Vantage to Pomona FEIS Index 34 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-200 KOP NAME DEIS/SDEIS KOP NAME LOCATION VISUAL SENSITIVITY (LAND USE TYPE) SEGMENT KOP 18 - Selah Butte Wildflower Area KOP 6s - Selah Butte Wildflower Area (SDEIS) At 2-track road pull-off south of the butte High (Dispersed Recreational) BLM Interim VRM Class III NNR-3 KOP 19- Badger Pocket: Silika Rd. KOP 7s- Badger Pocket: Silika Rd. (SDEIS) 1/2 –mile south of Upper Badger Pocket Rd. High (Residential) MR-1 & NNR-4 KOP 20 – Upper Badger Pocket Rd. KOP 8s – Upper Badger Pocket Rd. (SDEIS) 675-feet east of Buffalo Lane High (Residential) NNR-5 KOP 21 – John Wayne Trail KOP 9s – John Wayne Trail (SDEIS) South of Wanapum Dam and existing transmission lines High/Moderate (Recreation) BLM Interim VRM Class III NNR-8 * KOP used for Visual Simulation; see Chapter 4.8 and Appendix C4. 3.8.2.5 Distance Zones Distance zones were established based upon perception thresholds, the scale and nature of the objects being viewed, and the viewing environment. The perception of form, texture, color, and other visual elements in the landscape is a function of changing distance from a viewpoint. In general, landscape elements tend to become less obvious and detailed at greater distances. Elements of form and line become more dominant than color or texture at longer viewing distances. The BLM has defined distance zones for the primary purpose of establishing management classes (BLM 1986a). The BLM has utilized distance thresholds as identified in the VRM methodology. These Distance Zones are as follows: • Foreground – The limit of a viewed area in which details are perceived and obvious. Textural and other aesthetic qualities of vegetation are normally perceived within this zone (0 to 0.25 - 0.5 mile). • Middleground – The zone in which details of foliage and fine textures cease to be perceptible. Vegetative patterns begin to appear as outlines or patterns (0.25 - 0.5 to 3.0 - 5.0 miles). • Background – That portion of the landscape where texture and color are weak and landforms become the most dominant element (3.0 - 5.0 to 15 miles). • Seldom Seen – Those areas of the landscape where topographic relief or vegetation screen viewpoints or when viewing distances are beyond 15 miles. For the Project, a review of the Project region and previous studies in similar geographical, topographical, and environmental settings was performed (Jones and Jones 1976), and relevant visibility thresholds have been established based on previous experience conducting similar visual studies. As a result of studies conducted on transmission line visibility in the northwestern United States, visibility threshold trends were uncovered that correlated to tower type, corridor variables, and landscape settings. Visibility is dependent on the height and structure types of the typical transmission line with respect to the surrounding landscape. Distance zones were used to asses Project impacts on viewers (in conjunction with Contrast Rating Forms) and to quantify high-moderate-low impact miles on viewers for each Action Alternative. For the typical 65 to 95 foot high H-frame or monopole structures, distance zones identified for the Project are as follows: • Immediate Foreground: Viewpoint location to 1,000 feet – This very high visibility distance zone is where the Project (primarily, the 65 to 95+ foot H-frame and monopole transmission