While most of the federal laws waived for the border wall affect people, wildlife, and the environment, the Noise Control Act (NCA) of 1972 was enacted primarily to protect people from hearing loss due to excessive noise. The NCA was Congress’s attempt to reduce noise pollution, primarily in urban areas, from trucks, buses, trains, jackhammers, autos, motorcycles, and yes, even snowmobiles. The law was expected to promote “an environment for all Americans free of noise that jeopardizes human health or welfare.”
The NCA essentially did three things: 1) it coordinated federal research and other activities concerning noise emissions; 2) it required the establishment of noise emission standards; and 3) it required that the public be informed about noise emissions (and/or the reduction of emissions) associated with various commercial products or activities. Initially, the Environmental Protection Agency was responsible for enforcing noise emission standards, but by 1981, enforcement of the standards was transferred to states or local communities.
The NCA is one of the 48 federal laws waived to expedite the construction of an impenetrable wall on our southern border (click here for a list of all 48 laws waived). This means that in the vicinity of wall construction, whether or not the area is urban or rural, noise emission standards no longer apply (and neither do the associated state or local laws that now regulate noise emissions). Dispensing with noise emission standards allows for literally deafening sounds to occur, without warning, that could permanently damage the hearing of local inhabitants, including of course, children and babies.
Please contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives (https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members) and let them know that you oppose waiving The Noise Control Act to expedite construction of a border wall. Click here if you would like to make a donation to help us fight the border wall.