GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 14081

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 construction of the proposed housing estate in Mlolongo, Athi River. The project will involve construction of a housing estate of seven (7) similar, five (5)-storey residential blocks each floor comprising eight (8), three- bed roomed units, totaling to 336 units to be used as single family dwellings. The estate will have ample parking within the perimeter masonry wall. The proposed site is on a 1.99 hectare parcel of land, Plot L.R No. 12715/448, Mlolongo area in Mavoko Municipality. It is situated near Syokimau along Beijing Road about 250M off Mombasa Road. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Environmental issue Mitigation Measures Loss of top soil cover Avoid unnecessary movement of soil materials from the site. Provide soil conservation structures on the areas prone to soil erosion mostly to reduce impact by the run-off. Control construction activities during rainy/wet conditions to control soil movement. Resurface/pave open areas after the completion of the project Introduce suitable and well-managed vegetation to generate surface covers on the open areas and to control soil movement by erosion agents including water and wind. Provide suitable storm water drainage channels to effectively discharge water to safe areas. Such channels need to be regularly maintained and repaired to avoid point discharges in case of breakages or blockages. Increased power surge and black outs in addition to increased energy costs. Switch off all electrical appliances when not in use. Optimize operations of electrical equipment to enhance energy conservation. Put off all lights immediately when not in use/required or are not needed. At end of functions take necessary measures to switch off lights immediately. Use energy conserving electric lamps for general lighting. Make use of alternative source of energy such as solar power, which is renewable. Noise and vibration Construction works should be carried out only during the specified time which 11th November, 2011 THE KENYA GAZETTE is usually as from 0800 hrs to 1700 hrs. Machineries should be maintained regularly to reduce noise resulting from friction. Workers should be provided with Personal Protective Equipment such as earmuffs when op erating noisy machinery and when in a noisy environment. There should not be unnecessary horning of the involved machinery. Provision of bill boards at the construction site gates notifying of the construction activity and timings. Shield the areas under works to reduce noise propagation. High water demand Avoid excessive use of the water supplied on site Water use should follow approvals by the Council’s Water Department. Encourage water reuse/recycling during both construction and operational phases. Roof catchments should be provided with rainwater harvesting systems to enhance collection and storage of the run-off. Such water can be used in watering flower gardens and all kinds of cleaning required on site. Provide notices and information signs on means and needs to conserve water resource to awaken the civic consciousness with regard to water usage and management. Install water conserving taps that turn- off automatically when water is not in use. Sewage and effluent disposal The design of the sewer layout should consider the estimate discharges from individual sources and the cumulative discharge of the entire project. The gradient should be sufficient to ensure and maintain maximum depth of flow and junctions effectively designed and installed. All drain pipes passing under the building, driveway or parking should be of heavy duty PVC pipe tube encased in 150mm concrete surround. All manholes on drive ways and parking areas should have heavy-duty covers set and double sealed airtight as approved by specialists. All waste pipes should have cleaning eyes accessible from outside and free to every part of the system for inspection, cleaning and repair Sanitary facilities should be kept clean always, through regular washing Security and fire Protecting the Site from a fire outbreak will be achieved through sound engineering, reliable operations, written operating procedures, trained employees, good preventive and predictive maintenance techniques and commitment to safety. The proponent and the contractor shall provide firefighting equipment during the construction and operation phases of the building facility and also ensure that the following are done. Install and maintain firefighting equipment and machinery. Sensitize the workers on fire risks & use fireproof materials. Provide emergency numbers at strategic points. Potable firefighting equipment are located at strategic points. Provision of security during the construction & operation phases. Ensure that all workers have access to communication facilities (phones etc.) for quick emergency response. Surface drainage system During construction, the design (of the drainage system) should ensure that surface flow is drained suitably into the public drains provided to control flooding within the site. Drainage channels should be installed in all areas that generate or receive surface water such as car parking, driveways and along the building block-edges of the roofs. The channels should be covered with gratings or other suitable and approved materials to prevent occurrence of accidents and entry dirt that would compromise flow of run-off. The channels should be designed with regards to the peak volumes such as periods or seasons when there is high intensity of rainfall which is also not common in the project area but just in case such an event occurs. they should never at any time be full due to the resulting heavy downpours. The drainage channels should ensure the safe final disposal of run-off /surface water and should be self-cleaning which means it should have a suitable gradient. Storm water generated from roof catchments should be harvested, stored and made use in various household activities such as general cleaning. This will reduce run-off reaching the drainage channels. Paving of the side walkways, driveways and other open areas should be done using pervious materials such as cabro to encourage water recharge and reduce run-off volume Increased dust and gaseous emissions Provide personal protective equipments, materials and clothing such as nose masks and goggles to workers during demolition and construction phases. Regular and prompt maintenance of construction machinery and equipment. This will minimize generation of hazardous gases and other suspended particulate matter. Control over areas generating dust particles. Such areas should be regularly cleaned or sprinkled with water to reduce dust. Such areas can be enclosed to mitigate effects of wind and hence controlling propagation of dust to the neighbours. Use environmentally clean fuels/gasoline such as Unleaded Gasoline (ULG). Accidents and occupational risks The proponent and the contractor will ensure that: The implementation of safety measures and emergency plans to contain accident risks associated with vehicle transport, operation of any sophisticated machinery and other related activities. All staff is trained on the use of any unfamiliar machinery and equipment THE KENYA GAZETTE 11th November, 2011 4332 4332 that may pose danger to the user before they are allowed to use them. Particularly important is the provision of protective clothing or gear. These include working boots, overalls, helmets, goggles, earmuffs, masks, gloves among others. A fully equipped first aid kit. The contractor should have workmen’s compensation cover. It should comply with workmen’s compensation Act, as well as other ordinances, Regulations and Union Agreements. Adequate sanitary facilities should be provided and standard cleanliness maintained. Food handlers preparing food for the workers at the site should be controlled and monitored to ensure that food is hygienically prepared. Workers should always be sensitized on social issues such as drugs, alcohol and diseases. There should be a training program, if possible, to facilitate this. Regular maintenance of machinery on site should be done. Solid and liquid waste generation Special attention shall be paid to the handling and disposal of all solid waste generated during construction and operation phases. A reputable solid waste handler will be contracted to regularly collect solid waste for appropriate disposal following the Local Authority Guidelines. There will be adequate provision of strategically placed waste bins all over the building compound to ensure that there is no idle litter The materials should be properly segregated and separated to encourage recycling of some of them. Some demolished stone materials can be used as backfills. Non-usable solid waste materials generated during the demolition and construction shall be transported for appropriate disposal in one of the designated dumping sites. The proponent undertakes to provide well constructed sewage lines all draining into the designated sewer system next to the site. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director-General, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), 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, Eastern Province. (d) District Environment Officer, Machakos 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. ROBERT ORINA, for Director-General, MR8249732 National Environment Management Authority.