ANNOYANCE AND COMMUNITY NOISE: PSYCHOPHYSICAL MODEL OF DOSE – RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS

There is a paucity of theory pertaining to social surveys of annoyance and community noise. A new psychophysical model addresses data concerning resident annoyance in sites exposed to various maximum noise levels and different numbers of noise events. The best fits of this model point to the relevance of response variance for understanding the results obtained with category response scales. The argument identifies a number of psychological and physical variables that may influence annoyance reactions to community noise. Most importantly, the model suggests that the truncation inherent in category scales biases the responses, and that response variability may be critical in determining the detailed shape of the dose–response function. Regulatory decisions concerning annoyance and community noise should be more valid when based on a deeper understanding of the theoretical basis of the empirical data.     

Underground mine Refuge Chamber Expectations Training: Program development and evaluation

Refuge chambers are new devices for underground coal mines that provide approximately 96 h of breathable air, water, food, and supplies in the event of an emergency where miners are unable to escape. Researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed a training program to prepare miners for what to expect psychologically and physiologically inside of a refuge chamber. The field tests of this training revealed that it was received very positively by miners and helped impart realistic views about the physical discomforts and psychological stresses of being inside a refuge chamber.     

Fuel Reduction Management Practices in Riparian Areas of the Western USA

Two decades of uncharacteristically severe wildfires have caused government and private land managers to actively reduce hazardous fuels to lessen wildfire severity in western forests, including riparian areas. Because riparian fuel treatments are a fairly new management strategy, we set out to document their frequency and extent on federal lands in the western U.S. Seventy-four USDA Forest Service Fire Management Officers (FMOs) in 11 states were interviewed to collect information on the number and characteristics of riparian fuel reduction treatments in their management district. Just under half of the FMOs surveyed (43%) indicated that they were conducting fuel reduction treatments in riparian areas. The primary management objective listed for these projects was either fuel reduction (81%) or ecological restoration and habitat improvement (41%), though multiple management goals were common (56%). Most projects were of small extent (93% < 300 acres), occurred in the wildland-urban interface (75%), and were conducted in ways to minimize negative impacts on species and habitats. The results of this survey suggest that managers are proceeding cautiously with treatments. To facilitate project planning and implementation, managers recommended early coordination with resource specialists, such as hydrologists and fish and wildlife biologists. Well-designed monitoring of the consequences of riparian fuel treatments on fuel loads, fire risk, and ecological effects is needed to provide a scientifically-defensible basis for the continued and growing implementation of these treatments.