GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 8765

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, Tana Water Works Development Agency, is proposing to construct Thambo Dam at the boundary of Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties within the Mt. Kenya forest. The proposed project involves the construction of 0.3 million cubic meters dam whose purpose is to stabilize the surface water source by impounding the runoff within the Maara North River catchment and supplying water for irrigation, livestock and domestic use to the resident communities of Igoji East, Mwimbi and parts of Chogoria Ward. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Air quality Occupational • Provision of all workers on the site with the health and necessary PPEs. safety • Employees need will be informed on the necessary safety procedures. Proposed Mitigation measures • Use wet suppression techniques in all exposed areas. Fire • Adequate security for workers will be provided during dam construction. • The contractor shall establish an emergency leading group, accident scene command group, an accident treatment group, guard and defend group, a medical aid group, an environmental monitoring group, a logistics group, an accident investigation team. • Testing of risky machines and use of hazardous material shall be strictly controlled by competent experts to ensure safety. • All vehicles and construction equipment will be under control of competent personnel. • Maintain fully stocked first aid kits at the site. • Conduct drills to check on preparedness and response time to emergencies. • Install fire equipment. • Post a fire evacuation plan in various points of the construction site. • Training of construction workers on fire emergency response. • Ensure protection of stockpiles to reduce the potential for air pollution originating from stockpiles of construction materials, topsoil and subsoil. • No open burning of construction and or waste material at the site. Storm water • Minimize or eliminate the discharge of management pollutants into storm water drainage system. • Implement practices and procedures that promote proper handling and storage of construction material and other stockpile to prevent or reduce storm water pollution. Solid waste • Provision of waste collection bins at designated points. • Application of good strategy to collect, remove and safely dispose of waste on daily basis to ensure clean environment. • Conduct educational and awareness campaigns among workers on proper SWM. • The management of construction solid waste shall adopt the integrated solid waste management system. (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, 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, Tharaka Nithi 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, Director-General, MR/1320372 National Environment Management Authority. Invasive species Noise and vibrations Hazardous waste management • The contractor will ensure that appropriate screening of all construction machineries originating from other locations in order to avoid the transfer of dangerous invasive species and biological material attachments on construction equipment. • A suitable noise barrier will be created in form of properly designated noise minimization wall and green belt. • Reducing hazardous material use on site. • Use of alternative products if available. • Training employees in proper handling and use of construction materials. INVITATION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS 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, Alex Mulwa (Dr.), is proposing to construct and operate a tribute funeral home comprising a machine room, cold room, attendant, body preparation and embalming area, passages within the building to provide access into the rooms within the building, lobby, verandah, washrooms, chapel and viewing, waiting lounge, reception, records, strong room, accounts, an entry porch, a 3 No. car parking space, a fence with 1 gate and an incinerator for management of solid wastes on plot L.R. No. Muthambi/Gatua/1334 in Muthambi Location, Maara Sub-County in Tharaka Nithi County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Proposed Mitigation Measures • Demarcate the project area to be affected by the construction works to prevent the effects of construction from spilling over into other areas. • Rehabilitate all areas inadvertently affected by the proposed project construction. • Re-establish vegetation in some or parts of the disturbed areas through implementation of a well-designed landscaping program. • Evaluate the project to ensure that the design optimizes the use of materials and materials to be sourced locally. • Construction material must be tested and approved by the relevant department at the public works office. • Provide workers in noisy environments with earmuffs. • Place noisy equipment in enclosures and away from sensitive environments. • Keep all machinery in good condition to reduce noise generation. • Maintain reasonable working durations whenever possible to reduce the number of complaints concerning noise. • Operate shorter shift period for workers who come in direct contact with high concentrations of noise. • Suppress dust by water spraying before sweeping and on dusty grounds. • Dispose waste regularly and appropriately to avoid wastes decomposing at collection areas. • Embalm all bodies before storage in order to prevent them from rotting. Impacts Environmental degradation due to construction activities such as vegetation clearing, excavation and compaction Usage of construction materials Noise and vibrations Degradation of air quality Impacts Proposed Mitigation measures • Institute practices and procedures to reduce or prevent leaks or spills which may be discharged into the environment. • Potential contaminated effluent (by oils and lubricants), will be captured using oil, water and sand filter separators. • Hazardous and general waste will be separated and removed from site for disposal at recognized waste management facilities as approved by proponent.