Rising Tree Wind Farm Project Notice of Preparation - County of Kern

NOISE. Would the project result in:
a. Exposure of persons to, or generation of, noise
levels in excess of standards established in the
local general plan or noise ordinance or
applicable standards of other agencies?
b. Exposure of persons to, or generation of,
excessive ground borne vibration or ground
borne noise levels?
c. A substantial permanent increase in ambient
noise levels in the project vicinity above levels
existing without the project?
d. A substantial temporary or periodic increase in
ambient noise levels in the project vicinity
above levels existing without the project?
e. For a project located within the Kern County
Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan, would
the project expose people residing or working
in the project area to excessive noise levels?
f. For a project within the vicinity of a private
airstrip, would the project expose people
residing or working in the project area to
excessive noise levels?
Discussion:
KERN COUNTY PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
RISING TREE WIND ENERGY PROJECT
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Unless
Mitigated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Land uses determined to be “sensitive” to noise as defined by the Kern County General Plan
(KCGP) include residential areas, schools, convalescent and acute care hospitals, parks and
recreational areas, and churches. The nearest sensitive receptors to the Project are residences and
areas used for recreational purposes within and adjacent to the Project boundaries.
Implementation of the Project would result in a change in the zone classification on various
properties on the Project site to include the Wind Energy (WE) Combining District. This
classification requires that noise levels associated with wind turbine operations do not exceed 45
dBA (A-weighted decibels) for more than five (5) minutes out of any one (1) hour time period or
50 dBA for any period of time if the turbine is within 50 feet of any existing residence, school,
hospital, church, or public library (Kern County Ordinance 19.64.140 (J)). A noise analysis will
be included in the EIR/EIS to determine the Project’s consistency with the applicable noise
regulations and provisions of the KCGP and Zoning Ordinance.
(b) Ground-borne vibration is generally associated with pile driving during the construction phase of
a Project. No pile driving is proposed. However, rock drilling may be required for some wind
turbine generator (WTG) foundations. The Project would be expected to comply with all
applicable noise regulations and requirements for long-term operation, as well as with measures
to reduce excessive ground-borne vibration and noise to ensure that the Project would not expose
persons or structures to excessive ground-borne vibration. Nevertheless, analysis of ground-borne
vibration and ground-borne noise will be included in the EIR/EIS.
July 2011 39 Initial Study/Notice of Preparation