| Draft Environmental Impact Statement Shorts School Road Am Antenna Structures 21 create no visual discontinuity between the natural and manmade elements. Natural and manmade patterns are not disturbed and they maintain visual order. Medium (Rating Value = 4). There is an average visual integrity between the natural and manmade landscape. Some visual encroachment on to the landscape is present and it lacks visual order. There is some disruption of the natural and manmade patterns. Very Low (Rating Value = 0). There is low visual integrity between the natural and manmade landscape features. Visual encroachment into the landscape by elements which are not in harmony or not of like kind with their surroundings is very apparent. The pattern of elements is disrupted and the integrity of the natural visual order is lost. Unity Ratings: Very High (Rating Value = 7). The visual elements of the landscape join to form a moderately coherent, harmonious visual pattern. Manmade and natural elements blend together. Medium (Rating Value = 4). The visual elements of the landscape join to form a moderately coherent, harmonious visual pattern. Manmade elements blend with natural elements, the visual order is disrupted. Very Low (Rating Value = 0). Visual resources do not join together to form a coherent, harmonious visual pattern. Manmade elements do not have a visual relationship to natural landforms or land cover patterns and visual order is lacking. 3.1.1.5 Viewer Groups Scenic views of the landscape depend in equal parts on what is seen and who is seeing it. As a result, considering the viewers who may see the proposed alternatives is an important part of assessing its impacts. The identification of viewer groups for this analysis was based on comment letters received during the scoping process for the proposed project (Snohomish County PDS, April 2003) and information from the Decision of the Deputy Hearing Examiner (Decision A107495, July 31, 2002). The main viewer groups most likely to be effected by the proposed alternatives are: (1) residents from the Lord Hill and Kenwanda neighborhoods who see the site from an elevated viewpoint; (2) residents, motorists and other passers by, destination farm users, and agricultural workers on the valley floor; (3) recreational visitors to Bob Heirman Park and the Kenwanda Golf Course, including birdwatchers, golfers, hunters, and fishermen; and (4) recreational balloonists and skydivers, who view the site from above. Each viewer group is affected to some degree by different expectations. Viewer Sensitivity Viewer groups may judge a visual environment differently because visual preference depends on viewer activity and awareness as well as aesthetic values (USDOT 1980). Typical influences on viewer sensitivity identified by the FHWA in their visual impact assessment methodology include viewer position, viewer speed, viewer distance, and view endurance (Table A.1). |