GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 4297

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 Maragua dam. The proposed dam is an embankment dam with a maximum height of 100m. The reservoir is projected to cover an area of 4km and will impound 100hm at its Normal Water Level (NWL). In addition to storing flood flow from the Maragua and Gikigie Rivers, a transfer tunnel has been proposed to transfer water from South Mathioya River to the dam. The length of this tunnel is approximately 3km. The proposed Maragua Dam is located about 200km North of Nairobi the Capital City of Kenya. The study area administratively falls within the Muranga County and the dam site is approximately 1668m above sea level. The proposed project is likely to affect three Districts namely Kahuro, Kangema and Kigumo. In Kahuro District the affected location is Kionjoini and particularly Gatarasub location while in Kangema District the affected locations are Kiruri and Ichichi, mainly Karura and Ichichi sub locations and a few plots in Kiruri sublocation. In Kigumo District the affected location is Kinyona particularly in Gacharage sub location. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impact Mitigation measures Noise and vibration  Notification of the residents on unusual noise and vibration levels during construction.  Construction need to be limited during the daytime only.  Maintain vehicles and equipments well THE KENYA GAZETTE 5th April, 2012 1166 1166 to avoid unnecessary noise and vibration.  Construction of perimeter wall around dam construction and excavation site to reduce noise emitted.  Workers to be provided with safety clothing capable of absorbing noise and excessive vibrations.  Use of improved equipments that emits less noise and vibration. Air pollution  Construction need to be limited during the daytime only.  Ensure dump conditions as much as possible during excavations and earth moving.  Construction materials be maintained covered whenever possible.  Local communities shall be informed on anticipated emissions for preparedness.  Planting of vegetation around the dam to reduce CO produce from decomposition of organic matter in the dam.  The workers shall be provided by protective clothing like masks and goggles. Water pollution  Ensure appropriate waste water discharge from construction site and worker’s camps.  Remove logs and plants before operation.  The hygiene and sanitation standards within the construction site shall be improved and maintained.  Public awareness and capacity building among workers and local community in regard to personal hygiene practice.  Planting of vegetation around the dam and increased soil conservation/integrated farming methods by the communities. Waste generation  Contractor will be required to provide an adequate waste management mechanism to construction sites and worker’s camps.  Categorize wastes into inert materials and others for safe disposal. Inert materials (concrete residuals& earth) may be used on local access roads.  Other waste materials to be disposed off into the approved disposal site.  Most waste materials shall be reused if necessary.  Apply the silt from the silt trap dam at the eroded sections of the dam downstream, and  Encourage appropriate and guided use of the silt by the farmers in reconditioning their farms.  Ensure compliance to EMCA (waste Management) Regulations, 2008. Psychological stress  Ensure that family ties are respected during resettlement process including relocation of graves and any other cultural items.  Enhance public consultation and awareness of the project activities and counseling where need be with the project affected persons.  Provision of alternative livelihoods to those resettled or affected by the project.  Maintain public notices before commencement of any public nuisance activities. Soil contamination  Appropriate maintenance of machines to avoid spillage.  Proper drainage in the construction site to remove waste water.  Proper waste management in the construction site.  Ensure proper disposal of sludge. Offensive odour  Ensure that the contractor appropriately manages waste water and waste in the construction site and camp sites in accordance to EMCA (waste Management) Regulations, 2008. Water-borne diseases  Enhance local people’s public awareness and education in sanitation and personal hygiene.  Provide adequate and clean drinking water to the workers and local communities and other domestic use. Vector-borne diseases  The dam edges shall be deep enough to reduce vector breeding areas.  Clearance of bushes around the dam and water weeds to discourage breeding areas.  Avoidance of pool areas /flooding areas around the dam.  Encourage high speed flow for any outlet from the dam to kill or discourage vector breeding.  Enhance local people’s public awareness and education on vector borne diseases and personal safety.  Proper drainage at construction sites to avoid waste water stagnation. 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 Environmental Officer, Muranga South 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. B. M. LANGWEN, for Director-General, MR/9116022 National Environment Management Authority. 5th April, 2012 THE KENYA GAZETTE