GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 14675

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, Acacia Traders Limited proposes to erect non- storied recreational use building with a club house comprising of kitchen, store, toilet facilities separate for men and women, gift shop, equipment store, reception office with a lobby, lounge with a bar and restaurant. Other structures include staff accommodation comprising of 4No. bedsitters with separate toilet facilities, a sentry and an observation post. There will be waste water management systems comprising of one adequate capacity bio digester and all facilities will have associated fixture and fittings per the architectural plan. The proposed site is within a plantation forest made of red cedar trees mainly located within Kikuyu Escarpment Forest, within Uplands Forest Station in Kiambu County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impact Mitigation Measure Damage to forest ecosystem • The proponent shall not pollute damage or disturb land, trees, water, and wild animals. • The proponent should not cause a nuisance or trespass in the forest by others including to neighbouring lands and should take steps to benefit communities benefitting from the forest licensed area of operation. • The proponent shall manage the licensed area sustainably, specifically for recreational values, cultural values and conservation of biodiversity in accordance with Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016 as well as other applicable regulations including but not limited to those governing land use, environment and waste management, wildlife protection, labour, tourism, occupational safety and health. • The proponent shall take special precautions against fires, and where it occurs, take necessary measures to put out the fires. 27th October, 2023 THE KENYA GAZETTE • The proponent should have a designated route, road or path for the purposes of carrying out the activities licensed by KFS. • The proponent shall use the licensed area as per the approved Forest Management Plan and should maintain the physical boundaries of the licensed area including existing survey marks, signs and fences and shall keep all buildings and structures in a state of good repair to enhance site aesthetics. • The proponent shall make adequate arrangements for the disposal of waste and sewage and shall have bins colour coded for the purpose of disposal which will include reuse or recycling including practicing the principles of reduces, reuse and recycle. Noise and air pollution • Control working hours to limit noise, dust and traffic nuisance. Noisy construction activities should be scheduled to hours with minimal interruption i.e. 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. • Sprinkle water on areas where dust is likely to be generated. • Follow the gazetted Noise Control Regulations (2009). Removal of overgrowth and bush clearing and Transportation of debris • Avoid removal of any tree onsite as per KFS guidelines. • Maintenance of equipment for efficiency, minimizing noise production, emissions, spills and consumption. • Erect warning signs prior to commencing construction activities. • Avoid transporting waste during periods of peak traffic activity outside the forest to reduce chances of accidents happening. Biodiversity loss • There shall be no hunting or killing of forest fauna under any circumstances by workers. • There shall be no consumptive utilization of forest resources in the project. • Post warning signs to workers on strategic places onsite to warning against interference with forest resources. • The maximum built up area shall not exceed 30% of the licensed area. • Ensure facilities blend with their environments, with buildings being within the forest canopy (not appearing above the tree tops), not interrupting beautiful views and having appropriately camouflaged roofs. • Avoid felling mature trees to create space for construction. Enough trees should be left untouched to conceal building when they are completed and additional vegetation planted after construction to ensure the forest character is retained. • Minimize the facilities that will be constructed including reducing numbers, dimensions and capacity to ensure that they have the least possible ecological footprint. • Ensure all facilities have minimal impact on the environment. This should include minimal concrete foundation and concrete walling; use of eco-friendly low-impact construction materials and technologies; avoidance of excessive paving of paths and other surfaces; and avoidance of landscaping and introduction of alien vegetation species. • Restore and improve the forest environment during the facility’s life cycle. • Follow strictly license conditions by Kenya Forest Service (KFS). Solid waste generation • Develop a solid waste management plan prior to project commencing, identifying optimal waste re-use options and disposal in licensed sites. • Comply with NEMA Waste Management Regulations (2006). • Comply with County Government of Kiambu registration on solid waste disposal. Increased waste water discharge to sewers • Liaison with County Engineer to ensure adequacy of sewer facilities. • Manage the different types of wastes and wastewater effectively during the facility’s entire life cycle. • Recycle and reuse waste water from onsite processes i.e. kitchen and cleaning water. • Connect all campsite facilities to the designed bio digester which shall be maintained on schedule. Conflict with the local community • Address all community concerns on a timely basis wherever they occur. • Give the forest adjacent community priority to supply labour, fresh produce and other goods and services required during construction and operation phases where they meet project standards. Occupational health and safety • Develop a site safety action plan detailing safety equipment, emergency procedures, restrictions on site, safety inspections and controls. • Reporting and recording of health, safety and environmental incidences as per Legal Notice No 40, The Factories (Building Operations and Works of Engineering Construction) Rules, 1984. 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, Kiambu 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/5920948 National Environment Management.