GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 13494

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 Petrol Station on L.R. No. Kaspul/Kasimba/537 Oyugis town, Homa Bay County. The Proponent (National Oil Corporation of Kenya Limited) of the proposed Petrol Station is proposing to carry on construction of proposed Petrol Station at Oyugis Town in Homa Bay County. The project involves the construction of Canopy over the pumps, Sales office, a store, installation of Underground fuel tanks, Compressor/generator, Tyre centre and car wash, Drive ways, walkways, acceleration and deceleration lanes, Interceptor Tank and washrooms. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impact 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  Construction should be carried out only during daytime i.e. 0800 – 1700 HRS.  Workers to wear ear muffs if working in noisy section.  Management to ensure that noise from the residents is kept within reasonable levels. Traffic density  Proper signage put in place to notify neighbours of the activity and presence of heavy vehicles and to direct traffic.  Strict adherence to traffic rules. Soil erosion & compaction  Provide soils conservation structures on the areas prone to soil erosion to reduce impact of erosion.  There should be designated pathways and driveways for movement within the compound to avoid unnec essary compaction.  All bare areas should be well landscaped after completion. Solid waste  Construction debris should be collected by a licensed private contracted waste collection company  Excavation waste should be re-used or backfilled.  Waste generated should be collected by a privately contracted waste collection company and the contractor should ensure the construction of a central waste collection point with bulk storage facilities  The site should have waste receptacles with bulk storage facilities at convenient points to prevent littering during occupation. Oil leaks and spills  Machinery should be well maintained to prevent oil leaks.  Contractor should have a designated area where maintenance is carried out and that is protected from rain water.  All oil products should be stored in a site store and handled carefully. Security  Control of secondary businesses.  Round the clock security for the facility.  Adequate lighting and an alarm system installed at strategic points.  Bushes around and within the site cleared to avoid hiding areas for thieves. Loss of vegetation  Designate access pedestrian routes and parking zones that are cabro paved  Provide signs marked do not Walk/ Park on the grass  The flora and fauna should be restored after construction by landscaping and maintaining the introduced plants. Occupational Health and Safety  Provide Personal Protective Equipment.  Train workers on personal safety and how to handle equipments and 28th September, 2012 THE KENYA GAZETTE machines.  A well stocked first aid kit shall be maintained by a qualified personnel.  Report any accidents / incidences and treat and compensate affected workers.  Provide sufficient and suitable sanitary conveniences which should be kept clean. Underground fuel storage and handling  Make the cement screeds in all the chambers using water proof material.  Install a monitoring well next to the tanks to check on leaks.  Use water finding dipstick and/ or a hydrometer to check on density/ specific gravity.  Ensuring no spills during refilling and / or when offloading the fuel. Fire preparedness  Fire fighting drills carried out regularly.  Fire fighting emergency response plan.  Ensure all firefighting equipment is regularly maintained, serviced and inspected.  Fire hazard signs and directions to emergency exit, route to follow and assembly point in case of any fire incidence. Water Consumption  Promptly detect leaking taps and repair them.  Turn off taps when not in use.  Install water conserving taps that turn of immediately when water is not in use.  Install a discharge water meter in the premises to check on total water use and for billing purposes. Electricity usage  Erect a meter in the premises to check on total kilowatts used and for billing purposes.  Switch off light that are not in use.  Use of energy conserving bulbs/ tubes.  Use of natural light for lighting purposes.  Use natural ventilation from windows and doors and avoid using Air Con that use electricity.  Provide a standby generator in the premises in cases power goes out. 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) County Director of Environment, Homa Bay 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. Z. O. OUMA, for Director-General, MR/0516645 National Environment Management Authority.