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5.13 Visual Resources <br /> Visual resources are the natural and cultural features of the environment that can be seen <br /> and that contribute to the public's enjoyment of the environment.Visual resource or <br /> aesthetic impacts are generally defined in terms of a project's physical characteristics and <br /> potential visibility,and the extent that the project's presence would change the visual <br /> character and quality of the environment in which it would be located. <br /> This section was prepared following California Energy Commission (CEC) guidelines for <br /> preparing visual impact assessments for Applications for Certification (AFC).Section 5.13.1 <br /> documents the visual conditions that currently exist in the Lodi Energy Center (LEC) area. <br /> Section 5.13.2 discusses the potential environmental effects as they relate to visual resources. <br /> Section 5.13.3 discusses the potential cumulative impacts of this and other projects in the <br /> area. Section 5.13.4 summarizes the mitigation measures proposed to reduce project impacts <br /> on visual resources. Section 5.13.5 describes the laws,ordinances,regulations, and standards <br /> (LORS) applicable to visual resources. Section 5.13.6 presents agencies involved and agency <br /> contacts and Section 5.13.7 lists permits required. Section 5.13.8 cites the references used in <br /> preparation of this section. <br /> Figure 5.13-1 shows the location of the site and the locations of the Key Observation Points <br /> (KOPs) referenced in this section. The existing views and simulated views of the project <br /> from the KOPs follow as Figures 5.13-2,5.13-3,and 5.13-4. Additional KOPs (Figures 5.13-5 <br /> and 5.13-6) are included at the request of CEC to provide further context in terms of the <br /> project area's existing landscape character. No simulations for these views were prepared. <br /> 5.13.1 Affected Environment <br /> 5.13.1.1 Regional Setting <br /> The project site is adjacent to the City of Lodi s White Slough Water Pollution Control <br /> Facility (WPCF) to the east,treatment and holding ponds associated with the WPCF to the <br /> north,the existing 49-MW Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) Combustion Turbine <br /> Project#2 (STIG plant) to the west, and the San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector <br /> Control facility to the south. The project site is on land owned and incorporated by the City <br /> of Lodi, and is approximately 6 miles west of the Lodi city center. The city of Stockton is <br /> approximately 2 miles to the south.The project site is currently undeveloped and is used for <br /> equipment storage during upgrades to the WPCF. <br /> Interstate 5 (I-5) is approximately one-fifth of a mile to the east of the WPCF and the LEC <br /> site;land immediately surrounding the site is otherwise agricultural in character and <br /> includes uses such as grazing and row and field crops. The dominant feature in the land to <br /> the west of the LEC site is the network of waterways associated with White Slough,which <br /> provide water for the agricultural uses, as well as for recreation and wildlife conservation. <br /> The White Slough Wildlife Area (WSWA) is approximately one-half mile west of the LEC <br /> site. <br /> Approximately 2 miles north of the project site, I-5 intersects with State Route 12 (SR-12). <br /> A commercial cluster,including gas stations, a truck stop,restaurants, and similar services <br /> is within the southeast segment of the intersection. A golf course (Reserve at Spanos Park) is <br /> SAC/371322/082350001(LEC_5.13_VISUAL.DOC) 5.13-1 <br />