The Lake Tahoe Basin is admired for its beauty and tranquility. Most of
the tranquility is nestled in the forests and mountains where
views of the Lake either inspire thought and relaxation or
energy and invigoration to explore. The Basin is a place
visitors can come to get away from the stresses of daily life,
and tranquility is a key factor of Lake Tahoe´s ability to
create such an environment. The murmur of breezes and songs
of birds are sometimes disrupted by excess noise. There
are many sources of noise pollution in the Basin that not
only affect visitors but also disturb residents and wildlife.
Five sources of noise pollution in the Lake Tahoe Basin
come from modes of transportation for either recreation or
every day use. The sources are off-road vehicles, snowmobiles,
motorboats, airplanes and vehicles. In the winter, vehicles
with tire chains enhance the noise generated by vehicles.
Also, traffic generates “noise corridors” along highways.
Other noise pollution sources include stereo systems, construction
activities, timber cutting, disruptive human gatherings and
barking domestic dogs.
Consequences of noise pollution include human health effects
and disturbance to wildlife in their natural habitats. There
is evidence that prolonged exposure of humans to noise of
80 decibels or higher can cause hearing loss. Also, noise
can cause aggravation and result in elevated stress and blood
pressure levels, and interrupt sleep, which can lead to fatigue
and loss of productivity. Although these studies relate to
humans it is possible that wildlife react to noise in many
of the same ways. Wildlife can experience hearing loss, habitat
loss, stress and disrupted sleep due to noise pollution; however,
the level of noise that causes disturbance can vary between
humans and wildlife.
The goals for noise regulation in the Basin are to reduce or eliminate activities
that produce distressing or damaging noise levels, and attempt
to provide for community and neighborhood tranquility. Environmental
thresholds for noise are difficult to calculate since individuals
react differently to noise sources. Noise is measured by
decibels that quantify acoustical energy, and regulated by
determined levels of disturbance. Duration is another factor
in noise regulation with short-term, loud bursts of noise
energy having a different impact than long-term, less energetic
noise.
Sources:
Draft TRPA 2001 Threshold Evaluation Report
New South Wales Environment
Protection Authority
