GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 10224

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. Kenya National Highways Authority is proposing the upgrading of the Nginyang'—Lokori—Lokichar Road (C113/C46) to bitumen standards. The road is an existing alignment and it traverses several sub-counties namely; East Pokot, Turkana Central, Turkana East and Turkana South located in two counties namely; Baringo and Turkana County. The project shall follow the existing alignment as much as possible and the road shall be provided with drainage structure and road furniture and amenities. The drainage structures to be developed shall include bridges and culverts. The road furniture to be developed shall include road crossing, service roads, bus bays and provisions for wayside amenities among others. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Mitigation Measures •Limit the circulation of heavy machinery to minimal areas to reduce soil compaction and vegetation clearance. •Locate access roads perpendicularly or diagonally to the slope rather than along steep slopes. •Salvage the rock materials on the existing road alignment especially between Lokori and Kapedo in order to reduce need of excavating or sourcing new material. •Rehabilitate, landscape/levelling, tree planting and re-vegetation once the construction or excavation activities are complete. Some critical sites may need fencing to promote faster regeneration of lost cover and avoid erosion. •Develop and implement water management plans to include measures on conservation and controlled usage of the resource such as rain water harvesting and underground water exploration. •Obtain water abstraction permit and use metering methods to ensure water is abstracted to recommended limit. Impacts Destruction of physical environment Increased water demand/supply and water quality 9th December, 2016 THE KENYA GAZETTE 4835 •Develop site effluent control and management plans which should include appropriate collection, treatment and disposal of generated effluent, strategic locations of outfall to natural drains to avoid impacts of flooding or water logging. Develop appropriate methods of handling uprooted plants to avoid spreading of invasive species. •Collaboration with wildlife specialists such as the Kenya Wildlife Service who are already operating in the area to protect wildlife. •Preserve indigenous plants as much as possible and those uprooted should be replaced with appropriate tree species adapted to the area and those that protect soil and conserve water near watering points. Inappropriate drainage • Install appropriate drainage structures across river crossings or natural storm water ways such as culverts, bridges and mitre drains. •Undertake periodic maintenance of drainage structures to avoid blockage due to vegetation growth, siltation and solid waste. Oil spills and • Bund all fuel storage tanks and concrete contamination floors of garage and areas where fuel is being handled. •All waste oil, lubricant and their packages should be collected in non- leaking containers for recycling or disposal at designated area or by a NEMA registered waste handler. •All waste water from oil handling areas should be channeled through an oil/water separator Air quality, noise and • Insulate noisy machines when working vibration near animal habitats and settlements. •Maintain vehicles and machinery in good condition in order to minimize gaseous emissions and noise. •Avoid bitumen melting activities in open spaces use certified enclosed systems to melt and transport bitumen. Occupational health and • Provide road safety facilities including public health road signs, speed breaks, bus stops, footpath, foot bridges among other safety facilities. •Provide workers with protective professional clothing and equipments. •Conduct social awareness campaign in the project areas. •Recruit locals as skilled and non-skilled labourers as much as possible or as required. •Implement HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases awareness and prevention programmes in conjunction with relevant ministries. •Provide housing and appropriate sanitation facilities to project workers including mobile toilets at road side sites. 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)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, Turkana 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/2481795 National Environment Management Authority.