| Draft Environmental Impact Statement Shorts School Road Am Antenna Structures 49 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 7. However, within a few years the newly planted trees in the foreground are expected to grow to obscure any potential views of night lighting from the Preferred Alternative. Additionally, Bob Heirman Park is closed after dusk, which would make it unlikely for project lighting to impact park visitors. Final Adjusted Visual Quality Rating: 4.6 (down from 6.3) Viewpoint 8 The Preferred Alternative would not alter foreground views of Shadow Lake from Viewpoint 8 (Figure A.9). The deciduous trees along the Snohomish River, with the upper third of the 349- foot antenna projecting up from behind them, would be visible in the middleground, at a distance of 1.12 miles. The seven 199-foot antennas would not be visible. Background views of the Snohomish foothills, and the Cascade Mountains would remain under this alternative. Shadow Lake and the Cascade Mountains would remain dominant and memorable elements in this view under the Preferred Alternative. The visual impacts of the Preferred Alternative would be mitigated by the distance (over 1 mile) between Viewpoint 8 and the proposed project site and by screening created by the trees that stand in front of the antenna. As result, the Preferred Alternative would not substantially alter the 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 8. However, the following three factors: (1) the vertical shielding of red lights, (2) the distance of 1.12 miles, and (3) the screening provided by existing mature trees in the middleground would diminish the impacts of the lighting from this viewpoint. It is important to note that Bob Heirman Park is closed after dusk, which would make it unlikely for the proposed project lighting to impact park visitors. Final Adjusted Visual Quality Rating: 5.7 (down from 6.9) Viewpoint 9 The Snohomish River, lined with deciduous trees, would be visible in the foreground under the Preferred Alternative (Figure A.9). The dike and deciduous trees that border the eastern bank of the river would be visible in the middleground. There would also be partial views of the 349- foot antenna in the middleground through the trees, at a distance of 0.89 miles. The seven 199- foot antennas would not be visible. In the background, the Snohomish foothills (with houses) and the Cascade Mountains would be visible against the skyline. The Snohomish River and the Cascade Mountains would remain memorable elements in this view. The 349-foot antenna would be partially screened by the deciduous trees in the middleground. However, the orange and white paint on this large antenna would mark it as a built element among natural elements, and create a sense of visual encroachment on the scene. As a result, the intactness level would be diminished. The high level of unity created by the |