Staff also noted that highway noise was more noticeable than sound associated with drilling activities. Neighbors of Sutter Gold Mine who spoke at Tuesday’s hearing thanked the company for the sound monitoring and mitigation measures in place, but were concerned that increased night lighting would accompany the evening drilling. They also voiced objection to “opening up the floodgate” for change to existing restrictions in Sutter Gold’s use permit. They were reassured that bright night lighting would not be permitted under the use permit and that the hours of operation were one of a special set of discretionary conditions set by the Board of Supervisors. Supervisors unanimously approved extended Sutter Gold’s hours for surface drilling to Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm.