GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 16727

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an environmental impact assessment study report for the implementation of the proposed Syokimau Railway Station building and car park. The Station itself shall be a two storey building, with the ground floor allocated to the conduct of business and the upper floor devoted to hospitality. A restaurant and associated kitchenette shall occupy this floor. Since the concept is to provide commuters faster and traffic-jam free access to the Nairobi CBD, a large car park shall be constructed. The proposed project site is located in South C sub-location, Nairobi west location, Nairobi West division, Langata District, approximately 12.5 km from the Nairobi CBD on 2 land parcels as follows: LR 7135/16 for the railway Station building, the boarding/disembarking platform and terminal rail tracks, measuring 1.6 ha LR 19129/11 for the car park and public transport exchange point, measuring 3.5 ha. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures. Environmental impacts Mitigation Measures Earth works Leveling of the project site will be undertaken in such a manner as to reduce surface runoff velocity and permit increased infiltration. Site excavation works to be planned such that a section is completed and configured before work begins on another section. Sprinkle water on exposed dusty surfaces to reduce dust generation by construction activities. Avoid earthworks in extremely dry conditions. Vegetation clearing Design and implement an appropriate landscaping programme to assist revegetation of the project area after construction. Environmental impacts Mitigation Measures Extraction and use of raw materials Source building materials from local suppliers with proven environmental record. Procure construction materials, to match demand to ensure that only the required amount of material is obtained every time. Ensure that damage or loss of materials during construction is kept minimal through proper storage. Use durable, long-lasting materials that will not need to be replaced often, thereby reducing the amount of construction waste generated over time. Make provision to ensure that materials left over at the end of construction will be used in other projects rather than being introduced into the environment. Storage of materials Ensure that materials are stored or stacked in such manner as to ensure their stability. Ensure that stored materials can withstand the effects of weather and elements; if not, they should be in sheltered storage. Solid waste Apply an integrated solid waste management system through a hierarchy of options i.e. i) source reduction; ii) recycling; iii) composting & reuse; iv) combustion; v) sanitary land filling. Rationalized materials procurement in terms of right sizes and quantities, rather than having to cut them to size or having large quantities of residual materials. Use durable, long-lasting materials that need less frequent replacement, thus reducing amounts of solid waste generated over the construction period. Use building materials that have minimal or no packaging to avoid the generation of excessive packaging waste. Contract only NEMA licensed waste disposal companies or firms when disposing solid waste from the site. Liquid effluent, sewage (black water) Provide appropriate means of adequate capacity for collection and storage of domestic liquid effluent generated by site workers. Ensure domestic effluent is collected by NEMA licensed firms and disposed of at NEMA licensed effluent treatment facilities. Liquid effluent (grey water) Provide appropriate means of adequate capacity for collection and storage of domestic liquid effluent generated by site workers (mobile toilets). Ensure domestic effluent is collected by NEMA licensed firms and disposed of at NEMA licensed effluent treatment facilities. Storm water runoff Surface runoff and roof water shall be harvested and stored to supplement fresh water usage. Minimise impervious area erosion by use of controlled drainage structures that will channel the runoff to designated recharge areas. Oils & greases Vehicle parking yards shall be of impervious surfaced and fitted with oils and grease traps. Environmental impacts Mitigation Measures 14th January, 2011 THE KENYA GAZETTE 101 Dust emissions Watering all dust prone sites and places; All trucks hauling soil, sand and other loose materials to maintain at least half a metre of freeboard (in the payload bay); Pave, or apply (non-toxic) soil stabilizers on all unpaved access routes, parking areas and staging areas. Gaseous emissions Construction plant and equipment shall be well maintained to reduce emission of noxious gases. Vehicle idling time shall be minimized. Ensure utilization of low-sulphur diesels as fuel. Instruct plant and vehicle operators to avoid unnecessary racing of engines at loading/offloading points, or to switch them off at these points. Noise Instruct construction plants and vehicle operators to switch off engines of idle vehicles or machinery. Ensure that construction machinery and vehicles are designed for low noise emissions. Noisy construction activities will be undertaken during the day when neighbours are least sensitive to noise. Accidents Cordon off restricted construction sites area to exclude non-essential access by persons, vehicles or goods. Specify locations for Stationary construction machinery and areas that shall be free of traffic, equipment, and storage. Designate access routes to and loading and parking at the site(s). Ensure that incidents, accidents and near misses during construction are recorded and reported using prescribed forms obtainable from the District OSH Office. Emergency preparedness & evacuation procedures. Deploy appropriate emergency preparedness measures including evacuation procedures in case of emergency. Ensure that the most current emergency telephone numbers are prominently and strategically displayed on posters within the site. Insecurity Deploy adequate policing and surveillance measures in and around the station. Install efficient and adequate perimeter lighting Provide clear symbols indicating platforms, train service schedules and maps, public facilities, exits to parking or buses. Provide an information point with personnel (separate from ticket issuance). Fire hazards Install at strategic points and regularly inspected firefighting equipment. Provide and clearly mark fire assembly points and fire exits. Conduct regular fire safety audits on the premises. Train staff in fire prevention and fire- fighting. Environmental impacts Mitigation Measures Occupational Safety & Firms and employers engaged in Health business at the Station will comply with relevant provisions of the OSH Act and the Injuries and Benefits Act. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director-General, National Environment Management Authority, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839- 00200, Nairobi. (b) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30521, Nairobi. (c) Provincial Director of Environment, Nairobi Province. (d) District Environment Officer, Embakasi and Makadara. NEMA 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 approval process of the project. A. M. KARIUKI, for Director-General.