GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 12196

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 (KeNHA), is proposing to upgrade Kulamawe–Modogashe (113km) Road to bitumen standards. The project road is approximately 113km long and forms part of the Isiolo–Mandera Road. It starts at Kulamawe Shopping Centre in Garbatulla Sub-county, Isiolo County, passing through Eldere, Bullo, Barkuke and Janju settlements and terminates at Modogashe Shopping Centre, a border town parts of which are in Isiolo and Garissa counties. The project road is classified as Road B84 under the new (2016) road classification system by the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (MoTIHUD). The proposed alignment lies on a generally flat to gentle sloping terrain from Kulamawe, and traverses a vast low plain connecting market centres among them Boji, Garbatula, Eldera, Eldere, Camp Samaki and Barkuke. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Construction material sourcing • Obtain appropriate authorization and licenses for the use of the borrow pits and quarries before commencing activities. • Carry out inspection of each of the sites’ soil stability before excavation. • All borrow pit sites shall be clearly indicated on a plan and approved by the engineer. • Borrow pits and quarries to be located more than 100 metres from watercourses to minimize storm water runoff into watercourse and mitigate potential conflicts. • Give 14 days’ notice to nearby communities of the intention to begin excavation in the borrow pits or quarries. • Prepare a material extraction plan prior any work on the quarries and borrow pits is commenced. Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures • Where material sites are close to settlements, cordon off the quarry and borrow areas to keep livestock, wildlife and children out. • All borrow pits and quarries must be decommissioned when work on the road is over, hence a rehabilitation plan MUST be prepared by the contractor as part contract agreement with the land owners and NEMA licensing. • Stockpile topsoil on site and use during rehabilitation of the borrow pits and quarries. • In case of blasting. • Obtain a current and valid authorization from the Department of Mines and Geology prior to any blasting activity. • A qualified and registered blaster shall supervise all blasting and rock-splitting operations. • Develop a safety policy on site. • Upon completion of works, the borrow areas and quarries should be graded and backfilled with topsoil that formed the overburden. Since the project area is largely semi-arid and may not support planted seedlings, the area should be cordoned off and natural regeneration allowed to occur. Damage to landscape • Ensure that intake area is landscaped and that a 50m buffer zone along the river is maintained by planting of water friendly trees and grass along the river embankment and on both sides of the intake structure , construction of river embankment structures, as well as re use of soil from trenching activities as a backfill. Water logging • Adopt on the correct water application to ensure efficient irrigation technologies. Use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers • The farm management will review the material safety data sheet for pesticides and herbicides used in the farm. • Train workers on use and storage requirements of chemicals and personal protective equipments. • Consider and adopt Integrated Pest Management IPM. Build- up of toxins in the soil • Proper use of chemical and fertilizers at recommended rates. • Use of biodegradable farm herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers in the farm. • Explore organic farming options. Increased waste generation • Recycle and reuse waste including water. • Exercising appropriate waste handling and good housekeeping practices and procedures. • Strict Adherence to Waste Management Regulations, 2006. Disruption of water course • Stabilization of water courses and river banks after all constructions are complete. • Reuse of trenched soils as a backfill when laying the pipelines. • Abstract water as per the water permit. Dust, emissions and other odors and • Use hand tools to do excavation and limit use of heavy machinery. THE KENYA GAZETTE 23rd November, 2018 4180 4180 Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures noise • Provide, enforce and use of personal protective equipment. • Adherence to Noise and Excessive Vibrations Pollution (Control) Regulations, 2009. • Regularly maintain and wet the farm roads. • Maintenance of all farm machinery and tractors as per the servicing schedule. • Sprinkling water when dusty conditions set in. • Strict Adherence to Air Quality Regulations, 2014. Drying of river during low flow • Control irrigation during extreme droughts. • Consult and join Sabaki River Water resource Users Association, in line with Water Act, 2002. Rising of river bed upstream of the weir • Carrying out periodic scouring of sediments deposited. • Have a river embankment upstream of the intake weir. Rising of water table level adjacent to the weir • Plant trees and grass to protect soil erosion loss. Loss of soil fertility • Practice good agricultural techniques. • Practice seed intercropping. • Sensitization of community on erosion prevention measures and good agricultural practices. • Carry out mulching. Encroachment in the river line area • Maintain the required riparian reserve along the river. • Enforce Agricultural Act on the same. • Sensitize community on importance of river line. • Plant grass in the river line for stabilization. Increase in waterborne diseases • Wash and cook vegetables. • Avoid eating raw foods. • Train workers on proper practices and sanitation practices. • Treat water before using it for potable uses. 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) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30521, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Isiolo 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. GEOFFREY WAHUNGU, Director-General, MR/5555038 National Environment Management Authority.