Project Number:

3215

Cabot Creamery Act 250 Permit Noise Study

SERVICE:

Noise Analysis to Support an Act 250 State Land Use Permit

DESCRIPTION:

Agri-Mark, Inc. operates Cabot Creamery in Cabot, Vermont, produces cheese and other dairy products for sale throughout the U.S. Vermont District Environmental Commission #5. Agri-Mark required Cabot to prove its facility expansions do not create an undue adverse noise impact under Criterion 8 (aesthetics), using the three-part test from the 2004 McLean Enterprises decision. The changes at Cabot Creamery since 1986 include the new distribution center and its refrigeration system, loading docks, an addition to the cut and wrap building, the vacuum pump shed and a new boiler.

Tech Environmental assembled an inventory of all noise sources at the facility (equipment, refrigeration trailers, loading dock operations) and performed baseline sound monitoring at the facility, and in nearby residential areas. A three-dimensional acoustic model of the Cabot facility was constructed using an acoustic model, available CAD drawings of facility buildings and terrain, USGS digital terrain maps and aerial photography. The modeling results were compared to the Town and Act 250 noise criteria for Lmax values at the property lines, the nearest residences and areas of frequent human use.

Tech provided an expert opinion to prove the facility (with the recommended mitigation plan) will not cause an undue adverse noise impact. Tech also assisted Agri-Mark in designing the noise mitigation plan that includes installing sound silencing on eight refrigeration trailers and replacing backup alarms on Cabot Creamery-owned vehicles and equipment with self-adjusting, white-noise backup alarms. The District Environmental Commission issued an Act 250 Permit to Agri-Mark.

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Key Points

  • Agri-Mark needed to demonstrate that facility expansions at Cabot Creamery would not create an undue adverse noise impact.
  • Tech inventoried all noise sources, measured baseline sound, and demonstrated compliance with a 3-D noise model. Tech also assisted the company in preparing a noise mitigation plan.