GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 11077

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, Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency, is proposing to develop conventional and simplified sewer networks to convey wastewater to treatment plants, an "off-site" collection system for Busia Town in Busia County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Environmental Concerns Recommended Mitigation Measures Vegetation resources • Compensatory planting of trees i.e. plants at least twice the number of trees, about 900 in total either on farmer's land or in public land within the project area. • Vegetation should only be cleared along the project corridor and where it will interfere with project construction and/or present a hazard. • The local community should be given a chance to harvest the targeted vegetation if they so wish. • Areas to be cleared should be agreed and demarcated before the start of the clearing operations to minimize exposure. • The use of existing cleared or disturbed areas for the contractor's camp, stockpiling of materials etc. shall be encouraged. • Establish a Health and Safety Plan (HASP) for civil works areas ensuring the working hours are controlled and that employees are not allowed to extend the working hours beyond an acceptable limit for purposes of gaining extra pay. • Provide workers with gloves, ear gears, sturdy rubber boots and overalls to protect their skin from the effects of cement. • Provide workers training on safety procedures and emergency response such as fire and sewer pipe bursts. • Water sprays shall be used on all earthworks areas within 200 metres of human settlement especially during the dry season. • The removal of vegetation shall be avoided until such time as clearance is required and exposed surfaces shall be re-vegetated or stabilized as soon as practically possible. • Do not carry out dust generating activities (excavation, handling and transport of soils) during times of strong winds. • Water sprays shall be used on all earthworks areas. Water shall be applied when need be to reduce dust emissions caused by vehicle movements or wind. Occupational safety and health risks Air pollution Recommended Mitigation Measures Vehicles delivering soil materials shall be covered to reduce spills and windblown dust. Vehicle speeds shall be limited to minimize the generation of dust on site and on diversion and access roads. • The contractor will keep noise level within acceptable limits (60 decibels during the day and 35 decibels during the night) and construction activities shall, where possible, he confined to normal working hours in the residential areas. • Sensitive receptors, for example markets such as Busia markets and schools shall be notified by the contractor at least 5 days before construction is due to commence in their vicinity. Water demand and • Isolate solid wastes disrupted from the effluent generation works during excavations for safe disposal. The wastes should he collected and disposed in approved sites. • Earth moving and excavations for the construction are carried out considering safety of the river and surface drainage. Control siltation of rivers and other surface drains. • Ensure spilt oil does not discharge into water sources Provide oil spill containment including concrete platform for servicing of construction equipment and holding of scrap oil drums. • Contain excavated soils so that they will not find their way into nearby water sources including streams, shallow wells and Okame River. • Spilled cement or concrete should be collected and disposed away from natural water ways or storm water drainage. • Sensitize workers and enable them to properly handle concrete spillages or waste cement. Solid waste • A site waste management plan should be generation prepared by the contractor prior to commencement of construction works. This should include designation of appropriate waste storage areas, collection and removal schedule and identification of approved disposal site. • Ensure that the solid waste collection, segregation, and disposal system is functioning properly at all times during the construction phase. Soil resources • The spilled oil from fueling and servicing stations should be trapped in grit chambers for settling of suspended matter before being release into the environment. • Collected oil should be properly disposed to avoid any underground water contamination. • Earthworks should be controlled so that !and that is not required for the road works is not disturbed. Wherever possible, earthworks should be carried out during the dry season to prevent soil from being washed away by the rain. Excavated materials and excess earth should be kept at appropriate sites approved by the supervising engineer. Environmental Concerns Noise pollution Environmental Cconcerns Vegetation resources • Compensatory planting of trees i.e. plants at least twice the number of trees, about 900 in total either on farmer's land or in public land within the project area. Occupational safety and health risks • Vegetation should only be cleared along the project corridor and where it will interfere with Project construction and/or present a hazard. • The local community should be given a chance to harvest the targeted vegetation if they so wish. • Areas to be cleared should be agreed and demarcated before the start of the clearing operations to minimize exposure. • The use of existing cleared or disturbed areas for the contractor's camp, stockpiling of materials etc. shall be encouraged. • Establish a Health and Safety Plan (HASP) for civil works areas ensuring the working hours are controlled and that employees are not allowed to extend the working hours beyond an acceptable limit for purposes of gaining extra pay. Recommended Mitigation Measures 24th December, 2020 THE KENYA GAZETTE 5169 Recommended Mitigation Measures • The contractor should adhere to specified cut and fill gradients and planting embankments with shrubs and grass to reduce erosion and take care of stability problems of road embankments. Areas cleared for improving sight distance should be planted with grass to reduce erosion. • Water containing pollutants such as concrete or chemicals should be directed to a conservancy tank for removal from the site where applicable. Environmental Concerns Liquid wastes