EIA 1292 Sultan Hamud-Loitokitok Transmission Line
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Consultancy Services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for Sultan-Hamud-Loitoktok 120km, 132kV Transmission Line and Associated Sub-stations Assignment Title: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Study Report for the Proposed Sultan Hamad – Loitoktok 132kV,120km Transmission Line and Associated Substations CLIENT ESIA Study Report SEPTEMBER, 2016 Nairobi Kisumu Mombasa Nicholson Court, Nicholson Drive Re-insurance Plaza, 1st Floor Milfan Court, Shanzu Off Ngong Road Bank Street Off Mombasa – Malindi Road P.O. Box 10677 P.O. Box 2592- Next to Pundamilia Apartments 00100 – Nairobi, Kenya. 40100- Kisumu, Kenya. 80100- Mombasa, Kenya Tel: +254 788 712156 Tel: +254 57-2021105 Tel: +254 202712156 Fax :+254 202017254 Fax :+254 57-2501826 Fax :+254 202017254 E-mail: [email protected]. Box 10677E-mail: - 00100, [email protected] Nairobi E-mail:[email protected] Http: www.logassociates.com Http: www.logassociates.com Http: www.logassociates.com Consultancy Services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for Sultan-Hamud-Loitoktok 120km, 132kV Transmission Line and Associated Sub-stations EXECUTIVE SUMMARY I. Preamble The Government of Kenya has contracted, through an EPC contract, China Aerospace Construction Group Corporation Limited, for the construction of a 120 km, 132kV electricity transmission line from Sultan Hamud to Loitoktok. The project involves the construction of the transmission line plus two associated substations. This report, prepared by Log Associates on behalf of Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO), provides the background to the proposed project as well as an assessment of their likely environmental and social impacts, both beneficial and adverse. Proposed enhancement and mitigation measures are outlined where necessary together with an initial assessment of costs and responsibilities for their implementation. II. Back ground The Government of Kenya plans to increase access to electricity in Kenya tenfold from the current 4% in the rural areas to about 40% by 2020. To achieve this, more transmission lines are being considered for construction and upgrading and with it the communication system required for line protection and management purposes. Kenya’s development agenda is guided by the Vision 2030, whose aim is to drive the country into a globally competitive and prosperous economy with high quality of life. The Vision is founded on economic, social and political pillars III. Study Objectives The principal objective of this assessment was to identify significant potential impacts of the project on environmental and social aspects, and to formulate recommendations to ensure that the proposed project takes into consideration appropriate measures to mitigate any adverse impacts to the environment and people’s health through all of its phases (construction, operations and decommissioning phases). The specific objectives of this ESIA were to: Identify and assess all potential environmental and social impacts of the proposed project; Identify all potential significant adverse environmental and social impacts of the project and recommend measures for mitigation; Verify compliance with the environmental regulations and relevant standards; Identify problems (non-conformity) and recommend measures to improve the environmental management system; Generate baseline data that will be used to monitor and evaluate the mitigation measures implemented during the project cycle; Recommend cost effective measures to be used to mitigate against the anticipated negative impacts; P.O. Box 10677 - 00100, Nairobi ii Consultancy Services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for Sultan-Hamud-Loitoktok 120km, 132kV Transmission Line and Associated Sub-stations Prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment Report compliant to the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (1999) and the Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations (2003), detailing findings and recommendations. IV. Study Methodology The approach to this exercise was structured such as to cover the requirements under the EMCA, 1999 as well as the Environmental Management and Coordination (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations 2003. It involved largely an understanding of the project background, the preliminary designs and the implementation plan as well as decommissioning. In addition, baseline information was obtained through physical investigation of the site and the surrounding areas, desktop studies, public consultations with members of the community in the project areas, survey, photography, and discussions with key people in KETRACO (the proponent). The key activities undertaken during the assessment included the following: Consultations with the key project stakeholders including the project proponent, community members, county administration, opinion leaders and county departmental heads. The consultations were based on the proposed project, site planning and the project implementation plan; Physical inspections of the proposed project area which included observation of available land marks, photography and interviews with the local residents; Evaluation of the activities around the project site and the environmental setting of the wider area through physical observations and literature review; Review of available project documents; and Report writing, review and submissions. V. Project Description The Proposed Transmission Line commences at an existing substation in Sultan-Hamud, Makueni County. The line then crosses the Nairobi-Mombasa road, the old railway line and the standard gauge railway before cutting across Kajiado County. In Kajiado County, the transmission line traverses across two sub counties, i.e.; 1. Mashuuru Sub-County. In Mashuuru sub-county, the proposed transmission line passes through Nkama, Poka-Kenyewa and Imbuko locations respectively 2. Loitoktok Sub-County. From Mashuuru sub-county, the proposed transmission line traverses Merrueshi / Oldonyu, Imbirikani, Isinet and Kimana locations in Loitoktok sub-county Three substations are proposed for this transmission line in Sultan-Hamud, Merrueshi (National Cement Substation) and Loitoktok. A map of the project area is attached overleaf. P.O. Box 10677 - 00100, Nairobi iii Consultancy Services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for Sultan-Hamud-Loitoktok 120km, 132kV Transmission Line and Associated Sub-stations Figure 1.0: A map of the project area. Source; Log Associates; ArcGIS® software by Esri. P.O. Box 10677 - 00100, Nairobi iv Consultancy Services for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for Sultan-Hamud-Loitoktok 120km, 132kV Transmission Line and Associated Sub-stations VI. Policy, Legal and Institutional Framework There are several laws, policies and guidelines that have been put in place in Kenya and Internationally. These laws are meant to help in environmental protection and conservation and also for peaceful co-existence in the ecosystem. We have reviewed a wide range of policy, institutional and legislative framework to address the major causes of environmental degradation and negative impacts on ecosystem emanating from industrial and economic development programmes. Some of these laws, policies and guidelines reviewed for different categories include; Table 1.0 List of Laws reviewed in their different categories. Category Relevance International Environmental Policies African Development Integrate environmental and social concerns into the life cycle of a project and also Bank Environmental stipulate requirements for specific projects Guidelines EU Environmental Policy For environmental management Environmental protection Regulate environmental protection considerations in foreign investment and cooperation policies of China funded development projects World Bank Safeguard Policies Environmental Describes an environmental assessment (EA) process for the proposed project Assessment (OP 4.01) Natural Habitats (OP To ensure that Projects take into account the conservation of biodiversity, as well as the 4.04) numerous environmental services and products which natural habitats provide to human society Involuntary Resettlement To mitigate against impoverishment risks associated with Involuntary Resettlement and (OP 4.12) the restoration or improvement of income earning capacity of the Project Affected People (PAP) Public Disclosure (OP Encourages Public Disclosure or Involvement as a means of improving the planning and 17.50) implementation process of projects United Nations Treaties United Nations It helps to combat desertification through integrated approaches to development, Convention to Combat supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements, in the affected Desertification areas Convention on Biological It requires Parties to the Convention to adopt national strategies, plans and programs for Diversity the conservation of biological diversity, and to integrate the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity into relevant sectoral and cross-sectoral plans, programs and policies Convention on the It aims to conserve terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals Kyoto Protocol to the It commits its Parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) National laws and policies The Constitution of Article 42 of the Constitution states that every person has the right