GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 218

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) regulations, the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), has received an environmental impact assessment study report for the implementation of the proposed residential flats development. The proposed development involves construction of a four storey residential flat building comprising of two bedrooms, living rooms, balcony, kitchen and washing rooms. The development will also include a waste collection centre (WCC), parking area and underground storage tanks. The proposed project is located in Thindigua, Kiambu District on L.R. No. 76/641 off Thindigua Highway on the way to Lauret High School. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures Environmental Impacts Suggested Mitigation Measures Increased storm water, run-off and soil erosion • Surface run-off and roof water shall be harvested and stored in underground reservoir for reuse. • A storm water management plan that minimizes impervious area infiltration by use of recharge areas and use of detention and/or retention with graduated outlet control structure shall be designed. Increased solid waste generation • Use of an integrated solid waste management system; • Accurate estimation of the sizes and quantities needed, rather than cutting them to size, or having large quantities of residual materials. • Ensure that construction materials left over at the end of construction shall be used in other projects rather than being disposed of; • Ensure that damaged or wasted construction materials including Environmental Impacts Suggested Mitigation Measures cabinets, doors, plumbing and lighting fixtures, marbles and glass shall be recovered for refurbishing and use in other projects; • Donate recyclable/reusable or residual materials to local community groups’ institutions and individual local residents or home owners. • Provide solid waste handling facilities such as waste bins; • Ensure that solid waste generated at the flats is regularly disposed of appropriately at authorized dumping sites. Dust Emission • Ensure strict enforcement of on-site speed limit regulations. • Avoid excavation works in extremely dry weathers where necessary. • Sprinkle water on graded access routes when necessary to reduce dust generation by construction vehicles; • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to be worn. Exhaust Emission • Vehicle idling time shall be minimized; • Alternatively fuelled construction equipment shall be used where feasible equipment shall be properly tuned and maintained. • Sensitize truck drivers to avoid unnecessary racing of vehicle engines at loading/offloading points and parking areas, and to switch off or keep vehicle engines at these points. Noise and Vibration • Sensitize construction vehicle drivers and machinery operators to switch off engines of vehicles or machinery not being used. • Sensitize construction drivers to avoid gunning of vehicle engines or hooting especially when passing through sensitive areas such as churches residential areas and schools. Increased energy consumption • Ensure electrical equipment appliances and lights are switched off when not being used. • Install energy saving fluorescent tubes at all lighting points instead of bulbs which consume higher electric energy. Occupational, health and safety risks • Ensure the general safety and security at all times by providing day and night security guards and adequate lighting within and around the premises. • Suitable overalls, safety footwear, dust masks, gas masks, respirators, gloves, ear protection equipment etc should be made available and construction personnel must be trained to use the equipment. • Implement all necessary measures to ensure health and safety of workers and the general public during operation of the housing project as stipulated in OSHA Act, 2007. Sewage disposal • Provide adequate and safe means of handling sewage generated at the flats i.e. emptying septic tanks. • Conduct regular inspections for sewage pipe blockages or damages and fix appropriately. 7th January, 2011 THE KENYA GAZETTE 53 Environmental Impacts Suggested Mitigation Measures • Ensure regular monitoring of the sewage discharged from the project to ensure that the stipulated sewage/effluent discharge rules and standards are not violated. 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, N.H.I.F. Building, Community, P.O. Box 30521, Nairobi. (c) Provincial Director of Environment, Central Province. (d) District Environment Officer, Kiambu West District. 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 approval process of the project. B. M. LANGWEN, for Director-General, National Environment Management Authority.