GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 2492

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, Rohi Housing Co-operative Society, is proposing to develop residential estate of 200No. units, one level housing residential units with each unit comprising of a aground, an upper floor and an attic floor on L.R. No. 11407/216 in Urithi Nyumba Mia area, within Juja Farm, Juja Sub-County, Kiambu County. The ground will comprise of the sitting area, kitchen and a cloakroom whereas the upper floor will constitute of two bed rooms, washroom and a master ensuite. The attic floor will be used as water storage area. The immediate neighbours of the proposed project site are Juja Plainsview Estate, several individual residential dwellings and Waka Oil Petrol Station. Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures High demand of • Source building materials from local suppliers raw material who use environmentally friendly processes in their operations. • Ensure accurate budgeting and estimation of actual construction material requirements. • 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. Vegetation • Ensure proper demarcation and delineation of disturbance the project area to be affected by construction works. • Specify locations for trailers, cranes 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 open spaces and around the project site and their maintenance. • Design and implement an appropriate landscaping programme to help in re-vegetation of part of the project area after construction. Increased storm • Surface runoff and roof water shall be harvested water, runoff and stored in underground reservoir tanks for and soil erosion 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. • Apply soil erosion control measures such as leveling of the project site. • 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. • Site excavation works to be planned such that a section is completed and rehabilitated before another section begins. • Open drains all interconnected will be provided on site. • Roof catchments will be used to collect the storm water for some other uses. yr • Construction of water storage tanks to collect storm water for construction use. -es Proposed Mitigation Measures increased solid • Use of an integrated solid waste management waste system. generation • Through accurate estimation of the sizes and quantities of materials required, order materials in the sizes and quantities they will be needed. • Ensure that damaged or wasted construction materials will be recovered for refurbishing and use in other projects. • Use of durable, long-lasting materials that will not need to be replaced as often. • Provide facilities for proper handling and storage of construction materials. • Use building materials that have minimal or no packaging to avoid packaging waste project. • Dispose waste more responsibly by dumping at designated dumping sites or landfills only. • Waste collection bins to be provided at designated points on site. • Private waste disposal company to be contracted to transport truckload and dispose the solid waste from site. Dust and exhaust • Provide effective dust screen, sheeting or emission netting where a scaffolding is erected around the perimeter of a building. • Water all active construction areas when necessary. • Cover all trucks hauling soil, sand and other loose materials. • Sweep daily (with water sweepers) all paved access roads, parking areas and staging areas at construction sites. • Down wash of trucks (especially tires) prior to departure from site. • Post signs that limit vehicle speeds onto unpaved roads and over disturbed soils. • Use of electrically operated construction machinery to avoid externalities produced by diesel engines. • Personal Protective equipment to be worn by all staff members. • Vehicle idling time shall be minimized. • 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. Noise and • Sensitize construction vehicle drivers and vibration machinery operators to switch off engines of vehicles or machinery not being used. • Use quiet equipment (i.e. equipment designed with noise control elements such as mufflers). • Sensitize construction drivers to avoid gunning of vehicle engines or hooting especially when passing through sensitive areas. • 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 to be planted around the site to provide some buffer against noise propagation. • Prescribe noise reduction measures if appropriate e.g. restricted working hours and transport hours and noise buffering. Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures Increased energy • Ensure electrical equipment, machinery and consumption lights are switched off when not being used. • Install energy saving fluorescent tubes at all lighting points instead of bulbs which consume higher electric energy. • Monitor energy use during construction and set targets for reduction of energy use. High water • Harness rainwater for construction activities demand usage. • Install water conserving taps that turn-off automatically when water is not being used. • Promote recycling and reuse of water as much as possible. • Promptly detect and repair of water pipe and tank leaks. • Ensure taps are not running when not in use. • Install a discharge meter at all water outlets to determine and monitor total water usage. Increased traffic, • Ensure all construction vehicles to and from the obstruction construction site use the designated Entry/Exit to the project site. • All transportation of construction raw materials and excavated materials are to be conducted at traffic off peak hours only. • Sensitize truck drivers to avoid unnecessary road obstruction. • Work hours shall be restricted to the period between 8.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. • Access to driveways will be maintained at all times unless other arrangements are made. • Ensure that all building plans are approved by the Local Authority and the Local Occupational Health and Safety Office. • Registration of the project under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007 Laws of Kenya is mandatory. • Ensure that the premises are insured as per statutory requirements (third party and workman's compensation). • Hire the right number of workers with clear work schedule and appropriate dress gear. • Suitable, efficient, clean, well-lit and adequate sanitary conveniences should be provided for construction workers. • Mobile toilets, changed regularly, to be provided on site or latrines. • Ensure that equipment and work tasks are adapted to fit workers and their ability including protection against mental strain. • All machines and other moving parts of equipment must be enclosed or guarded to protect all workers from injury. • Arrangements must be in place to train and supervise inexperienced workers regarding construction machinery use and other procedures/operations. • Equipment such as fire extinguishers must be examined by an authorized agency. • Securely fence or cover all openings in floors. • Enough barriers must be erected at rooftop edges to protect workers or materials falling from roofs. Occupational health and safety risks Impacts Proposed Mitigation Measures • Design suitable documented emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures to be used during any emergency. • Well stocked first aid box which is easily available and accessible should be provided within the construction site. • There should be no eating or drinking in areas where chemicals are stored or used. Generation of • Provide means for handling sewage generated wastewater by construction workers. • Conduct regular checks for sewage pipe blockages or damages. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126-00100, Nairobi. (b) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839-00200, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Kiambu 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 regarding this plan. MAMO B. MAMO, Ag. Director-General, MR/0769421 National Environment Management Authority.