Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts

This project consisted of detailed noise and vibration studies, both in the air and underwater, for a 420 MW wind turbine energy farm located in Nantucket Sound about five miles south of Hyannis, Massachusetts.  Tech Environmental provided baseline sound level monitoring underwater in Nantucket Sound and along the south coast of Cape Cod on Martha's Vineyard.  Since underwater sound level limits have been set by NMFS to protect marine mammals during pile driving of wind turbine towers, Tech Environmental monitored these levels during construction of a first tower, to be used for environmental data collection. 

A comprehensive sound and vibration impact assessment for the operation of the wind turbine farm was performed -- addressing both airborne effects on nearby coastal communities of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket as well as underwater effects on marine mammals. The hearing thresholds and bandwidth for marine species were quantified, and species-specific hearing threshold sound levels (dB_ht) were predicted for project construction and operation.  No injury to marine mammals, sea turtles or fish will occur from the project. The behavioral effects of construction (avoidance) were quantified.  These studies were included in the federal EIS for the wind power facility.