Noise

6.1 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

The main sources of noise within the affected environment on Tinian addressed in this Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) are related to military operations (airfield operations, ground training, construction noise and ground vehicular traffic). Ground training encompasses many types of activities, but live-fire activities are emphasized in analyzing the noise environment because they generate more noise than other ground-based activities. Heavy equipment used during construction activities is the primary source of construction noise. Traffic noise relates to vehicle movements on roadways around the island. The following sections discuss the baseline noise environment to assess the potential effects of noise that may be generated in each geographical area of interest on Tinian should the proposed action be implemented.

6.1.1 Definition of Resource

Sound is the stimulation of auditory organs produced by sound waves transmitted through the air or other medium. Sound waves are small pressure fluctuation waves caused by vibrations. Human hearing generally covers fluctuations between frequencies of