Our Good Neighbors don't know how to keep their noise to themselves. It is now day 11 of this:
Fulson Drill Site, Arlington, TX
Operated by Chesapeake
Wouldn't a good neighbor simply abate the noise?
Here is the City of Arlington's response to these noise complaints dated 2/21/12:
Staff from
the Fire Department and Community Development departments have investigated your
complaints, including one from the weekend, regarding this issue on multiple
occasions. Based on those investigations, there is not a violation of current
city ordinances.
James F.
Parajon, AICP
Community
Development and Planning Director
101 West
Abram Street
Arlington,
TX 76004
Perhaps Arlington isn't aware that their 'recently revised' ordinance disregards the 1974 EPA noise rules to protect public health. Here is what the Arlington ordinance says:
The adopted ordinance
does contain specific standards in regard to noise, including low frequency
sounds. Ordinance 11-068 says that no operator shall
produce a low-frequency outdoor noise levels that exceed the following decibel
levels:
16 Hertz octave band: |
65 dB
|
| 32 Hertz octave band: | 65 dB |
| 64 Hertz octave band: |
65 dB
|
In a recent interview with a neighbor she said that she isn't bothered by the noise. Did we mention she wears earplugs and takes Ambien?
Looking on the sunny side, all of this sleep deprivation is giving us more waking hours to write lots of blog stories and we hope to have many more to come.
Looking on the sunny side, all of this sleep deprivation is giving us more waking hours to write lots of blog stories and we hope to have many more to come.
I read that a lady in the northeast near drilling takes sleeping pills to avoid the noise....isn't that addicting? I'll go ask Mel
ReplyDeleteWho would have ever thought Arlington's living conditions would become so distressing? Both the City's behavior and that of oil and gas are demeritorious.
DeleteDemeritorious. What a great word for it.
DeleteYour city's reaction is troubling. It's doubly troubling for those in Denton. A comment on my blog today quoted Darren Groth talking about how he wants to set up the same system for Denton that he set up in Arlington. http://www.texassharon.com/2012/02/22/fbi-criminal-division/ Some system!
ReplyDeleteWe, unfortunately, had to deal with Darren Groth when we first began having issues with CHK. If he is going to handle things in Denton as he did in Arlington, they are screwed. But, then, we don't have it any better with our new guy who took his place because our ordinance is written in favor of the industry and its 'best practices'.
Deletewatch and see our firechief doesn't get the support from the male council members unless the drillers tear apart his project and rewrite it for him
ReplyDeleteThe industry has been in control of this city from the beginning. They even had a major influence in the writing and re-writing of the gas drilling ordinance. If they didn't write it, they wouldn't be able to drill. It is due time to allow the fire chief to make the decisions which will be in the best interest and protection of the citizens. The drillers are not trained to be first responders. Our firefighters are. That's the way it should be. Industry, it is time to step aside on this one.
ReplyDeleteDon't take sleeping pills because of disruptive drilling related noise! A recent study on Ambien and other popularly prescribed sleeping medications found that those who take these sleeping aids are 3 1/2 - 5 1/2 more likely to die during their 2 1/2 year follow up. They are also 20% - 35% more likely to get diagnosed with cancer. More about this study can be found at: http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2012/02/28/sleeping-pill-use-linked-to-early-death/
ReplyDelete