GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 4084

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, Kopere Solar Park Limited, is proposing 40 MW Kopere Solar Project at Nandi County. The Project involves building a 40MW AC photovoltaic solar farm and 40 KVa 33/132 step up substation and a 1.8 Km transmission line of 132KV connecting to Lessos-Kisumu Hills Power Main Line at Pylon 87. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Expected Negative Mitigation Measures Impacts 1. Minimize extraction site impacts and ensure efficient use of raw materials in construction High demand of raw • Source building materials from local materials 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 5%-10% recycled, refurbished or salvaged materials to reduce the use of raw materials and divert material from landfills. 2. Minimize vegetation disturbance at and or around construction site Vegetation disturbance • Ensure proper demarcation and and tree cutting 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. •Introduction of vegetation (trees, shrubs and grass) on in some public and community land spaces. • 3rd June, 2016 THE KENYA GAZETTE 2371 •Design and implement an appropriate programme to help in re-vegetation of the surrounding of the project area after construction by donating some seedlings to the community. 3. Reduce storm-water, runoff and soil erosion Increased storm water, • A storm water management plan that runoff and soil erosion minimizes impervious area infiltration by use of recharge areas and use of detention and/or retention with graduated outlet control structure will be designed. •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 run-off. •Open drains all interconnected will be provided on site. 4. Minimize solid Waste generation and ensure efficient solid waste management during construction Increased solid waste • Use of an integrated solid waste generation management system i.e. through a hierarchy of options: 1. Source reduction 2: Recycling 3. Composting and reuse 4. Combustion 5. 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. 5. Reduce dust emissions 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 N/0111. Minimization of exhaust emissions Exhaust emission • Vehicle idling time shall be minimized. •Alternatively fueled 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, and to switch off or keep vehicle engines at these points. 6. Minimization of Noise and Vibration 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. 7. Minimize water consumption and ensure more efficient and safe water use High water demand • Install water conserving taps that turn- off automatically when water is not being used. •Promote recycling and reuse of water as much as possible. •Install a discharge meter at water outlets to determine and monitor total water usage. •Promptly detect and repair of water pipe and tank leaks. •Sensitize staff to conserve water by avoiding unnecessary water use. •Ensure taps are not running when not in use. 8. Incidents, accidents and dangerous occurrences _ Incidents, accidents and• Ensure that provisions for reporting dangerous occurrences. incidents, accidents and dangerous occurrences during construction using prescribed forms obtainable from the local Occupational Health and Safety Office (OHSO) are in place. •Enforcing adherence to safety procedures and Preparing contingency plan for accident response in addition, safety education and training shall be emphasized. Safe means of access and • All floors, steps, stairs and passages of safe place of the premises must be of sound employment construction and properly maintained. •Securely fence or cover all openings in floors. •Provide all staircases within the premises with suitable handrails on both sides. •Ensure that construction workers are not locked up such that they would not escape in case of an emergency. •All ladders used in construction works must be of good construction and sound material of adequate strength and be properly maintained. Emergency preparedness • Design suitable documented emergency and evacuation preparedness and evacuation procedures procedures to be used during any emergency. •Such procedures mast be tested at regular intervals. •Ensure that adequate provisions are in place to immediately stop any operations where there is an imminent and serious danger to health and safety and to evacuate workers. •Ensure that the most current emergency telephone numbers are prominently and strategically displayed within the construction site. •Provide measures to deal with emergencies and accidents including adequate first aid arrangements. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection dining working hours at (a)Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839-00200, Nairobi. (b)Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, N.H.I.F. Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126- 00100, Nairobi. (c)County Director of Environment, Nandi 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. GEOFFREY WAHUNGU, Director-General, MR/9496649 National Environment Management Authority.