A Regulatory-Approved Regional Approach to Noise Management in Alberta's Industrial Heartland

The NCIA is an industrial association that represents approximately 25 industrial partners near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, with current industrial investment of over $32B. The complex cumulative noise environment, combined with the industrial nature of the area, presents significant challenges for permitting and compliance as local noise regulations are based on cumulative impacts at residential receptors. To address these challenges, the NCIA developed a Regional Noise Management Plan (RNMP) in collaboration with local regulators. The RNMP relies heavily on industry best practices for noise management and control, and does not employ maximum permissible noise levels. Each NCIA member site develops a site noise management plan, including; maintaining a site noise model, following noise control best practices for existing and future equipment, and annual reporting. The NCIA maintains a Regional Noise Model (RNM), conducts annual noise monitoring at several locations in the region, and reports to the regulatory authorities. The RNM is a compilation of all site noise models. Prediction results are used to: identify receptor noise levels; identify the impact of noise control projects, proposed facilities, and new facilities; and generate publicly available Google Earth noise contour files. The annual noise monitoring program validates and identifies inconsistencies in the RNM.