GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 15077

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 Corner Baridi Wind farm in Ngong south forest off the road to Magadi, Kajiado county. The Proponent (Prunus Energy Systems Limited) of the proposed Corner Baridi Wind farm is proposing to install a 50 MW wind power comprising 25 turbines mounted on 67 metres high towers supported by necessary electrical power generation and transmission infrastructure for the scale of such a project. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impact Mitigation measures Loss of vegetation cover and habitat • Introduction of vegetation (trees, shrubs and grass) on open spaces and around the project site and their maintenance. • Avoid destruction of natural habitat/flora for fauna. • Design and implement an appropriate landscaping and paddocking programme to help rejuvenate pastures in the project area following construction. • Allows maximum spacing between the turbines. • Avoid intensive lighting of the wind turbines to reduce attractiveness to nocturnal birds. • Use underground transmission cables between turbines to avoid interference with bird flight paths. • Timing construction in consideration to possible wildlife issues. Soil erosion • Roadways and footpaths will be paved with impervious material. • Drainage will be constructed to control storm rain water. • Excavation restricted to onsite access road surface and sites for tower foundations. • Excavated earth held away from trenches and locations of sites that are not susceptible to surface water run-off. • Re-vegetation of exposed areas with grass and trees to mitigate soil erosion from surface water run-off. • Installation of drainage trenches and construction of run-off ponds and water holding ponds to contain surface water run-off. Air pollution by dust and VOCs generated during construction process. • All personnel working on the project will be trained prior to starting construction on methods for minimizing air quality impacts during construction. • Heavy earth moving vehicle drivers will be under strict instructions to minimize unnecessary trips, refill petrol fuel tanks in the afternoon and minimize idling of engines during construction. • Exposed stockpiles of e.g. dust and sand, will be enclosed, covered, and watered daily, or treated with non-toxic soil binders. • All workers will be required to wear PPE. • Construction machinery and equipment will be well maintained to reduce exhaust gas emissions. Pollution from hazardous waste • Handling of the materials using the material safety requirements provided by the manufacturers. • Appoint a safety officer to ensure that proper disposal guidelines are observed. • Maintenance and/or piece of work carried out on any piece of equipment or construction work will be undertaken by qualified personnel. • In the event of spillage, emergency spillage control measures to be instituted. 26th October, 2012 THE KENYA GAZETTE Noise and vibration by construction activities. • Use of equipment designed with noise control elements will be adopted where necessary. • Trucks used at construction-site shall be routed away from noise sensitive areas where feasible and limited to off-peak hours of operation. • Idling time for pick-up trucks and other equipment will be minimized. • All workers operating in noisy areas or operating noisy equipment will be provided with ear protection to protect against extreme noise. • Comply with recently issued Noise and Vibration Regulations, 2009. • Comply with L.N. 25: Noise prevention and control rules, 2005 • All construction work completed during the day. Traffic and Transport • Adequate maintenance carried out to reduce emissions. • Vehicles will comply with axle load limits. • Well trained and experienced drivers will be used. • All special transport will be done in accordance with Kenya police and road Surface water and groundwater hydrology and water quality degradation • Preparation of a hazardous substance control response plan (include preparations for quick and safe clean-up of accidental spills). • Soil information from trial hole digging will be provided to construction crews to inform on soil conditions and potential hazards. • Oil absorbent material, and storage drums will be used to contain and control minor releases of engine and other equipment oil. Workers accidents and hazards • Compliance with occupational Health & Safety Standards. • Training in Health and Safety procedures • Adequate collection and storage of waste will be provided on-site, and safe transportation to, and display methods at designated areas. • All receptacles for storing hazardous wastes shall be adequately covered. • All employees will be required to wear PPE when handling hazardous wastes. • All workers will be adequately insured against unforeseen accidents. • Exposure to dust from cements and sands minimized. • Adequate lighting provision inside and outside living areas. • Security personnel employed to guard project, and site well fenced. Generation of solid waste • Wastes to be collected regularly to control air pollution and vermin/insects etc. • Receptacles will be provided for waste segregation and storage prior to collection. • Resource recovery will be encouraged once the project takes off so as to shrink waste stream and recover non- recyclables. • Refuse collection vehicles will be covered to prevent scatter of wastes by wind. • Wastes will be collected by a licensed operator to avoid illegal final dumping at unauthorized sites. • All persons involved in refuse collection shall be in full protective attire. Increased water demand • Sensitizing construction staff to avoid irresponsible water use. • Water storage tanks will be erected so as not to strain local sources. • Construction of strategically located animal watering point/storage and rehabilitate existing bore holes. • Preserve water springs and sink more boreholes. Increase in water borne or water related diseases • Investments in Disease awareness raising and control measures. • Avoid stagnant or slowly moving water. • Filling or draining of borrow pits. • Disease prophylaxis and Disease treatment. Increased storm water run-off • Create diversion channels to ensure that no water flows across rehabilitated area until they are stable • Control surface run-off by to minimise erosion, and allow replenishment of the water table. Where possible create watering points for livestock and wildlife. Ecological change and ecological imbalances • Animal rescue and relocation where necessary. • To ensure that invasive alien plant species are not introduced to the area and should they be identified then these alien plant species should be immediately removed. Human Migration • Population monitoring coordinated through the district office. • Establishment of a moratorium over the host area as soon as possible, to avoid people hoping to acquire land from moving into the area. • Development of local community infrastructure for which may include: Water supply, recreational centre, roads, sanitation, education, health facilities, etc to improve livelihood of the community. Fire safety training/ Emergency response procedures (ERPs) • To enhance health and safety preparedness among stakeholders. • Ensure equipment is in good working condition. • Put up emergency response contacts. • Put up ERP notification instructions. • Put up simple instructions on how to handle fires, Spills, armed robbery and natural hazards. • Install a fire – fighting equipment as provided by OSHA 2007. • Sensitize the residents on fire risks i.e. conduct regular fire drills. • Adapt effective emergency response plans. • Provide plant safety performance statistics at a strategic point. 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. THE KENYA GAZETTE 26th October, 2012 4142 4142 (b) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30521, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Kajiado County. 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 of the plan. SALOME MACHUA, for Director-General, MR//0910601 National Environment Management Authority.