ATVs and sound levels

To the Editor,
Over the years, I have heard misstatements about the sound of ATVs as compared with other recreational vehicles. Once, a lawyer stood in front of a town board meeting implying that the sound of ATVs is trivial as compared with motorcycles he hears running past his home. In a recent letter to the editor, it was stated that the ATVs are no louder than the snowmobiles we welcome in the winter. The Wisconsin and federal statutes prove both of these claims to be in error. For those interested, internet addresses to references are listed after statements.
§205.152 Noise emission standards (Code of Federal Regulations) limits noise levels for new motorcycles from the model year 1986 and beyond to 80 decibels or less https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-205/subpart-D/section-205.152 and Wisconsin statutes bar modifying stock exhaust systems so that they emit more sound than emitted by the muffler originally installed on the vehicle. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/347.39(2).
For every snowmobile manufactured on or after July 2, 1975, the noise level standard for exhaust and engine noise shall be 82 decibels (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/350.095(2)(d)1).
No person may manufacture, sell, rent or operate an ATV which emits more than 96 decibels in Wisconsin (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/23.33(6m)).
Sound energy doubles with every 3 dB increase, (https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/Fulltext/2022/10000/Why_Are_Noise_Exposure_Guidelines_So_Complex_.2.aspx). In other words, an ATV legally operating at 96 decibels emits more than 32 times as much sound energy as the loudest legally operating motorcycle in Wisconsin. That same legally operating ATV produces more than 8 times the sound energy as the loudest legal snowmobile. Incidentally, the snowmobile only operates in the winter when far fewer people are here; and those that are don’t have their windows open.
Noise is the aspect of ATVs that almost everyone is concerned with. Many responsible ATVers know that ATV trails are refused or lost after approval because of excessive sound levels (https://www.atvcourse.com/blog/2011/06/the-sound-issue/). However, just as there are lots of ATVers who relish ‘mudding,’ there are plenty of irresponsible ATVers who love the ‘throat’ of their machines. Some will buy after market exhaust systems to further ‘enhance’ their sound to even more irritating and damaging levels.
Vilas County Supervisor Art Kunde, a staunch ATV supporter, once complained in a meeting, open to the public, about an excessively loud ATV that went past his home every afternoon. It seems that Supervisor Kunde is likely to have no legal recourse. Is it reasonable to bring this sort of problem onto the main streets of towns where residents, tourists, and businesses seek serenity? It seems clear that ATVers are often their own worst enemies.
Steve Halverson
Boulder Junction