Noise Analysis

Concerned Citizens for Regional Impact has retained an independent expert firm in acoustics to review the noise portions of North American Training Lodge’s presentation to the Towns of Groton and Farmington.

Resource Systems Group, Inc., (www.rsginc.com) in White River Junction, Vermont, is one of the nation’s foremost consulting firms with a specialty in Acoustic Consulting Services.

RSG's solutions are grounded by 20 years of experience with clients as large as federal government agencies and Fortune 500 companies or as small as local interest groups and townships. They serve clients who share our belief that high-quality objective analysis is a prerequisite to resolving complex problems.

Mr. Ken Kaliski, Director of Environmental Services for RSG, has been with the firm since its founding in 1987. Since that time, he has managed over 200 projects in the areas of air pollution, noise, and traffic impacts for numerous private and public organizations. A professional engineer and the author of several papers on active noise control, Mr. Kaliski applies his expertise to abatement and control engineering, design, and the regulatory process, including testimony before state and local boards and courts. Mr. Kalinski's qualifications include:

Mr. Kalinski has investigated noise from a number of shooting ranges and bases his critique not only based on the science of acoustics, but also as his experience as a noise control engineer. In his findings, Mr. Kalinski states that the North American Training Lodge presentations are extremely misleading and come to the wrong conclusions. 

In the closing of his letter, Mr. Kalinski says: "In conclusion, I want to reiterate that the NATL presentation with regards to noise is erroneous and should not be used to evaluate the impacts of the proposed training facility. Given the magnitude of the potential noise impacts from this facility, a study should be prepared by the NATL using a qualified individual or firm, taking into account the proposed site plan, sound emissions from various weapons, the simultaneous firing of weapons, the vegetation, terrain, and meteorological conditions consistent with the proposal, and using sound propagation algorithms that are commonly accepted (like ISO 9613-2)."

For a full copy of Mr. Kaliski’s Resource System Group letter, please click here.

Sound Does Travel

Mr. Kaliski’s experience above is based on over 20 years of scientific study and examination.  The interview below is with Heidi Smith who has operated a weapons training facility similar to NATL for fifteen years and when referring to nearby neighbors says, they will be hearing the gunshots all the time.

In an interview with the Valley News, Groton OKs Interim Zoning To Stop Camp, 2/23/06 by Jessica T. Lee, Mr. Fasold of North American Training Lodge said the shooting facility would be similar to Thunder Ranch in Lakeview Ore., and Gunsight in Paulden, Ariz

In an interview with Laconia Citizen, Proposed Groton training facility dealt a blow, March 6, 2006 by Lori Ann Chauvette,  Heidi Smith from Thunder Ranch in Lakeview, Ore. said they bought their current 887-acre property four years ago but did not exchange any money until the local planning committee was in favor of the project. Smith said that they make sure they let potential neighbors know that, if they are going to locate near the facility, they will be hearing gunshots all the time. "It's kind of like people that move next to the airport and then complain about the noise" she said.

 The Town of Farmington turned down North American Training Lodge’s proposal to locate in their town for, among other reasons, stated in the Farmington Finding of Facts detailed below: 

5. That the evidence presented regarding noise levels and transmission does not adequately take topography and atmospheric conditions into consideration.

6. That by the applicant's own admission a demonstration of noise levels and impact will be difficult or impossible without installation of site improvements.