Ambient Noise
The Project area is predominantly rural with extensive agricultural land use and mixed residential/commercial and road traffic environment. The existing ambient noise environment was therefore influenced by noise from residential and commercial activities, and local road traffic movements. During the field monitoring, noise from local roads, generators and other residential sources was noted.
A-weighted equivalent continuous sound energy level (LAeq) monitoring results showed that the levels representing the average daytime residential noise levels measured during the monitoring period range from 56 dB(A) (in Kamakwie, Bombali) to 70 dB (A) (in Fadugu, Koinadugu District). Night-time monitoring was undertaken between 22:00 and 07:00 in Makoni Line, Kajida, Kamabai, and Fadugu. Monitoring was also carried out during the night in Vaama from 22:23 to 0:00 and in Kamakwie from 21:47 to 23:17. The monitored night-time ambient residential noise levels measured range from 50 dB (A) (in Kajida, Tonkolili District) to 61 dB (A) (in Kamabai, Bombali). All the monitored noise levels were found to be outside the WBG/IFC General EHS Guidelines level for both daytime and night-time residential area of 55.0 dB(A) and 45 dB(A), respectively
Noise monitoring in commercial areas was limited to daytime and was found to be within the range of 62 dB (A) (in Kangama Gorama, Kono District) to 72 dB (A) (in Mano Junction, Kenema District), with all the towns, except in Mano Junction, where recorded noise levels were lower than the WBG/IFC General EHS Guidelines permission level for daytime commercial area of 70 dB(A) respectively.
The statistical functions LA10 and LA90, which show the sound pressure levels that are exceeded for 10 % and 90 % of the measurement period, respectively were also measured and recorded.