GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 3558

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 Nanyuki-Isiolo-Meru 132 kV transmission line and Associated Isiolo substation. The project will involve construction of transmission lines which comprise of towers on which conductors are mounted. The proposed project will traverse part of the larger Nanyuki – Meru and Isiolo. This includes Kisima- Isiolo- Ruiri Section which falls within the Buuri District of Meru County and is estimated to be 51.4 Kilometers. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Anticipated Environmental Impacts Mitigation Measures Generation of GHG in the transportation of construction materials • Use properly serviced vehicles, optimize on trips. Road hazards in material transportation • Transporters to follow highway code. Degradation along material delivery and storage areas • Rehabilitate trampled routes. Displacement of people and property from ROW corridor • Adequate and timely compensation for loss. Degradation of the Ngare Sirikoi River catchment • Reroute traverse outside forest. Opportunity costs on land taken by ROW • Promote investment of compensation proceeds. Destruction of tree biodiversity in ROW • Replace all trees displaced. Loss of Carbon sink from felling trees • Reforestation to replace all lost trees. Occupational health and safety concerns for construction crew • Employ sober staff, use proper tools, deploy sober supervisors, provide insurance cover. Generation of waste from construction activity • Apply 3 Rs principle. Permanent visual intrusion into space • 8 meetings to sensitize community to accept project. Loss of nesting grounds for avifauna, bees, and dry season fodder from tree removal • Replace lost trees. Impact on existing and future infrastructure • Routing to avoid infrastructure. • Adopt suitable tower height. Sanitation concerns from construction crew • Provide adequate sanitation facilities. Nuisances-dust, fumes, vibrations from operation of plant and equipments • Minimize hrs of work, Provide PPEs • Community sensitization. Socio-impacts of construction crew and labour camps including danger of disease spread • Local recruitment of labour, staff counseling programme, provision of protective supplies. Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) • Apply design options. Hazards to the aviation industry • Routing to avoid approaches to airstrips. Impact on avifauna and other wildlife from presence of charged wires • Apply markers in first 10 kilometres alongside Ngare Ndare and Lewa conservancy. Disincentive on use of other energy sources e.g. RETs • KETRACO to initiate debate on research promotion. Audible noise and vibrations • Design options. Exposure to electromagnetic field • Design options. Threats to public safety • Adequate fencing and sentry Warning signs. THE KENYA GAZETTE 16th March, 2012 896 896 Wastes oils/ spares, trash from transformer maintenance • Isolate runoff from substations, Grease scrubbers in drainage, and dispose all waste as per Legal Notice No. 121 of September 2006. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director-General, NEMA, 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, Eastern Province. (d) District Environmental Officer, Isiolo 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, MR/9098593 National Environment Management Authority.