ST - Lawrence Wind Farm SDEIS Noise Study 2008

Hessler Associates, Inc.
Consultants in Engineering Acoustics 3862 Clifton Manor Place Suite B Haymarket, Virginia 20169 USA Phone: 703-753-1602 Fax: 703-753-1522 Website: www.hesslernoise.com
REPORT NO. 1804-011908-0

REV: 0 DATE OF ISSUE: JANUARY 21, 2008
ENVIRONMENTAL SOUND LEVEL SURVEY RESULTS SUMMER AND WINTERTIME CONDITIONS

ST. LAWRENCE WIND FARM
TOWN OF CAPE VINCENT JEFFERSON COUNTY, NY
PREPARED FOR: Acciona Wind Energy USA, LLC
Prepared by:
David M. Hessler, P.E., INCE Principal Consultant Hessler Associates, Inc.
Member National Council of Acoustical Consultants Noise Control Services Since 1976

Consultants in Engineering Acoustics
CONTENTS
1.0 2.0 INTRODUCTION SURVEY METHODOLOGY 2.1 2.2 2.3 3.0 OBJECTIVE AND MEASUREMENT QUANTITIES SITE DESCRIPTION AND MEASUREMENT POSITIONS INSTRUMENTATION
1 1 1 2 9 10 10 12 19 21 21 23 30
SURVEY RESULTS - SUMMERTIME 3.1 3.2 3.3 SURVEY WEATHER CONDITIONS OVERALL SURVEY RESULTS FREQUENCY CONTENT OF BACKGROUND SOUNDS
4.0
SURVEY RESULTS - WINTERTIME 4.1 4.2 SURVEY WEATHER CONDITIONS OVERALL SURVEY RESULTS
5.0
CONCLUSIONS
Graphic A
General Site Map Showing Background Survey Positions

1.0
INTRODUCTION
Hessler Associates, Inc. has been retained by Acciona Wind Energy USA to evaluate potential noise impacts from the proposed St. Lawrence Wind Farm Project on residents in the vicinity of the project area, which is located in the Town of Cape Vincent, New York. This report covers only the first phase of the project, which is to quantify current background sound levels in the site area during both summertime and wintertime conditions. The measurement of existing sound levels at the site is necessary to determine how much natural masking noise there might be - as a function of wind speed - at the nearest residences to the project. The relevance of this is that high levels of background noise due to wind-induced natural sounds, such as tree rustle, would act to reduce or preclude the audibility of the wind farm, while low levels of natural noise would permit operational noise from the turbines to be more readily perceptible. Because it would be incorrect, for example, to compare the maximum turbine sound level, which occurs only during windy conditions, with the background level during calm and quiet conditions, the background sound level must be determined as a function of wind speed. For a broadband noise source the audibility of and potential impact from the new noise is a function of how much, if at all, it exceeds the pre-existing background level under comparable conditions. The evaluation of new sound sources on the basis of their audibility above the natural background level is the approach set forth in the Program Policy Assessing and Mitigating Noise Impacts published by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Feb. 2001. This assessment procedure looks at potential noise impacts in relative rather than absolute terms by comparing expected future sound levels (developed from modeling) to the pre-existing level of background sound (determined from field measurements). The procedure essentially defines a cumulative increase in overall sound level of 6 dBA as the threshold between no significant impact and a potentially adverse impact. Hence the need to measure the existing background sound levels and establish a datum against which to compare predicted project sound levels.
2.0 2.1
SURVEY METHDOLOGY OBJECTIVE AND MEASUREMENT QUANTITIES

The purpose of the surveys was to determine what minimum environmental sound levels are consistently present and available at the nearest potentially sensitive receptors to mask or obscure potential noise from the project under both warm weather and cold weather seasonal conditions. A number of statistical sound levels were measured in consecutive 10 minute intervals over each survey. Of these, the average (Leq) and residual (L90) levels are the most meaningful. The average, or equivalent energy sound level (Leq), is literally the average sound level over each measurement interval. This is the typical sound level most likely to be observed at any given moment. The L90 statistical sound level, on the other hand, is commonly used to conservatively quantify background sound levels. The L90 is the sound level exceeded during 90% of the measurement interval and has the quality of filtering out sporadic, short-duration noise events thereby capturing the quiet lulls between such events. It is this consistently present background level that forms a conservative, or worst-case, basis for evaluating the audibility of a new source. By definition such a sound level exists only 10% of time while 90% of the time a higher sound level is present.

An additional factor that is important in establishing the minimum background sound level available to mask potential wind turbine noise is the natural sound generated by the wind itself. Wind turbines only operate and produce noise when the wind exceeds a minimum cut-in speed of roughly 3 or 4 m/s (measured at a reference elevation of 10 m). Turbine sound levels increase with wind speed up to about 8 or 9 m/s when the sound produced reaches a maximum and no longer increases with wind speed. Consequently, at moderate to high speeds when turbine noise is most significant the level of natural masking noise is normally also relatively high due to tree or grass rustle thus reducing the perceptibility of the turbines. In order to quantify this effect, wind speed was measured over each survey period in 10 minute increments by a 80 m met tower located within the site area for later correlation to the sound data.
2.2
SITE DESCRIPTION AND MEASUREMENT POSITIONS

At the time of the field surveys the number of turbines and their specific locations were still being developed; however, the general extent of the project area was known from the distribution of land owners who had concluded leasing agreements with the project. The site area can be broadly defined as the western half of the Town of Cape Vincent between the St. Lawrence River and a line running parallel to the river roughly 4 miles inland. The site area is rural and can be characterized as consisting mostly of farms on relatively large tracts of land irregularly interspersed with scattered residences on smaller parcels. The actual village of Cape Vincent lies some distance away from any proposed turbine locations. The site topography is flat. In terms of vegetation, the area is a largely even mixture of open fields and wooded areas. Most of the homes and farm houses have at least a few trees immediately around the house. Six measurement locations were chosen to evenly cover and represent the entire area as shown in Graphic A. The specific positions are listed below along with photographs of each location. A variety of settings were chosen - such as near wooded areas, in open fields, near homes and remote from homes, etc. in an effort to determine a typical sound level representative of the entire site area.

Position 1 Wood Farm, County Road 9 The monitor placed at the edge of a wooded area bordering a large open tract of farm land. The measurement position was selected so that it was far enough away from the dairy barns and main farm area so that noise from normal farm activities and milking machines was negligible.
Figure 2.2.1 Position 1 Looking Northeast towards Farm.
Figure 2.2.2 Position 1 Looking Northwest

Position 2 7242 Millens Bay Road (County Road 8) Monitor located on a fence post in an open area somewhat removed from the house and barn area.
Figure 2.2.3 Position 2 Looking North toward House
Figure 2.2.4 Position 2 Looking Southwest

Position 3 33835 Route 12E Monitor located on a post immediately adjacent to the bank of the St. Lawrence River. This location was intended to measure the sound levels typically experienced at the numerous residences along the river in this area.
Figure 2.2.5 Position 3 Looking Northeast up River
Figure 2.2.6 Position 3 Looking West across the St. Lawrence River

Position 4 4224 Branche Road Typical area farm. Monitor located on a utility pole near the farmhouse and barns.
Figure 2.2.7 Position 4 Looking West towards Barns
Figure 2.2.8 Position 4 Looking South towards Neighboring House

Position 5 2481 Route 12 E Monitor located on an idle grain conveyor immediately behind the farmhouse. This house is located directly on Route 12E, which is the principal road in the area. The measurement position was set back from the road roughly the same distance as the house.
Figure 2.2.9 Position 5 Looking Southeast, House just Visible on Right-hand Edge of Photo
Figure 2.2.10 Position 5 Looking West

Position 6 Triple A Farm, Hell St. Monitor located on a silo support behind several barns. Area not subject to a significant amount of local noise due to farm operations.
Figure 2.2.11 Position 6 Looking West
Figure 2.2.12 Position 6 Looking Northeast

2.3
INSTRUMENTATION AND SURVEY DURATION

Rion NL-32 and NL-22 sound level meters (ANSI Type 1 and 2, respectively) were used at 5 of the 6 positions. A Norsonic 118, ANSI Type 1, 1/3 octave band analyzer was used at Position 6 to record the frequency spectrum of the sound as well as the overall A-weighted levels measured by the other instruments. The meters were all enclosed in watertight boxes with the microphones supported away from the cases to minimize any local reflections. The 5 Rion microphones were protected from wind-induced self-noise by extra-large 180 mm (7) diameter foam windscreens (ACO Model WS7-80T). The Norsonic meter had a special environmental microphone housing (Norsonic Type 1212) where the microphone tip is protected from wind by mesh covered slots and an external foam windscreen. In each case, the microphones were situated at a fairly low elevation of approximately 1 m so that they were exposed to relatively low wind speeds. Figure 2.3.1 illustrates a typical wind speed profile based on IEC 61400-111.
Typical Wind Speed Profile at a Wind Speed of 6 m/s per IEC 61400-11 90 80 70 Height Above Ground Level, m 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Wind Speed, m/s Anemometer Height = 60 m Background Sound Measurement Microphone Height = 1 m Standard IEC Height = 10 m Typ. Hub Height = 80 m
Figure 2.3.1
Wind speed normally diminishes rapidly close to the ground, theoretically going to zero at the surface; consequently, at a 1 m height the microphones were typically exposed to inconsequential wind speeds of about 3 or 4 m/s during the wind conditions of greatest interest (6 to 8 m/s at 10
International Electromechanical Commission (IEC) 61400-11:2002(E) Wind Turbine Generator Systems Part 11: Acoustic Noise Measurement Techniques, Second Edition 2002-12. Member National Council of Acoustical Consultants Noise Control Services Since 1976
1

m). In any event, self-generated wind noise affects only the extreme lower frequencies and, except in very high wind conditions, has little or no influence on the measured A-weighted level (the quantity sought in the survey) since the lower frequencies are heavily suppressed before the spectrum is summed to give an overall A-weighted level. As a result the measured values are considered valid and reasonably free of any meaningful or significant self-generated contamination. All equipment was field calibrated at the beginning of the survey and again at the end of the survey. The observed calibration drift of all the instruments was between +0.2 / -0.5 dB with most in the +/-0.2 dB range. The summertime survey was carried out over an 17 day period from August 22 to September 8, 2007. Because of an AC power interruption the frequency recording monitor at Position 6 ran only for the first several days while all other meters operated for the full period. The wintertime survey ran from December 14, 2007 to January 4, 2008. The monitor at Position 1 operated for the entire 20 day period but the others typically ran for about 15 days before losing battery power in the extremely cold conditions. The Norsonic meter only ran a few hours on internal batteries before cutting out due to a problem with the AC power adapter. In general, the Norsonic 118 meter is not intended for long-term outdoor service as an environmental monitor, particularly in harshly inclement weather. As a final note on winter survey, the windscreen on Monitor 2 blew off during a period of very high winds on the afternoon of December 23 - so the data beyond that point has been neglected.
3.0 3.1
SURVEY RESULTS - SUMMERTIME SURVEY WEATHER CONDITIONS

Although the amount of cloud cover varied from clear to overcast at various times, the weather conditions during the survey period were generally fair with no significant precipitation after the second day when a very strong thunderstorm passed over the area. Winds during the survey were fairly light, although two periods of moderate winds (Aug. 24 26 and Sep. 7 8) were captured. The general conditions of temperature, barometric pressure and wind for the survey period are shown in the chart below (Figure 3.1.1) as observed at Watertown, NY, some 20 miles southeast of the site. It is important to note that the survey was carried out during summertime conditions with the leaves on the trees. Leaf rustle, even in relatively light winds, normally generates significantly higher sound levels than might be observed at the same location when the trees are bare. In addition, normal summertime noise from insects, such as cicadas and crickets, was present at the time of the survey resulting in elevated sound levels on most evenings and at other times of day.
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Figure 3.1.1 General Weather Data for the Summer Survey Period as Observed in Watertown, NY
The wind speed at the site itself was measured by an 80 m met tower. The figure below, Figure 3.1.2, shows the average 10 minute wind speed measured by the anemometer at an elevation of 40 m and the wind speed normalized to a standard elevation of 10 m per IEC Standard 61400-11, Equation 7. A roughness length of 0.05 was used, which is associated with farmland with some vegetation. The 10 m wind speed is important because turbine sound levels are expressed as a function of the wind speed at this standardized elevation.
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Wind Speed Measured by On-site Met Tower at 40 m and Normalized to 10 m - Summertime Conditions
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40 m Anemometer 12 Normalized Wind Speed at 10 m
10
Wind Speed, m/s
0 9/1/07 0:00 9/2/07 0:00 9/3/07 0:00 9/4/07 0:00 9/5/07 0:00 9/6/07 0:00 9/7/07 0:00 8/23/07 0:00 8/24/07 0:00 8/25/07 0:00 8/26/07 0:00 8/27/07 0:00 8/28/07 0:00 8/29/07 0:00 8/30/07 0:00 8/31/07 0:00 9/1/07 12:00 9/2/07 12:00 9/3/07 12:00 9/4/07 12:00 9/5/07 12:00 9/6/07 12:00 9/7/07 12:00 9/8/07 0:00 8/22/07 12:00 8/23/07 12:00 8/24/07 12:00 8/25/07 12:00 8/26/07 12:00 8/27/07 12:00 8/28/07 12:00 8/29/07 12:00 8/30/07 12:00 8/31/07 12:00 9/8/07 12:00
Date and Time
Figure 3.1.2 Measured Wind Speed at Site during the Summer Sound Survey Period
3.2
OVERALL SURVEY RESULTS

As discussed above in Section 2.1 the L90, or residual, sound level is a conservative measure of background sound levels in the sense that it filters out short-duration, sporadic noise events that cannot be relied upon to provide consistent and continual masking noise to obscure potential turbine noise. This level represents the quiet, momentary lulls between all relatively short duration events, such as cars passing by or tractor activity in a neighboring field. As such, it is the near worst-case background level with regard to evaluating potential impacts from a new source. The L90 sound levels over consecutive 10 minute periods for all 6 positions are plotted below for the summer survey period.
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Residual (L90) Sound Levels vs Time at All Positions Summertime Conditions

80
Position 1 Position 2 Position 3 Position 4
70
Position 5 Position 6
60 Sound Pressure Level, dBA
50
40
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10
0 8/23/07 0:00 8/24/07 0:00 8/25/07 0:00 8/26/07 0:00 8/27/07 0:00 8/28/07 0:00 8/29/07 0:00 8/30/07 0:00 8/22/07 12:00 8/23/07 12:00 8/24/07 12:00 8/25/07 12:00 8/26/07 12:00 8/27/07 12:00 8/28/07 12:00 8/29/07 12:00 8/30/07 12:00 8/31/07 0:00 8/31/07 12:00 9/1/07 0:00 9/2/07 0:00 9/3/07 0:00 9/4/07 0:00 9/5/07 0:00 9/6/07 0:00 9/7/07 0:00 9/1/07 12:00 9/2/07 12:00 9/3/07 12:00 9/4/07 12:00 9/5/07 12:00 9/6/07 12:00 9/7/07 12:00 9/8/07 0:00 9/8/07 12:00
Date and Time
Figure 3.2.1 10 minute L90 Sound Levels at All Monitoring Positions
This plot shows that, despite the varied settings, sound levels over the site area roughly follow the same temporal trends except at Position 4 (turquoise trace), where the levels are consistently higher than at all other locations. The reason for this anomalous behavior is not clear but may be associated with the slightly elevated nature of the position on the crest of a rise (locally increasing wind-induced sounds) or with local noise from farming operations. Although there is some inevitable local variation, the sound levels at the remaining positions generally intertwine and have similar, though certainly not identical values, most of the time. Consequently, the average of these 5 positions (omitting Position 4) is considered a reasonably good representation of the L90 sound level anywhere within the site area (Figure 3.2.2). A daily trend is evident in Figure 3.2.2 where the average site-wide sound level reaches a minimum in the early morning hours (on some days more than others) and then rapidly increases. These minima are generally associated with a temporary reduction in insect noise followed by a sudden resumption of insect noise in the morning - possibly augmented by an increase in manmade and other natural sounds. Except for occasional nighttime lulls, it can be seen that sound levels typically range between about 40 and 50 dBA.
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Site-wide Residual (L90) Sound Level vs Time - Summertime Conditions Design L90 Background Level (Average of All Positions Except 4)
80
70
50
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10
0 9/1/07 12:00 9/2/07 12:00 9/3/07 12:00 9/4/07 12:00 9/5/07 12:00 9/6/07 12:00 9/7/07 12:00 8/22/07 12:00 8/23/07 12:00 8/24/07 12:00 8/25/07 12:00 8/26/07 12:00 8/27/07 12:00 8/28/07 12:00 8/29/07 12:00 8/30/07 12:00 8/31/07 12:00 9/8/07 12:00 9/1/07 0:00 9/2/07 0:00 9/3/07 0:00 9/4/07 0:00 9/5/07 0:00 9/6/07 0:00 9/7/07 0:00 8/23/07 0:00 8/24/07 0:00 8/25/07 0:00 8/26/07 0:00 8/27/07 0:00 8/28/07 0:00 8/29/07 0:00 8/30/07 0:00 8/31/07 0:00 9/8/07 0:00
Date and Time
3.2.2 Average L90 Background Level at All Positions Except 4
The average L90 design sound level is plotted along with the average wind speed at 10 m in Figure 3.2.3 below.
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Average L90 Background Sound Level vs. Normalized Wind Speed Wintertime Conditions
12 Normalized Wind Speed at 10 m Site-wide L90 - Design Level 10 50 60
8 Wind Speed, m/s
40
30
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10
0
9/1/07 12:00 9/2/07 12:00 9/3/07 12:00 9/4/07 12:00 9/5/07 12:00 9/6/07 12:00 9/7/07 12:00 8/22/07 12:00 8/23/07 12:00 8/24/07 12:00 8/25/07 12:00 8/26/07 12:00 8/27/07 12:00 8/28/07 12:00 8/29/07 12:00 8/30/07 12:00 8/31/07 12:00 8/23/07 0:00 8/24/07 0:00 8/25/07 0:00 8/26/07 0:00 8/27/07 0:00 8/28/07 0:00 8/29/07 0:00 8/30/07 0:00 8/31/07 0:00 9/8/07 12:00 9/1/07 0:00 9/2/07 0:00 9/3/07 0:00 9/4/07 0:00 9/5/07 0:00 9/6/07 0:00 9/7/07 0:00 9/8/07 0:00
Date and Time
Figure 3.2.3 Background L90 Sound Levels and Wind Speed
This plot shows that, for summertime conditions at least, background sound levels over the site area are not predominantly driven by wind-induced natural sounds. The two traces would generally parallel each other if this were the case, rising and falling at the same times. This lack of correlation indicates that sounds from such sources as crickets, distant farm equipment and local roads dominate the sound level observed at any given location and that wind-induced sounds are very secondary. This is shown quantitatively in Figure 3.2.4, which is a regression analysis of sound levels as a function of wind speed. As shown by the trend line there is only a very slight tendency towards louder sound levels during windier conditions. In essence, the likely background sound level from the point where the turbines would begin to operate (at a wind speed of around 3 to 4 m/s) to the point where they reach maximum sound output (roughly 8 to 9 m/s) varies only slightly from about 43 to 46 dBA. In many cases, the critical wind speed where turbine noise is generally the greatest relative to the amount of available masking noise is about 6 m/s. The survey data indicate that a sound level of about 44 dBA is likely to exist at this wind speed under summertime conditions.
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Sound Pressure Level, dBA

Regression Analysis of Site-wide L90 Sound Level vs. Normalized Wind Speed Summertime Conditions
60 55 50 45 Sound Pressure Level, dBA 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 y = 0.7185x + 40.085 R2 = 0.0647
Wind Speed at 10 m above Ground Level, m/s
Figure 3.2.4 Regression Analysis of L90 Sound Levels vs. Wind Speed
All of the sound levels discussed so far have been the L90 statistical levels that represent the nearminimum sound level that occurs only a small percentage of the time. The measured average, or Leq, sound levels, representing typical conditions are reported below. Figure 3.2.5 shows the Leq sound level measured at all positions over the survey period.
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Average (Leq) Sound Levels vs Tim e at All Positions Sum m ertim e Conditions 80
70
50
40
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10
0 9/1/07 0:00 9/1/07 12:00 9/2/07 12:00 9/3/07 0:00 9/3/07 12:00 9/4/07 12:00 9/5/07 0:00 9/5/07 12:00 9/6/07 12:00 9/7/07 0:00 9/7/07 12:00 8/22/07 12:00 8/23/07 12:00 8/24/07 0:00 8/24/07 12:00 8/25/07 12:00 8/26/07 0:00 8/26/07 12:00 8/27/07 12:00 8/28/07 0:00 8/28/07 12:00 8/29/07 12:00 8/30/07 0:00 8/30/07 12:00 8/31/07 12:00 9/8/07 12:00 9/2/07 0:00 9/4/07 0:00 9/6/07 0:00 8/23/07 0:00 8/25/07 0:00 8/27/07 0:00 8/29/07 0:00 8/31/07 0:00 9/8/07 0:00
Date and Tim e
Figure 3.2.5 Leq(10 min) Sound Levels at All Positions
As with the L90 levels, most of the positions have generally similar values at any given time with the exception of Position 4, which is typically higher. The average of the remaining 5 positions (except 4) is considered a reasonable representation of the site-wide average, or typical, sound level. This design value is plotted in Figure 3.2.6.
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Site-w ide Average (Leq) Sound Level vs Tim e - Sum m ertim e Conditions Design Leq Background Level (Average of All Positions Except 4) 80
70
50
40
30
20
10
0 8/23/07 0:00 8/23/07 12:00 8/24/07 0:00 8/25/07 0:00 8/25/07 12:00 8/26/07 0:00 8/27/07 0:00 8/27/07 12:00 8/28/07 0:00 8/29/07 0:00 8/29/07 12:00 8/30/07 0:00 8/31/07 0:00 9/1/07 0:00 9/1/07 12:00 9/2/07 12:00 9/3/07 0:00 9/3/07 12:00 9/4/07 12:00 9/5/07 0:00 9/5/07 12:00 9/6/07 12:00 9/7/07 0:00 9/7/07 12:00 8/22/07 12:00 8/24/07 12:00 8/26/07 12:00 8/28/07 12:00 8/30/07 12:00 8/31/07 12:00 9/8/07 12:00 9/2/07 0:00 9/4/07 0:00 9/6/07 0:00 9/8/07 0:00
Date and Tim e
Figure 3.2.6 Design Leq Site-wide Sound Level
A regression analysis of this Leq design level vs. wind speed is shown in Figure 3.2.7. Again, as with the L90 data, there is no clear correlation; however, it can be seen that the typical sound level during the wind speed range of interest (3 to 9 m/s) is in the 45 to 50 dBA range.
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Regression Analysis of Site-w ide Leq Sound Level vs. Norm alized Wind Speed Sum m ertim e Conditions
60 55 50 45 Sound Pressure Level, dBA 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Wind Speed at 10 m above Ground Level, m /s y = 0.7175x + 43.333 R2 = 0.0908
Figure 3.2.7 Regression Analysis of Leq Summer Sound Levels vs. Wind Speed
3.3
FREQUENCY CONTENT OF BACKGROUND LEVELS

The frequency content of the background levels was recorded by a 1/3 octave band analyzer at Position 6 for the first few days (only) of the summer survey. Figure 3.3.1 below is a plot of the A-weighted sound levels measured vs. time at this position for the first several days of the survey. The site-wide average sound level is also shown indicating that the levels at this position, while slightly higher, are similar to and reasonably representative of those measured at the other locations. Five spectra, designated as A through E, are marked at various minimum and maximum points. These spectra are plotted in Figure 3.3.2.
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20 8/22/07 12:00 8/22/07 14:00 8/22/07 16:00 8/22/07 18:00
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
8/22/07 20:00 8/22/07 22:00 8/23/07 0:00 8/23/07 2:00 8/23/07 4:00 8/23/07 6:00 8/23/07 8:00 8/23/07 10:00 8/23/07 12:00 8/23/07 14:00 8/23/07 16:00 8/23/07 18:00 8/23/07 20:00 8/23/07 22:00 8/24/07 0:00 8/24/07 2:00 8/24/07 4:00
D a t e a nd Ti m e
B C
D
8/24/07 6:00 8/24/07 8:00 8/24/07 10:00 8/24/07 12:00 8/24/07 14:00 8/24/07 16:00 8/24/07 18:00 8/24/07 20:00 8/24/07 22:00 8/25/07 0:00 8/25/07 2:00 8/25/07 4:00 8/25/07 6:00 8/25/07 8:00 8/25/07 10:00 Residual (L90) Sound Level vs Tim e at Position 6 Com pared to Site-w ide Average
Figure 3.3.1 Overall A-weighted Sound Level vs. Time at Position 6
Position 6
Average Site-wide Design Level
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Selected Maximum and Minimum Frequency Spectra at Position 6 Spectrum A 70 60 Sound Pressure Level, dB 50 40 30 20 10 0
6.3 Hz 8.0 Hz 10 Hz 12.5 16 Hz 20 Hz 25 Hz 31.5 40 Hz 50 Hz 63 Hz 80 Hz 100 Hz 125 Hz 160 Hz 200 Hz 250 Hz 315 Hz 400 Hz 500 Hz 630 Hz 800 Hz 1.0 k 1.25 k 1.6 k 2.0 k 2.5 k 3.15 k 4.0 k 5.0 k 6.3 k 8.0 k 10.0 k 12.5 k 16.0 k 20.0 k dBA
Spectrum B Spectrum C Spectrum D Spectrum E
Insect Noise
Unidentified Noise Event
1/3 Octave Band Center Frequency, Hz

Figure 3.3.2 Frequency Spectra at Selected Minima and Maxima
Figure 3.3.2 clearly shows that insect noise peaking at 5000 Hz strongly affected the overall sound levels when they were at a maximum and, significantly, also when they were at a minimum. This generally implies that site-wide sound levels are driven by high frequency and relatively high amplitude insect sounds essentially all the time during this season. This continual dominance by insect noise, which is clearly unrelated to wind or atmospheric conditions, explains why the site sound levels during the summer at least - do not exhibit any real dependence on wind speed. The temporary spike in sound levels designated as Spectrum C is evidently associated with some local noise event.
4.0 4.1
SURVEY RESULTS - WINTERTIME SURVEY WEATHER CONDITIONS

The weather conditions during most of the winter survey, which was carried out between December 14, 2007 and January 4, 2008, were overcast with almost continuous periods of light snow or rain. Temperatures were generally at or near the freezing point much of the time dipping down to as cold as -13 deg. F on one occasion. Several periods of high wind were captured. The general conditions of temperature, barometric pressure and wind for the survey period are shown in the chart below (Figure 4.1.1) as observed at Watertown, NY.
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Figure 4.1.1 General Weather Data for the WinterSurvey Period as Observed in Watertown, NY
The wind speed at the site itself was measured by an 80 m met tower. The figure below, Figure 4.1.2, shows the average 10 minute wind speed measured by the anemometer at an elevation of 40 m and the wind speed normalized to a standard elevation of 10 m.
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4.2
Wind Speed, m/s 10 12 14 16 18 0 12/14/07 12:00 12/15/07 0:00 12/15/07 12:00 12/16/07 0:00 12/16/07 12:00 12/17/07 0:00 12/17/07 12:00 12/18/07 0:00 12/18/07 12:00 12/19/07 0:00 12/19/07 12:00 12/20/07 0:00 12/20/07 12:00 12/21/07 0:00 12/21/07 12:00 12/22/07 0:00 12/22/07 12:00 12/23/07 0:00 12/23/07 12:00 12/24/07 0:00 12/24/07 12:00 12/25/07 0:00 12/25/07 12:00 12/26/07 0:00 12/26/07 12:00 12/27/07 0:00 12/27/07 12:00 12/28/07 0:00 12/28/07 12:00 12/29/07 0:00 12/29/07 12:00 12/30/07 0:00 12/30/07 12:00 12/31/07 0:00 12/31/07 12:00 1/1/08 0:00 1/1/08 12:00 1/2/08 0:00 1/2/08 12:00 1/3/08 0:00 1/3/08 12:00 1/4/08 0:00 1/4/08 12:00 Date and Tim e 40 m Anemometer Normalized Wind Speed at 10 m 2 4 6 8
OVERALL SURVEY RESULTS
Wind Speed Measured by On-site Met Tower at 40 m and Normalized to 10 m - Wintertime Conditions
Figure 4.1.2 Measured Wind Speed at Site during the Winter Sound Survey Period
The L90 sound levels over consecutive 10 minute periods at all positions are plotted below in Figure 4.2.1 for the survey period.
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Residual (L90) Sound Levels vs Time at All Positions Wintertime Conditions

80
Position 1 Position 2 Position 3
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0 12/14/07 12:00 12/15/07 12:00 12/16/07 12:00 12/17/07 12:00 12/18/07 12:00 12/19/07 12:00 12/20/07 12:00 12/21/07 12:00 12/22/07 12:00 12/23/07 12:00 12/24/07 12:00 12/25/07 12:00 12/26/07 12:00 12/27/07 12:00 12/28/07 12:00 12/29/07 12:00 12/30/07 12:00 12/31/07 12:00 1/1/08 12:00 1/2/08 12:00 1/3/08 12:00 12/15/07 0:00 12/16/07 0:00 12/17/07 0:00 12/18/07 0:00 12/19/07 0:00 12/20/07 0:00 12/21/07 0:00 12/22/07 0:00 12/23/07 0:00 12/24/07 0:00 12/25/07 0:00 12/26/07 0:00 12/27/07 0:00 12/28/07 0:00 12/29/07 0:00 12/30/07 0:00 12/31/07 0:00 1/4/08 12:00 1/1/08 0:00 1/2/08 0:00 1/3/08 0:00 1/4/08 0:00
Date and Tim e
Figure 4.2.1 10 minute L90 Sound Levels at All Monitoring Positions
As with the summer measurements, it can be seen that the sound levels at Position 4 are generally higher than the mean level at all other locations. Consequently, the site-wide L90 design level, plotted in Figure 4.2.2, has been taken as the average of all positions except 4. In contrast to the summer results where the levels were range-bound largely between about 40 and 50 dBA, the sound levels measured in the winter vary significantly with time from lows around 20 dBA to peak levels above 50 dBA.
24
Sound Pressure Level, dBA 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 12/14/07 12:00 12/15/07 0:00 12/15/07 12:00 12/16/07 0:00 12/16/07 12:00 12/17/07 0:00 12/17/07 12:00 12/18/07 0:00 12/18/07 12:00 12/19/07 0:00 12/19/07 12:00 12/20/07 0:00 12/20/07 12:00 12/21/07 0:00 12/21/07 12:00 12/22/07 0:00 12/22/07 12:00 12/23/07 0:00 12/23/07 12:00 12/24/07 0:00 12/24/07 12:00 12/25/07 0:00 12/25/07 12:00 12/26/07 0:00 12/26/07 12:00 12/27/07 0:00 12/27/07 12:00 12/28/07 0:00 12/28/07 12:00 12/29/07 0:00 12/29/07 12:00 12/30/07 0:00 12/30/07 12:00 12/31/07 0:00 12/31/07 12:00 1/1/08 0:00 1/1/08 12:00 1/2/08 0:00 1/2/08 12:00 1/3/08 0:00 1/3/08 12:00 1/4/08 0:00 1/4/08 12:00 Date and Tim e
Site-wide Residual (L90) Sound Level vs Time - Wintertime Conditions Design L90 Background Level (Average of All Positions Except 4)
4.2.2 Average L90 Background Level at All Positions Except 4
The average L90 design sound level is plotted along with the average wind speed at 10 m in Figure 4.2.3 below.
25

Average L90 Background Sound Level vs. Normalized Wind Speed Wintertime Conditions
20 Wind Speed at 10 m 18 Design L90 Sound Level 50 16 60
14 40 Wind Speed, m/s 12 Sound Pressure Level, dBA
10
30
8 20 6
4 10 2
0
12/14/07 12:00 12/15/07 0:00 12/15/07 12:00 12/16/07 0:00 12/16/07 12:00 12/17/07 0:00 12/17/07 12:00 12/18/07 0:00 12/18/07 12:00 12/19/07 0:00 12/19/07 12:00 12/20/07 0:00 12/20/07 12:00 12/21/07 0:00 12/21/07 12:00 12/22/07 0:00 12/22/07 12:00 12/23/07 0:00 12/23/07 12:00 12/24/07 0:00 12/24/07 12:00 12/25/07 0:00 12/25/07 12:00 12/26/07 0:00 12/26/07 12:00 12/27/07 0:00 12/27/07 12:00 12/28/07 0:00 12/28/07 12:00 12/29/07 0:00 12/29/07 12:00 12/30/07 0:00 12/30/07 12:00 12/31/07 0:00 12/31/07 12:00 1/1/08 0:00 1/1/08 12:00 1/2/08 0:00 1/2/08 12:00 1/3/08 0:00 1/3/08 12:00 1/4/08 0:00 1/4/08 12:00
Date and Time
Figure 4.2.3 Background L90 Winter Sound Levels and Wind Speed
This plot shows that the temporal variance observed in the sound levels is almost wholly attributable to the wind; i.e. sound levels rise and fall in direct proportion with the wind speed and wind-induced sounds in the environment. This close correlation strongly suggests that all other possible sources of environmental sound - such as from road traffic, farm machinery, planes flying over, etc. are very secondary if not completely inconsequential. A regression analysis of the L90 background sound level vs. wind speed is shown below in Figure 4.2.4. Although there is still some inevitable scatter, the R2 correlation between the dataset and the linear trend line is many orders of magnitude higher (0.64) than the summer correlation (0.06). This analysis shows that a sound level of about 37 dBA is likely to exist at the normally critical wind speed of 6 m/s, when the turbine sound power level is often maximum relative to the amount of background masking noise available.
26

Regression Analysis of Site-wide L90 Sound Level vs. Normalized Wind Speed Wintertime Conditions
60 55 50 45 Sound Pressure Level, dBA 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Wind Speed at 10 m above Ground Level, m/s y = 2.6355x + 20.776 R2 = 0.6451
Figure 4.2.4 Regression Analysis of L90 Winter Sound Levels vs. Wind Speed
All of the sound levels discussed so far have been the L90 statistical levels that represent the nearminimum sound level that occurs only a small percentage of the time. The measured average, or Leq, sound levels, representing typical conditions are reported below. Figure 4.2.5 shows the Leq sound level measured at all positions over the winter survey period.
27

Average (Leq) Sound Levels vs Time at All Positions Wintertime Conditions

80
70
Position 5
60
50
40
30
20
10
0 1/1/08 12:00 1/2/08 12:00 1/3/08 12:00 12/14/07 12:00 12/15/07 12:00 12/16/07 12:00 12/17/07 12:00 12/18/07 12:00 12/19/07 12:00 12/20/07 12:00 12/21/07 12:00 12/22/07 12:00 12/23/07 12:00 12/24/07 12:00 12/25/07 12:00 12/26/07 12:00 12/27/07 12:00 12/28/07 12:00 12/29/07 12:00 12/30/07 12:00 12/31/07 12:00 12/15/07 0:00 12/16/07 0:00 12/17/07 0:00 12/18/07 0:00 12/19/07 0:00 12/20/07 0:00 12/21/07 0:00 12/22/07 0:00 12/23/07 0:00 12/24/07 0:00 12/25/07 0:00 12/26/07 0:00 12/27/07 0:00 12/28/07 0:00 12/29/07 0:00 12/30/07 0:00 12/31/07 0:00 1/4/08 12:00 1/1/08 0:00 1/2/08 0:00 1/3/08 0:00 1/4/08 0:00
Date and Tim e
Figure 4.2.5 Leq(10 min) Sound Levels at All Positions - Winter
As with the L90 levels, most of the positions have generally similar values at any given time with the exception of Position 4, which is typically a bit higher. The average of the remaining positions (except 4) is considered a reasonable representation of the site-wide average, or typical, sound level. This design value is plotted in Figure 4.2.6.
28
Sound Pressure Level, dBA 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 0 12/14/07 12:00 12/15/07 0:00 12/15/07 12:00 12/16/07 0:00 12/16/07 12:00 12/17/07 0:00 12/17/07 12:00 12/18/07 0:00 12/18/07 12:00 12/19/07 0:00 12/19/07 12:00 12/20/07 0:00 12/20/07 12:00 12/21/07 0:00 12/21/07 12:00 12/22/07 0:00 12/22/07 12:00 12/23/07 0:00 12/23/07 12:00 12/24/07 0:00 12/24/07 12:00 12/25/07 0:00 12/25/07 12:00 12/26/07 0:00 12/26/07 12:00 12/27/07 0:00 12/27/07 12:00 12/28/07 0:00 12/28/07 12:00 12/29/07 0:00 12/29/07 12:00 12/30/07 0:00 12/30/07 12:00 12/31/07 0:00 12/31/07 12:00 1/1/08 0:00 1/1/08 12:00 1/2/08 0:00 1/2/08 12:00 1/3/08 0:00 1/3/08 12:00 1/4/08 0:00 1/4/08 12:00 Date and Tim e
Member National Council of Acoustical Consultants Noise Control Services Since 1976 Figure 4.2.6 Design Leq Site-wide Sound Level - Winter
Site-wide Average (Leq) Sound Level vs Time - Wintertime Conditions Design Leq Background Level (Average of All Positions Except 4)
A regression analysis of this Leq design level vs. wind speed is shown in Figure 4.2.7. It can be seen that the typical sound level at the likely critical wind speed of 6 m/s is about 43 dBA.
29

Regression Analysis of Site-wide Leq Sound Level vs. Normalized Wind Speed Wintertime Conditions
70 65 60 55 Sound Pressure Level, dB A 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 y = 2.1529x + 29.758 R2 = 0.5057
Wind Speed at 10 m above Ground Level, m/s
Figure 4.2 7 Regression Analysis of Leq Sound Levels vs. Wind Speed - Winter
5.0
CONCLUSIONS
A field survey of existing sound levels during leaf-on, summertime conditions was carried out at the St. Lawrence Wind Farm site in late August and early September of 2007 followed by a similar survey during leaf-off, wintertime conditions from mid-December 2007 to early January 2008. The objective of the surveys was to determine how much natural background masking sound there is at the site to potentially obscure project noise during the warm weather months when people are likely to be outside and when windows are likely to be open and also during cold weather months when people are much less apt to be outside. The survey results indicate that, except for Position 4 in both surveys, sound levels over the site area are reasonably consistent and follow the same temporal trends. Design values for site-wide sound levels have been taken as the average of all positions except 4, where somewhat higher sound levels were consistently observed. In the summertime survey it was found that environmental sound levels have virtually no dependence on wind speed and are driven essentially at all times by high amplitude insect noise generally concentrated in the 5 kHz region of the frequency spectrum. This noise varies inconsistently on a diurnal basis, often reaching a maximum in the evening hours and a minimum during the early morning hours. However, even the during quietest periods overall A-weighted sound levels are dominated by noise at 5 kHz (insect noise).
30

In the winter, on the other hand, and in the total absence of insect activity, sound levels are completely dependent on wind speed and on wind-induced sounds. Regression analyses relating sound level to wind speed have been carried out for both the worstcase L90 sound level, which is the near-minimum sound level that occurs only a small percentage of the time, and for the typical average (Leq) sound level for both seasons. The results of these regressions are summarized in the following table showing the nominal sound level associated with integer wind speeds in the range of interest.
Table 5.0.1 Measured Mean Background Sound Levels as a Function of Wind Speed
Type of Sound Level Worst-case, L90 Summertime, dBA Typical, Leq Summertime, dBA Worst-case, L90 Wintertime, dBA Typical, Leq Wintertime, dBA
3 42.2 45.5 28.7 36.2
4 43.0 46.2 31.3 38.4
Integer Wind Speed at 10 m above grade, m/s 5 6 7 8 43.7 46.9 34.0 40.5 44.4 47.6 36.6 42.7 45.1 48.4 39.2 44.8 45.8 49.1 41.9 47.0
9 46.6 49.8 44.5 49.1
10 47.3 50.5 47.1 51.3
END OF REPORT TEXT
31

ST - Lawrence Wind Farm SDEIS Noise Study 2008

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Hessler Associates, Inc.

REPORT NO. 1804-011908-0

ENVIRONMENTAL SOUND LEVEL SURVEY RESULTS SUMMER AND WINTERTIME CONDITIONS

TOWN OF CAPE VINCENT JEFFERSON COUNTY, NY

PREPARED FOR: Acciona Wind Energy USA, LLC

David M. Hessler, P.E., INCE Principal Consultant Hessler Associates, Inc.

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General Site Map Showing Background Survey Positions

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SURVEY METHDOLOGY OBJECTIVE AND MEASUREMENT QUANTITIES

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SITE DESCRIPTION AND MEASUREMENT POSITIONS

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Figure 2.2.1 Position 1 Looking Northeast towards Farm.

Figure 2.2.2 Position 1 Looking Northwest

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Figure 2.2.3 Position 2 Looking North toward House

Figure 2.2.4 Position 2 Looking Southwest

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Figure 2.2.5 Position 3 Looking Northeast up River

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Figure 2.2.7 Position 4 Looking West towards Barns

Figure 2.2.8 Position 4 Looking South towards Neighboring House

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Figure 2.2.10 Position 5 Looking West

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Figure 2.2.11 Position 6 Looking West

Figure 2.2.12 Position 6 Looking Northeast

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INSTRUMENTATION AND SURVEY DURATION

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SURVEY RESULTS - SUMMERTIME SURVEY WEATHER CONDITIONS

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40 m Anemometer 12 Normalized Wind Speed at 10 m

Wind Speed, m/s

Date and Time

OVERALL SURVEY RESULTS

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Residual (L90) Sound Levels vs Time at All Positions Summertime Conditions

Position 1 Position 2 Position 3 Position 4

60 Sound Pressure Level, dBA

Date and Time

Figure 3.2.1 10 minute L90 Sound Levels at All Monitoring Positions

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60 Sound Pressure Level, dBA

Date and Time

3.2.2 Average L90 Background Level at All Positions Except 4

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8 Wind Speed, m/s

Date and Time

Figure 3.2.3 Background L90 Sound Levels and Wind Speed

Sound Pressure Level, dBA

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Wind Speed at 10 m above Ground Level, m/s

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60 Sound Pressure Level, dBA

Position 1 Position 2 Position 3 Position 4

Date and Tim e

Figure 3.2.5 Leq(10 min) Sound Levels at All Positions

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60 Sound Pressure Level, dBA

Date and Tim e