GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 16933

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) regulations, the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), has received an environmental impact assessment study report for the implementation of the proposed dog kennels, office facilities and vehicle workshop. The proposed project comprises of construction of a dog hold yard, a vehicle workshop and security guards training facility. The development will be of single floor permanent buildings comprising of: • 114 dog kennels, 5 puppy kennels, overhead tank, guard house, 3 training rooms, toilets, 2 offices, soak pit/ eeptic tank, kitchen and washing yard, spares store, 10 parking bays. The project is located in North Muthaiga, off Kiambu Road, opposite Wonderjoy Gardens about 1.5 km from Kiambu Road. The proposed development plot is on L.R No. 27/ 332 and 335 and measures about 4470 square metres. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures. Negative impacts Mitigation measures High demand of raw materials • Source building materials from local suppliers who use environmentally friendly processes in their operations. THE KENYA GAZETTE 7th January, 2011 Mitigation measures Negative Impacts • Ensure accurate budgeting and estimation of actual construction material requirements to ensure that the least amount of material necessary is ordered, minimizing damage or loss of materials. Increased storm water, runoff and soil erosion • Roof water to be harvested and stored in water reservoirs for use in cleaning and in the toilets. • A storm water management plan that minimizes impervious area infiltration by use of re-charge areas and use of detention and/or retention with graduated outlet control structure shall be designed. • Apply soil erosion control measures such as leveling of the project site construction of soil-galleys on sloppy sections to reduce run-off velocity and increase infiltration of storm water into the soil. • Ensure that construction vehicles are restricted to existing roads to avoid soil compaction within and around the project site and ripping any compacted areas. • Use of an integrated solid waste management system i.e. through a hierarchy of options: reduction, sorting, re-use, recycling and proper disposal. Increased solid waste generation • Through accurate estimation of the sizes and quantities of materials required, order materials in the sizes and quantities they will be needed, rather than cutting them to size, or having large quantities of residual materials. • Ensure strict enforcement of on-site speed limit regulations. • Avoid excavation works in extremely dry weathers if and when possible. • Sprinkle water on graded access routes when necessary to reduce dust generation by construction vehicles. Dust emission • Personal Protective equipment to be worn. • Vehicle idling time shall be minimized. • Alternatively fuelled construction equipment shall be used where feasible; equipment shall be properly tuned and maintained Exhaust emission • Sensitize truck drivers to avoid unnecessary racing of vehicle engines at loading/off-loading points and parking areas, and to switch off engines at these points. • Sensitize construction vehicle drivers and machinery operators to switch off engines of vehicles or machinery not being used. • Sensitize construction drivers to avoid gunning of vehicle engines or hooting especially when passing through sensitive areas such as churches, residential areas and hospitals. • Ensure that construction machinery are kept in good condition to reduce noise generation. Noise and vibration during construction period • Ensure that all generators and heavy- duty equipment are insulated or placed in enclosures to minimize ambient noise levels. Mitigation measures • Trees around and within the site shall provide some buffer against noise propagation. Negative Impacts • The noisy construction works shall entirely be planned to be during day time when most of the neighbors are away at work. Increased energy consumption • Ensure electrical equipment, appliances and lights are switched off when not being used, Install energy saving fluorescent tubes at all lighting points instead of bulbs which consume higher electric energy. • Provision of means for handling sewage generated by construction workers. • Conduct regular checks for sewage pipe blockages or damages since such vices can lead to release of the effluent into the land and water bodies. Generation of waste water • Monitor effluent quality regularly to ensure that the stipulated discharge rules and standards are not violated. Incidents, accidents and dangerous occurrences • Ensure that provisions for reporting incidents, accidents and dangerous occurrences during construction using prescribed forms obtainable from the local Occupational Health and Safety Office (OHSO) are in place. • Well stocked first aid box which is easily available and accessible shall be provided within the premises. • Fire fighting equipment such as fire extinguishers and hydrant systems shall be provided at strategic locations such as stores and construction areas. Occupational health and safety risks during construction and operational phases • Regular inspection and servicing of the equipment must be undertaken by a reputable service provider and records of such inspections maintained. Safety and security • Ensure general safety and security at all times by providing day and night security guards and adequate lighting within and around the construction site. Oil spills • A designated garage section of the site fitted with oil trapping equipments to be planned for changes. Such an area shall be well protected from contaminating the soil. • Hazardous substance control and emergency response plan that will include preparations for quick and safe clean up of accidental spills. • Hazardous-materials handling procedures to reduce the potential for a spill during construction. • Identify areas where refueling and vehicle maintenance activities and storage of hazardous materials, if any, will be permitted. Hydrology and Water quality degradation • Make sure the project is at least fifteen metres away from the center/highest flood point of the river touching on one site of the project site. • Co-ordinate with other planning goals and objectives for region. Increased pressure on infrastructure • Up-grade existing infrastructure and services, if and where feasible. Air pollution • Suitable wet suppression techniques need to be utilized in all exposed areas. 7th January, 2011 THE KENYA GAZETTE 49 Mitigation Measures Negative Impacts • All unnecessary traffic must be strictly limited on site; speed controls are to be enforced. Conserving the nearby river channel • Consult with WRMA to confirm the original water course as well as assist in ensuring its conservation. • Proper and sufficient food and water. • Adequate shelter. • The opportunity to display normal patterns of behavior. • Protection from and rapid diagnosis of any significant injury or distress. • Adequate exercise. • Proper disposal of waste from the kennels and the kitchen. • Constructing sound proof dog kennels. • Ensuring that the site acts as resting place for the dogs during the day (for a duration of 6-8 hours only). Potential noise pollution from dogs during the operation phase • No dog activities during the night (between 6pm and 8am). • Provide priority in employment opportunities to people from the neighbouring community. • Security to be provided on site at all times. • Fence around the site to minimise intrusion and promote good neighbourliness, including respect for neighbours’ privacy. • Develop a grievance mechanism, which shall outline how Securex will address any complaints or grievances raised by the neighbours or by their employees. • All communication with the community shall be documented. • Try as much as possible to complete the project within the stipulated time to reduce nuisance to the neighbour. • Provide training and awareness on HIV/AIDS at the workplace and where possible, avail literature on HIV/AIDS awareness to staff. • Develop and communicate the company policy for HIV/AIDS in line with Government policy guidelines. Socio-economic/cultural impacts/community engagement/ HIV/AIDS awareness • Display communicative posters within company premises on HIV/AIDS related messages. Emergence of new environmental concerns during the construction and operation phase • Due to the magnitude and nature of the project, the Firm of experts shall carry out monitoring and evaluation. More so an initial environmental audit shall also be carried out within a period of 12 months after commencement of the operations. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director-General, National Environment Management Authority, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839– 00200, Nairobi. (b) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, N.H.I.F. Building, Community, P.O. Box 30521, Nairobi. (c) Provincial Director of Environment, Nairobi Province. (d) District Environment Officer, Westlands and Langata. 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 approval process of the project. WILKISTER MAGANGI, for Director-General, National Environment Management Authority.