Army works to reduce ordnance school noise

Caroline (WBQB/WFVA/AP)  -- The Army says it's working to mitigate noise from an explosive ordnance school planned at Fort A.P. Hill in Caroline County.   A noise-study test conducted last month found that no noise level would exceed 136.5 decibels, the level at which buildings would be damaged.   For the test, 1,836 blasts were set off last month by explosives trainers from the Army's Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, Ala.      According to the Army's report, only two blasts registered between 115 and 130 decibels, a level that would be expected to prompt moderate complaints.    Noise mitigation efforts include detonating many of the smaller charges farther from communities in the area. Explosive charges in excess of 25 pounds wouldn't be used.