ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT (APARTMENTS) AND A SPORTS FACILITY (MAIN BUILDING, SIDE FOOTBALL PITCH AND SWIMMING POOL) ON PLOT L.R NO 12715/556 OFF CHADY ROAD IN SYOKIMAU AREA, MACHAKOS COUNTY PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION SITE LATITUDE: -1.365869° LONGITUDE: 36.921179° This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Project Report is submitted to Kenya National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) in conformity with the requirements of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, 1999 and the Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003. PROPONENT: ZAKAYO WACHIRA GITHAE P.O.BOX 57333-00200 NAIROBI JUNE 2018 DOCUMENT AUTHENTICATION This Environmental Impact Assessment Study report has been prepared by iPlan Consult ( Intl) LTD (NEMA Reg No. 7597) in accordance with the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) 1999 and the Environmental (Impact Assessment) and Audit regulations 2003 which requires that every development project must have an EIA report prepared for submission to the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA). We the undersigned, certify that the particulars in this report are correct and righteous to the best of our knowledge. EIA/EA LEAD EXPERT: iPlan Consult ( Intl) LTD (NEMA REG NO: 7597) P.O BOX 28634-00100, NAIROBI TEL: 02022251702 / 0203546499 CELL: 0721891005 EMAIL: [email protected], [email protected] Signature…………………………………Date….…...…………………… SHADACK K. MBUTA (NEMA REG. NO 6315) PROPONENT: ZAKAYO WACHIRA GITHAE P.O.BOX 57333-00200 NAIROBI Signature…………………….…………………Date……………………..…………………… i ACRONYMS EA Environmental Audit EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EMCA Environmental Management Coordination Act EMP Environmental Management Plan EMS Environmental Management System Ha Hectare HFCs Hydro fluorocarbons ICT Information Communication Technology IEA Initial Environmental Audit KPLC Kenya Power and Lighting Company KRA Kenya Revenue Authority MDGs Millennium Development Goals NEAP National Environment Action Plan NEC National Environment Council NEMA National Environment Management Authority NPEP National Poverty Eradication Plan SHE Safety, Health and Environment TOR Terms of Reference UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change WRMA Water Resources Management Authority WSB Water Services Board WSRB Water Services Regulatory Board 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: iPlan Consult ( Intl) LTD ,a NEMA registered EIA/EA Firm of expert has been contracted by Zakayo Wachira Githae (herein referred to as the proponent) to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment study report for the proposed Residential apartments(8 blocks – 4,2 bedroom blocks with DSQ and 4,3 bedroom blocks with DSQ) and a sports facility (Mains Building, side football pitch and swimming pool) on Plot L.R No. 12715/556 located off Chady road, in Syokimau area, Machakos County. A change of use for the proposed development has been acquired from Mavoko Sub-County, Machakos County. This EIA report has been undertaken to comply with the Legal requirement stipulated in the Environmental Management and Coordination Act 1999 and the subsequent Legal supplement of 2003. Environmental Impact Assessment is a tool for environmental Planning and has been identified as a key component in new project implementation. According to section 58 of the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA) No. 8 of 1999 second schedule 9 (1), and Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulation, 2003, new projects must undergo Environmental Impact Assessment. The Report of the same must be submitted to National Environment Authority (NEMA) for approval and issuance of relevant certificates. This was necessary as many forms of developmental activities cause damage to the environment and hence the greatest challenge today is to maintain sustainable development without interfering with the environment. Scope Objective and Criteria of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) The Kenya Government policy on all new projects, programmes or activities requires that an Environmental Impact Assessment is carried out at the planning stages of the proposed undertaking. The scope of this Environmental Impact Assessment, therefore, covered: The baseline environmental conditions of the area, Description of the proposed project, Provisions of the relevant environmental laws, Identification and discuss of any adverse impacts to the environment anticipated from the proposed project, 3 Appropriate mitigation measures, Provision of an environmental management plan outline. The scope of the assessment covered construction works of the proposed residential development and sports facilities which includes ground preparation, masonry, and installation of service lines as well as the utilities required by the estate. The output of this work was a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the purposes of applying for an EIA license. The main objective of the assignment was to assist the proponent prepare an EIA study Report after carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed Residential Development and sports facilities to ensure that appropriate measures to mitigate any adverse impacts to the environment are taken into consideration. The Environmental Impact Assessment carried out on the project identified existing and potential environmental impacts and possible concerns that interested and/or affected parties have with the development, as well as the associated prevention and mitigation measures for the negative impacts as stipulated in the environmental Management Plan (EMP) proposed. Methodology outline The general steps followed during the assessment were as follows: Environment screening, in which the project was identified as among those requiring environmental impact assessment under schedule 2 of EMCA, 1999 Environmental scoping that provided the key environmental issues Desktop studies and interviews Distribution of questionnaires Physical inspection of the site and surrounding areas Reporting Housing market in Kenya has recently become one of the most lucrative businesses, many development companies and individuals are now putting up modern housing units for rental and sale, this has become possible by the many banks and financial institutions which are now offering loans and mortgages to both developers and home buyers at subsidized rates. 4 The report gives in detail the project background, its goal and objectives, scope, project justification and cost, baseline information, Policy- legal and institutional framework governing the exercise, identification of impacts and their respective mitigation measures, a clear description of the project’s alternatives and a comprehensive environmental management plan to avert or minimize the anticipated impacts. The EIA study report has eight chapters in total. Project objective The main objective of the assignment was to assist the Proponent prepare a study report after carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed Residential Development and sports facilities to ensure the proposed development takes into consideration appropriate measures to mitigate any adverse impacts to the environment. Project Description The proposed project will involve construction of 8 blocks of five storey residential apartments (4, 2 bedroom blocks with DSQ and 4, 3 bedroom blocks with DSQ) and a sports centre comprising of a mains building , a side football pitch and swimming pool. Impacts and Mitigation Measures Adequate environmental management systems will be incorporated during the entire planning, construction and operating stages of the project to minimize any adverse environmental impacts and assure sustainable development of the area. 5 Conclusions and Recommendations’ The proposed project offers significant boost to the national, regional and local economy. The project will provide housing for middle class population in the county which is a growing niche in the recent years in Kenya. The project is strategically located in the booming peri-urban centers such as Athiriver, Kitengela and Syokimau which have grown to be major residential estates for many urban families in Nairobi, Machakos and Kajiado Counties. It’s therefore worthy to justify the importance of this project to the country at large. The key effort should be geared towards safeguarding the environment. This can be effectively overcome through a close following and implementation of the recommended Environmental Management Plan (EMP). 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS DOCUMENT AUTHENTICATION ............................................................................................................ i ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................................................. 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: .............................................................................................................................. 3 CHAPTER ONE: PROJECT BACKGROUND ................................................................................................ 10 1.1 Introduction: Project Background............................................................................................ 11 1.2 Principal of Environmental Impact Assessment ..................................................................... 11 1.3 Terms of Reference for the EIA Project Report....................................................................... 11 1.4 Objectives