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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.5impair FSC, candidate, and state protected species in GSMNP or along the AT based on the information obtained to date. Due to the magnitude of this alternative, it is likely that additional NEPA documentation would be required to address sit�specific impacts not currently known, to determine detailed avoidance, minitnization, and mitigation measures as they relate to final design, and to re-evaluate the impairment determination related to FSC, candidate, and state protected species. 4.5 Impacts to Aesthetics and Visual Resources Several of the alternatives would impact visual resources in the study area. Impacts were evaluated by assessing views from the 14 viewpoints described in Aesthetics and Visual Resources, Section 3.5. It was determined that views of portions of the alternatives were possible from 11 of the 14 viewpoints due to the direction of the view, the steep topography of the area, and vegetation. Impacts to visual resources include changes to the existing views from the l4 viewpoints that would occur as a direct result of the construction of the altematives, as well as impacts to visual resources as a result of the alternatives that would occur later in time. The following sections present impacts to aesthetic and visual resources by alternatives. The existing and anticipated views from each of the viewpoints are included as Figures 5-33 of the Aesthetic and Visual Resources Technical Report (Appendix O). Also, the worksheets describing the impact assessment at each viewpoint can be found in the Aesthetics and Visual Resources Technical Report (Appendix O). Impacts to general scenic views in GSMNP and along the AT beyond the 14 viewpoints addressed in this analysis are discussed in Visitor Use and Experience, Section 4.2.5. 4.5.1 Methodology for Assessing Impacts to Aesthetics and Visual Resources The potential for change in the aesthetic experience for the visitor as a result of the alternatives was evaluated by identifying projected effects on the visual quality of the landscape, their duration, and mitigation efforts to offset impacts. The degree to which the alternatives are consistent with or move the condition of visual resources or the aesthetic experience toward or away from a desired condition is one measure of the impact of the project. The terms localized and regional refer to the extent of an impact on the view. A minor intrusion in the landscape by the alternatives was considered a localized consequence, while a greater intrusion in the landscape was considered a regional consequence. Type NPS policy calls far the effects of the project alternatives to be characterized as beneficial, adverse, or indeterminate. In regard to visual resources, any view of the proposed project from the selected viewpoints was considered to be an adverse impact. Clarification of the term "baseline" for this project: The Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell and the Northern Shore Corridor include a baseline route, as well as options to that route. Baseline routes and options are detailed in Section 2.5 and shown on Figure 2-8. Baseline routes have been compared to existing conditions. Impact analyses for the options are shown as a difference from the associated baseline route. Environmental Consequences — 4-253 North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement Duration Long-term versus short-term impacts of the proposed alternatives are based on duration and slope. The duration of impacts from typical cut-and-fill slopes (defined as 1:2 or 1: l) was considered on a timeline of 10 to 30 years in 10-year increments, beginning after construction is complete. It is important to note also that the less steep a slope, the quicker it would revegetate. For this report, 0 to 10 years is considered short-term, while 20 to 30 years or longer is considered long-term to permanent. The following assumptions were made to define duration: 0 to 10 years: The impacted landscape is visually dominated by grasses, perennial herbs, and somewhat inconspicuous seedlings. ■ By 20 years: Native vegetation takes hold in the impacted landscape to visually blend with wooded surroundings. By 30 years: Typical cuts and fills in the impacted landscape are well vegetated with native hardwoods and pines to blend with the surroundings. Intensity No/Negligible The visual quality of the landscape would not be affected or the effects would be at or below the level of detection and would be short-term, and the change would be so slight that it would not be of any measurable, perceptible consequences to the visitor experience. Minor Effects on the visual quality of the landscape would be detectable, although they would be short-term, localized, small, and of little consequence to the visitor experience. Mitigation measures, if needed to offset adverse effects, would be simple and successful. Moderate Effects on the visual qualiry of the landscape would be readily detectable, long-term and localized, and would have consequences at the regional leveL Mitigation measures, if needed to offset adverse effects, would be extensive and likely successful. Clarification of the term "baseline" for this project: The Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell and the Northern Shore Corridor include a baseline route, as well as options to that route. Baseline routes and options are detailed in Section 2.5 and shown on Figure 2-8. Baseline routes have been compared to existing conditions. Impact analyses for the options are shown as a difference from the associated baseline route. Environmental Consequences — 4-254 North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement Major Effects on the visual qualiry of the landscape would be obvious and long-term and would have substantial consequences to the visitor experience in the region. Extensive mitigation measures would be needed to offset any adverse effects, and their success would not be guaranteed. 4.5.2 Summary of Impacts to Aesthetics and Visual Resources Within the study area, viewpoints at higher elevations were generally associated with greater impacts, as more project segments are visible from the higher viewpoints. The magnitude of bridges necessary to cross Eagle, Hazel, and Forney creeks with the southern options would result in greater impacts at the viewpoints along the AT and those at lake-level. Adjacent areas to the proposed roadway would suffer from light pollution due to car headlights. Light pollution has become a problem in national parks over the past three or four decades. It is an unintended byproduct of human population and land development. As light scatters in the atmosphere, it diminishes the view of the night sky, including the stars and planets, an important and inspirational part of the national park experience for many (Duriscoe and Moore 2001). Furthermore, during daylight hours, the reflection of the sun on vehicles would produce glare visible to nearby hikers. The flash of light that results from the sun glaring off vehicles traveling along the road would penetrate natural screening that is not densely vegetated. These effects would be more prominent in areas where the road would be exposed. Visibility impacts would result from construction activities and were analyzed for the Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell and the Northern Share Corridor. In the immediate viciniry of the construction area, impacts would be substantial and visible throughout the day. From a distance of 2 mi (3 km), the construction plume would be visible during the early morning and late afternoon for these alternatives. From a distance of 8 mi (13 km), the plume would be visible far 1 to 2 hours after sunrise each day. These impacts associated with air qualiry during construction are further detailed in Sections 4.3.4.2.4 and 4.3.4.2.5. The visual landscape impacted by the alternatives can be generalized as"forested" with a mix of deciduous and coniferous tree species. Based on the definitions of duration given in Section 4.5.1, it would talce an average of 30 years after construction was completed for the typical cuts and fills in the impacted landscape to revegetate with native hardwoods and pines to blend with the surroundings. Cuts and fills steeper than 1:2 or 1:1 would likely take longer to revegetate or might not support vegetation. Cuts and fills less steep would revegetate more quickly. As mentioned previously, impacts to general scenic views in GSMNP and along the AT (other than the 14 viewpoints addressed in this analysis) are discussed in Visitor Use and Experience, Section 4.2.5. Clarification of the term "baseline" for this project: The Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell and the Northern Shore Corridor include a baseline route, as well as options to that route. Baseline routes and options are detailed in Section 2.5 and shown on Figure 2-8. Baseline routes have been compared to existing conditions. Impact analyses for the options are shown as a difference from the associated baseline route. Environmental Consequences — 4-255 North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement 4.5.2.1 No-Action The No-Action Alternative would result in no impacts to the views from the viewpoints chosen for detailed analysis. Therefore, the No-Action Alternative would have no foreseeable impacts to aesthetic and visual resources. 4.5.2.2 Monetary Settlement The Monetary Settlement Alternative would result in no impacts to the views from the viewpoints chosen for detailed analysis. 4.5.2.3 Laurel Branch Picnic Area It is expected that the Laurel Branch Picnic Area would not be visible from any of the viewpoints chosen for detailed analysis. Therefore, this alternative would have no foreseeable impacts to aesthetic and visual resources. 4.5.2.4 Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell (Primitive and Principal Park Roads) The baseline Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell with either the Principal Park Road or the Primitive Park Road would involve major impacts to the viewpoint at High Rocks due to visibiliry of portions of the proposed road. The extent of impacts to the view from Tsali would range from minor to major depending on the use of context-sensitive design in the development at Bushnell. Vegetation buffers would be evaluated at a more detailed design stage to minimize impacts. The baseline Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell would not impact views at Fontana Dam, NC 28 Overlook at Hazel Creek, Cable Cove, AT (south of Shuckstack), Black Gum Gap, Fontana Lake (below Lakeshore Trail), Clingmans Dome, NC 28 Overlook (east of Tsali Recreation Area), Meetinghouse Mountain, and Cheoah Bald, as none of the road or development would be visible from these 10 locations. Southern Option at Forney Creek Embayment (Primitive and Principal Park Roads) If the Southem Option at Forney Creek Embayment were chosen (either road type), this alternative would result in one less major, adverse impact to the view from High Rocks. 4.5.2.5 Northern Shore Corridor (Primitive and Principal Park Roads) The baseline Northern Shore Corridor, with either the Principal Park Road or the Primitive Park Road, would involve major impacts to the views from High Rocks, Shuckstack (located on the AT), AT (south of Shuckstack), Fontana Dam, and Proctor due to the visibility of portions of the proposed roadway. Any Clarification of the term "baseline" for this project: The Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell and the Northern Shore Corridor include a baseline route, as well as options to that route. Baseline routes and options are detailed in Section 2.5 and shown on Figure 2-8. Baseline routes have been compared to existing conditions. Impact analyses for the options are shown as a difference from the associated baseline route. Environmental Consequences — 4-256 North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement portion of the alternatives that would be visible from viewpoints along the AT would be considered a major impact, given the context of the experience. The reasoning is that hikers on the AT are looking for solitude and wilderness in their aesthetic experiences, the antithesis of which would be the imprint of human development on the landscape, such as a road. The baseline Northern Shore Corridor (both road types) would involve minor impacts to the viewpoints at Tsali and Meetinghouse Mountain (during leaf-off conditions), due to the visibility of portions of the proposed roadway. If the alternative was visible through the existing vegetation, it would have a minar intrusion in the landscape. The baseline Northern Shore Corridor would not impact views from Cable Cove, Black Gum Gap, Fontana Lake (below Lakeshore Trail), Clingmans Dome, NC 28 Overlook (east of Tsali), or Cheoah Bald, as none of the road would be visible from these six locations. Southern Option at Forney Creek Embayment (Primitive and Principal Park Roads) If the Southern Option at Forney Creek Embayment were chosen (either road rype), it would result in one less major, adverse impact to the view from High Rocks. Southern Option at Hazel and Eagle Creek Embayments (Primitive and Principal Park Roads) If the Southern Option at Hazel and Eagle Creek Embayments were chosen (either road type), this alternative would result in one less major, adverse impact to the view from Proctor, but would add adverse impacts to five viewpoints. The Southern Option at Hazel and Eagle Creek Embayments would involve major impacts to the viewpoints at Black Gmn Gap (during leaf-off conditions), Shuckstack, Fontana Dam, and NC 28 Overlook at Hazel Creek because of the bridge crossing Hazel Creek. The Southern Option at Hazel and Eagle Creek Embayments would involve a minor impact to the viewpoint at Fontana Lake (below Lakeshore Trail) due to visibility of road segments. This option would also result in a moderate impact to the viewpoint at Cable Cove. This impact is considered moderate because of the view of the bridge crossing Hazel Creek. Existing development at the Cable Cove viewpoint precludes it from major impacts. Southern Option Crossing Fontana Darn (Primztive and Principal Park Roads) If the Southem Option Crossing Fontana Dam were chosen (either road type), this alternative would result in one less major, adverse impact to the view from the AT (south of Shuckstack) and would add one major, adverse impact to the view from Fontana Dam. The major impact on the viewpoint at Fontana Dam is likely, due to the visibility of the proposed roadway from this location. Clarification of the term "baseline" for this project: The Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell and the Northern Shore Corridor include a baseline route, as well as options to that route. Baseline routes and options are detailed in Section 2.5 and shown on Figure 2-8. Baseline routes have been compared to existing conditions. Impact analyses for the options are shown as a difference from the associated baseline route. Environmental Consequences — 4-257 North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement 4.5.2.5.1 Cumulative Impacts Several past actions ha�e occurred in the study --''''� area that may affect visual resources in addition to the effects of the presently proposed action. �,�� -��-�_ =�`� , -_- .. Actions that cause deviations or changes in - �� s��.�, ' " existing views are considered impacts to visual Y�-�' -_ -tiy,� resources. Past actions affecting visual resources within the study area include the mining and the �� �����" �' �'� ���� ��`���'' �E :t =-e�-- � •--s .r- � �.�.�- Y' � timber industries during the early ] 900s, the ��`!`,_. � � �_- �� � _ �,__�- _ � construction of Fontana Dam the creation of � � � �'� � � '�� �� � ----�_ , _ .:,�..---- - � GSMNP, and the partial construction of Lake �� � - ��� - � _ ��-��-:_ _-;��, View Road (up to the tunnel). Although the ! - ��� . .. _. =_--1-�,_, _ .�__ creation of GSMNP helped to preserve the natural Top: Photograph of the View from Shuckstack context of visual resources in the study area, some Bottom: Visual Simulation of the View from Shuckstack. of these actions have affected visual resources Refer to Appendix O for Additional Visual Simulations. within the study area by introducing man-made intrusions into the visual environment. Man-made intrusions often add discordant elements to a view that are not congruent with the context and the subject of the views. The mining and timber industries degraded visual resources by clearing vegetation and natural structures in order to extract natural resources, while the partial construction of Lake View Road affected visual resources by scarring the landscape with the road. In addition to the above actions, the visual resources of the Park were affected by recent projects and will continue to be affected by some ongoing and future projects in the area. These projects include the Ravensford Land Exchange and Foothills Parkway. Although not visible from the viewpoints selected for detailed analysis, these projects have affected visual resources by opening up new areas for viewing and by being visible from other viewing locations within the Park. While not visible from the Park, the Cherohala Skyway affected views in the area's national forests. 4.5.3 Views Created by Alternatives The alternatives would open up new areas for scenic views. These views would be possible where severe cuts are proposed and in naturally occurring locations where topography and grade create a view. The views would primarily overlook Fontana Lake or some of the major creeks in the study area. The proposed bridges over Forney, Hazel, and Eagle creeks would create opporiunities for unobstructed water views. In addition, six pull-offs would be incorporated into the design of the alternatives. Although not the primary purpose for the pull-offs, some would create scenic viewing opportunities for visitors. Figures 35-44 in the Aesthetic and Visual Resources Technical Report (Appendix O) simulate the scenic views from several of these locations. Clarification of the term "baseline" for this project: The Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell and the Northern Shore Corridor include a baseline route, as well as options to that route. Baseline routes and options are detailed in Section 2.5 and shown on Figure 2-8. Baseline routes have been compared to existing conditions. Impact analyses for the options are shown as a difference from the associated baseline route. Environmental Consequences — 4-258 North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement 4.5.4 Options to Address Potential Impacts NEPA requires that federal agencies consider measures to avoid or minimize any possible adverse effects of their actions on the environment. Mitigation and enhancement measures are also to be employed to address potential impacts. The following discussion offers general guidelines for addressing potential impacts to visual resources. Techniques to reduce impacts were devised based on case studies reviewed and design fundamentals and strategies the USDOi, FHWA, and other FLM agencies have employed on similar road pro� ects. 4.5.4.1 Avoidance Techniques Avoidance is the concept of altering a project so that an impact does not occur. The No-Action Alternative and the Monetary Settlement Alternative would qualify as avoidance alternatives with respect to visual resource impacts. In addition, choosing the Northern Share Corridor (Southern Option Crossing Fontana Dam) would avoid the major impact to the AT (south of Shuckstack) viewpoint. 4.5.4.2 Minimization Techniques Minimization addresses the impacts by modifying the design to reduce the severity of the impacts. In general, the Primitive Park Road would result in less earthwark tban the Principal Park Road, so less clearing would be necessary with the Primitive Park Road Using the Primitive Park Road design would minimize the landscape scarring visible from the viewpoints. For the Northern Shore Corridar and Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell, minimization would include shifting the alignment of the proposed road within the corridor to reduce visual impacts or eXtensively screening the alternatives with native vegetation. For the Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell, vegetation buffers and sensitive placement of structures would be evaluated at a more detailed design stage to minimize impacts. 4.5.4.3 Mitigation Techniques Mitigation measures would include context-sensitive design techniques that reduce contrasts between the landscape and the alternatives. The partial-build and build alternatives would be designed to be in scale with existing landscape elements, would use park-standard materials for walls, tunnels, and guard rails, and would include naturally occurring colars, earthwork treatments that reflect forms found in the landscape, and vegetative openings that repeat natural shapes. 1'he use of native materials and vernacular design would be utilized. The use of earth-tone color for the road surface would be especially applicable at Proctor where the proposed road is likely to be a dominant feature in the view. In designing the bridges over Hazel, Eagle, and Forney creeks, the use of man-made materials whose color would blend with the setting, either immediately or over time, would help to mitigate visual impacts. Clarification of the term "baseline" for this project: The Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell and the Northern Shore Corridor include a baseline route, as well as options to that route. Baseline routes and options are detailed in Section 2.5 and shown on Figure 2-8. Baseline routes have been compared to existing conditions. Impact analyses for the options are shown as a difference from the associated baseline route. Environmental Consequences — 4-259 North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement 4.5.4.4 Enhancement Techniques Enhancement measures involve adding a desirable or attractive feature to a proposed project to make it fit more harmoniously into its surroundings. Enhancement measures are not designed to replace lost resources ar alleviate impacts caused by a proposed project. Enhancements for this project would include views that are created by the alternatives. Some scenic viewing locations would be created at overlooks. 4.5.5 Impairment Evaluation Impairment (as defined by NPS policy) to the aesthetic and visual resources of GSMN P and the AT would not occur under the No-Action Alternative, Monetary Settlement Alternative, Laurel Branch Picnic Area, and the Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell. The Northern Shore Corridor is not likely to impair the aesthetic and visual resources of GSMNP or the AT based on the information obtained to date. Due to the magnitude of this alternative, it is likely that additional NEPA docu�nentation would be required to address sit�specific impacts not currently known, to determine detailed avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures as they relate to final design, and to r�evaluate the impairment determination related to aesthetics and visual resources. 4.6 Energy Impacts 4.6.1 Continuing Energy Consumption With Laurel Branch Picnic Area, Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell, and the Northern Sbare Corridor, fuel consumption and air pollution would increase. Each of these alternatives would attract different amounts of traffic, as discussed in Section 4.2.1. Traffic volumes vary depending on alternative and change per road type, as shown in Table 4-23. Table 4-23. Partial-Build and Build Alternatives 2025 Future Traffic Volumes Alternative Laurel Branch Picnic Area Bushnell (Primitive Park Road) Bushnell (Principal Park Road) Northern Shore Corridor (Primitive Park Road) Northern Shore Corridor (Principal Park Road) Peak Season ADT (vpd) 298 586 1102 554 1342 The traffic volumes far each partial-build and build alternative were added to the projected 2025 (No-Action) traffic volumes for seven intersections in the vicinity of the project. Each intersection was assumed to be Clarification of the term "baseline" for this project: The Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell and the Northern Shore Corridor include a baseline route, as well as options to that route. Baseline routes and options are detailed in Section 2.5 and shown on Figure 2-8. Baseline routes have been compared to existing conditions. Impact analyses for the options are shown as a difference from the associated baseline route. Environmental Consequences — 4-260 North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement