Environmental Impact Statement - Sonoma Land Trust

California Department of Fish and Game
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Section 3.12. Noise
Action Alternatives
Impact N-1: Temporary Increases in Ambient Noise
Levels during Construction Activities
Proposed Project
Increased noise levels would result from construction of the Project. The noisesensitive
receptors in the area would be recreational users of the adjacent
segment of the Bay Trail west of the project site and the three adjacent residential
parcels north of the project site.
The Sonoma Baylands terminus of the Bay Trail abuts the Project site and a
portion of the site preparation earthwork would occur in close proximity to the
Bay Trail (i.e., within 50 to 100 feet). As indicated above construction noise
could be as high as 93 dBA at this section of the Bay Trail; however, trail users
are transitory and would only be exposed to increased noise levels for short
periods of time. Furthermore, construction activities would be temporary and of
limited duration in any one portion of the Project site.
Residential parcels also could be subject to high levels of construction noise, but
again, only for short periods of time throughout the construction process.
Traffic within the Project area also would temporarily increase ambient noise
levels during construction of the restoration site. Because much of the materials
for levee construction and other activities are available onsite, traffic generated
during the construction phase would come primarily from workers accessing the
site and equipment deliveries to the site. It is estimated that approximately 7055
construction workers would commute to the project site over approximately 135
days. In addition, as a worst-case, the Project could generate upwards of 108 onhighway
truck and personnel vehicle round trips on local roadways on a daily
basis during construction (this includes hauling, equipment deliveries, fuel
trucks, and concrete trucks). This amount of daily trips is not expected to affect
noise conditions in the area as there are no noise sensitive residences along the
access routes. Construction traffic-generated noise would be for a short period of
time as construction activities are temporary.
Because construction is short-term in nature, the impact of temporary increases in
ambient noise levels to adjacent sensitive receptors is considered less than
significant, and no mitigation is required.
Conclusion: Less than significant.
Full-Tidal Alternative
Increased noise levels that would result from construction of the Full-Tidal
Alternative are comparable to those described above under the Project. As such,
Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration
Project Final Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Impact Statement
3.12-8
April 2012