • Noise and dust and other factors can result in reduced concentration to a level of causing and accident to be appropriately mitigated. Impacts on heritage/ culture • Carrying out archaeological surveys to reduce the loss of possible earthworks during construction. • Rerouting of construction traffic. • Geological survey, evaluation and excavation where necessary. • In situ preservation of archaeology. • Design amendments and sensitive landscape works. • Keeping a careful record of details of character and construction. Landscape and visual impact • Good design of buildings, possibly including green roofs; the erection of some kind of screen (wall, planting, bund) between the viewer and the airport development. Social impacts • Awareness creation on topical issues among residents such as STD and AIDS, drug and substance abuse. Airport Operational Phase Local air quality degradation • Combustion of aviation fuel – which is mostly composed of kerosene – produces nitrogen oxides (Nox), carbon monoxide (CO), Sulphur oxides (Sox), hydrocarbons and particulates. It also releases the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2). • As engines are working inefficiently on approach (as they only use about 30% of the available power) a certain amount of unburnt kerosene is released. These unburnt fuel droplets are a source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and give rise to odours. • As aircraft tyres get worn and burnt during take- off and (especially) landing, they release particulate matter (PM). • Fuel dumping by aircraft releases unburned aircraft fuel into the air. This is a rare occurrence and usually only takes place in emergencies. In these circumstances, aircraft are expected to dump fuel over water where possible, and at an altitude where they are likely to evaporate before reaching the surface. • Vehicles travelling to and from the airport, and ground service equipment (tugs for aircraft and baggage, fuel and catering lorries, buses and vans that transport passengers etc.) generate Nox, CO2, particulates and (indirectly) ozone through the burning of petrol and diesel fuel. • Fuel storage tanks and transfer facilities can lead to the release of VOCs. 18th June, 2021 THE KENYA GAZETTE Impact Mitigation Measures • Aircraft and airfield maintenance (painting, metal cleaning, de-icing etc.), and emergency and fire training use complex chemicals which can release VOCs. • Construction of airport-related projects can lead to dust, emissions from asphalt laying etc. • Quarterly stack emission assessment of the generators and point source emissions within the airport. Noise impacts • Putting strict regulatory constraints on the amount of noise that can be generated by aircrafts and on the flight paths to be followed. • Refusing planning permission where noise levels exceed 66dB (A) Leq at daytime and 57 dB (A) Leq at night time. • Making technical adjustments to thrusts, angle of flight decent/ take-off, speed of aircraft accent etc. (POSTNOTE, 2003). • Incentive and penalty systems to encourage airlines to use quiet aircraft. • Requirements for arriving aircraft to maintain minimum heights above the airport before starting on their descent path. • Use of preferred flight routings and runways where possible, that impose less noise on local properties. • Noise quotas on night flights, with the noisiest aircraft not allowed to land or take off at night. • Ban on aircraft engine testing or training flights at certain times (e.g. nights, weekends) unless in an emergency. • Encouragement of minimum use of auxiliary power units, and of reverse thrust by aircraft on landing consistent with safety constraints. • Design of the airport so that buildings and/or bunds (long low hills made of soil) shield nearby properties from ground noise. • Sound insulation grants: for high specification double-glazing in the noisiest areas, and secondary glazing across a wider area. • Property relocation schemes which cover most of the costs of moving house for those people living in the areas of highest noise. • Public complaint handling services. • Noise monitoring systems that monitor the noise level of each aircraft. Impacts of solid waste • A comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system be implemented, for meeting the targets in the Waste Management strategy. • Circular supplies: fully recyclable materials be used replacing the single-lifetime input and thus reducing primary material use. • Dematerialization: reduce material use with new technologies, such as digital airline tickets that replace paper tickets. • Resource recovery: food waste and other organic waste can be digested to biogas and the residue of the digestion can be used as fertilizer. • Knowledge of the intrinsic properties of the material, including the physical, chemical, and leaching properties by airport Management. • Solid waste to be handled managed and disposed according to the Environmental Impact Mitigation Measures Management and Co-ordination (Waste Management) Regulations, 2006. • Proponent to contract a NEMA licensed waste collection company to be collecting all solid waste to and from the airport. • Only NEMA licensed vehicles to be used to collect and transport waste from the facility. • Waste to be sorted at source. Biodiversity loss/bird strike • Relocation of existing dumpsite far away from the airport. • Minimising intrusion. • Translocation, restoration and creation of habitats. • Rescue of important species. • Pond replacement and refurbishment. • Hedge restoration and improvement. • Mitigating the loss of mature trees as a result of height restrictions by substituting. • Small trees and shrubs and hedge thickening. Water pollution • Minimize spillage. • Improve environmental management procedures. • Discharge and treat foul drainage and sewage. • Pass run off through oil interceptors. • Expand infiltration systems. • Provide attenuation to impermeable areas. • Ensure the maintenance of equivalent Greenfield runoff rates. • Carry out Flood Risk Assessment. Green house gas emissions • Computerized continuous emission monitors (CEMs) for CO, O2, Sox, Nox, and HCl from aircrafts. • Use of Electrofuels such as power-to-liquid that are a potential source of zero or lower carbon alternative fuels. Occupational hazards or injuries to works, visitors and general public • Aviation operators and worker training in hazardous-material management and annual refresher courses. • All workers should be provided with protective gear. These include working safety boots, overalls, helmets, goggles, earmuffs, respirators/masks and gloves. • A first aid kit should be provided within the site. This should be fully equipped at all times and should be managed by qualified person. • The proponent should have workmen’s compensation cover (WIBA). It should comply with workmen’s compensation. • Adequate sanitary facilities should be provided and standard cleanliness maintained. • Safe operation procedures/clear instruction provided to the workers and general public to ensure that safety is maintained. • Mounting of safety signage’s within and outside the airport. Storm water generation and flooding at the site from • Appropriate site landscaping to be employed. • Vegetation cover of all open area to reduce surface run off. 2682 2682 Impact Mitigation Measures precipitation • Revegetation of all open areas to reduce surface run off. • Have a proper drainage to channel the surface run off. Increased vehicular traffic • All users of said roads to always observe traffic rules this will give pedestrians and cyclist their space and safety while using the road. • Speed limits to be strictly observed. • Motorist to be sensitised to use unleaded fuel as opposed to leaded fuel. Conflict with the community • Continuous public participation and engagement for improving the environmental impact assessment and increasing total welfare of different interest groups in Muvuti-Kiima- Kimwe ward and beyond. • Pursuing economic achievements with regard to social, public health and environmental issues that are of concern to the locals. • Independent Audits and strict supervision by NEMA, County Governments and other stakeholders. Landscape and visual impacts- eye pollution and reduced aesthetics. • Light pollution can be reduced by keeping lighting (e.g. of parking lots) to the minimum levels needed for safety. • Other measures may include landscape engineering, tree planting and ground modelling. Airport Decommissioning Phase Noise • Demolition works and other decommissioning activities to be limited to day time. • Appropriate ear protective devices to be provided to workers working in noisy environment. • Engineering controls on plant and equipment used in decommissioning to reduce noise. • Noise control and hearing conservation programme to be developed. • Audiometric tests to be carried out to workers exposed to noise by designated medical practitioner. • Post notices and signs in noisy areas. • Education and training for workers on importance and proper use of PPE. • Appropriate acoustic barriers around areas generating noise to be provided. • Noise attenuators such as trees on site to be preserved. Dust • Appropriate personal protective equipment to be provided to all workers. • Appropriate use of PPE provided to be enforced. • The site to be secured with dust screens. • Water sprinkling on dusty grounds to be done. Occupational injuries • Appropriate personal protective equipment such as safety belts for workers working at height to be provided. • Proper use of PPE provided. • Appropriate training of workers of ways of working safely. Impact Mitigation Measures • Appropriate supervision at workplace. • Rest times to be strictly observed to reduce stress. • Noise and dust and other factors can result in reduced concentration to a level of causing and accident to be appropriately mitigated. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 30126–00100, Nairobi. (b) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Machakos County. A copy of EIA report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke The National Environment Management Authority invites members of the public to submit oral or written comments within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice to the Director-General, NEMA, to assist the Authority in the decision making process regarding this SEA. Comments can also be e-mailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/1813602 National Environment Management Authority.