GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 5841

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, Gem Gen Power Limited has proposed a Hydro- Electric Power Project which is expected to generate 9.5 Mega Watts (MW) of power in Phase I. The generation facility will be located within a natural island adjacent to Ndanu Falls on Yale River, Siaya County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation 'measures: Proposed Mitigation Measures • Excavate gravel from a private land which the contractor has hired and rehabilitate the affected areas once the sourcing of gravel is over for the project. • Carry out inspection of each of the site's soil stability before excavation. • Burrow pits and quarries shall be located more than 20 meters from watercourses in a position that will facilitate the prevention of storm water runoff from the site from entering the watercourse. Proposed Mitigation Measures • Construction shall be carried out in accordance with the standard procedures. • All plants and construction equipment's shall be fitted with noise control measures and shall strictly conform to the Environmental Management and Coordination (Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution) (Control) Regulations, 2009 and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007. • Prescribe noise reduction measures if appropriate e.g. restricted working hours, transport hours and noise buffering. • Inform the surrounding community on the permissible noise levels and best working hours. • Use quiet equipment (i.e. equipment designed with noise control elements) and regular maintenance of machinery to ensure that noise produced from machinery is kept to a practicable minimum. • Vehicles hired for bringing construction materials at site shall conform to the noise emission standards and shall be operated during non-peak hours. • The engine size of the construction equipment shall be the minimum practical size. • The number of construction equipment operating simultaneously shall be minimized through efficient management practices. • Construction machinery idling time shall be minimized. • Equipment shall be properly tuned and maintained as per the Manufacturers specification. • Alternatively fueled construction equipment shall be used where feasible equipment shall be properly tuned and maintained. • All dusty materials shall be sprayed with water prior to any loading , unloading or transfer operation so as to maintain the dusty materials wet. Impacts Construction material sourcing Impacts Clearing of vegetation • Cordon off the gravel site areas to keep livestock and children off. • Maintain fences and "make good" of the sites afterwards. • Prepare and implement burrow pit plans and burrow pit rehabilitation plans, which would minimize the risk of erosion. • Decommission the burrow pits upon completion of the Contract and reinstate the land to its natural condition by grading excavations and planting suitable saplings. • The Contractor is expected to follow the sand harvesting regulations published by NEMA. • Minimal vegetation will also be cleared at the Burrow Pit site. • The Contractor will also ensure proper demarcation of the Project area to be affected by the construction works. • This will be aimed at ensuring that any loss of vegetation is restricted to the actual Project area and avoid spillover effect on the neighboring areas. • Cover stockpiles of sand, soil and similar materials or Surround them with wind breaks. • Watering all working sites when necessary. • Strict adherence to Air Quality Regulations, 2014. • The execution of major earthworks shall be restricted as far as possible to the dry season. • Where structures are not fully completed before the start of the rains, temporary drains will precede the permanent drainage system such that storm water is directed and managed appropriately as construction proceeds. • Soil erosion and siltation will be minimized by preventive measures and appropriately engineered storm water diversion, on a case- by-case basis. • All excavated rock and aggregate will be used in construction where possible, while the spoil will be deposited in an area with minimum landslide potential, multi-layered and covered with soil, and planted with trees, shrubs and grasses. Impacts Noise and vibration pollution Air quality Soil erosion 28th June, 2019 THE KENYA GAZETTE 2399 Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Land and water • An appropnate Waste Management Plan pollution (WMP) for the construction of the Project should be submitted to the Resident Engineer for approval and implementation. • Good management and control can prevent the generation of significant amounts of waste. Waste reduction is best achieved at the planning and design stage, as well as by ensuring the implementation of good' site practices e.g: Use the excavated materials for earth filling as far as possible, use the excavated soft materials for landscaping works. • A collection area should be provided where waste can be stored and loaded prior to removal from site. An enclosed' and covered area is preferred to reduce the occurrence of wind-blown light material. • To avoid oil contaminant into water bodies, a system for the proper collection and disposal of lubricants at both site and maintenance depot should be maintained. The constant monitoring of ground and surface water quality should as well be maintained. • Prepare a comprehensive list of all hazardous materials to be used, stored, transported, or disposed of during this phase. • Develop a hazardous materials management plan addressing storage, use, transportation, and disposal for 'each item in the comprehensive list. The plan should identify specifics regarding local emergency response. Generation and • Use of durable, longiasting materials that disposal of solid will not need to be replaced as often, waste thereby reducing the amount of construction waste generated over time. • Provision ▪ of facilities for proper handling and storage of constructiqn materials to reduce the amount of waste caused by damage or exposure to the elements. • Use of construction materials that have minimal packaging to avoid the generation of excessive packaging waste. • Use of constriction materials containing recycled content when possible and in accordance with accepted standards. • Adequate collection and storage of waste on site and safe transportation to the, disposal sites and disposal methods at designated area shall be provided. • To ensure efficient solid waste management, the Proponent in liaison with the Siaya County Government will identify proper sites for solid waste disposal. • The Environmental Management and Co- ordination (Waste Management) Regulations, 2006 on how various wastes should be managed should be properly implemented. . Increased water • The Proponent of the proposed Project shall demand ensure that water is used efficiently at the site by sensitizing construction workers to avoid' irresponsible water use• • 'An assessment and evaluation of the identified water source should be done against the estimated water demand during constructiqn. These details should be provided to the Water Resource Authority before a license for abstraction is issued. Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Public health and • A comprehensive health awareness campaign, carried out in conjunction with the Proponent, Contractor and other outbreak of disease. This will includ'e stakeholders will be done to prevent successful preventive measures such as immunizing the vulnerable population, and educating people about diseases and how they are contracted, and how to avoid them by using treated water and keeping living areas cleaner. • Treating affected local and migrant populations will also be used' in controlling the movement of disease vectors (through contaminated water and between people). • The Contractor shall be responsible for the protection of the public and public property from any dangers associated with construction activities, and for the safe and easy passage of pedestrians and traffic in areas affected by the construction activities. • All works which may pose hazard to humans and domestic animals are to be protected, fenced, demarcated or cordoned off as instructed by the RE. If appropriate, symbolic warning signs must be erected. • The Contractor will provide condoms at appropriate places in the work camps. The campaigns will be continuously done by the relevant Government organization even during operation phase of the Project. Register the Project' Site as a Workplace as. required by law. Post the Safety and Health Policy Statement on the Project Site Notice Boards. • Proper implementation of the- safety 'and health plan to be ip accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007. •' Arrange for occupational safety and health orientation training to all employees consisting of basic hazard awareness, site- specific hazards, safe working practices, and emergency procedures. • • Constitute and Train a Local Safety and Health Committee. • Provide fire suppression equipment at the generating facility and in all vehicles. • Ensure that the Safety and Health Committee operates in tandem to Rule 6 of the Health and Safety'Committees Rules, 2004. • Need ' to draw and post Emergency. Evacuation Plans at various strategic locations. • Establish and Mark a Fire Assembly Point. • Posting of Emergency Nnmbers and Contacts of (and Photos) of First Alders. • Provide alternative/fire exit and carry out fire drills periodically. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director-General, NE:MA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839-00200, Nairobi. (b) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126-00100, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Siaya County. Occupational health and safety •. 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, MRJ6338479 National Environment Management Authority.