Environmental Impacts of Wind-Energy Projects (2007) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix D A Visual Impact Assessment Process for Evaluating Wind-Energy Projects
Appendix D A Visual Impact Assessment Process for Evaluating Wind-Energy Projects
Pages 349-376
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From page 349... ...
appendix D A Visual Impact Assessment Process for Evaluating Wind-Energy Projects Evaluating aesthetic impacts requires a process of information-gathering, analysis, and evaluation. This appendix provides a more detailed outline than is in Chapter 4 of the steps involved and some of the underlying visual principles that form the basis of aesthetic impact assessment.
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30 APPENDIX D be engineered, including the amount of cut and fill, locations, and clearing required. This information forms the basis for all aesthetic review.
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31 APPENDIX D FIGURE D-1 Example of a simple viewshed analysis map showing areas from which a proposed wind-energy project would potentially be visible (shaded areas)
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32 FIGURE D-2 Sample line-of-sight analysis.
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33 APPENDIX D FIGURE D-3 Example of a "virtual" simulation using 3-D Nature Studio software. Whether they are based on photographs or created entirely from a Digital Terrain Model and 3-D software, the image must rely on accurate terrain modeling and GPS (Global Positioning System)
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34 APPENDIX D Proposed Wind Turbines FIGURE D-4 Photographic simulation (photomontage) showing proposed 1.5 MW turbines with existing 0.55 MW turbines (right)
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3 APPENDIX D conditions, the turbines may appear white, or black if they are silhouetted against the sky. Illustrating various lighting conditions can be helpful.
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36 APPENDIX D TABLE D-1 Sample Summary of the Characteristics of Inventoried Viewpoints Distance from Extent of View VP# Location Turbines (miles) Duration or Area 1 Rt.
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3 APPENDIX D Relationship of New Turbines to Existing Description of Existing View Context For travelers heading west on Route 9, The turbines along the eastern string will views begin near the top of the ridge just be visible along the background ridge, east of Molly Stark State Park. Views focus and will be in the center of the view.
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38 APPENDIX D A B D-5a FIGURE D-5 Examples of landscapes of increasing visual diversity.
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3 APPENDIX D C D D-5c FIGURE D-5 (C) The contrast between high, irregular mountains and the flat lake create a dramatic setting.
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360 APPENDIX D Regional Landscape Character and Distinctive Features Landscape character depends on a combination of the natural and human or built landscapes. All landscapes are composed of unique combinations of topography (land form)
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361 APPENDIX D BOX D-1 Principles for Determining Scenic Quality • Visual Diversity (Variety Type) : The USFS uses the term "variety class" to describe a fundamental principle of landscape aesthetics: the greater the variety or diversity in the landscape, the more scenic it is likely to be.
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362 APPENDIX D A B D-6a FIGURE D-6 View of wind-energy projects at various distances.
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363 APPENDIX D areas (up to a half-mile away) details can be seen and objects appear large and often occupy a large part of one's overall view.4 Middle-ground views extend up to 5 miles away.5 At this distance landscape patterns can be perceived, as can individual wind turbines, although they will appear smaller and part of a larger context than turbines in a foreground view.
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364 APPENDIX D FIGURE D-7 Diagram of increasing scenic quality. SOURCE: Jean Vissering, Jean Vissering Landscape Architecture.
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36 APPENDIX D A B D-9a FIGURE D-9 Viewer expectations.
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366 APPENDIX D • Visibility: Projects that would be seen with great frequency within the study area may have higher impacts than projects that would be seen infrequently. Visibility must be studied along with the sensitivity, resource values, and prominence of the project within the views for an adequate assessment.
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36 APPENDIX D FIGURE D-10 This project in Fenner, New York, generally works well in this high-elevation rolling agricultural landscape. The vertical relationship of turbines to distinct hills or ridgelines needs to be examined in simulations.
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368 APPENDIX D A B D-12a FIGURE D-12 (A) The repetition of identical elements that is characteristic of wind-energy projects helps to create a sense of order.
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36 APPENDIX D logical to place wind-energy projects in already-built landscapes, too much development can result in an increasingly chaotic or cluttered landscape. Because wind-energy projects involve the repetition of like elements, they often result in greater unity and less clutter than some other types of development.
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30 APPENDIX D too intangible, and usually they occur at least in part away from the areas subject to aesthetic impacts. Linking wind-energy development to both economic benefits at the local level and a meaningful program of pollution reduction at the state, local, and federal levels can enhance public perception of the benefits of wind energy.
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31 APPENDIX D lations, and photographs of landscape character. They are asked to evaluate a number of sensitive viewpoints for which simulations have been prepared and to score the degree of contrast resulting from the proposed project.
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32 APPENDIX D avoid proximity to residences or visual prominence from sensitive viewing areas.8 • Lighting: The revised Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lighting guidelines reduce lighting impacts.
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33 APPENDIX D • Decommissioning: Once a project or individual turbine can no longer function, requirements for removing the project infrastructure and reclaiming the site are important. A plan for decommissioning may be required as part of the permit application.
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34 APPENDIX D the state and of individual communities? These questions can be addressed systematically using the process described above and relying on well-established aesthetic principles.
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3 APPENDIX D BOX D-2 Maine's Department of Environmental Protection Visual Impact Assessment Criteria (MEDEP 2003) • Landscape Compatibility: Which is a function of the subelements of color, form, line, and texture.
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36 APPENDIX D SAMPLE PEER REVIEW EVALUATION SHEET11 Panel Member: __________________________ Date: ___________________________________ Viewpoint #: ____________ Viewpoint Description: ___________________________________________________ _ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Visual Impact: Rate the Project's contrast with existing conditions on a scale of 1 (completely compatible) to 5 (strong contrast)
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