noise pollution

Study shows local health impacts from Growler noise

Sam Fletcher

More than 74,000 people, mostly on Whidbey, are at risk of annoyance, sleep disturbance, hindered childhood learning and hearing impairment, research finds — but the Navy League questions the data.

A pair of orca whales swim in view of a state ferry crossing from Bainbridge Island toward Seattle in the Puget Sound on Oct. 29, 2013. A new University of Washington study of underwater noise finds that killer whales are bothered more by a fast boat than a large one or by a number of them in close proximity.

Environment

Quiet Sound aims to expand efforts to protect endangered orcas from marine traffic

Bellamy Pailthorp

Underwater noise from vessel traffic is one of the key threats to Puget Sound’s endangered orca population. It interferes with the killer whales' ability to find increasingly scarce salmon. A new initiative is underway to alert ship operators when whales are near so they can slow down.

In this photo taken in February 2015 by NOAA Fisheries, newborn orca calf L-121 swims with its mother, L-94, off Westport, with the NOAA research ship Bell M. Shimada in the background. Young orcas often do not survive past their first year of life.

Environment

Quiet Sound underwater noise reduction program could soon slow ships, protect orcas

Bellamy Pailthorp

Underwater noise from ship traffic is one of the major threats to Puget Sound’s endangered Southern Resident orcas. It can interfere with the whales’…

The growler image issued with the U.S. Navy's record of decision on March 14, 2019.

Environment

Washington AG Bob Ferguson sues U.S. Navy over Growler noise

Bellamy Pailthorp

A citizens’ fight against jet noise from the U.S. Navy’s expanding fleet of Growler jets on Whidbey Island is getting help from the state’s top lawyer.…

Environment

Navy Growler Noise Spurring Community Action Beyond Whidbey Island

Bellamy Pailthorp

Community groups are building coalitions region-wide, aiming to stop expansion plans by the U.S. Navy.Operating since 1942, the naval air station on…

Environment

Environmental Justice: Seattle’s Beacon Hill Addressing Air And Noise Pollution

Bellamy Pailthorp

Community leaders in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood have a two-year environmental justice grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to address…

Environment

U.S. Navy Seeking Public Input On Proposed Expansion Of Noisy Growler Fleet

Bellamy Pailthorp

The Navy is holding two additional public meetings this week in response to concerns about a proposed expansion of its fleet of EA-18-G Growler planes…

How peaceful is this scene? Acoustic engineer Brigitte Schulte-Fortkamp finds Seattle's Westlake Park "too noisy" to enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee.

Measuring noise with people in mind: Soundscapes

Keith Seinfeld

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-970013.mp3There are probably places near where you live or work where it’s pretty…

Environment

Prospect of more coal trains raises concerns in NW Washington

Tom Banse

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-966242.mp3Washington Governor Chris Gregoire puts one long running environmental…