GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 12010

PURSUANT to regulation 21 o f 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 a commercial and residential development on plot no. 209/11154 in South ―C‖, Nairobi County. The Proponent (Vishwa Developers Ltd) is proposing to construct a commercial and residential development which will include 480 housing units and a shopping mall. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impact Mitigation measures 24th August, 2012 THE KENYA GAZETTE Vegetation and animal disturbance  Ensure proper demarcation and delineation of the project area to be affected by construction works  Designate access routes, truck parking and equipment areas within the site  Preserve of some individual trees within the site.  Introduction of vegetation (trees, shrubs and grass) and landscaping on open spaces and their maintenance. Increased storm water run-off and Soil Erosion  Surface runoff and roof water should be harvested and stored in underground reservoir for reuse  There should be a storm water management plan that minimizes impervious area infiltration.  Apply soil erosion control measures that will reduce run-off velocity and increase infiltration of storm water into soil  Site excavation works is well planned to allow site rehabilitation in stages  Open drains all interconnected will be provided on site.  Roof catchments will be used to collected storm water for some domestic use  Construction of water storage tanks to collect storm water for domestic uses Increased solid waste generation  Use of an integrated solid waste management system e.g. 1. Source reduction. 2. Recycling 3. Compositing and reuse 4. Combustion 5. Sanitary land filing.  Through accurate estimation of the size and quantities, order materials in the sizes and quantities that are needed.  Ensure that construction materials left over at the end of construction will be used in other projects rather than being disposed off.  Ensure that damaged or wasted construction materials are recovered for refurbishing and use in other projects.  Donate recyclable/reusable or residual materials to local institutions and individual local residents  Use durable, long-lasting materials that will not need to be replaced so often.  Provide facilities for proper handling and storage of construction materials to avoid damage or exposure to the elements of weather.  Running educational campaigns amongst residents to encourage reuse or recycling of the solid waste.  Private waste disposal company to be contracted to transport and dispose the solid waste from site  Dispose waste more responsibly by dumping at designated dumping sites or landfills only. Dust Emission  Ensure strict enforcement of on-site speed limit regulations.  Avoid excavation works in extremely dry weathers.  Sprinkle water on graded access routes when necessary to reduce dust generation by construction vehicles.  Personal Protective equipment to be worn.  Avoid excavation works in extremely dry weathers. Exhaust emission  Vehicle idling time shall be minimized.  Fuelled construction equipment shall be used where feasible and 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 engines at these points. Noise and vibration  Sensitize truck drivers and machine operators to switch off engines of vehicles or machinery when not in use.  Sensitize truck drivers to avoid gunning of engines or hooting especially near sensitive areas e.g. churches, residential areas and hospitals.  Ensure all generators and heavy equipment are insulated or placed in enclosures to minimize ambient noise levels.  The noisy construction works entirely be planned to be during day time. 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 a lot of energy.  Ensure planning of transportation of materials to ensure that fossil fuels are not consumed in excessive amounts.  Monitor energy use during construction and set targets for reduction of energy use. High water demand  Water to be drawn from the existing borehole on site.  Harness rainwater for domestic use and gardening.  Install water conserving taps that turn off automatically when water is not being used.  Promote recycling and reuse of water as much as possible.  Sensitize staff to conserve water by avoiding unnecessary usage of water. Generation of sewage/effluent  Provide means for handling sewage generated by construction workers.  Conduct regular checks for sewage pipe blockages or damages since such vices can lead to release of the effluent into the land and water bodies.  Monitor effluent quality regularly to ensure that the stipulated discharge rules and standards are violated. Hydrology and water quality degradation  Identify areas where refueling and vehicle maintenance activities and storage if hazardous materials, if any will be permitted.  Ground water will be collected during construction contained and disposed of in accordance with all applicable regulations. Vector and water borne disease incidence  Complete refuse collection and handing service to be provided. Incidents, Accidents and dangerous  Ensure that materials are stored or stacked in such manner as to prevent fall THE KENYA GAZETTE 24th August, 2012 3104 3104 occurrences or collapse.  Ensure the provisions for reporting incidents, accidents and dangerous occurrences during construction.  Enforce adherence to safety procedures and prepare contingency plan for accident response in addition to safety education and training.  Provide all staircases with suitable handrails on both sides.  Ensure that construction workers are not locked up such that they would not escape in case of emergency.  Design suitable documented emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures to be used during any emergence and such procedures must be tested at regular intervals.  Immediately stop any operations where there is an imminent and serious danger to health and safety and evacuate workers. 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) County Director of Environment, Nairobi 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. O. Z. OUMA, for Director-General, MR/0157201 National Environment Management Authority.