Noise Pollution From Recreational Off-Road Vehicles in Rural Areas
Residents of our rural community are here because they sought the open green spaces, the lack of pollution, the feel of nature and a peaceful, quiet environment. Many of us spend considerable time and effort caring for our land. We want to preserve its beauty. We spend much of our time outdoors mowing, weeding, trimming, gardening, taking care of our animals and working to preserve and protect the rural lifestyle and environment.
But this lifestyle is under attack. It is terrorism by noise. Some individuals have begun to invade the countryside with dirt bike and ATV tracks on agricultural land. In some areas the noise is simply unbearable and goes on for four to six hours each day on weekends. This is a growing threat and the pollution from this activity is an assault on public health, property values, outdoor activities and the right of a homeowner to quiet enjoyment of their property. The acoustic makeup of some Hamakua areas creates a perfect environment for sound propagation. Noise from property quite a distance away can penetrate your life and make working or playing outdoors virtually impossible.
Those of you who have experienced the noise assault are well aware. Those of you who have not had the opportunity will be getting it soon if nothing is done to curtail it.
Some riders are aware of the problem and have begun to address it in the form of quieter machines. Here is a quote from an article from "Dirt Rider" magazine. This publication is for the folks who enjoy riding dirt bikes. The author correctly points out that loud vehicles will soon cause track shutdowns and increased regulation. He is worried that careless, unthinking riders could kill the sport Here's what he said about noise::
"The psychology of sound opens up a whole new and interesting area that very few have explored. Plain and simple, loud noises aggravate humans. Whether it's 110 decibels of rock concert or exhaust noise from your own bike., it triggers the "startle" mechanism in your brain. We react more like animals than you think. For some the the aggravation is a positive stimulus, used to excite. But for most it triggers a negative response coiled with anger...."And in all cases, loud noises interfere with your ability to think clearly.." Jimmy Lewis "Dirt Rider" magazine.
Here on the Big Island we need to address the noise problem before it becomes an epidemic. What avenues are available? Noise is a health issue but Health Department regulations do not seem to address it on private property. However, State Land Use law §205-6 Special Permit clearly indicates in that dirt bike/ATV tracks are not allowed on agricultural land without first applying for a permit. §205-4.5 covers permissible uses; "Public and private open area types of recreational uses including day camps, picnic grounds, parks, and riding stables, but not including dragstrips, airports, drive-in theaters, golf courses, golf driving ranges, country clubs, and overnight camps;" Dirt bike tracks on private property on the Big Island have been shut down in accordance with the referenced statutes.
The County of Hawaii and local rider organizations should be applauded for their efforts in creating legal places for folks to enjoy their sport. The new tracks in Hilo and on Saddle Road are the results of hard work and cooperation between the public and private sectors. However, these will take a while to come on-line. But there are those who believe it is their god-given right to ride with no regard for the effect on the quality of life of their neighbors or the environment. These people are a problem for their sport and the community.
If you live in a rural neighborhood that is experiencing the onslaught of noise you should contact your Hawaii County councilman, your State legislators, Mayor Harry Kim, Mr. Chris Yuen of the Hawaii County Planning department and the State Land Use Commission. Ultimately, a community organization is needed to specifically address noise pollution in rural areas.
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