GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 713

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 transmission line. The proposed development entails installation and commission of a metal based (steel pylon) 132kV transmission line to replace the existing 132kV transmission line on wooden poles whose lifespan has almost elapsed. The proposed project will cover a distance of 16.35 km. with ROW of 30m which is equivalent to 48.9hectares parcel of land between Musaga and Webuye. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures Possible environmental impacts Suggested mitigation measures Soil and geological impacts (soil erosion, soil contamination, soil instability) Avoid steep slopes. Areas susceptible to erosion shall be properly sloped and compacted to reduce the effect of runoff, and shall be seeded immediately; Rehabilitation of exposed sites as soon as practicable In case of contamination, scoop and dispose off soil appropriately Ensure that the proposed project does not cause increase in erosion and sedimentation. The site preparation activities should be scheduled to take place in dry season. Impacts of farm forest and vegetations Limit wayleave areas to 30m within farm forests. KPLC will estimate Total Economic Value of lost forest resource, & allocate equivalent monies to support initiatives by community. Construct new transmission line immediately adjacent to existing line to minimize fragmentation effects. 28th January, 2011 THE KENYA GAZETTE 309 Possible environmental impacts Suggested mitigation measures Ensure Proper demarcation and clear only necessary areas. Specify Parking, Loading and Off loading Zones within the site. Air quality and dust The Contractor to protect stockpiles of friable material subject to wind-throw by wetting, or with a barrier, vegetation, or windscreen. Cover loads of friable material during transportation. Restrict speed on loose surface roads during dry or dusty conditions; incident Suppress dust during dry periods by use of water sprays. Maintain equipment in good running condition – no vehicles to be used that generate excessive black smoke. Enforce vehicle load restrictions to avoid excess emissions from engine overloading. Burning of woody debris & construction waste to be prohibited within the wayleave The Contractor shall institute appropriate measures to minimize or avoid air quality impacts. This can be achieved through formulation of air quality management plan. The Contractor to minimize/control emission of dust due to traffic movement and wind erosion of stockpile material and exposed soil The Contractor to ensure that all equipment used and all facilities erected on site are designed and operated to control the emission of smoke, dust, fumes and any other air impurity into the atmosphere. Pollution from waste generation Develop and implement procedures for safe and appropriate disposal of waste for all project phases. Any service/Repair of vehicles to be done offsite in approved garages or service stations Water resources and water quality Measures shall be instituted to minimize erosion and sediment transport, especially during construction activities. These measures should include: limiting areas cleared of vegetation, stabilizing the soils on the sloppy areas with stone pitching and planting of grass. Remedial measures shall be implemented by the Contractor in the event of erosion resulting in the sedimentation of surrounding areas after due consideration of the costs and benefits of such removal activity. Infrastructure shall be designed to ensure that contaminated run-off does not reach watercourses. In the event of an oil spill the procedures contained in the emergency response plan will come into effect. Noise and vibration The Contractor shall comply with the legal requirements for the management of noise impact specified in the recently gazetted noise quality regulations. Possible environmental impacts Suggested mitigation measures The Contractor shall formulate noise management plan for minimizing the generation of noise and vibration from construction activities occurring on site and its impact on surrounding residents, businesses and workers. All internal combustion equipment will have properly functioning silencers or mufflers. Landowners along the routes to be notified about the construction schedule & activities, including blasting, should it be required. Noise generating activities that take place near residential or sensitive institutional receptors will be restricted to between 0600- 2000hrs, which is defined as ‗daytime‘ in the Kenyan noise regulations. Visual and aesthetic impacts Review visual intrusiveness of current tower design. Maximize straight-line runs to reduce the need for angle towers. Locate new towers adjacent to already existing high-impact visual features, such as forests or cliffs. Where possible, locate the new line adjacent to existing power lines. Fire hazards The Contractor shall take all necessary precautions to prevent fires caused either deliberately or accidentally during construction process. The Contractor shall prepare a fire prevention and fire emergency plan as a part of the Environmental Plan to be submitted to K.P.L.C. The Contractor shall provide adequate fire fighting appliances at specified localities on the worksite to meet any emergency resulting from ignition of a fire. No burning of any litter/ cleared vegetation on site. Avoid Careless handling of cigarette butts. Wetland ecosystems Span towers across wetlands. Footings of towers will be built to address wet season conditions. Fine tuning of tower locations in consultation with local communities. Impacts on archaeological, cultural and historic sites Diversion of the Right of Way for the proposed transmission line, to minimize the impacts of these sites if they are present. Selective tower placement to span archaeological site if any. Establishment of procedures for chance find and protection of Archaeological sites and contact with the National Museums of Kenya (NMK). Traffic congestion/road tear and wear KPLC and contractor should choose traffic routes to reduce the impact in the neighbourhood avoiding , as far as practical any sensitive areas. Where traffic is anticipated, the contractor in close consultation with KPLC should ensure. THE KENYA GAZETTE 28th January, 2011 Possible environmental impacts Suggested mitigation measures Effecting of traffic routes depending on delivery and dispatch to reduce the congestion impact in the neighborhood. Due regard of drivers to traffic regulations which should be insisted upon at all times, with courtesy shown to other road users. Employment of a road safety coordinator to oversee implementation of the traffic controls. Regular maintenance of delivery and dispatch trucks. Occupational health and safety Locate Right-of-Way (RoW) away from human receptors. Staff Training and regular equipment service and testing. Only trained and certified workers to install, maintain or repair electrical equipment. Use of signs, barriers and education/ public outreach to prevent public contact with potentially dangerous equipment. Community policing to be encouraged to reduce vandalism of towers. Ensure provision and proper use of Personal protective Equipments. Follow safe work procedures. Avifauna Proposed line to avoid significant bird breeding and staging areas. Use of conspicuous reflectors placed at intervals along conductor for greater visibility. Transmission line to be located adjacent to prevailing natural obstacles to prevent collision. Regular Monitoring and record any Avi – Fauna deaths. 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, Western Province. 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.