By WILLIAM L. GEORGE
By WILLIAM L. GEORGE
Honokaa
There is a need to examine this off-road vehicle recreational noise and its harmful effects on quiet, rural communities.
Why do we live here?
In a recent survey for the Hamakua Community Development Plan planning, residents were asked why they chose to live in a rural community. The overwhelming reason was peace and quiet.
Normally the only sounds are the trade winds through the trees, insects and birds, the animals in pasture —blissful peace and quiet. Residents work hard to care for the aina, to keep their places clean and beautiful.
But this environment can be shattered by the sharp, staccato sounds of sport all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes. The startling effect is dramatic. One does not know when it will begin or when it will end.
There is a feeling of loss of control of one’s own environment. One cannot get away. The sound penetrates the walls of their homes.
The reason for this intrusion is that a few have decided to turn their property into dirt tracks for sport all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes. Some riders simply trespass and ride on public or private property.
The noise from these operations travels long distances and may be heard nearly a mile away.
These machines have no purpose, other than racing, and usually have aftermarket exhausts that are so loud that they would not be legal on a sanctioned track.
Noise has been used as a military weapon and an instrument of torture. There is a wide body of research on the impact of noise on humans and animals: physiological effects; dysfunction; cardiovascular problems; increased blood pressure; reduced sleep; hearing loss; psychological effects; annoyance; stress; tension; disturbance to communication; despondency; aggression and rage.
Other effects of sport all-terrain vehicle and dirt bike operation are they restrict neighbors’ outdoor activities, disturb domestic animals and livestock; create wildlife disturbances and displacement and cause erosion.
This is a national problem, even for the national parks. U.S. Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth said, “Noise alone is a huge issue. Noisy machines can drive threatened, endangered and sensitive species from habitat they need to survive. Noise can pit users against each other or user against homeowners; it’s maybe the biggest single source of social conflict we have when it comes to outdoor recreation.”
We need to make a distinction between the types of riding and the types of vehicles to be able to understand the issues. Recreationally, we have trails for exploration and getting close to nature and we have sport use, such as racing.
The two flavors of ATVs are utility, for tending livestock and transportation around property these have fairly quiet with intermittent use.
Sport and racing applications are powerful, loud, for recreational use only with continuous use for extended periods.
There is also a safety issue.
Operation of these machines on private property and other unregulated, unsupervised areas is inherently unsafe, in addition to being environmentally irresponsible.
Coniser rider safety: The level of experience and training of the rider is critical to safety. Several Hawaii ATV accidents have resulted in fatalities. Rider safety cannot be monitored at a private track.
Vehicle compliance with safety and environmental standards also cannot be monitored.
These machines are often modified, with after-market parts including mufflers many times louder than stock. There is no way to monitor sound levels on private tracks.
Safety equipment, like helmets and other safety equipment is required on public tracks.
Legal and safe places to ride do exist.
With proper public and private effort, there could be more. Currently there is the Hilo track for racing and sport and the Upper Waiakea ATV/dirt bike park for trail riding. It is simply not necessary for an entire neighborhood to be subjected to the noise pollution.
It is important to know that this is recreational noise. This is not yard maintenance noise. This is not construction noise. This is not agricultural equipment noise.
It is noise produced for the enjoyment of an individual — to the detriment of many.
What can you do?
Spread the word in your community; coordinate with local police; advise your councilman of the need to control this noise; contact the head of the Planning Department — private dirt tracks are not legal.
Post a welcome sign in your community advising to please not disturb the peace and quiet.
All of us need to examine how we will approach issues that affect the quality of life for Big Island residents.
Are we going to cast a blind eye to the seemingly small events that (for now) only affect relative few people?
Or are we going to take a pro-active stance and address environmental issues to insure that the Big Island continues to be a wonderful place to live?
It’s our choice.