GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 3527

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, Kenya National Highways Authority is proposing the dualling of the Kenol—Sagana—Marua (A2) Road in Muranga, Kirinyaga and Nyeri counties. It traverses the counties of Murang'a, Kirinyaga and Nyeri starting at Kenol, Maragua District, then on through the towns of Sagana in Kirinyaga County, and Karatina in Nyeri County before finally terminating in Mania Town also in Nyeri County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Drainage and soil erosion • Optimized new drainage structure positions and improved capacities of the structures used in combination with specific erosion protection works. Culvert outfall should be lined for an appropriate distance, especially north of Makutano. • Scour checks should be constructed alongside drains on steep slopes. • Establish retention ditches at the new drainage outfall locations. If water volume and velocity is deemed too high for retention ditches, then the drainage channel should be lined with velocity dissipation surfaces up to the point where the water can be discharged without serious consequences. • Inform the farmers whose farms are likely recipients of cross-drainage outfalls of the actions proposed for mitigating the impact and potential consequences should the mitigation measures fail. Water quality Construction activities should kept to the project footprint and avoid excavations and clearances beyond the project footprint that can generate soil erosion. • Extra care will be required during the wet season. Air quality Use dust suppressants as far as possible, especially within the towns. • All workers should wear dust masks at all times when at the sites of high dust generation. • Engage the management of the identified air quality receptors on possible air quality issues should mitigation measures fail to cope. Soil pollution The most important measure is best engineering practice that is cognisant of environmental responsibilities. • Mitigation actions will mainly involve maintenance of machinery, bunding the garage, and directing spills to an oil sump which should be emptied into a designated final disposal site. Noise and ground At commencement of construction vibration works, map all noise sensitive receptors and prepare a construction plan that avoids excessive noise within proximity of the receptors as appropriate. • Avoid loud noise during school hours close to learning institutions. • Warn residents within 300m of quarries of intention to blast and the exact blasting time. Waste management Develop a waste management plan for use during the entire construction period. • Identify waste disposal sites and ensure the sites are registered with NEMA and the relevant County Government. Road safety Install elaborate road safety signs along the entire road. • Construct foot bridges and under-passes at strategic points along the road. * To the extent possible, avoid zebra crossings along the entire road or use zebra crossings alongside speed calming humps and additional signages. Visual intrusion • The contractor is to prepare a detailed borrow pit management and rehabilitation plan once these are identified. • Progressively rehabilitate quarries and borrow pits as work progresses and as per site specific material site rehabilitation plan. Resettlement and • A resettlement action plan has been compensation separately undertaken and reported in a separate volume. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839-00200, Nairobi. Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126- 00100, Nairobi. County Director of Environment, Murang'a 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 this project. GEOFFREY WAHUNGU, Director-General, MR/3 123937 National Environment Management Authority.