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5.13 VISUAL RESOURCES <br /> 5.13.1.3 Construction Laydown Areas <br /> There are four proposed construction laydown and worker parking areas for the project(see <br /> Figure 1.1-3). Two of the areas are adjacent the LEC site to the east (one on the north side of <br /> the access road, one on the south),and two are east of the WPCF, adjacent to I-5. These <br /> proposed laydown areas range from 1.6 to 3.1 acres. <br /> 5.13.1.4 Potential Project Visibility <br /> The LEC site is visible from locations throughout the surrounding area,as evidenced by the <br /> general visibility of the existing STIG plant. However,few roadways allow for up close <br /> views of the site. Further,while the STIG plant and LEC site are most prominent in views <br /> from elevated segments of 1-5 (both north and south of the site),views from the segment of <br /> 1-5 directly east of the site are obscured by trees planted alongside the freeway. These trees, <br /> which include oak,eucalyptus, and varieties of evergreen, are part of an irrigated cluster of <br /> vegetation east of the WPCF,and were likely planted for the purpose of blocking views of <br /> an existing structure from the most proximate segment of 1-5. The trees also serve to either <br /> partially or fully obscure the existing STIG plant in views from points east of 1-5. <br /> 5.13.1.5 Sensitive Viewing Areas and Key Observation Points <br /> To structure the analysis of the LEC's effects on visual resources, sensitive receptors 1 and <br /> the view areas that would be the most sensitive to the project's potential visual impacts <br /> were identified. Representative viewpoints from these sensitive receptor locations are <br /> referred to as key observation points (KOPs). The KOPs chosen for this analysis represent <br /> the best viewing conditions from the three major areas of viewer sensitivity: the view from <br /> the southbound lane of 1-5 (KOP 1),east of the site;the view from a location near a trail <br /> within the WSWA; (KOP 2) and the view from the westbound shoulder of Eight Mile Road, <br /> north of a residential subdivision(KOP 3). The locations of the KOPs are indicated on <br /> Figure 5.13-1, along with the locations of the two additional viewpoints (KOP 4 and KOP 5), <br /> included per CEC request to provide further context in terms of the project area's existing <br /> landscape character. Existing views from all KOPs and simulated views from KOPs 1,2, and <br /> 3 are shown in Figures 5.13-2 through 5.13-6. <br /> Based on field work conducted in June and July 2008 by CH2M HILL,the existing visual <br /> conditions of the views from each of the KOPs were documented and evaluated. <br /> Assessments of existing levels of scenic quality were made based on professional judgment <br /> that took a broad spectrum of factors into consideration,including: <br /> • Natural features,including topography,water courses,rock outcrops,and natural <br /> vegetation <br /> • The positive and negative effects of cultural alterations and built structures on visual <br /> quality <br /> Typically,residents and recreationists are considered to be sensitive receptors to changes in the landscape.This is because <br /> of the potential for effects to their long-term views or their enjoyment of a particular landscape or activity. <br /> SAC/371322/082350001(LEC_5.13_VISUAL.DOC) 5.13-15 <br />