Communities Against Pala Raceway Noise

Communities Against Pala Raceway Noise

Update:  February 13, 2012

During our community meeting on January 21, 2012, it was decided that two further meetings would be held.

• Tom Casey, Bud Swanson and Mila Bonner would meet with Ryan Ouellette to further discuss the noise issue.
• Eli Vedagiri, Sheridan Traner and Dee DiPietro would meet with Shasta Gaughen, Environmental Director, Pala Band of Mission Indians with to see how the tribe could assist in reaching resolution.

Meeting with Ryan Ouellette

Tom Casey and Bud Swanson met with Ryan Ouellette on February 4, 2012 and the main discussion points included:

1.    Configuration of the track to improve noise transference

2.    Importing clay material to better support berms which can absorb noise

3.    Obvious track noise violators

4.    Muffler inserts and muffler packing. Noise reduction.

5.    Track noise monitoring equipment. Recognizing and flagging violators

6.    Noise cancellation equipment

7.    No more national events

8.    Pledge for a good neighbor policy from Pala Raceway

9.    Formulation of Noise Committee 

However, on Wednesday 2/8, it was discovered by Mr. Linn (our attorney) that Mr. Ouellette’s corporation had indeed filed bankruptcy (proceedings announced on 1/21) and the statements he made on Saturday 2/4 about future operations at the Raceway were perhaps without authority the company moving forward.  The raceway is now either owned or headed by Chuck Perrault. 

Meeting with Shasta Gaughen, Environmental Director, Pala Band of Mission Indians

Eli Vedagiri, Sheridan Traner and Dee DiPietro met with Shasta Gaughen on February 10, 2012.  The communities affected by the noise from Pala Raceway requested assistance from the Pala Band of Mission Indians, as raceway lease holder and a good neighbor, for reaching the following community positions:

1.    Community Relations

The communities affected by the noise at Pala Raceway believe that the raceway and the surrounding communities can co-exist peacefully.

§  A good neighbor policy is implicit and expected by the communities surrounding Pala Raceway. We would like information both about the new entity that owns the raceway and what the Pala Band of Mission Indians will include contractually in the lease or permit going forward to help ensure the community positions are achieved.

§  A commitment to an establishment of a committee that includes representatives from the communities affected by raceway noise, Mr. Perrault of Pala Raceway and the Pala Band of Mission Indians by no later than April 1, 2012.

NOTE:  A MEETING IS TARGETED FOR MID-MARCH AT THIS TIME AND MS. GAUGHEN IS FACILITATING SCHEDULING.

2.    Noise from Riders

The communities affected by the noise at Pala Raceway believe that, if the 96dB level were enforced, a significant reduction in the noise levels could be achieved.

• A commitment to both a timeframe for implementation and monitoring protocol for track noise monitoring.
• A commitment to a timeframe for implementation, production plan for muffler inserts and procedure for how noise violators would be handled on a go-forward basis. 
• A guarantee that National Events not return to Pala Raceway.  Furthermore, we would like a guarantee that no other types of events that generate noise, such “monster truck” rallies, will be held at the raceway.

3.    Structural Noise Mitigation

The communities affected by the noise at Pala Raceway feel that, although the raceway has made some improvement to the track configuration, further commitments are needed.

• A guarantee that side-by-sides or Quads do not return to the track.
• A commitment to a timeframe for berm enhancement.
• A commitment to research feasibility including cost and relative effectiveness of further noise mitigation technology.  The community would like a timeframe for completion of the research and a voice in determining if the technology should be adopted by Pala Raceway.

We will send out another update subsequent to the March/April meeting.