GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 6237

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, Izera Enterprises Limited proposes to establish an aviation academy that will be used for offering training in engineering, air craft maintenance and flying, as well as commercial purposes that will include transport of freight (such as meat products and fresh produce mainly to the Middle East and neighbouring countries) and support to the tourism sector (Tsavo East and West National Parks and Amboseli Game Reserve). The proposed project will be located on Plot L.R No. 12177/13 within Izera Ranch in Taita Taveta County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Storm water drainage and overflows • The Proponent shall undertake a detailed hydrological analysis. • Design will limit the gradient required for the runways, taxiways and apron. Exploitation of borrow pits/ quarries • The proponent shall exploit construction materials solely from approved sites, for which ESIAs have been carried out. • Extract materials conservatively, to prevent wastage/ over extraction. • Restore borrow pits/ quarries after use. Quality of equipment • The proponent shall procure good quality equipment that adheres to the principles of Best Available Technology. Destruction and loss of local biodiversity • The contractor shall keep vegetation clearance to a minimum, as necessary. • Visibly mark out extent of areas to be cleared out. 2134 2134 Impacts Mitigation Measures • Landscape the project site upon completion of works with native/local species. Soil erosion • The contractor shall control earthworks so that only land that is required for construction is disturbed. • Plan for earthworks during the dry season. • Store excavated materials and excess earth at appropriate and approved sites, where natural/controlled water discharge is possible. • Control areas susceptible to soil erosion through installation of drainage works. Introduction of invasive species/ vectors/ pests • The contractor shall source earth material for construction from approved suppliers. • Landscaping activities should be undertaken by a reputable contractor, with quality assurance measures in place. • Report any invasive species/ vectors/ pests to the nearest relevant authority, e.g. KWS, KEPHIS. Loss/ disturbance of wildlife (Tsavo Conservation Area) • The contractor shall forbid the poaching or hunting of game. • Develop and implement a Wildlife Management Plan. • Explore the possibility of constructing water points/ salt licks away from sensitive areas. • Vegetation clearing should only take place where necessary and conservatively. • Minimize noise and dust nuisance. • Educate/ train and create awareness among workers on wildlife in the project area. • Consider establishing biological buffer zones. • Erect road signage indicating presence of wildlife in the area, and permissible speeds. • Liaise closely with KWS/NGOs on most appropriate measures to reduce disturbance to wildlife. Air pollution • The proponent shall carry out regular air quality assessments to establish the ambient conditions and determine the significance of routine activities. • Implement KCAAA/ ICAO standards on reducing emissions from operation of aircrafts. • The contractor shall train workers on management of air pollution from vehicles and machinery, including dust minimization techniques. • Maintain and service all construction machinery regularly in accordance with manufacturer specifications. • Adequately seal and equip asphalt plants and concrete batching plants with dust removal devices. • Place speed limits on vehicles operating on site and on diversions and access roads, to minimize the generation of dust. Impacts Mitigation Measures Water pollution • The contractor shall restrict refueling of equipment to workshops/ base camp. • Store fuels, lubricants and other contaminants in areas with containment systems/ seals/ bunds. • Construct oil-water interceptors or sumps to capture discharge of oils, fats and other polluting liquids from maintenance of equipment. • Institute Spill Prevention and Control Plan/ Response and Contingency Plan for spills/ accidental blowouts. • The proponent shall establish procedures for cleaning/ de-silting and routine periodic maintenance of storm water drainage facilities. Waste disposal and management • The contractor shall promote waste segregation at point sources. • Reuse rubble materials where possible. • Introduce clearly marked waste disposal bins in strategic areas. • Publish ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’t’s’ related to waste disposal in common areas. • Develop and implement a Waste Management Plan. • Establish clear procedures for the transport, handling and disposal of hazardous materials/ waste, following national. International guidelines, such as Material Safety Data Sheets. Increased pressure on baseline infrastructure • The contractor shall procure energy- efficient equipment and promote non- wastage of energy. • Develop and implement an Energy Management Plan. • Monitor water consumption and utilization. • Limit number of vehicles to the minimum requirement. • Establish a Safety and Emergency Response Plan for all operations. Change in landscape/ aesthetics • The contractor shall limit de-vegetation activities to the extent possible. • Undertake landscaping activities that align with the general area, and plant local varieties. • Decorate facilities/ buildings with colours/ motifs that match the project area. Recruitment of labour • The contractor shall liaise with local administration when seeking local labour, particularly unskilled labour. • Provide fair remuneration. Worker occupational safety and health • The contractor shall comply with OSHA and WIBA, 2007. • Promote the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). • Assign only trained and competent personnel to operate equipment. • Develop and implement in-house manuals/ guidelines on Environment, Health and Safety (EHS). 12th May, 2023 THE KENYA GAZETTE Impacts Mitigation Measures • Restrict public access to construction sites for safety and security. Community safety and health • The contractor shall restrict public access to construction sites for safety and security. • Institute and rigorously implement noise and dust abatement measures. • Inform community of construction activities and schedules. • Limit construction activities to working hours, to the extent possible. Immigrant populations, including risk of HIV/ AIDS • The contractor shall undertake community- based activities, to promote social cohesion. • Institute HIV/AIDS control measures, including awareness/ sensitization and distribution of prophylactics. Loss/ disturbance of wildlife (Tsavo Conservation Area) • The proponent shall forbid the poaching or hunting of game. • Minimize noise and dust nuisance. • Limit equipment testing to daytime hours. • Liaise closely with KWS/ NGOs on most appropriate measures to reduce disturbance to wildlife. • Implement a variety of acoustic, olfactory, visual and barrier techniques to deter wildlife activity during operations. Risk of bird strikes • The proponent shall liaise closely with KWS/NGOs on most appropriate measures to reduce bird strikes. • Procure appropriate bird deterrent equipment. • Maintain regular surveillance on bird movements. • Undertake proper waste disposal activities to reduce occurrence of scavenging birds. Change in general highway operation • The Proponent shall liaise with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to erect signage informing road users of changes in traffic speeds, and location of links/ junctions. • Share operational schedules for public information/ awareness. 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, 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, Taita Taveta County. A copy of the report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke 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 project. Comments can also be emailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/5164656 National Environment Management.