GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 15400

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 waste to energy facility at Del Monte farm on plot L.R. No. 13289, Thika. The Proponent (Pinepower Limited) of the proposed waste to energy facility at Del Monte farm is proposing to substitute the existing poorly managed, aerobic wastewater treatment system by an anaerobic treatment system with biogas recovery equipment which consist of: 1 acidification tank of 4,000 m3, 2 up-flow anaerobic sludge bed reactors (UASB) of 6,000 m3 in total,4 high concentrated solid reactors (HCSR) of 10,000 m3 in total,1 hydrolyzing chamber of 2,000 m3, Buffer pond and a Post treatment pond. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible impact Mitigation measures Geology and soils • All quarry sites shall be clearly indicated on the plan and approved by the local authority for use. • To prevent erosion all non-built up areas should be landscaped. • Vehicles used on the site should be refueled offsite. In the exceptional cases, a mobile fuel bowser should only take place at a designated, bunded area. Surface water • If possible initial construction activities should be undertaken during the dry season to prevent water/soil run-off especially on side slopes. Water should also be diverted away from the project footprint areas through property constructed drainage channels. • Ensure that spills emanating from construction plant and equipment are cleaned immediately before release to the environment. Contractor to adhere to construction HSE management plan during the construction phase. Ground water • Vehicles used in site should be refueled offsite. In the exceptional cases, a mobile fuel bowser should only take place at a designated, bunded area. • Contractor to adhere to construction HSE. Ecology • Set up measures to ensure that during Pre-construction and construction, impacts on sensitive ecological areas are minimized and that good management is exercised during operation to prevent ecological impacts. Air quality • Develop and implement effective measures for minimization of dust followed by rehabilitation in a timely manner. Contractor to ensure that construction plant and equipment is in a good state of repair at all times to prevent adverse exhaust air emissions. Noise and vibration • Contractor’s plant and equipment should comply as a minimum with requirements of L.N. 25: Noise Prevention and Control Rules, 2005 • The power plant will be designed to maintain noise levels at 70dB (A) at the fence line. The Proponent will develop, rollout and implement a written hearing conservation program for those employees that may be exposed to noise environments exceeding 90 dB (A) over an 8-hour time weighted average period or 85 dB (A) continuous noise. This is in accordance with L.N.25 Noise Prevention and Control Rule 2005. Socio-economic • Implement where feasible measures to employ local community members. • Implement measures to manage expectations about job creation. Develop and put into practice strategies to minimize crime, to include effective communication with landowners to inform them about the movement of work teams, and codes of conduct for contractors and employees. • Ensure effective communication with communities to limit expectations of employment creation. Develop and implement a HSE program for employees. • Implement measures to ensure that traffic and road safety hazards are minimized. Traffic • Develop and implement a traffic management plan to take advantage of off-peak hours for delivery of construction materials and abnormal loads. Health and safety • Develop and implement contractor safety rules which include the relevant provisions of OSHA, WIBA and their respective subsidiary legislation. Specifically ensure that the contraction complies with L.N 40: Building Operations and Work of Engineering Construction Rules, 1984. 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 3052, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Kiambu 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//0518791 National Environment Management Authority. THE KENYA GAZETTE 26th October, 2012 4144 4144