GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 1744

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, the National Environment Management Authority, (NEMA) has received an environmental impact assessment study report for the implementation of the proposed hotel development. The proposed development entails construction of a hotel with complimentary facilities within the site development. The proposed development will comprise of a hotel with lodges to serve visitors to Amboseli, a school, a hospital and a chapel to serve the local population. The proposed development is located on L.R. No. LTK/Kimana/Tikondo/4642 after securing the land in May, 2010 within the Tsavo–Amboseli ecosystem. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures Environmental/social Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Air pollution Control speed and operation of construction vehicles. Prohibit idling of vehicles. Spray water on excavated areas. Maintenance of construction plant and equipment. Sensitize construction workers. All bare areas should be landscaped after construction. Workers should be provided with dust masks if working in sensitive areas. Noise pollution Maintain plant equipment. Construction should be carried out only during day time. Workers to wear ear muffs if working in noisy section. A silencer to be installed on machinery as is necessary. Shield the site and avoid/reduce the use of very noisy equipment. Acquire the noise and excessive vibrations permit from NEMA. Ecological considerations (flora and fauna) During the decommissioning stage the proponent shall rehabilitate land by removing any unnecessary materials that shall be covering the land and preventing biodiversity. After completion of the project the proponent shall rehabilitate the land by planting trees and ornamental flowers on the disturbed areas. Project construction will disturb as little area as possible in order to minimize potential impacts to biodiversity. There are also scattered trees within the proposed plot to be cut although a selective strategy will be applied in that those not interfering with the construction layout plans will be left intact. Also after the construction phase landscaping will be done. Vegetation that does not interfere with the sitting of the project will be left intact. Environmental/social Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures First aid A well stocked first aid kit shall be maintained during construction and occupational phases. Presence of a certified nurse. Soil erosion and compaction Provide soils conservation structures on the areas prone to soil erosion to reduce impact of run off. All bare areas should be well landscaped after completion. The proponent at the decommissioning phase will rehabilitate the land by loosening the soil. The contractor will always use a pre- determined route to the site. Unnecessary heavy machines will be avoided. Use of cheap tools like jembes, forks and shovels will be encouraged to do the ground breaking. Operations will be timed to take place during the dry season when the soils are dry to reduce the risk of soil compaction. Avoid unnecessary movement of soil materials from the sit. Provide soil conservation structures on the areas prone to soil erosion mostly to reduce impact by the run-off. Control construction activities especially during rainy conditions. Re-surface surface areas after completion of the project and introduce appropriate vegetation. Provide suitable storm water drainage channels to effectively discharge water to safe areas. Channels need to be regularly maintained and repaired to avoid point discharge incase of breakages or blockages. Conduct landscaping after the project completion to maximally control any possible chance of soil movement. Solid waste Construction debris should be collected by a privately contracted waste collection company or by the Olkejuado County Council. Debris resulting from demolition process should be disposed off appropriately. Excavation waste should be re-used or back filled. Domestic waste should be collected by a privately contracted waste collection company or by the council. Proponent should ensure the construction of a central waste collection point with bulk storage facilities. The site should have waste receptacles at convenient points to prevent littering during occupation. During operation phase the proponent should ensure waste is collected and disposed appropriately. Effluent disposal Within the proposed site there is no sewer line to serve the project area and thus the development will be connected to septic tanks. Proper connection to the system. Environmental/social Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Prompt maintenance of the system. 25th February, 2011 THE KENYA GAZETTE 549 Cleanliness of the system. Provision of reliable water supply. Waste water (run-off) Construction of well maintained drains to effectively manage surface run off. Presence of well maintained sanitary facilities for the workers and visitors to the site. During construction, the design of the drainage system should ensure that surface flow is drained suitably into the public drains provided to control flooding within the site. Drainage channels should be installed in all areas that generate or receive surface water such as car parking, drive ways and along the building block-edges of the roofs. Channels should be covered by approved materials to prevent occurrence of accidents and entry of dirt that would compromise flow of run off. Drainage channels should ensure safe disposal of runoff/surface water and should be self cleaning. Paving of the sidewalks, driveways and other open area should be done using pervious materials to encourage recharge and thus reducing water runoff volume. The proponent should ensure that regular checks for the sewer line are done to avoid blockages or damages of pipes. Oil leaks and spills Machinery should be well maintained to prevent oil leaks on the ground. Contractor should have a designated area where maintenance is carried out and that is protected from rain water that would carry the oil to the river. All oil products should be stored in a site store and handled carefully. Fire preparedness Fire fighting drills carried out regularly. Fire fighting emergency response plan. Ensure fire-fighting equipment are in place and regularly maintained, serviced and inspected. Train workers on fire fighting skills. Fire hazard signs and directions to emergency exit, route to follow and assembly point in case of any fire incidence. Effect on human health Unused areas on the project site shall be kept free from bushes to prevent mosquito breeding grounds and hiding areas for vermin. Traffic density Proper signage out in place to notify neighbours of the activity and presence of heavy vehicles and to direct traffic. Presence of boards directing patrons to the site. Enforce speed limits for vehicles entering and exiting the site. Provide billboards to notify motorists of the development. Occupational health and safety All workers should be provided with full protective gear. These include working boots, overalls, helmets, goggles, earmuffs, masks and gloves. Environmental/social Impact Proposed Mitigation Measures Construction crew at the site will be sensitized on social issues such as drugs, alcohol diseases. A first aid kit should be provided within the site. This should be fully equipped at all times and should be managed by qualified person. The contractor should have workmen‘s compensation cover. It should comply with the workmen‘s compensation act, as well as ordinances, regulations and union agreements. Adequate sanitary facilities should be provided and standard cleanliness maintained. Food handlers preparing food the workers at the site should be controlled and monitored to ensure that food is hygienically prepared. Regular maintenance of machinery on site and provision of the factories and other places of work Act Cap. 514. Security Provide security guards and facilities during construction and operational phases. Control of secondary businesses. Adequate lighting and an alarm system installed at strategic points. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director-General, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kapiti Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (b) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, N.H.I.F. Community, P.O. Box 30521, Nairobi. (c) Provincial Director of Environment, Rift Valley Province. (d) District Environment Officer, Kajiado North District. 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. B. M. LANGWEN, for Director-General, MR1232194 National Environment Management Authority.