Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report for Continued Operation of Lawrence

4.12 NOISE

This section presents the current noise conditions at and in the vicinity of the LLNL Livermore site, LLNL Site 300, and SNL, Livermore, and discusses criteria by which noise levels at the sites and within communities surrounding each of the sites are evaluated. This section includes a general discussion of noise measurement methods and criteria; noise regulations or guidelines of relevant federal, state, and local agencies; and existing noise conditions and sources on and adjacent to all three sites. Occupational noise is discussed in Appendix C.

4.12.1 Noise Description Methods

The primary methods used in this EIS/EIR to measure or describe noise levels and standards are community noise levels, and sound pressure and exposure levels. These and other related methods are described below.

Community Noise Level Measurement

Community noise levels are measured in terms of the "A-weighted decibel," abbreviated dBA or dB(A). A-weighting is a frequency correction that correlates overall sound exposure levels with the frequency response of the human ear. Additional units of measurement have been developed to evaluate longer-term characteristics of sound. The Equivalent-Continuous Sound Level (Leq) is a single-number, average representation of the fluctuating sound level, in decibels, over a specified period of time.

The Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL), the noise and land use compatibility criterion most widely used in California, represents an average of all measured noise levels obtained over a specified period of time. In this EIS/EIR, this criterion is used to describe noise levels associated with vehicular traffic and airports. The Community Noise Equivalent Level scale represents a time-weighted, 24-hour average noise level based on the A-weighted decibel. "Time-weighted" refers to the fact that noise that occurs during certain sensitive time periods is weighted more heavily in calculations. This scale includes a 5-decibel upward adjustment for sounds occurring in the evening (defined as 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and a 10-decibel upward adjustment for sounds occurring in the late evening and early morning (defined as 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.).

Another noise description method widely used is the Day-Night Average Level (Ldn), which includes only the 10-decibel adjustment for events occurring during the night (defined as 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) but does not include an evening-hour adjustment. The Community Noise Equivalent Level and Day-Night Average Level are often considered to be nearly identical noise description methods with only small differences. Typical indoor and outdoor noise levels generated by various activities are listed in Figure 4.12-1.

Sound Pressure and Exposure Levels

Potential noise and blast-waves associated with high explosives testing at LLNL Site 300 are evaluated by LLNL using "sound pressure level" and "sound exposure level" criteria (Kang and Kleiber, 1991). Sound pressure level takes into account potential structural damage; and sound exposure level is used to account for potential human reactions to noise such as duration of the sound pulse, frequency of detonations within a short period of time, annoyance, pain in the eardrum, and energy content of the pulse in the audible range (10 hertz and higher).

Blast waves produced by high explosive detonations can cause physical damage both to humans and to residential structures. The "threshold of feeling" is reached at approximately 120 decibels (dB), and the "threshold of pain" is reached at approximately 140 dB (Kang and Kleiber, 1991).

4.12.2 Federal, State, and Local Noise Criteria

Federal, state, and local governments have established noise standards and guidelines to protect citizens from potential hearing damage and various other adverse physiological and social effects associated with noise. DOE facilities are subject to federal noise standards. The State of California and local noise standards are not applicable to onsite operations at LLNL or SNL, Livermore; however, they are applicable to surrounding city and county jurisdictions.

Federal Laws and Regulations

DOE is subject to the requirements of the federal Noise Control Act of 1972, as amended (42 U.S.C sections 4901 et seq.), which establishes the means for coordination of federal noise control research, setting noise emission standards, and providing information to the general public.

Additionally, LLNL has set a maximum allowable peak sound pressure level of 126 dB, not to be exceeded "in populated areas" (Kang and Kleiber, 1991). This level is for single impulse noises and is within the safe limit for both humans and structures (see discussions above under "Sound Pressure and Exposure Levels") and was set to protect residential areas and other sensitive receptors in neighboring communities. No parallel standard has been established by SNL, Livermore since current operations do not require it.

State of California Office of Noise Control Standards

The State of California adopted noise standards do not apply to onsite operations at LLNL and SNL, Livermore, but are applicable to surrounding jurisdictions. These state standards regulate noise levels for motor vehicles, sound transmission, and occupational environments.

The state has also developed land use compatibility guidelines for community noise (California Office of Noise Control, 1976). Following these guidelines, establishing residences, churches, libraries, hospitals, and schools in areas exceeding 70 dB CNEL is normally unacceptable. These facilities are conditionally acceptable in areas that measure between 60 and 70 dB CNEL. Professional and commercial office buildings are normally unacceptable in areas exceeding 75 dB CNEL, and are conditionally acceptable in areas that measure between 67 dB and 77 dB CNEL. These guidelines, however, can be modified to reflect sensitivities of individual communities to noise.

Local Agencies

To evaluate the potential effects of noise from LLNL and SNL, Livermore operations on surrounding communities, the local noise standards for the surrounding jurisdictions are presented below. While compliance with these standards is not required within the boundaries of the LLNL sites or SNL, Livermore, they are briefly discussed because they set noise levels and assist in determining compatibility of uses in surrounding areas.

County of Alameda

In its Community Noise Ordinance, the County of Alameda has set exterior noise standards to regulate noise generated within unincorporated areas of the county (County of Alameda, 1988). These standards are applicable to areas northeast, east, south, and southwest of the LLNL Livermore site and SNL, Livermore and areas west and southwest of LLNL Site 300. The standards, shown in Table 4.12-1, correlate types of land use with minutes of exposure to various dBA levels, by time of day. Each of the county noise level standards is reduced by 5 dBA when applied to simple tone noises, noises consisting primarily of speech or music, or recurring impulsive noises that are generated within areas of county jurisdiction.

Noise sources associated with construction are exempted from the noise standards provided the construction activities do not take place before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, or before 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday.

County of San Joaquin

The County of San Joaquin has adopted a noise ordinance and noise level guidelines (County of San Joaquin, 1978a) for land uses within its unincorporated territory. In the Ordinance Code of San Joaquin County for Zoning and Subdivision Regulations (Ordinance Nos. 2831 and 3005), the county has set noise limits for various land uses, summarized as follows (County of San Joaquin, 1988):

The sound level within the Commercial-Manufacturing, Restricted-Manufacturing, Manufacturing-1, and Manufacturing-2 zones must not exceed 75 dB Ldn at property lines of the property being developed.
No sound level must exceed 65 dB Ldn at property lines of properties that abut areas developed as residential, areas zoned residential, or areas shown for residential use on the General Plan.
No sound level must exceed 65 dB Ldn at the property lines of properties that abut local parks, schools, hospitals, homes for the care of the aged and infirm, and rest homes.

The county also adopted the California Airport Noise Standards, which set the 65 dB CNEL and Ldn maximum exterior noise level for residential land uses, and the California Sound Transmission Control Standards, which require developers within areas of 60 dB CNEL and Ldn to submit acoustical studies demonstrating that a 45 dB CNEL and Ldn will be achieved (County of San Joaquin, 1978a).

City of Livermore

The City of Livermore has adopted the noise level guidelines from "Guidelines for the Preparation and Content of Noise Elements of the General Plan," prepared by the California State Office of Noise Control (1976) in its noise element. These guidelines are applicable to areas within the City of Livermore that are west and north of the LLNL Livermore site and west and northwest of SNL, Livermore. The city's goals regarding noise include (City of Livermore, 1977a):

The establishment of noise levels within residential areas to allow citizens to pursue normal residential activities without the intrusion of excessive noise and its adverse effects.
The establishment of noise levels within commercial, industrial, and other nonresidential areas to protect residential areas from increased noise levels.
The establishment of noise levels within commercial, industrial, and other nonresidential areas to protect a single use or activity from the adverse effects of another.
The establishment of noise levels within industrial and commercial areas to protect the health and welfare of area workers and members of the general public who may be on the premises.
The establishment of public education programs, regulations, or political actions to reduce levels of noise generated by mechanical and other equipment.
The adoption of design standards and the design of alternative devices to assist in achieving the goals of reducing noise to acceptable levels where the prevention or reduction of noise levels cannot be accomplished by existing methods.

In Chapter 9.36 of its noise ordinance, the City of Livermore prohibits operation of loud equipment (such as pile drivers and pneumatic hammers) in construction, demolition, or other repair work between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. (City of Livermore, 1987).

City of Tracy

The City of Tracy General Plan noise element is based on the 1978 noise element prepared by the San Joaquin Council of Governments, as adopted by the City of Tracy in January 1979. The city adopted the noise level guidelines from "Guidelines for the Preparation and Content of Noise Elements of the General Plan," prepared by the California State Office of Noise Control (1976) and outlined in the above discussion of provisions of the City of Livermore noise element. The City also adopted the California Airport Noise Standards and the California Sound Transmission Control Standards (City of Tracy, 1982). While the City of Tracy is not directly adjacent to LLNL Site 300, its proximity to high explosive testing at LLNL Site 300 warrants its discussion.

Table 4.12-1 County of Alameda Noise Standards for Noise-Sensitive and Commercial Land Uses

Cumulative Number of Minutes in any 1-Hour Time Period	Noise Level Standard (dBA)
	7 a.m. to 10 p.m.		10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
	Noise Sensitive*	Commercial	Noise Sensitive	Commercial
30	50	65	45	60
15	55	70	50	65
5	60	75	55	70
1	65	80	60	75
0	70	85	65	80

* Noise-sensitive land uses include residences, schools, hospitals, churches, and public libraries.
dBA = A-weighted decibel.
Source: County of Alameda, 1988.

4.12.3 Existing Noise Conditions

LLNL Livermore Site

Onsite Noise

Noise sources within the LLNL Livermore site include onsite vehicular traffic and stationary noise sources such as heating, ventilating and air-conditioning equipment (cooling towers, motors, pumps and fans, etc.). The High Explosives Application Facility (Building 191) at the LLNL Livermore site, and construction activities are also considered occasional noise sources.

The High Explosives Application Facility (Building 191) is an indoor high explosives research facility that tests explosives. A noise study (Miller, 1989) was conducted to evaluate exterior noise associated with explosions at this facility. The highest recorded sound pressure level, from a range of explosive weights up to 8 kg, was 99.3 dB due west of Building 191 at Vasco Road (Miller, 1989). This single impulse noise is below the LLNL 126 dB established limit to protect surrounding populated areas.

Noise generated at the LLNL Livermore site is not subject to regulation by local governmental agencies, in this case the City of Livermore and County of Alameda. However, it is DOE and UC policy to cooperate with local agencies whenever feasible. Noise generated at the LLNL Livermore site is typical of a research and development facility, and is not in conflict with land use compatibility noise guidelines for the surrounding areas within the City of Livermore and County of Alameda. These agencies do not have land use compatibility guidelines for impulse- type noises, such as those occasionally generated at the HEAF. However, the LLNL standard is aimed at protecting surrounding populated areas from such noises.

Offsite Noise

Offsite noise sources adjacent to the LLNL Livermore site include vehicular traffic along local roadways and occasional aircraft flybys.

The nearest offsite noise-sensitive receptors to the LLNL Livermore site include single-family residences east of Greenville Road, approximately 200 ft from the site's eastern boundary, and a residential development west of Vasco Road, approximately 200 feet from its western boundary.

SNL, Livermore

Noise generated at SNL, Livermore is not subject to regulation by local governmental agencies, in this case the City of Livermore and County of Alameda. However, it is DOE policy to cooperate with local agencies whenever feasible. Noise generated at SNL, Livermore is typical of a research and development facility, and is not in conflict with land use compatibility noise guidelines for the surrounding areas within the City of Livermore and County of Alameda. These agencies do not have land use compatibility guidelines for impulse-type noises such as those generated at the pistol and rifle firing range. Thus, no conflict with local noise regulations occurs.

Onsite Noise

Noise sources at SNL, Livermore include onsite vehicular traffic and stationary noise sources such as heating, ventilating and air-conditioning equipment (cooling towers, motors, pumps and fans, etc.). The pistol and rifle firing range at SNL, Livermore and construction activities are also considered occasional noise sources.

The pistol firing range is located at the southern end of the site and is used periodically (approximately 3 times per week) by the SNL, Livermore security forces. Results of two firing range noise studies are presented below.

Offsite Noise

The nearest offsite noise-sensitive receptors to SNL, Livermore include the single-family residence between SNL, Livermore and Tesla Road, located approximately 400 ft from the southern boundary of the SNL Livermore.

Offsite Field Measurements. The Hazards Control Division of SNL, Livermore conducted a sound level survey of the SNL, Livermore pistol and rifle range on February 26, 1987. The survey was based on a realistic firing condition for impulse and steady-state sound levels (SNL, Livermore, 1987). Based on the survey, the maximum firing range peak sound pressure level was approximately 87 dBA at the SNL, Livermore southern property line location closest to the nearest offsite residence. Opposite this residence, at a location across Tesla Road, the peak sound pressure level was approximately 85 dBA. The estimated peak sound pressure level at that residence was between 85 and 87 dBA. Traffic-related noise at this residence was estimated to be between 50 and 57 dBA.

The maximum measured steady-state firing range sound pressure level was 65 dBA at the SNL, Livermore south property line location closest to the nearest offsite residence; it was 61 dBA at the location across Tesla Road opposite this residence. The estimated steady-state firing range sound pressure level at the closest offsite residence was between 61 and 65 dBA. The actual 8-hour, time-weighted average sound levels would be appreciably lower than the levels stated above because the total gunfire time encompasses a relatively small fraction of the day (SNL, Livermore, 1987). Since the field study was conducted, SNL, Livermore has modified the firing range by lowering its elevation and by adding a baffle over the top of the range to reduce noise levels.

Offsite Noise—LLNL Livermore Site and SNL, Livermore Combined

While they are distinct operations managed and operated by different contractors, for purposes of this discussion the LLNL Livermore site and SNL, Livermore are addressed together because of their proximity.

Another field measurement survey was conducted on April 25, 1991, to document existing noise levels in the vicinity of the LLNL Livermore site and SNL, Livermore. Measurements were conducted at the 10 locations shown in Figure 4.12-2 for 15 or 20 minutes (depending on fluctuations in noise levels) using a Larson Davis Sound Level Meter (Model 700). Measurements represent ground-floor receptors, except where otherwise indicated. Results of the survey are presented in Table 4.12-2.

The results of the survey show that, at most monitored locations, vehicular traffic was the dominant noise source and noise levels measured near noise-sensitive receptor locations in the vicinity of the sites fall within the acceptable noise level range established by the City of Livermore and County of Alameda. At sites near the SNL, Livermore pistol and rifle firing range (Site Nos. 7, 8, 9, and 10 as shown in Table 4.12-2 and Figure 4.12-2), gunshots were audible, but were not as loud as vehicular traffic. Site 7 was in a residential neighborhood just south of East Avenue. The ambient noise level at this location was measured at 56 dB Leq. Ambient noise levels at the other three sites were measured at 64, 64, and 63 dB Leq, respectively. Although the noise measurements did not distinguish the gunshots at the firing range from vehicular traffic along the roadways, the latter constituted most of the ambient noise monitored. Traffic noise levels were measured much closer to the roadways and were generally higher than the traffic noise levels at 270 ft north of Tesla Road, as measured by the Hazards Control Division of SNL, Livermore in February 1987 (SNL, Livermore, 1987).

Calculated Existing Roadway Traffic Noise

Table 4.12-3 lists both the calculated distances from the roadway centerline to the existing CNEL (in dBA) and the CNEL value at 50 ft from the centerline of the near travel lane for all major arterials in the study area.

Table 4.12-3 shows that along most roadways in the project vicinity, existing vehicular traffic noise levels do not result in the 70-dB CNEL noise contour extending beyond roadway limits, except along Vasco Road between I-580 and Patterson Pass Road, and along East Avenue west of Buena Vista Avenue.

LLNL Site 300

Onsite Noise

Major noise sources within LLNL Site 300 include high explosives testing, vehicular traffic, and stationary noise sources such as heating, ventilating and air-conditioning equipment (cooling tower, motors, pumps and fans, etc.) A pistol and rifle firing range and construction equipment are also considered to be occasional noise sources.

Noise generated at LLNL Site 300 is not subject to regulation by local governmental agencies, in this case the Counties of San Joaquin and Alameda. However, it is DOE and UC policy to cooperate with local agencies whenever feasible. Noise generated at LLNL Site 300 is typical of a research and development facility, and is not in conflict with land use compatibility noise guidelines for the surrounding areas within the Counties of San Joaquin and Alameda. These agencies do not have land use compatibility guidelines for impulse-type noises, such as those occasionally generated at the pistol and rifle firing range and by high explosives testing at the site. However, the LLNL standard of 126 dB is aimed at protecting surrounding populated areas from such noises.

High Explosives Testing Noise. For determining noise from explosive events at LLNL Site 300, a number of factors have been considered. These include explosive weight, atmospheric attenuation, local topography, and weather conditions. Among these factors, weather conditions, represented by wind-velocity and temperature distributions as functions of altitude, play a dominant role in establishing explosive weight limits at LLNL Site 300 (Kang and Kleiber, 1991). Using computer codes that consider local weather conditions, LLNL is able to predict or project (within the limitations of this state-of-the-art methodology) the noise impact to a given downrange distance from the blast location (Kang and Kleiber, 1991).

To monitor noise concerns, LLNL has established a noise monitoring system in the City of Tracy using a network of six noise monitoring stations and a data collection system controlled by LLNL Site 300 staff. See Figure 4.12-3 for the locations of City of Tracy noise monitoring stations. The stations monitor peak noise levels for a period of 90 seconds starting at detonation. Weather conditions at LLNL Site 300 are also monitored before each test, and, as noted above, the results are incorporated into the determination of the weight limit for each high explosive test.

The results of a sampling of noise monitoring activities associated with high explosives testing at LLNL Site 300 demonstrate that noise levels have not exceeded the LLNL peak noise standard of 126 dB in surrounding populated areas or areas proposed for future development. The highest recorded (peak) noise levels for the years 1988 through 1990 at each monitoring station are shown in Table 4.12-4. (See the discussion of the LLNL environmental monitoring program in Appendix C.)

In addition to monitoring noise at stations in Tracy, LLNL monitors noise at the LLNL Site 300 boundary or in other nearby areas east of the site. Peak noise levels measured during the 220-lb test at locations A, B, and C were 121, 118.8, and 106 dB, respectively (Kang and Kleiber, 1991). The corresponding peak noise level measured in the City of Tracy was 106 dB (Kang and Kleiber, 1991). These values are lower than the thresholds of damage for humans and structures.

On May 21, 1991, LLNL Site 300 personnel conducted a 470-lb test at Bunker 801. A noise measurement at a location approximately 1 mile from the detonation point (Location E in Figure 4.12-3) showed a peak noise level of 121.7 dB (Kleiber, 1991b). Another location 1.2 miles from the detonation point (Location D in Figure 4.12-3) measured 118.9 dB (Kleiber, 1991b). Both readings were below the LLNL 126-dB maximum allowed noise level.

Offsite Noise

Major offsite noise sources near LLNL Site 300 include off-road vehicles using the Carnegie State Recreation Area south of LLNL Site 300, vehicular traffic along Corral Hollow Road, and occasional aircraft flybys.

The closest offsite noise-sensitive receptor is a single-family residence west of the LLNL Site 300 western boundary, approximately 1 mile from the site's southwestern boundary. In addition, residential areas, schools, churches, and hospitals in the City of Tracy are considered potential noise-sensitive receptors for the noise associated with the high explosives testing.

Table 4.12-5 presents the results of a field measurement survey conducted on July 25, 1991, to document weekday ambient noise levels in the vicinity of LLNL Site 300. The study results indicate that the ambient noise levels along Corral Hollow Road/Tesla Road are influenced by vehicular traffic and range from 56 to 66 dBA Leq. Therefore, the measured noise levels fall within the acceptable range for noise sensitive uses established by the Counties of San Joaquin and Alameda. At the time of the survey, no noticeable noise was being generated by the firing range at LLNL Site 300 or at the Carnegie State Recreation Area. Higher ambient noise levels would be expected at the monitoring sites along Corral Hollow Road/Tesla Road during weekend periods when the Carnegie State Recreation Area has the greatest off-highway vehicle activity.

Offsite Facilities

Livermore Municipal Airport

The number of takeoffs and landings made by the LLNL plane at the Livermore Municipal Airport is conservatively estimated to be 520 annually, less than 0.22 percent of the airport's total annual operations. Noise associated with LLNL flights, therefore, represent a minimal contribution to the airport noise contours.

City of Tracy Municipal Airport

LLNL transports materials into and out of Tracy Municipal Airport on less than three flights per month (32 total flight operations in 1990), representing approximately 0.1 percent of the airport's annual flight operations. Therefore, noise associated with LLNL flight operations represents a minimal contribution to the airport's noise generation.

LLNL Day-Care Center

Assuming no attenuation from sound walls or other structures, the LLNL Day-Care Center at the Almond Avenue School in the City of Livermore, is located inside the conditionally acceptable noise range of 60 to 70 dB CNEL contour which results from traffic along East Avenue.

Table 4.12-2 LLNL Livermore Site and SNL, Livermore Offsite Ambient Noise Measurement Results (April 25, 1991)

Figure 4.12-2 Map Reference	Location	Time	Leq (dBA)*	Description
1	Corner of Shannon and Patterson Pass Road	11:15 a.m. to 11:35 a.m.	64	Ambient noise dominated by vehicular traffic
2	Corner of Patterson Pass Road and Marathon Drive	11:45 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.	59	High-pitched sound from the LLNL Livermore site audible
3	Corner of Lupin Way and Greenville Road	12:15 p.m. to 12:35 p.m.	58	Ambient noise dominated by vehicular and pedestrian traffic
4	Corner of East Avenue and Vasco Road	12:45 p.m. to 1:05 p.m.	69	Ambient noise dominated by vehicular traffic and construction work at the LLNL Livermore site
5	Corner of Daphne Street and Vasco Road	1:15 p.m. to 1:35 p.m.	63	Ambient noise dominated by vehicular traffic
6	Corner of Vasco Road and Patterson Pass Road	1:50 p.m. to 2:10 p.m.	66	Ambient noise dominated by vehicular traffic
7	Corner of East Avenue and Graham Court	6:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.	56	Ambient noise dominated by vehicular traffic; gunfire from target practice at SNL, Livermore audible
8	Corner of Vasco Road and Tesla Road	6:20 p.m. to 6:35 p.m.	64	Ambient noise dominated by vehicular traffic; no gunfire audible; intervening hills
9	Corner of Tesla Road and Greenville Road	6:40 p.m. to 6:55 p.m.	64	Ambient noise dominated by vehicular traffic; gunshots audible, but not as loud as traffic noise
n	Corner of Greenville Road and East Avenue	7:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.	63	With direct line-of-sight to the firing range, bursts of gunshots audible; little traffic noise

* Noise measurements were made following procedures outlined in the Federal Highway Administration manual "Sound Procedures for Measuring Highway Noise" Final Report DP-45-1R (Federal Highway Administration, 1981). Measurements represent ground-floor receptors, except where otherwise indicated.
Leq = Equivalent Noise Level.
dBA = A-weighted decibel.

Table 4.12-3 Existing Roadway Noise Levels in the Vicinity of the LLNL Livermore Site and SNL, Livermore

Roadway Segment	Distance from Roadway Centerline to CNEL (in feet)*			CNEL 50 Feet from Centerline of the Near Travel Lane (dBA)
Roadway Segment	70 CNEL	65 CNEL	60 CNEL
First Street, N. Mines Road to Las Positas Road	< 50	96	207	68.6
Vasco Road, I-580 to Patterson Pass Road	65	131	279	69.0
Vasco Road, Patterson Pass Road to East Avenue	< 50	73	157	66.8
Vasco Road, East Avenue to Tesla Road	< 50	< 50	58	60.2
Greenville Road, I-580 to Patterson Pass Road, (4 lanes)	< 50	65	132	64.0
Greenville Road, I-580 to Patterson Pass Road, (2 lanes)	< 50	< 50	73	61.7
Greenville Road, Patterson Pass Road to East Avenue	< 50	< 50	67	61.2
Greenville Road, East Avenue to Tesla Road	< 50	< 50	< 50	56.5
East Avenue, west of Buena Vista Avenue	54	111	237	68.4

* Existing traffic noise levels have been calculated using the Highway Noise Prediction Model, FHWA-RD-77-108 (Federal Highway Administration, 1978). Model input data include average daily traffic levels, day and night percentages of autos and medium and heavy trucks, vehicle speeds, ground attenuation factors, and roadway widths. Traffic volumes and vehicle fleet mix percentages are based on the traffic study prepared for this EIS/EIR (TJKM Transportation Consultants, 1992).

Table 4.12-4 Highest Recorded (Peak) Noise Levels at LLNL Site 300 Monitoring Stations in Tracy

Station Number*	dB (flat response)*
Station Number*	1988	1989	1990
2	107	106	98
3	100	100	101
4	105	107	107
5	104	103	107
6	103	108	108
7	107	105	112

* Figure 4.12-3 shows the approximate locations of these monitoring stations. The number 1 monitoring station was co-stationed with the number 4 monitoring station, and was configured for flat response. This was done to compare readings with the standard A-weighted configuration. The flat configuration would normally produce somewhat higher readings.
dB = Decibel.
Source: Kleiber, 1991a, 1991c.

Table 4.12-5 LLNL Site 300 Offsite Ambient Noise Measurement Results (July 25, 1991)

Figure 4.12-3 Map Reference	Location	Time	Leq (dBA)*	Description
F	Along eastern LLNL Site 300 boundary	11:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.	59	No dominant noise sources
G	Next to Corral Hollow Road approximately 0.75 mile west of I-580	9:05 a.m. to 9:20 a.m.	60	Ambient noise dominated by earth-moving equipment operating at Corral Hollow landfill (0.50 mile from monitoring site)
H	Next to Corral Hollow Road approximately 2 miles east of I-580	9:35 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.	56	Ambient noise dominated by overflying hawk
I	Next to Corral Hollow Road across from Carnegie State Recreational Vehicle Area	12:50 p.m. to 1:05 p.m.	66	Ambient noise dominated by wind and a few vehicles on roadway
J	Next to Tesla Road approximately 0.50 mile west of Alameda/San Joaquin County Line	1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.	64	Ambient noise dominated by wind and a few vehicles on roadway

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