Critical Wildlife Habitat Areas
This indicator measures community noise levels in the critical wildlife habitat land use areas. Cumulative noise or community noise equivalent level (CNEL) is a noise measurement based on a weighted average of all measured noise over a 24-hour period. Excessive noise in the Tahoe Region can impact wildlife, visitors’ experiences, and residents’ quality of life. Primary drivers of community noise levels in the Region have been attributed to anthropogenic activities such as vehicular travel in transportation corridors and aircraft activity at the South Lake Tahoe Airport. Regional programs such as encouraging the use of low-noise pavement and limiting noise at outdoor concerts aim to reduce community noise levels in the Region. CNEL is monitored in plan areas across the Region once every four years.
Status
Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) values for 2017-2019 monitoring in plan areas that include critical wildlife habitat areas. Plan areas without values were not monitored during this period.
Evaluation Map
Map of TRPA Plan Areas that include Critical Wildlife Habitat. Background noise levels in the Critical Wildlife Habitat Areas Land Use areas shall not exceed 45 dBA CNEL.
2019 Evaluation
- Status
- Considerably Worse Than Target
- Trend
- Insufficient Data to Determine Trend
- Confidence
- Low
Applicable Standard
N24: For the critical wildlife habitat land use category, noise levels shall not exceed a CNEL of 45 dBA.
Key Points
- There is little to no change in overall noise levels in critical wildlife habitat areas.
- Average noise levels in plan areas that include critical wildlife habitat areas are above the threshold standard.
- Management actions from the Shoreline Plan, particularly restrictions on loud boats, may improve noise levels in critical wildlife areas along the shores of Lake Tahoe.
Delivering and Measuring Success
Local and Regional Plans
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Shoreline Implementation Plan
Management actions from the Shoreline Plan, particularly restrictions on loud boats, may improve noise levels in critical wildlife areas along the shores of Lake Tahoe.