WILDLIFE & TRANSPORTATION NOISE IN NORTH DAKOTA

Transcription

1 ASTRACT Over the past decade, North Dakota has experienced a tremendous amount of population growth and economic development due to oil and gas related activities in western North Dakota. This influx of people and development has created a large need for improved regional infrastructure, including roadways. Consequently the North Dakota DOT, in cooperation with state and federal partners, have undertaken the design and construction of numerous large scale roadway projects focused on improving reginal capacity. Many of these projects have occurred in some of the more ecologically sensitive regions of the state, prompting the need for a higher degree of environmental analysis to assess the short and long term impacts of project construction. One way in which the North Dakota DOT has been expanding their scope of environmental impact analysis is through the use of noise studies that go beyond the scope of TNM. This presentation will highlight case studies from past and present projects that have focused on the assessment of noise impacts to wildlife as well as to noise sensitive recreational areas including the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The presentation will disclose the numerous challenges associated with developing a comprehensive analysis of highway transportation noise and provide an overview of study methodologies that have been effectively implemented to date.

2 WILDLIFE & TRANSPORTATION NOISE IN NORTH DAKOTA Cassandra Torstenson Environmental Section Leader North Dakota DOT Mike Huffington Environmental Planner KLJ

3 NORTH DAKOTA STATISTICS 2015 STATE population*: 756,927 (9.7 people/sq. mi.) Largest Counties 1) Cass County (Fargo): 171,512 2) Burleigh County (Bismarck): 92,991 3) Grand Forks County (Grand Forks): 70,916 4) Ward County (Minot): 71,275 5) Williams County (Williston): 35,294 6) Morton County (Mandan): 30,310 7) Stark County (Dickinson): 32,154 Area of Interest Low, but increasing population density statewide *July 1, 2015 estimate

4 Oil & Gas development pressures demanding expanded roadway capacity Highway 85 Long X Bridge - Theodore Roosevelt N.P. Highway 85 Watford City

5 PAST AND PRESENT Many projects have / are occurring in some of the more ecologically sensitive regions of the state, prompting the need for a higher degree of environmental analysis to assess the short and long term impacts of project construction Projects: US 85 Belfield to Watford City, ND US 85 Lewis and Clark Bridge, Williston, ND I-94 Western ND through the Badlands

6 OVERARCHING CHALLENGES: Multiple State & Federal Agencies to coordinate actions with. NPS, USFWS, USFS - National Grasslands, USACE lands, etc Threatened and Endangered Species Roadless Areas, National Scenic Byways, Scenic Vistas Campgrounds, Hiking Trails, Vistors Centers Requests for Noise Studies on Wildlife regulation does not address, species specific research is limited, and studies go beyond the scope of TNM. Highway 85 through Theodore Roosevelt National Park

7 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK NORTH UNIT

8 US FOREST SERVICE LITTLE MISSOURI NATIONAL GRASSLAND RECREATION MAP

9 USACE Lands

10 USFS Dakota Prairie National Grasslands & Inventoried Roadless Areas

11 SPECIES OF CONCERN PALLID STURGEON, BIGHORN SHEEP, & SHARP-TAILED GROUSE Lewis & Clark Bridge US 85 I 94

12 US - 85 Noise Analysis Wildlife Noise sensitive recreational areas Roadless areas Theodore Roosevelt National Park Designated Wilderness Elkhorn Ranch Solitude

13 HYDROACOUSTIC MONITORING US-85 - Lewis and Clark Bridge Williston, ND

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18 Mean ambient Sound Pressure Level (SPL) within flowing, temperate, freshwater habitat: db 100 db in water ~ 40 db in air 150 db in water ~ 90 db in air Thresholds 206 db SPL peak 187 db SEL accumulated Factors affecting db levels in water Depth of water column Salinity Bottom substrate

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23 RESULTS

24 Highest Recorded SPL peak = db (36.3 db below threshold) Highest Recorded SEL accumulated = db (15.3 db below threshold) One session recorded inside of cofferdam Recorded levels below thresholds Conclusion No impacts anticipated. No attenuation measures implemented.

25 Grouse OTHER FINDINGS Looked at line of site and distance from known leks. Results: Did not need a full analysis if we used a timing restriction and added an environmental commitment into the plan sheets There are four existing sharp-tailed grouse leks within 1 mile of the project. No construction activities, other than hand operations and hauling of materials, will be permitted from sunset to 2 hours after sunrise from March 15 until May 15 Highway 85 We know Bighorn Sheep, Serenity, and Visitor Experience are all important topics. We are still trying to figure out how to apply our findings. Any experience you can share would be appreciated! Goal: To share agency and consultant experiences to assist all with Wildlife Noise!

26 QUESTIONS?

27 CASSANDRA TORSTENSON ENVIRONMENTAL SECTION LEADER NORTH DAKOTA DOT 608 E BOULEVARD AVE, BISMARCK, ND CTORSTENSON@ND.GOV MIKE HUFFINGTON ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER KLJ FARGO, ND