Public Comment. Volume III - Montana Legislature

DRAFT, 4/9/85
6.0 NOISB IMPACT MITIGATIOH
6.1 General
Noise impacts that are likely to occur as a result of
construction and operation of a new railroad fall into two
distinct categories. The first category is noise associated
. with construction activities , heavy equipment operation, a
variety of vehicular traffic, etc. The second category is
the noise that will result from trains operating along the
new rail line. Several mitigation strategies listed here
can be employed to mitigate construction noise impacts. It
should be noted that the level to which construction noise
impacts will occur to sensitive receptors is dependent upon
route selection and final centerline location. More specific
measures will be apparent at that time. Mitigation of
noise impacts from train traffic is difficult, and is dependent
to some degree upon volume of traffic as well as volume
of downline traffic of all types on the BN mainline. As a
result, most of the measures suggested here would require
negotiations between the Applicant and the BN for any final
implementation.
(1). In general, all major noise-producing activities
during construction. should be scheduled to occur
during the weekday and daylight hours.
(2) In cases where such activities as the normal
schoolday would be interrupted by n-oise interference,
the Applicant ghould make every attempt
to schedule the activities in a manner most acceptable
to those impacted. This ~,ould include
weekend or evening work in some cases.
(3) The Applicant should require all contractors to
use internal combustion equipment only if properly
installed mufflers are provided. Further, all
equipment used for construction should comply with
all applicable federal, state, and local noise
regulations which reflect the current feasibility
and practicality of equipment and activity noise
reduction.
( 4) During operation, Tongue River Railroad trains
should observe standard regulations regarding
speed limits in incorporated areas to limit noise
impacts. The Applicant should observe those same
speed limits while trains are passing through the
unincorporated community of Ashland.
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EQC Eminent Domain Study -1 99-