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3E ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS This section discusses the environmental impacts associated wi.th the operation of a transfer station. These impacts are expected to cause only a minor or insignificant effect on the surrounding environment. The impacts discussed are noise, air and dust, odor, traffic, litter and water. Noise Significant sources of noise generation at the transfer station are: collection vehicles (private, commercial and franchised) , the front- end loader (operating on the floor) , the compactor and tractors pulling the transfer trailers. Observations made at operating transfer stations have indicated noise resulting from engine/trans- mission operation and the discharge of the refuse load by the vehicle packer mechanism are sounds heard the farthest from the building. In the proposed facility, the majority of operations, including vehicle maneuvering and unloading, will be in an enclosed structure. This will not eliminate all sounds of vehicles entering and exiting the structure, but it is believed that noise levels from these sources will be compatible with the noise generated by the vehicular traffic on the surrounding streets. Noise levels inside the building will not exceed Federal requirements for personal protection (i.e. , 90 decibels for the duration of 8 hours) . Existing transfer stations with equipment very similar to that proposed for Stockton reportedly operate within Federal and State standards. Air It is assumed that the number of collection vehicles visiting the proposed transfer station will be approximately the same as the number of vehicles now visiting the landfill. This will result in a shift of emissions. Emissions from the diesel tractors pulling the transfer trailers and the front-end loader will also affect air quality at the site. Although localized air quality at the site will be adversely impacted, the impact is not expected to be significant. Dust Dust will be generated by the unloading of collection vehicles and the loading of the haul vehicles. Because unloading will occur in- side the transfer station building and conveyance of refuse will occur inside, dust generation is expected to impact the local community only slightly, if at all. Building design and construction will conform to Federal, State and local codes for personal protection from dust. Odor When mixed refuse has been allowed to accumulate in an environment conducive to putrefaction, objectionable odors occur. To minimize these conditions, the receiving area is designed and staffed to - 1E -