GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 3554

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, Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency, is proposing to construct Keben Dam and water supply which will supply water to Lessos, Sochoi, Keben, Kapchorwa, Mogobich, Arwos, Kaptildil, Himaki, Chperit, Baraton, Chemundu, Nandi Hills town, Kipngetunyi and Kapsabet Town and the surrounding areas until Air pollution • Water the soil surface and any non-asphalted roads, especially in the dry season. • Cover hauling vehicles carrying dusty materials moving outside the construction site. • Fit vehicles with appropriate exhaust systems and emission control devices. • Limit the idling time of vehicles not more than 2 minutes. • Implement ECP 10: Air Quality Management. Clearing of • Vegetation clearance shall be limited to the vegetation and extent required for execution of works. trees • Avoid cutting down of tree species of conservation significance and those that are protected, even those that act as nesting and breeding sites. • Tree plantation will be carried out in and other suitable areas near the river training works at a ratio of 5 new trees per each tree cut. Clearing of • Plant forest woodland buffer around reservoir vegetation and (156 ha). trees terrestrial 15th May, 2020 THE KENYA GAZETTE 1921 Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures • Preparation and implementation of the contractor's Communication plan to engage local leaders and community. • Implement ECP 19: Construction and Operation Phase Security. Safety, security, • Employ 24-hour security team for periods of and vandalism significant on-site storage or when the area necessitates. • Ensure there is proper fencing around construction site perimeter, chain-link at least 2.4 m high and secured with a steel chain and lock. • Access to the camps must be controlled through gated entrances and entrance and exit logs shall be maintained at each gate. Migrant workers • Awareness campaign. Proposed Mitigation Measures • Reforestation of forest woodland in riparian buffer zone (60 ha). • Plant Riparian grassland around dam shoreline. • Ensure approval for removing protected tree • species by KFS. • Maintain environmental flows to minimize impact on downstream riverine habitat and monitor invasive vegetation species. • Catchment management initiatives to include better management of natural habitat within the dam catchment, including the Cerengoni Forest Reserve. • Environmental management and awareness as part of training for employees during construction to be done. Construction activities • Code of conduct for workers. • Grievance mechanism. • Develop and implement strong community participation plan. • Awareness creation on HIV/AIDS infection and diseases through a well-designed campaign implementation plan targeting all risk-prone groups. • Empowering women through employment in the construction work. • Construction contractors will provide all required facilities for workers, so workers will not put pressure on local facilities. • Prepare construction schedule to avoid farming seasons. • For longer construction works, the contractor shall be prohibited from interrupting the water supply to any canal or reducing it below the allocated discharge of these canals by proving diversion canals on the section where work is planned on priority basis. • The Contractor shall programme the Works to utilize the low water demand periods in the command area. • Avoid construction during the rainy season. • Minimize digging of trenches and vegetation clearance to minimum required levels. • Limit construction to daytime. • Sprinkle water on the excavated sections to abate dust emissions. • Practice soil control measures(terracing)Spoil dumping only in approved locations. • Limit construction during day time. • Ensure adequate provision of the personal protective equipment. • Ensure regular maintenance of contractors machineries and vehicles. • Provide adequate signage and reflective tapes for restricted zones. • Sprinlding water to reduce dust levels. • Implement the rehabilitation plan for material sites. • During construction phase the contractor site camps should be properly managed. Water usage, fuelwood cutting, deforestation, trees injury should be avoided. Community of the area should not be affected. • Proper sanitation and construction machinery should be maintained according to environmental standards. • The contractor needs to establish main and site camps. • Location of all schemes are at a safe distance from sites of archaeological and religious importance, however if sites of religious significance are encountered during construction activities, the works will be stopped in that area, and the appropriate department will be informed. • Minimize construction in the critical habitats of birds. • Care should be taken to make sure bird nests are not destroyed. If there is no option available, rehabilitate them in other neighboring trees. Also protect and rehabilitate injured or orphaned birds. • Use of existing access road and limit the width of new access roads. • Implement ECP 13 Protection of Fauna for species with conservation significance especially endangered and near threatened. Impacts habitat Excavation works Construction works and related components dam formation and excavations (WTW and pipelines channels) Construction camps Archaeological and religious sites (Historical sites) Impacts on ecology, wildlife and habitats Proposed Mitigation Measures • Plant riparian vegetation around Dam perimeter. • Maintain environmental flows to minimize impact on downstream riparian habitat, river flows and water quality. • Construction management plan to minimize potential water quality impacts. • Dam operational procedures to include management of environmental flow discharges to ensure poor quality dam water is not released. • Do not allow introduction of non-endemic species and ensure any pest species are quickly removed from the dam. • Minimize construction in the critical habitats of birds. • Care should be taken to make sure bird nests are not destroyed. If there is no option available, rehabilitate them in other neighboring trees. Also protect and rehabilitate injured or orphaned birds. • Use of existing access road and limit the width of new access roads. • Implement ECP 13 Protection of Fauna for species with conservation significance especially endangered and near threatened. • Plant riparian vegetation around dam perimeter. • Maintain environmental flows to minimize impact on downstream riparian habitat, river flows and water quality. • Construction management plan to minimize potential water quality impacts. • Dam operational procedures to include management of environmental flow discharges to ensure poor quality dam water is not released. Impacts Impacts on ecology, wildlife and habitats Impacts on downstream and protected areas • Do not allow introduction of non-endemic species and ensure any pest species are quickly removed from the Dam. Water supply to • Potable water supply sub-projects are communities expected to directly benefit 29,220 people (3, 653 households). • Lifestyle in surrounding areas will be improved by ensuring sustained supply of potable water. • Sanitation and water borne diseases in the area will be improved. • Sustained water supply will contribute significantly on reduction to households spending on water borne diseases. • Improvement in livestock quantity and composition due to consistent availability of water will improve economic income and food security of people. Protection and • Improved recharge of ground water tables in conservation of the project area by water storing techniques forests and and plantation. surface water • Improved watershed and rangeland management technologies to improve soil moisture retention, reducing erosion and improving groundwater recharge. • The regulated hydrology regime will be more beneficial for the overall ecosystem health, Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures even with reduced total quantity of water, than the current erratic regime. User safety and • Undertake a comprehensive risk assessment risks study or the dam as part of the pre- downstream, commissioning stage. Develop provide clear emergency preparedness strategies. • Maintain a fence around the dam with provision for limited and/or controlled access to the dam water. • Enhance close surveillance by the community, especially those living on risk prone areas. Sensitize the communities on dam safety issues associated with the dam. • Create awareness programmes to the communities on dam safety aspects. • Provide safe access points to water for the community around the dam. • Consider acquiring the land directly. Downstream, • At the feasibility level, Mogobich river and riparian and Cheplalbei river flows will not be negatively river rine forest impacted by the project. and wetlands • Assessments show that the minimum environmental flow required for Mogobich river and Cheplalbei river flows and that after Maintain Environmental Flows equivalent to 90% percentile compensation flow (Q90), which is the flow that is available 90% of the time. • Decommission diversion channel at beginning of wet season to minimize time required for dam to reach operational level (2340 masl) and commencement of environmental flow discharges. • Hydrology report confirms there is enough environmental flow. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126-00100, Nairobi. (b) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839-00200, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Nandi 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 regarding this plan. MAMO B. MAMO, Ag. Director-General, MR/0747869 National Environment Management Authority.