GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 1273

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 Ecolodge at Hagenia, Aberdare National Park. The project entails construction of a 30 bed eco-lodge that shall consist of one-level structures on elevated wooden decks and with semi-permanent solid walls of natural materials that blend well with the environment with minimum concrete. In addition it will comprise of 15 luxury cabins, a club house, swimming pool and private lone huts for dining and bird watching. The proposed project will be located at Hagenia site within Aberdare National Park on a 35 acre piece of land. The site is six kilometres south-west of Chania River and the Chania Picnic site. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Environmental issue Mitigation Measures Hydrology and Drainage  Existing and new tracks should have provisions for side drains, mitre drains and culverts all located at appropriate points, that is, employing the principle of discharging water off the road little and often, particularly on sloped terrain.  The drains must lead to the safest point of 3rd February, 2012 THE KENYA GAZETTE discharge (usually a water course).  These structures must be regularly maintained. Soil Erosion  Only minimal bush clearing should be done  With regard to creating and or gravelling of tracks, if recommendations for frequent drainage off the road are taken into consideration, then erosion will be minimized. The installation of check-dams (using sticks and stones, or naturally occurring biological material) and scour checks along the drains will also prevent erosion. Again these structures must be regularly maintained.  Excavations of the site will be confined only within the sections upon which constructions is taking place.  Excavated earth will be held away from locations of the site not susceptible to surface runoff of storm water.  The earth removed from external disposal will require to be deposited on sites without the risk of being washed down during rains and where it will not compromise other land use activities in those areas.  Extra precautions on control of soil erosion will be required on construction during periods of heavy rainfall.  Re-vegetate exposed areas on the site so as to mitigate further erosion of soil.  Landscaping with indigenous species will help to mitigate soil erosion during the operation phase of the project. Water Resources  Flows rates in the River or springs that are intended to be used as water sources should be established  The Proponent should liaise with WRMA to obtain the necessary permit to draw water  River water used for the eco-lodge‘s supply will have to be tested and treated accordingly. Parameters for testing should include suspended solids, nitrates, phosphates, pH, conductivity, organic matter and fluoride.  Care should be taken to ensure that water tapped comes right from the source. Dosing with chlorine should be sufficient for the purposes of the eco-lodge, as this water is not intended for potable use. This can be done through automated procedures or manually, but whichever method is chosen, it is important that the residual concentration of 0.2 to 0.5 mg/l (depending on bacterial contamination levels) after 30 minutes of contact time is maintained in order to ensure bacterial disinfection.  Good environmental practice would entail properly recording and filing water treatment procedures, so that in the absence of the person normally responsible for treatment of water, any other assigned person is able to competently carry out this function.  In the same vein, guests as well as staff should be sensitized with regard to minimizing water usage.  In order to reduce water consumption, guests should be encouraged not to have their clothes washed while they are at the Ecolodge. In addition, camps should arrange to take their linen, uniforms etc to Nyeri or Nairobi for washing. Noise and Vibrations  Ensure that construction equipments are maintained at the best operating conditions to avoid unnecessary noise.  All equipment and machinery must be regularly maintained.  Guests must be advised to keep noise levels down, especially when watching game. Playing radios and ghetto-blasters should not be permitted within the Ecolodge. Hooting must also be prohibited.  Driver guides should adhere to Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) codes of ethics, especially during game drives.  Ensure workers are provided with the necessary personal protective equipment including earplugs or earmuffs when operating or working with noisy equipment.  Power generators should be installed in acoustically designed structures to prevent noise pollution. Air Quality  Drivers are advised to avoid idling and unnecessary idling of their vehicles while within the Park  Regular servicing of vehicles to avoid emitting of fumes beyond the required levels Solid Waste  Proper disposal of construction wastes and debris outside the National Park at approved dump site.  Segregate waste  Adopt reduce, reuse, recycle philosophy  Waste to be taken to Nairobi until suitable local options is available.  Train local communities to recycle/ reuse waste Construction/ Burrow Materials  Bonafide/ environmentally friendly materials sources  Restricted use of certain specified materials  Burrow pits to be located outside the National Park, ensure controlled excavation, and rehabilitation after use. Aberdares National Park  Monitor locations of wildlife within the National Park.  Implementation of the Management Plan for the Forest Ecosystem and the National Park. Vegetation  Prohibit off-road driving  Encourage neighbouring communities to grow vegetables to supply the camps  Prohibit planting of non-endemic species in the National Park.  Encourage communities to grow wood for campfire and energy sources General risks and hazards  Provision and maintenance of firefighting equipment  Emergency response plans and training Visual aspects  Locate facilities discretely  Design structures to complement environment  Camouflage structures 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, Central Province. (d) District Environment Officer, Nyandarua 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 decision making process of the plan. (EIA/5/2/786) SALOME MACHUA , For: Director General, MR/8844590 National Environment Management Authority.