| Draft Environmental Impact Statement Shorts School Road Am Antenna Structures 48 Viewpoint 6 Under the Preferred Alternative, the field of grass would remain the dominant element in the foreground from Viewpoint 6 (Figure A.6). The deciduous trees that line the Snohomish River would be visible in the middleground with the upper third of 349-foot antenna projecting up from behind them at a distance of 1.15 miles, although the river itself is not visible. The seven 199-foot antennas would not be visible. However, within a few years the newly planted trees in the foreground are expected to grow to obscure any potential views of the proposed alternative from Viewpoint 6. Background views of the Snohomish foothills, and on clear days, the Cascade Mountains, would remain under this alternative. The visual impacts of the Preferred Alternative would be mitigated by the distance (over 1.15 mile) between Viewpoint 6 and the proposed project site, and the trees that stand in front of the antenna. As result, the Preferred Alternative would not substantially alter the high vividness, intactness, and unity levels in this view. Lighting In the evening, the two blinking, red hazard warning lights at the apex of the tallest antenna would be visible in the middleground from Viewpoint 6. However, the following three factors: (1) the vertical shielding of red lights, (2) the distance of 1.15 mile, and (3) the screening provided by existing mature trees would diminish the impacts of the lighting from this viewpoint. Most importantly, Bob Heirman Park is closed after dusk, which would make it unlikely for project lighting to impact park visitors, other than very early morning winter visitors. Final Adjusted Visual Quality Rating: 5.4 (down from 6.6) Viewpoint 7 Foreground views of the new tree planting would remain unchanged under the Preferred Alternative (Figure A.7). A field with mixed trees is now the dominant element in the foreground. The deciduous trees that line the Snohomish River, and the upper third of 349-foot antenna projecting up from behind them, would be visible in the middleground. The seven 199- foot antennas would not be visible at a distance of 1.18 miles. However, within a few years the newly planted trees are expected to grow to obscure any potential views of the proposed alternatives from Viewpoint 7. Background views of the Snohomish foothills, and on clear days, the Cascade Mountains, would remain under this alternative. The visual impacts of the Preferred Alternative would be mitigated by the distance (over 1 mile) between Viewpoint 7 and the proposed project site and the trees, in both the foreground and middleground that stand in front of the antenna. As result, the Preferred Alternative would not substantially decrease the existing vividness, intactness, and unity levels in this view. |