Noise pollution risking animals’ survival in protected green spaces: study

Human noise is polluting more than half of natural protected areas in the United States, to such an extent that it could interfere with animals’ ability to hunt and survive, researchers said Thursday.

Sounds were recorded at 492 sites meant as havens for biodiversity across the country, said the report in the journal Science.

Researchers found that background noise exceeded three decibels (dB) in 63 per cent of protected areas, it said.

In 21 per cent of areas, background noise was 10 dB higher than it would have been without the influence of humans.

This meant between “a doubling and tenfold increase in sound levels above natural,” said lead author Rachel Buxton, a conservation biologist at Colorado State University.

Another way to look at it, Buxton said, is that human-caused noise has reduced the area where natural sounds can be heard by 50 and 90 percent.

“So if you could have heard something at 30 meters away, now you can only hear it from three to 15 metres away,” she said.

A computer algorithm was used to estimate the baseline for natural sounds in an area, based on its unique features.

The sources of the extra noise include oil and gas exploration, fracking for natural gas, timber and mining activities, motorcycles and vehicle traffic, and just general human development.

The impact of the added noise could be vast.

“Birds may have a harder time finding a mate, or a prey species may not be able to hear the approach of a predator and may be more likely to be eaten,” Buxton said.

“Even if only one species is actually being affected by noise directly, these impacts may cascade through an ecological community.”

Researchers said the study shows that human noise pollution, while often considered a city problem, is much more far-reaching than previously understood.

Source: http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/noise-pollution-risking-animals-survival-in-protected-green-spaces-study-1.3398553#

From the West Virginia Record, January 28, 2015

MOUNDSVILLE – Marshall County residents that live near Williams Ohio Valley Midstream LLC’s oil and gas processing plant are suing the company after they claim the plant has made it unbearable to live in their homes.

Curtis Allen and Karen Allen; Kenneth Allen and Mary Lou Allen; Randall Clark and Wendy Clark; Robert Conner and Janet Conner; Robert Conner and Rosemary Conner; Ronnie Goodrich; James Marsh Jr. and Helen Marsh; Calvin Moninger; Tracylyn Sheedy and Charles Sheedy Jr.; and Debbie Sheedy all own property that is located near land used by Williams for oil and gas processing, according to ten complaints filed December 18 in Marshall Circuit Court.

The plaintiffs claim Williams’ operations have caused fumes, dust, noise and bright light to be present on the plaintiffs’ property during all hours of the day and night.

The continuous and constant smell of the fumes and odors have frequently made it unbearable for the plaintiffs to be outside on their property, according to the suits.

The defendant’s operations have caused air pollution, dust, dirt and debris to travel onto the plaintiffs’ property, which frequently made it unbearable for the plaintiffs to be outside on their property.

The plaintiffs claim the defendant’s operations include large flares, which have caused bright light to enter into their homes throughout the day and night.

The defendant’s actions have caused the plaintiffs to have a reasonable apprehension and risk of explosion and apprehension and risk of exposure to dangerous and toxic substances, compounds and chemical mixtures in the air, according to the suits.

The plaintiffs claim Williams’ continuous and constant traffic, construction and operation of the oil and gas processing plant has caused noise pollution on their property throughout the day and night.

Williams’ actions have caused the plaintiffs annoyance, inconvenience, emotional and mental anguish, stress, anxiety, and marital strife for the married plaintiffs, according to the suits.

The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory, general and punitive damages. They are being represented by James G. Bordas Jr. and Jeremy M. McGraw of Bordas & Bordas PLLC.

The cases are assigned to Circuit Judges David W. Hummel Jr. and Mark A. Karl.

Marshall Circuit Court case number: 14-C-199, 14-C-200, 14-C-201, 14-C-202, 14-C-203, 14-C-204, 14-C-205, 14-C-206, 14-C-207, 14-C-208

Source: http://wvrecord.com/stories/510588332-marshall-co-residents-sue-williams-ohio-valley-midstream-for-pollution-noise

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