Sea Girt National Guard Training Center (NGTC) Range Feasibility Study

Project Description

Two (Range 3 and Range 4) of the five firing ranges are currently active at the Sea Girt National Guard Training Center (NGTC). The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NJDMAVA) solicited an engineering firm to prepare a feasibility study for a range expansion, in which Range 2 would be expanded and reactivated or Range 5 would be reopened at the Sea Girt NGTC. Range 3 and Range 4 would remain active under both alternatives.

PCA assessed noise levels resulting from firing small arms under both alternatives using the Department of Defense (DoD) Small Arms Range Noise Assessment Model Version 2.62003-06-06 (SARNAM 2 Noise Impact Software). The model calculates noise contours resulting from small arms ranges based on the type of weapons and ammunition as well as firing range details. Predicted noise contours were reviewed to characterize noise-sensitive land use based on noise zones (acceptable, not normally recommended and not recommended) detailed within Army Regulation (AR) 200-1 and subsequently determine the risk for noise complaints. The analysis concluded that, with Range 2 expansion and reactivation, noise contours would shift further south of the Sea Girt NGTC boundary, as compared to existing/No Build conditions, and there would be a low risk for noise complaints in the Borough of Sea Girt and Village of Manasquan, per AR 200-1. Reopening Range 5, noise contours were predicted to extend further north of the Sea Girt NGTC boundary, as compared to existing/No Build conditions. Per AR 200-1, the risk for noise complaints in the Borough of Sea Girt and Village of Manasquan with Range 5 reopened would also be low.

Based on results of the analysis, PCA identified potential mitigation measures, noting the most viable mitigation would include providing path controls. Specifically, PCA recommended reevaluating the locations and heights of existing earthen berms and extending berms based on the predominate wind direction, due to the strong on-shore winds present at the site. PCA also recommended informing the public in advance or providing an advanced schedule of weekend firing practice and scheduling weekend firing during months in which windows are commonly closed.