Final Environmental Impact Statement
Final Environmental Impact Statement
Final Environmental Impact Statement
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Vestal <strong>Final</strong> <strong>Environmental</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>Statement</strong> Chapter 5<br />
Scenery<br />
The composition of basic terrain, geologic features, water features, vegetative<br />
patterns, and landrise effects that typify a land unit and influence the visual appeal<br />
the unit may have for visitors.<br />
Scenic Class<br />
Scenic classes measure the relative importance or value of discrete landscape<br />
areas having similar characteristics of scenic attractiveness and landscape<br />
visibility. Scenic classes are used during forest planning to compare the value of<br />
scenery with the value of other resources, such as timber, wildlife, late succession,<br />
or minerals. The higher the scenic class, the more important it is to maintain the<br />
highest scenic value. Scenic classes are determined and mapped by combining the<br />
three classes of scenic attractiveness with the distance zones and concern levels of<br />
landscape visibility. A numerical value of 1 to 7 is assigned to Forest lands.<br />
Generally, scenic classes 1-2 have high public value; classes 3-5 have moderate<br />
value; and classes 6 and 7 have low value.<br />
Scenic Integrity (Existing or Objective)<br />
State of naturalness or conversely the state of disturbance created by human<br />
activities or alteration. Integrity is stated in degrees of deviation from the existing<br />
landscape character in a national forest. It is the measure of the degree to which a<br />
landscape is visually perceived to be complete. The highest scenic integrity<br />
ratings are given to those landscapes that have little or no deviation from the<br />
character valued by constituents for its aesthetic appeal. Scenic integrity is used to<br />
describe an existing situation, standard for management, or desired future<br />
conditions.<br />
Very High: A scenic integrity level that generally provides for ecological change<br />
only.<br />
High: A scenic integrity level meaning human activities are not visually evident.<br />
In high scenic integrity areas, activities may only repeat attributes of form, line,<br />
color, and texture found in the existing landscape character.<br />
Moderate: A scenic integrity level that refers to landscapes where the valued<br />
landscape character "appears slightly altered.” Noticeable deviations must remain<br />
visually subordinate to the landscape character being viewed.<br />
Low: A scenic integrity referring to the landscapes where the valued landscape<br />
character "appears moderately altered." Deviations begin to dominate the valued ,<br />
being viewed, but they borrow valued attributes such as size, shape, effect, and<br />
pattern of natural opening, vegetative type changes, or architectural styles within<br />
or outside the landscape being viewed. They should not only appear as valued<br />
character outside the landscape being viewed but compatible or complimentary to<br />
the character within.<br />
Very Low: A scenic integrity level that refers to landscapes where the valued<br />
landscape character "appears heavily altered.” Deviations may strongly dominate<br />
the valued landscape character. They may not borrow from valued attributes such<br />
as size, shape, edge effect, and pattern of natural openings, vegetative type<br />
changes, or architectural styles within or outside the landscape being viewed.<br />
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