Federal: Regulations governing noise levels are under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
State: Also has noise recommendations.
Local: Mono County and the Town of Mammoth Lakes are the key agencies associated with noise regulations.
The project design measures were made to respond to public concern regarding noise levels and vibration. The design measures include the use of equipment and practices that minimize sound emissions and the provision of a telephone number, which will be available 24 hours every day to lodge complaints or inquiries about noise. Further, the project does not generate noise levels nor any ground borne vibrations higher than the standards established during any of the project’s phases. There is no substantial permanent or temporary increase in ambient noise levels during any phase of the project. Concerning work safety, employees will not be exposed to excessive noise levels resulting from an airport because the nearest one is located about four miles (6.44 km) away.
Cumulative Effects
None mentioned.
Mitigation
The redaction of a noise management plan will ensure that operational noise levels associated with the power plant’s well pumps do not increase the ambient noise levels at Shady Rest Park by more than 3 dBA. This will include the use of better equipment and the monitoring of noise levels at different locations.
Residual Impacts
None mentioned.
The direct and indirect impacts of the proposed action and other alternatives are well described with adequate data from various sampling points. However, the analysis of cumulative impacts does not rely on any real data and the affirmations are only speculative. This makes the analysis weak and less reliable.