Did you know that while the proponent was required to complete a noise study, they assumed the proposed generating station would have 8″-thick concrete walls – with no openings anywhere. The truth is, generating stations create a huge amount of heat, and must have large openings for ventilation fans – these both let the noise out, and make additonal noise themselves.
The noise from the Wilson’s Falls generating station was recorded while standing at the arrow in the above photograph. Click on the arrow below to hear the sound of the Wilson’s Falls Generating Station.
Note that the proposed Bala Falls Generating Station would have about 50% greater capacity (4.3 MW versus 2.9 MW), no doubt creating more noise. Also note that all three of the generating stations at and above Bracebridge have barbed-wire fencing …
Bracebridge Falls Generating Station
Wilson’s Falls Generating Station
High Falls Generating Station
I’ll agree that there is a bit of a quandary with the use of fencing. I can see the need to both protect the plant facilities from idiot vandals (and there are too many of these in society unfortunately) and also to protect the more clueless public from themselves. I’ve visited the High Falls site over the last 60 years many times and it was vastly more scenic before all the chain link fence and barb wire went up. I don’t recall too many people falling in or otherwise being hurt without this fencing in place and I have to admit I liked the site better without it.
Perhaps we are all slaves to some far off insurance company and their “liability reduction” policies? I’m not sure that this is a good thing for society in the long run as we cannot, and probably should not try to Disneyize everything so that no matter how silly a person is they are “safe” from the consequences. It’s like childproof door locks on cars. They did not exist when a lot of us grew up and I honestly cannot remember any child I ever knew being silly enough to open the door while the car was in motion and fall out. No, not one! Are there really that many children who are that stupid today? Do they not listen and learn from what their parents tell them? I end up just shaking my head.