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<br /> <br />• project-related vehicle traffic (cars, pickups, and heavy-duty trucks) <br />• boilers <br />• electricity generators <br />• fans <br />• pumps <br />• compressors <br />• conveyors. <br />In addition, construction activities and utility installation will be transient sources <br />of noise. Of these sources, vehicle traffic and construction activities will generate <br />the most ambient noise. <br />The boilers, generators, pumps, and compressors will be housed inside insulated <br />buildings. Enclosing these sources will diminish ambient noise to acceptable levels. <br />Operation of the boilers and generator units will only generate ambient noise due to <br />the exhaust of their combustion products. The generators, which will operate <br />intermittently in an emergency backup capacity only, will not contribute <br />significantly to overall noise levels. Relative to the noise generated by vehicle <br />traffic, the dryer fan, and construction activity, these housed sources are expected to <br />have only minor impacts on ambient noise levels. <br />Estimated noise levels in decibels [db(A)] and the anticipated hours of operation for <br />each piece of equipment are listed in Table 8-2. The majority of heavy truck travel <br />and construction activity would occur during the daytime, with some 24-hour <br />activity. The remaining noise soLlrces, including operations noise and commuter <br />traffic, would operate throughout the day. Construction activity would be <br />temporary. <br />Ambient Noise Standards <br />The State of Colorado has a statute governing sources of noise that constitute a <br />public nuisance. While neither Rio Blanco County nor Garfield County has specific <br />noise ordinances, noise concerns associated with a commercial facility may be <br />addressed in Special Use Permits. Colorado's noise standards are listed in Table 8-3. <br />These standards are based on the time of day and the environmental setting or <br />"zone" where a facility is located. Noise levels radiating from a property line in <br />excess of the db(A) listed in Table 8-3 measured at a distance of 25 feet or more <br />constitute prima facie evidence that such noise is a public nuisance. Daytime noise <br />levels are permitted to exceed those listed in Table 8-3 by 10 db(A) for a maximum of <br />15 minutes during any 1-hour period. <br />Noise standards apply to four zones: Residential, Commercial, Light Industrial, and <br />Industrial. While none of these definitions exactly matches the remote, rural <br />• locations of the Piceance Site or the Parachute Site, the Colorado noise statute makes <br />American Soda. L.L.P. g-33 <br />Commercial Mine Plan <br />August 18, 1998 <br />