3.11 NOISE CONTROL

Level of Protection

Federal

Subpart B on Noise Abatement and Control to Part 51 of Title 24, Code of Federal Regulations.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: “Noise Abatement Regulations”

The traditional definition of noise is “unwanted sound.” There are two types of permanent noises which are potentially associated with Rural Development funded activities: occupational noise created by extremely loud machinery, and community noise created by external sources such as highways, railroad, and airports.

The best solution for mitigating potential noise impacts is locate noise sensitive projects (primarily residential properties) where they will not be exposed to high noise levels. Use of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s “Noise Assessment Guidelines” which employs a quantitative approach to assessing the noise hazard which can then be used to compare results against target noise level goals. These guidelines use a recommended day/night noise level or DNL system, a weighted average measured in decibels, reflecting a more realistic assessment over a 24-hour period rather than just peak noise readings. The SEC may be consulted regarding the use of the “Noise Assessment Guidelines.”

Noise evaluations are a factor to be considered when performing NEPA environmental impact analyses in advance of Rural Development proposed funding. Future projections of increased noise levels due to anticipated increases in noise source activity levels should also be taken into consideration. Maximum recommended noise thresholds have been developed in unison by several federal agencies, including U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Transportation, and U.S. Department of Defense for various type projects in addition to housing developments.

For Single Family Housing Direct Loan Program, Rural Development HB-1-3550, Chapter 5, Section 5.8 (D) Noise Assessment states that if a site is located near a major source of noise (see below) as indicated on Attachment 5-B, question 5, that information should be made available to the appraiser for consideration in the appraisal. The information should also be made available to the applicant. The applicant, once informed, may wish to look for an alternate site or consider some method of noise reduction. A noise assessment may be completed by the Agency or the applicant, to determine the severity of the problem and to assist in deciding what mitigation steps might be considered. The loan approval official should consult with the SEC on any proposals for noise reduction.

The noise analysis/abatement methodology should be employed with respect to other agency funded housing projects and any other projects with special noise sensitivity. This method studies three major noise sources: airports, railway systems, and vehicular transportation systems and introduces vibration impacts as an additional component to be considered.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) external standards for the degree of acceptability of the noise environment at a site is determined by the sound levels external to the building or other facilities containing noise sensitive uses. The standards shall usually apply at a location 2 meters (6.5 feet) from the building housing the noise sensitive activities in the direction of the predominant noise source. The site acceptability standard is the acceptable day-night 24-hour average sound level of not more than 65 dB (decibels).

Normally a noise assessment may be initiated anytime RD proposes to fund a housing or other noise sensitive project within the following ranges of key noise sources:

• Airports (Civil and Military) with daily jet operations within 15 miles of the site(s).

• Railroad lines with daily operations of more than two within 3,000 feet of the site(s). Buildings sited or to be sited closer than 100 feet of a railroad line are often subject to excessive vibration transmitted through the ground and construction at such sites is not recommended.

• Highways and major roadways* within 1,000 feet of the site(s). *Major roadways and highways are defined as follows:

Principal Arterial system: A connected network of rural arterial routes with appropriate extensions through urban areas, including all routes designated as part of the Interstate System, that serve corridor movements having travel characteristics indicative of substantial statewide and interstate travel.

Multilane Highway: A highway with a least two lanes for exclusive use of traffic in each direction, with or without partial control of access, that may have periodic interruptions to flow at signalized intersections.

Following are recommended contacts for gathering noise data with respect to various noise sources, which might impact RD funded activities:

The recommended day/night noise level or DNL (weighted average measured in decibels) applicable to following classifications varies depending on the specific nature of the intended building occupancy:

(1) Acceptable (normally acceptable without applying mitigation measures).

(2) Normally Unacceptable (occasionally acceptable if mitigation measures are applied).

(3) Unacceptable (not normally recommended).

Noise evaluations are a factor to be considered when performing National Environmental Policy Act environmental impact analyses in advance of funding federal projects. Policies are set by individual agencies and are, thus, self-policed by those agencies. Rural

Development is no exception.

Following are recommended contacts for gathering noise data with respect to various noise sources which might impact Rural Development funded activities:

(1) Airport noise - Contact relevant local Airport Operations Center(s), Federal Aviation Administrative Control Tower, or Military Operations Center within the area of anticipated environmental impact.

(2) Railroad noise - Contact the Engineering Department of the relevant railway system within the area of anticipated environmental impact.

(3) Vehicular noise – Contact DE or MD Department of Transportation with regard to relevant noise source within the area of anticipated environmental impact.

Noise sources which could compromise the function of Rural Development funded activities vary from location to location and should be studied in aggregate on a case-by-case basis.

Comparative Noise Levels. Typical Decibel (dBA) Values Encountered in Daily Life and

Industry:

Rustling leaves: 20

Room in a quiet dwelling at midnight: 32

Soft whispers at 5 feet: 34

Men's clothing department of large store: 53

Window air conditioner: 55

Conversational speech: 60

Household department of large store: 62

Busy restaurant: 65

Typing pool (9 typewriters in use): 65

Vacuum cleaner in private residence (at 10 feet): 69

Ringing alarm clock (at 2 feet): 80

Loudly reproduced orchestral music in large room: 82

(Beginning of hearing damage if prolonged exposure over 85)

Printing press plant: 86

Heavy city traffic: 92

Heavy diesel-propelled vehicle (about 25 feet away): 92

Air grinder: 95

Cut-off saw: 97

Home lawn mower: 98

Turbine condenser: 98

150 cubic foot air compressor: 100

Banging of steel plate: 104

Air hammer: 107

Jet airliner (500 feet overhead): 115

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: “Noise Abatement Regulations”

(Full text web-site)

http://www.nchfa.state.nc.us/lib/html/rental/Tax%20credit%202000

/Appendix%20P.htm

Potential Information Sources

Other useful web sites:

Federal Highway Administration web-site for information on traffic noise:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/htnoise.htm

Noise Pollution Clearinghouse - http://www.nonoise.org/

Contacts:

Delaware Delaware Code, Title 7, Chapter 71, gives the Air Resources Section responsibility for noise pollution control in Delaware.

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Environmental Control, Air Resources Section, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, Delaware 19901, (302) 739-4791.

Maryland Maryland Department of Transportation

State Aviation Administration

P.O. Box 8766

BWI Airport, MD 21240

Standards U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Noise Assessment Guidelines, HUD - PDR - 735 June 1983. Individual Airport "Air Installation Compatible Use Zone Studies" as they apply. The National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321.

State Environmental Coordinator

USDA Rural Development

65 Duke Street, Suite 110

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Telephone: (410)535-1521X108

Fax: (410)535-0591

Governing Federal Regulations.

(a) Subpart B on Noise Abatement and Control to Part 51 of Title 24, Code of Federal Regulations.

(b) Executive Order 11514, Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality.

(c) Title 7, Part 1b and 1c, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Environmental Policy Act.

(d) National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321.