GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 1243

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, National Irrigation Board is proposing the implementation of Rwabura Irrigation Development Project in Gatundu South Constituency in Kiambu County. The proposed project will consist of two (2) conveyance lines and three (3) main lines proposed to supply water across the project area. The Thiririka conveyance line (conveyance (1) of about 8.27 km offtakes from Thiririka intake in the Kikuyu escarpment forest and follows Thiririka River South Eastwards up to the head of the scheme. Conveyance line 2 of about 8.82 km off takes from the Rwabura intake and follows Rwabura River South Eastwards up to the head of the scheme. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Reduced water flow • Adopt a watershed management approach for River Rwabura and Thiririka River during construction. This will enable works to be undertaken when demand for water is minimal for downstream users. • Develop compensation measures for affected downstream water users. Change in soil properties • During construction, earthworks should be controlled so that land that is not required for the works is not disturbed. • Where possible, excavation should be carried out during the dry spell to prevent soil from being washed away by the rain. • Excavated materials and excess earth should be kept at appropriate sites approved by the construction supervisor. • Areas that are cleared for excavation should be planted with grass once the pipeline is laid. • Compaction of soil by heavy vehicles will be mitigated through the use of wide tyres to spread the weight of vehicles. In addition, only few tracks should be used to bring materials to the work area. Air pollution • The Contractor should maintain construction machinery and vehicles in accordance with the manufacturers’ specifications to keep noise and gas emissions to a minimu. • The Contractor should control dust emissions and odours by sprinkling water and by good housekeeping practice. • Construction works should be undertaken only during day time. Construction waste • Waste management should comply with EMCA (Waste Management) Regulations. • Designated garbage storage areas should be provided during construction and the contractor should be responsible for handling and disposal of all construction and related waste. • Waste disposal by burning should not be permitted and signage should be erected to ensure that workers are sensitised to waste disposal and handling issues on site. • Recycling is the most desirable option for ‘disposal’ of any waste materials resulting from construction. The contractor should, as much as possible put to good and acceptable use any materials damaged or rejected for use on site. • The construction supervisor and contractor will have the primary responsibility for the environmental due diligence. The construction supervisor will be required to include environmental considerations in monthly progress reports and indicate progress in the implementation of mitigation measures as outlined in the EMP. Biodiversity loss • Except to the extent necessary for establishing the construction site and carrying out the construction works, vegetation should not be removed, damaged or disturbed. • Existing cleared or disturbed areas should be used for construction of temporary structures and stockpiling of materials. • Construction staff should be encouraged to trim trees rather than remove them. • Planting of vegetation should be undertaken after the pipes are covered with soil. • Re-vegetate using indigenous tree and grass species whenever possible. • Avoid cutting down indigenous trees. Occupational health and safety • In order to prevent work-related accidents, there should be strict compliance with labour laws and health and safety committee rules. • Hazardous areas should be secured and all workers should be provided with personal protective equipment. • All workers should be trained in fire response and basic first aid procedures. Public health issues • The irrigation water management committee should put in place information, education and communication programmes about safe uses of and treatment of irrigation water at household level. • The irrigation water management committee should support implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention programmes within the project area in collaboration with other stakeholders. • Include HIV/AIDS awareness and control campaigns in the project targeting construction workers. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (b) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126– 00100, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Kiambu 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 of the plan. GEOFFREY WAHUNGU, Director-General, MR/2489413 National Environment Management Authority.