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ST~ OF <br /> <br /> ,.DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES <br /> <br />CENTENNIAL OFFICE <br /> <br />BUILDING * ST. PAULt MINNESOTA * 55155 <br /> <br /> DNR N FORMAT1C)R <br /> (612) 296-6157 <br /> <br />December 22, 1978 <br /> <br />To all interested parties: <br /> <br />The Department of Natural Resources will propose amendments to the rules <br />governing snowmobile noise emission standards at a hearing to be held in <br />April. The present noise emission standard is 78 DB(A). The existing <br />rules require that conunencing July 1, 1979, a new standard of 73 DB(A) <br />is to become effective. Based on further study and other recent develop- <br />ments, the. DePartment now questions the need to lower the standard to <br />73 DB(A) and will be proposing that the standard remain at 78 DB(A), <br />with 'certain other conditions a~d requirements unless more compelling <br />reasons are presented. One condition that we propose to i~,pose upon <br />the sno~obile industry is an absolute 78 DB(A) standard disallowing the <br />+2 DB(A) measurement tolerance as measured under the Society of Automo- <br />tive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J-192a. Other requirements <br />will relate to labelling and safety certification. <br /> <br />On February 5, 1979, at 10:00 A. M., the Department will conduct an info_~al <br />meeting, in its third'floor conference room to allow interest,.? ~arties to <br />present their views concerning the proposed rule change. <br /> <br />The purpose of such a meeting is to attempt to bridge the gap ~ong comp,t- <br />lng interests and parties. We want to assure that all interest~ ~n~ parties <br />have had an opportunity to.assert their positions in a more info_~w..al 'and <br />"off-the-record" setting. It is also an opportunity for the Department to <br />"refine" its position based on information and data presented at the meeting. <br /> <br />The primary areas of focus at the meeting will be on technology and economic <br />/mpact. The issues to be discussed and suppored are: <br /> <br />Whether there is 'clear evidence demonstrating that the level of <br />technology exists to meet the 73 DB(A) standard. If so, what is <br />the present justification for the lower.standard... <br /> <br />2. Whether it would be economically practical to require the 73 DB(A) <br /> standard given the technological feasibility. <br /> <br />W~nether other conditions and requirements should be imposed on <br />the manufacture and sale of sno~obiles in Minnesota if a decision <br />is made to maintain the 78 DB(A). <br /> <br />AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY--C;'-~'.m~ ')YER- <br /> <br /> <br />