GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 8785

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 Concrete and Steel Limited, proposes to undertake commercial sand harvesting from Lake Victoria approximately 100M off Chwoye Beach, using a floating vessel on which the harvested sand will be loaded and transported to the Beach for offloading using a conveyor belt in Wang’chieng’ Location, Rachuonyo North Sub-County, Homa Bay County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures Occupational and community health and safety hazards • Proponent should establish and implement a comprehensive Health and Safety Plan for the site. • The Proponent should ensure compliance with all standards and legally required health and safety regulations. • The Proponent shall establish an emergency response procedure and display on all work areas during sand harvesting activities. • The Proponent should provide a standard Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures First Aid Kit at the site office at all times. • Workers should be trained on site safety and regular safety briefs conducted. • Provision of PPE (dust masks, safety jackets, gum boots). • Ensure that personnel wear lifejackets at all times when in the lake. Soil erosion and compaction • The Proponent must implement erosion control measures to avoid erosion in areas that are prone to erosion. • Vehicles must be restricted to the existing roads and areas earmarked for new tracks only. • Avoid unnecessary vehicle movement. Increased Incidences of HIV/AIDS and other STIs spread of Covid - 19 • Contractor to maximise use of local casual labour to reduce the need for immigrant workers. • In line with the HIV/AIDs prevention act, the Proponent should ensure that prevention and management of sexually transmitted diseases as a result of social interaction between immigrant workers and local populations to reduce the risk of the transfer of HIV virus between and among the Proponent’s personnel and the local community through. • Both workers and local communities must be sensitized on Covid 19 prevention measures in line with the government directives and workers provided with the requisite PPEs and sanitizers at their work station. • Proponent to abide by WHO and MOH Covid -19 prevention and control guidelines. Generation of construction and Operation wastes • Implement in-house waste management programme by installing facilities e.g. waste containers/bins on site during construction and operation phase. • Proper segregation of solid waste prior to disposal. • Empty packaging materials like cartons and cement bags shall be piled in a safe place and sold to waste paper recyclers. • All hazardous wastes including material contaminated with hazardous wastes shall be stored in a designated area on site for regular removal and disposal in accordance with Environmental Management and Coordination (Waste Management) Regulations, 2006. The Proponent will have a NEMA licensed waste collector to dispose all the waste at approved locations. • Ensure there is adequate sanitary facilities. Disturbance of bottom of the Lake ecosystem • The proponent will operate in a designated area of 500m by 500m only. • Operations machine to be well maintained to produce minimal noise. • There will be sustainable extraction of sand. The quantity harvested will be sustainable to ensure it is within the volume ‘replenished’ by the system. Conflict • Proper sensitization and creation of ownership. 27th August, 2021 THE KENYA GAZETTE Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures • Defuse any conflicts among the members of the community. Noise, vibration and dust accidents • Display warning signs on access roads leading to the site. • Train workers in safety and health. • Carry out operations at daytime. • Maintain vehicles and machinery in good condition in order to minimize gas emissions and noise. • Erect speed bumps to control motor vehicle speed. • Plan for accident and emergency facilities. 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, Homa Bay County. A copy of the 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 project. Comments can also be emailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/1801728 National Environment Management Authority.