GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 14653

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 for the proposed commercial development of daz square office park & hotel. The project will construct six eco-friendly commercial buildings; five blocks of offices and a 4 star hotel which will all be storeyed, complete with associated external works including boundary walls, guard house, landscaped gardens, parking lots, and recreation centre among other components, to meet the ever-growing demand for well designed commercial space within the city of Nairobi. The commercial block is located approximately 8 Kilometers from Nairobi Central Business District on Lower Kabete Road of Nairobi. The proposed site is on plot number L.R. No. 7158/76. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Environmental /Social Issue Management & Mitigation and /or Enhancement Measures High Demand of Raw material Source building materials from local suppliers who use environmentally friendly processes in their operations. Ensure accurate budgeting and estimation of actual construction material requirements to ensure that the least amount of material necessary is ordered. Ensure that damage or loss of materials at the construction site is kept minimal through proper storage. Use at least 7% recycled, refurbished or salvaged materials to reduce the use of raw materials and divert material from landfills. Ensure proper demarcation and delineation of the project area to be affected by construction works. Vegetation and Animal disturbance Ensure proper demarcation and delineation of the project area to be affected by construction works. Specify locations for trailers and equipment, and areas of the site which should be kept free of traffic, equipment and storage. Designate access routes and parking within the site. Preserve of some individual trees within the site. Introduction of vegetation (trees, shrubs and grass) on open spaces and their maintenance. Design and implement an appropriate landscaping programme to help in re vegetation of part of the project area after construction. Surface runoff and roof water shall be harvested and stored in underground reservoir for reuse. A storm water management plan that minimizes impervious area infiltration by use of recharge areas and use of detention and/or retention with graduated outlet control structure will be designed. Increased storm water, runoff and soil erosion Apply soil erosion control measures such as leveling of the project site to reduce run off velocity and increase infiltration of storm water into the soil. Ensure that construction vehicles are restricted to existing graded roads to avoid soil compaction within the project site. Ensure that any compacted areas are ripped to reduce runoff. Site excavation works to be planned such that a section is completed and rehabilitated before another section begins. Construction of soil-gulleys on sloppy sections. Open drains all interconnected will be provided on site. Roof catchments will be used to collect the storm water for some domestic uses. Construction of water storage tanks to collect storm water for domestic uses. Increased solid waste generation Use of an integrated solid waste management system i.e through a hierarchy of options: a) source reduction, b) Recycling c) Composting and reuse d) Combustion e) sanitary land filling. 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 that construction materials left over at the end of construction will be used in other projects rather than being disposed of. Ensure that damaged or wasted construction materials including cabinets, doors, plumbing and lighting fixtures, marbles and glass will be recovered for refurbishing and use in other projects. Donate recyclable/reusable or residual materials to local community groups, institutions and individual local residents or home owners. Use of durable, long lasting materials that will not need to be replaced as often, thereby reducing the amount of construction waste generated over time. Provide facilities for proper handling and storage of construction materials to reduce the amount of waste caused by damage or exposure to the elements. Dust Emission Ensure strict enforcement of on-site speed limit regulations. Avoid excavation works in extremely dry weathers. Sprinkle water on graded access routes when necessary to reduce dust generation by construction vehicles. Personal protective equipment to be worn. Exhaust emission Vehicle idling time shall be minimized. Alternatively fuelled construction equipment shall be used where feasible equipment shall be properly tuned and maintained. . Sensitize truck drivers to avoid unnecessary racing of vehicle engines at loading/offloading points and parking areas, THE KENYA GAZETTE 18th November, 2011 4370 4370 and to switch off or keep vehicle engines at these points. Noise and Vibration 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. Ensure that all generators and heavy duty equipment are insulated or placed in enclosures to minimize ambient noise levels. Trees around the site will provide some buffer against noise propagation. The noisy construction works will entirely be planned to be during day time when most of the neighbors will be at work. Generation of waste water Provide 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. 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. 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. Ensure that the premises are insured as per statutory requirements (third party and workman‘s compensation). Develop, document and display prominently an appropriate SHE policy for construction works. Provisions must be put in place for the formation of a health and safety committee, in which the employer and the workers are represented. Suitable, efficient, clean, well lit and adequate sanitary conveniences should be provided for construction workers. Mobile toilets, changed regularly to be provided on site until sewer connection is established. Occupational health and safety risks Well stocked first aid box which is easily available and accessible should be provided within the premises. Provision must be made for persons to be trained in first aid, with a certificate issued by a recognized body. Firefighting equipment such as fire extinguishers and hydrants systems should be provided at strategic locations such as stores and construction areas. Regular inspection and servicing of the equipment must be undertaken by a reputable service provider and records of such inspections maintained. Signs such as ‗NO SMOKING‘ must be prominently displayed within the estate, especially in parts where inflammable materials are stored. Enough space must be provided within the premises to allow for adequate natural ventilation through circulation of fresh air. There must be adequate provision for artificial or natural lighting in all parts of the premises in which persons are working or passing. Oil spills A designated garage section of the site fitted with oil trapping equipment to be planned for changes. Such an area will be well protected from contaminating the soil. Hydrology and water quality degradation Hazardous substance control and emergency response plan that will include preparations for quick and safe cleanup of accidental spills. Hazardous materials handling procedures to reduce the potential for a spill during construction to be prescribed. Identify areas where refueling and vehicle maintenance activities and storage of hazardous materials, if any, will be permitted. Ground water will be collected during construction contained and disposed of in accordance with all applicable regulations. Air pollution Suitable wet suppression techniques need to be utilized in all exposed areas. All unnecessary traffic must be strictly limited on site speed controls are to be enforced. Ensure that the site is located away from such pollution sources. 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) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30521, Nairobi. (c) Provincial Director of Environment, Nairobi Province. (d) District Environment Officer, Westlands and Langata Districts. 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. OUMA Z. O., For: Director General, MR8249896 National Environment Management Authority.