I am writing this letter in hopes that you as a representative of the State of Michigan will be able to assist me in obtaining the information and assistance that I will need to pursue an issue directly related to the gas and oil companies in Northern Michigan.

My concerns have arisen over the past three years since I have lived in Otsego County, Michigan.  After moving from Sault Ste. Marie to Gaylord, I immediately realized how much environmental disregard the oil and gas companies have for the natural resources of this state.  I should clarify that they do have a great interest in the sub-surface minerals of the state, but not the surface or the effects of some of their activities.  I initially found myself simply disgusted that the state allows these companies to do what they do, and that is where I left the issue.  Throughout the last year, however, I have become ever more concerned with the existing regulations and how these regulations are enforced because I have been directly impacted by the industry.  A little over a year ago my wife and I purchased our dream property out in the woods without a neighbor for over a mile-- not because we don’t like people, but because we love the great outdoors and all the natural sounds associated with nature.  The property is mostly hardwood forest and rolling fields.  It is on a lightly traveled gravel road, and as mentioned previously, there are very few homes in the general vacinity.  Just as a precursor to something I will bring up later, the average noise level is very low, probably in the 15-20 decibel range.  All you would hear was the wind, birds, elk, coyotes, etc., all wonderful sounds of nature.  It was very peaceful and serene.  We built our dream house and everything was wonderful for about six months.

Then, all of a sudden, the surrounding area became a buzz with gas rigs drilling new wells, putting in access drives, new gates, and barbed wire fences.  Even then I did not become too interested in the process because none of the wells were on our property. Fortunately, we own our mineral rights, unlike so many who do not in this part of the state.  I did have to listen to their drilling rigs throughout much of the 24 hours of the day. However, I assumed that I could put up with it until the wells were in, and that would be the end of the noise.   As things progressed, I became aware of a significant amount of activity in the woods across the road from us.  After inquiring at the DEQ about the activity, I discovered that the gas company was building a compressor station.  Of course, I had heard the horror stories of these compressor stations, and immediately I began to familiarize myself with the state regulations on such structures and the activities that take place around these facilities.  I must admit that I have learned a lot about the natural gas industry and also learned a lot about what other people have tried in the past to do about the activities of these companies.  I am aware of the regulations that exist that the gas industry is supposed to follow.    I am fully aware of how many more constraints have been put on the gas compressor stations now than used to be (if they are enforced), but I do not think enough is being done.  New and better engineering techniques for noise reduction occur every year, but the gas and oil industry regulations have not been changed for a number of years.

Now that the compressor station is up and running, the natural sounds of the woods are subdued by the continuous rumble of the engines that compress the natural gas and move it along the pipelines.  When the wind is still or out of the northeast, we are even blessed to be able to listen to this wonderful sound when we are lying in our bed at night.  A brand new house with 6” walls and a quarter mile from the compressor and we still get to listen to the compressor inside our house.  This really bothers me, and I intend to find a way to have certain regulations changed.  I have decided to start by contacting you.   I still love the property that my wife and I purchased.  We have a beautiful house and our first child was recently born, but there is a part of me that feels very betrayed.

 I specifically would like to see stiffer regulations on the amount of noise that can emanate from these compressor stations.  First I would like to briefly recite the existing regulation concerning noise from compressors.
 Rule 1015(1) A person shall not cause a nuisance noise in the production, handling, or use of oil, gas, or brine or in the handling of any product associated with the production or use of oil, gas, or brine.
If the supervisor or authorized representative of the supervisor receives 1 or more complaints of noise heard by the complainant at a noise-sensitive area that is attributed to a surface facility, then the supervisor may require the permittee to collect decibel readings to determine the sound levels at the noise-sensitive areas and at a distance of 1320 feet from the facility.  If the sound level of the facility is more than 45 decibels on the a-weighted network at a distance of 1320 feet from the facility, then the supervisor or authorized representative of the supervisor may find that a nuisance noise exists after considering all applicable information, including the distance between the surface facility and the noise-sensitive area, the sound levels at the noise-sensitive areas, and sound attributable to sources other than the surface facility.  The supervisor or authorized representative of the supervisor may require appropriate noise control measures to reduce the decibel levels…

Without much thought, this regulation sounds quite complete.  However, consider a few things:  Who can define that a nuisance noise is 45 or more decibels in all situations?  Who can define what a nuisance noise is to all people in all environments?  Is 45 decibels of low frequency sound 24 hours, seven days a week equivalent to say a quiet office?   When there is a significant increase in the amount of noise anywhere, is it not going to be considered a nuisance?  With today’s ever improving technology, these compressor sites could and should be made to fit into the surroundings, and that should include the current surrounding ambient noise levels.   In this area of the state, there is approximately
1 compressor station for every 60 some wells.  This county has over 5000 wells; that means quite a few compressors and a lot of extra noise!  Not everyone is affected by the compressors, but those of us who are should be able to feel that the state we live in is willing to protect us from the nuisance noise of these facilities.  Many feel that there is nothing the state is willing to do, but I hope to change that.  If I lived in an area in which the noise level was already at or above 45 decibels, then I probably wouldn’t notice the compressor noise; but I don’t, and that is why something needs to be done to make the nuisance noise level site specific.  The following information is common fact in noise abatement studies. Human reaction to increases in sound pressure levels (dB):  Increases in sound pressures (dB) under 5dB are unnoticeable to tolerable, increases of 5-10dB are intrusive, increases of 10-15dB are very noticeable, increases of 15-20dB are objectionable, and increases of over 20dB are very objectionable and intolerable.  Think back and remember that the ambient noise level before the compressor was up and running was 15-20 decibels and now is up to 45 decibels 24 hours a day seven days a week.  With a little quick math it is easy to see that my situation falls in the objectionable and intolerable range.  My point is that ambient noise levels are different everywhere and each site is specific.  The fact that Michigan has as a regulation that the gas and oil companies have to meet 45 decibels at 1320 feet for the compressor sites, regardless as to where they are, is a plain disregard for the environment in areas that have ambient noise levels of anything less than 40 dBs.   Anyone who has spent any time in Northern Michigan knows there are a lot of places that have ambient noise levels that are far less than 40dB, and they should be protected and preserved.   As it stands, these places are fair game for the gas and oil companies.  They are not being protected, and many people are being adversely affected by this.  I have included an article that was recently printed in the local paper.  It is very pertinent to my cause.   There are many more people out there who feel there is nothing that can be done to fight the gas and oil business in Northern Michigan.  Please help change this.  The natural sounds of the woods and undeveloped areas belong to us all.  We all deserve the right to our peace and quiet, if that is what we desire.

 Any other type of industry that wanted to build a structure that was going to impact the surrounding area would be subject to a lot more scrutiny than any gas compressor station ever is currently.   Other industries are liable to local input, local approval, zoning laws, township meetings, and council meetings before any type of work can be permitted.  They are limited to when and how much noise they can produce at certain times of the day and night.  Why is it that these compressor stations are not treated in the same manner?  They impact larger, mostly natural areas and create a lot more environmental destruction than most other industries do!

I could go on and on about what I think should be done with the gas and oil industry in Northern Michigan, but as it stands right now, hopefully I have gained your interest on the subject of the nuisance noise that comes from the gas compressor stations.  I hope also that I have made a point as to the lack of protection that the current noise regulation for these compressors has for areas that have an existing ambient noise level significantly less than 45db.

I hope that you will take an interest in my cause and try to assist all of us who are being negatively impacted by these compressor stations.  Thank you for taking the time to read this.  I look forward to hearing from you on the matter in the near future.
 

      Sincerely,

      Michael J. Kurncz   Gaylord, Michigan
       mkkurncz@hotmail.com