GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 8607

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 project proponent, Aevitas Investment Company Limited, is proposing to construct a 30,000 metric tons LPG mounded storage depot on plot No. MN/VI/4794, Kibarani-Mombasa, in Chaani Location, Changamwe Sub-County, Mombasa County, Kenya. The project shall be constructed in two phases whereby phase one will involve the construction of 25,750 metric tons (MT) capacity mounded storage tanks in the next two years and phase two that will involve the construction of 4,250 metric tons capacity mounded storage tanks. The second phase shall be commenced ones phase one is operational. Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures Impact on air • All material (sand and aggregate) stockpiled on quality the site should be regularly sprayed using water to reduce dust emissions • All trucks carrying aggregate and sand should be covered during delivery to the site. • Ensure sprinkling of water to reduce dust in periods when wind speed is greatest and the rainfall amounts are lowest. • All waste must be transported off-site to designated area approved by NEMA. • Undertake Air Quality Analysis in accordance with the EMCA Air Quality Regulations and International Standards. Impact on water • All diesel and motor oil should be stored in a quality designated area that is properly contained. • Install siltation traps within the drainage design to collect silt and sediment. • If required, conduct periodical water quality monitoring to ensure that standards are maintained. • Use untreated water for construction • Maintain a vegetation buffer around natural environments to reduce any pollution loading to the waterways. • Ensure that any chemicals (e.g. petroleum products like diesel and petrol) are properly stored and properly labelled. The area where chemicals will be stored and handled must be constructed with an impermeable surface. Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures • Ensure that there is proper storage and disposal of waste generated • Conduct regular water quality monitoring of any waste water and watercourses to ensure that these are in keeping with the prescribed water quality standards. Impact on LPG • Ensure that the proposed LPG leakage Leakage detection system is maintained and is working at all times • The proposed automation system to prompt the depot operations shutdown in case of any LPG leakage should be well maintained to avoid system failure • The proposed LPG material balancing system that shall be installed should also be maintained to avoid failure. The system ensures no LPG gas is unaccounted for within the system • The proposed automated water sprinklers should be well maintained. They ensure any LPG gas escaping is vaporized and contained within the facility • Ensure highly skilled personnel are employed in specialized areas of the LPG depot • Ensure all staff are trained on the basics of handling LPG leakages. Impact on soil • Install appropriate drainage systems to direct and geology water away from slopes; • Avoid as far as possible the traversing of bare soil by vehicles to reduce soil compaction; • Designate a main access route for heavy machinery; • The concrete Mound of the LPG gas should be constructed and maintained to protect the bullets. The soil materials to be used for constructing the mounds should be locally sourced. • Apply practices and use products that reduce the potential for contamination of soils including the physical removal of weeds, use of slow-release products and choosing the most `environmentally friendly products available • Prevent the contamination of soils by the designation of a maintenance area for the maintenance of vehicles and other equipment to be used for the upkeep of the turf. This area should be lined with an impervious material and all run-offs from this area channeled and collected in a catchment area. • Undertake periodic soil analysis for TPH and BTEX to determine any soil contamination by the LPG storage tanks. Impact on noise • Silenced machinery and instruments should be and vibration employed to reduce the impact of noise to the neighbouring facilities and workers. • Machinery, vehicles and instruments that emit high levels of noise should be used on a phased basis to reduce the overall impact. • These pieces of equipment such as drills, graders and cement mixers should also be used when the least number of residents can be expected to be affected, for example during periods where most residents are at work or school. • Workers, especially those working with machinery, vehicles and instruments that emit Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures high levels of noise should be supplied with ear plugs and ear muffs to reduce the risk of hearing impairment. Temporary barriers such as earth berms, zinc fencing and sound dampening fencing such as acoustic screens should be employed to reduce the impact of noise to the existing residents; • Ensure that construction activities for the development and the other developments proposed for the area are staggered to decrease the levels of noise and vibration in the area; • Construction hours should be limited to the hours of 8.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. daily except Sundays. • The delivery of raw materials must be limited to 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. • Ensure that there is proper traffic signage and signals where necessary or appropriate to effect the free and safe movement of traffic and there reduce the noise caused by traffic build-up. • Ensure that deliveries to the facility are made between 8.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. daily. • Ensure that maintenance works occurs between the hours of 8.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. daily. • Undertake period Noise Mapping and Assessment as required by Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety Services (DOHSS). Community • Employment of locals and purchase of cohesion construction materials from locals where possible should avoid any feelings of resentment and will ensure that the community derives the most benefits from the development. As far as possible purchase supplies to be used in the construction should be sourced from nearby suppliers. • Identify a specific area on the project site for vending type activities ensuring that there are garbage receptacles throughout the project site. • As far as possible purchase goods and supplies from suppliers within the area. The Local Planning Authority must play an important role in ensuring that the development slated for the area is monitored and implemented in an orderly and sustainable manner. • The developer should develop a Corporate Social Responsibility Programme which could provide assistance to the community such as free medical camps, sponsor locals to training on oil and gas short courses and support for other education and social programmes. • The proponent should consider employing a community liaison officer. Impact on • The developer must improve the road network infrastructural which provides access to the project area. This and road should be accompanied by an upgrade in the network drainage along this road network. Ideally the road improvement works should take place prior to the infrastructural works at the development site. • These road improvements must be scheduled between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily, so as not to disrupt traffic in the area and to abate the increase in ambient noise levels in the community. • Ensure that roads are regularly maintained • Consider using the neighbouring Meter Gauge Railway for LPG distribution 23rd October, 2020 THE KENYA GAZETTE 4291 Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures • Establishing an inclusive Grievances Redress and the proposed plant Feedback Mechanism for purposes of capturing, negotiating and streamlining social and environmental impacts that may arise over time in the life of the LPG Storage depot. Stepping up a more transparent and inclusive CSR strategy. • Establish an explicit communication and decision making strategy. • Establishing a NEMA coordinated continuous monitoring and evaluation framework for management of the depot. • Establishing a strategy for continuous engagements between Aevitas Investment Company Ltd and a competent technical support agency for RECP improvements. Occupational • Provide all employees with safety and health and protective gear Including hard hats, safety safety goggles, dust masks, gloves and safety shoes. mitigation Employees will be required to wear these at all measures times on the project site. • All staff employed at the construction site must be provided with dust masks and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and be trained on how to use them. • Designate the roles and responsibilities of employees, which will enable a clear chain of command during a fire or explosion and allows persons to be aware of their responsibilities in the event of such occurrences. • Ensure that all machinery used on the site is properly maintained and inspected before use. • Install several suitable, approved fire extinguishers at accessible, conspicuous and unobstructed points throughout the development area. • Place a fully equipped first aid kit on the project site. • Place conspicuous warning signs where hazardous or flammable substances will be stored. • Place information signs around the project site which list the numbers of the person responsible for handling emergencies on the site, i.e. Mombasa Fire Department, Keep an emergency log to document any occurrences of fires and explosions as well as to record any damage to the property and human injuries. This log must also contain emergency contact information for all employees. 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, Mombasa 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.