Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Regarding the proposed Hales Lake outlying landing field site, opponents have been advised that site selection will depend predominantly on which is the least environmentally affected. Such environmental issues include migratory waterfowl, peat fires and the loss of wetlands. The factor which is of greatest concern to most of us — noise pollution — is purported to be of minimal concern in site selection.
As a biologist, it always has been my understanding that we humans also are part of the ecosystem and can be detrimentally affected by the stress of high-decibel sound levels. The adverse effects of sleep deprivation alone can manifest itself in many ways — compromised judgment, psychological disorders, shorter lifespan, depressed immune system, cancer, circulatory and respiratory disorders.
When greater importance is placed upon disrupting migratory waterfowl than on the well-being of the human species, somewhere along the way rational thought has become faulty. Could it be that the very individuals making the decisions have been subjected to the effects of prolonged exposure to jet noise?
ROY GODFREY
Moyock
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Comments
By Sharon P.
May 8, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
DO humans count? Not to the US Army Corps of Engineers - they continue to drag their feet to permit PCS mining, which employs over 1200 people and contributes to the economy and tax base of not only Beaufort and Pamlico Counties, but surrounding areas and the state. They've waited six years for this permit - in spite of receiving reclamation awards for the reclaimed, mined wetlands. DO humans count??
By Sharon P.
May 8, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
DO humans count? Not to the US Army Corps of Engineers. In Beaufort County they continue to drag their feet to permit PCS mining, which employs over 1200 people and contributes to the economy and tax base not only Beaufort County, but surrounding areas and the state. They've waited six years for this permit - in spite of reclamation awards from the state. DO humans count??
By Carolyn R
May 7, 2008 11:34 PM | Link to this
No, Mr. Godrey, I don't think exposure is the problem. However, I completely agree with your basic premise that humans count more than wildlife. It is a shame Judge Boyle doesn't feel that way. He seems to place turtles at the top of his list of considerations.
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