radioactive tailings to enter the environment. LMFBR and fusion technologies would have significantly fewer environmental welfare impacts in this area due to minimal mining requirements. LMFBRs could obtain fuel from LWR tailings for many years. Coal, nuclear, and solar technologies each require the extraction of conventional materials, such as steel and aluminum. These activities will not produce any unique problems with respect to solid waste generation. 4.4.9 Land Use Changes The quantity of land removed from public use and the permanent isolation of land are not considered here since these are principally resource issues. Additional questions concerning changes in land use remain. Mining operations for fuel and materials have the potential of contaminating or eroding other land areas. Reclamation of mined areas may not be entirely effective in returning the land to its formerly productive state. Reclamation of mined areas in arid climates such as the southwestern U.S. is difficult. Proper operation and reclamation techniques should reduce the level of concern. Electromagnetic interference with communication systems near the SPS rectenna location has the potential for limiting the type and diversity of land use activities around the site; although it is conceptually possible to mitigate these effects, specific measures and cost estimates are currently unavailable. The removal of large land areas from public use, because of the presence of the rectenna, will inconvenience persons having to drive around the site; a similar problem will occur if the rectenna site is near a navigable waterway. 4.4.10 Noise Generation The major noise disturbances (noise exceeding 60-80 dBa, 24-h weighted average) will be from SPS rocket launch operations,and will likely exceed EPA recommended 24-h, time-averaged noise standards and elevate noise levels in surrounding communities to a distance of 30 km. Launches are projected to occur several times a day. Sonic booms during launch and reentry operation will elevate noise levels to a lesser degree. Elevated noise levels near residential areas could lead to depressed property values. These effects could be mitigated by launching far from populated areas. Coal and nuclear mining and power generation have a moderate noise impact. Noise from power production arises from cooling tower fans and plant support activities. Blasting and drilling during mining may also elevate noise levels in the immediate vicinity. Noise measurements assessed at the property line in most cases are not expected to be significant, and use of a buffer zone between the noise source and the property line frequently serves as a mitigation technique. Another source of noise that is common to the energy technologies will occur during rail transport of fuels and materials. Transmission line noise is only barely audible with 345 kV AC lines but increases with the use of higher-voltage lines.
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