Evaluation of the Potential Impacts of Launches of the USAF Atmospheric Interceptor Technology (AIT) Test Vehicle from the Kodiak Launch Complex (KLC) on Threatened and Endangered Species of Wildlife. Launch of AIT on 5 November 1998, 1632 Hrs. PST. Noise Monitoring Results

• Main Author: Stewart, Brent S.
• Other Authors: HUBBS-SEA WORLD RESEARCH INST SAN DIEGOCA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1998
• Subjects: Military Aircraft Operations; Ecology; Noise Pollution and Control; *ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT; *ENDANGERED SPECIES; *WILDLIFE; *LAUNCH VEHICLES; *LAUNCHING SITES; MONITORING; WEIGHTING FUNCTIONS; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; TEST VEHICLES; RECORDING SYSTEMS; NOISE POLLUTION; SOUND ANALYZERS; SEALS(MAMMALS); ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT; *AIT(ATMOSPHERIC INTERCEPTOR TECHNOLOGY); AIT PROGRAM; KODIAK(ALASKA); LAUNCH NOISE; ASEL(A WEIGHTED SOUND LEVELS); Kodiak; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA414326; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA414326

As part of the monitoring and mitigation obligation of the United States Air Force (USAF) atmospheric interceptor technology (ait) program Environmental Assessment, the USAF has conducted noise monitoring at the Kodiak Launch Complex, Kodiak Alaska. Two special status species, Steller's eider and Steller Sea Lions; both federally listed as threatened and endangered species are of concern at the launch site. As a result, sound measuring and recording instruments were placed at three strategic locations. The frequency content of the noise event was mostly below 4 kHz with a substantial amount of energy at frequencies of 100 to 500 Hz. We have compared the measured A weighted sound levels (ASEL) and the A weighted maximum sound pressure levels (Lmax) to prelaunch calculations of the sound level contours. The measured sound levels were similar to the calculated values, within the limits of the predictions. The effects of the launch noise on the endangered species will be discussed.