Draft Environmental Impact Report - California Off Highway Vehicle ...

3.3 Noise
existing or proposed noise‐sensitive land uses were exposed to a 5‐dBA increase in
ambient noise levels, an increase considered “readily perceptible” by Caltrans (Caltrans
2009:7‐5);
sensitive receptors were exposed to vibration levels that exceeded Caltrans’ recommended
standard of 0.2 in/sec PPV concerning the prevention of structural damage for normal
buildings, or the FTA’s maximum acceptable vibration standard of 80 VdB concerning
human response for residential uses (i.e., annoyance) at any existing sensitive land use
near the project site; or
traffic volumes increased 100% (doubled) as a result of construction haul truck traffic,
thereby resulting in a significant temporary increase traffic noise (Caltrans 2009:7‐5).
Because Clay Pit SVRA is owned and operated by the State of California and is not subject to
compliance with Butte County policies or ordinances, these policies were not used as thresholds of
significance in this EIR analysis. However, it is the intent of the OHMVR Division to develop the
SVRA in a manner compatible with the values expressed by the surrounding community;
therefore, these policies and ordinances were considered as part of this environmental evaluation.
Noise standards from the Noise Element of the Butte County General Plan indicate that within
Butte County jurisdiction noise impacts are considered significant if existing or proposed noise‐
sensitive land uses would be exposed to exterior noise levels in excess of 60 dBA Ldn or interior
noise levels in excess of 45 dBA Ldn (Butte County 2010:272–273).
According to the Butte County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (2000) (ALUCP), the majority of
the Clay Pit SVRA project site is not located within Oroville Municipal Airport noise contours.
A small portion in the northeast of the project site is located within Oroville Municipal Airport’s 55
dBA CNEL noise contour, and portions of the project site are located in areas identified as B2
(extended approach/departure zone) and C (traffic pattern) zone (Butte County 2000:2‐14, 3‐9).
Facilities and land use envisioned in the Clay Pit SVRA General Plan would meet land use
compatibility criteria specified in the ALUCP and would not be considered a prohibited or
conditional use based on noise level contours. Therefore, the project would not result in exposing
people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels created by airport
operations for an extended period of time; these issues are not discussed further in this DEIR.
3.3.4 Environmental Evaluation
Evaluation Methodology
Noise from increased recreational activities associated with OHV use under the Clay Pit SVRA
General Plan and after completion of the headquarters facilities was estimated based on noise
level restrictions provided in the State of California Vehicle Code. According to the Vehicle Code,
Section 38370(h) (1):
Clay Pit State Vehicular Recreation Area
Draft EIR 3.3-15 February 2012