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5.13 VISUAL RESOURCES • Visual composition,including an assessment of the vividness, intactness, and unity of patterns in the landscape2 The final scenic quality ratings assigned to each view fit within the rating scale summarized in Table 5.13-1. Development of this scale builds on a scale developed for use with an artificial intelligence system for evaluation of landscape visual quality (Buhyoff et al., 1994), and incorporates landscape assessment concepts applied by the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Transportation. TABLE 5.13.1 Landscape Scenic Quality Scale Rating Explanation Outstanding A rating reserved for landscapes with exceptionally high visual quality. These landscapes are Visual Quality significant nationally or regionally. They usually contain exceptional natural or cultural features that contribute to this rating. They are what we think of as"picture post card"landscapes. People are attracted to these landscapes to view them. High Visual Landscapes that have high quality scenic value. This may be due to cultural or natural features Quality contained in the landscape or to the arrangement of spaces contained in the landscape that causes the landscape to be visually interesting or a particularly comfortable place for people. These landscapes have high levels of vividness, unity, and intactness. Moderately High Landscapes that have above average scenic value but are not of high scenic value.The scenic Visual Quality value of these landscapes may be due to man-made or natural features contained within the landscape, to the arrangement of spaces, in the landscape or to the two-dimensional attributes of the landscape. Levels of vividness, unity, and intactness are moderate to high. Moderate Visual Landscapes,that are common or typical landscapes that have, average scenic value. They Quality usually lack significant cultural or natural features. Their scenic value is primarily a result of the arrangement of spaces contained in the landscape and the two-dimensional visual attributes of the landscape. Levels of vividness, unity, and intactness are average. Moderately Low Landscapes that have below average scenic value but not low scenic value.They may contain Visual Quality visually discordant man-made alterations, but these features do not dominate the landscape.They often lack spaces that people will perceive as inviting and provide little interest in terms of two- dimensional visual attributes of the landscape. Low Visual Landscapes that have below average scenic value. They may contain visually discordant man- Quality made alterations, and often provide little interest in terms of two-dimensional visual attributes of the landscape. Levels of vividness, unity, and intactness are below average. Note: Rating scale based on Buhyoff et al., 1994; U.S. DOT Federal Highway Administration, 1988, and United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. 1995. 5.13.1.5.1 KOP 1—View from Interstate 5 Southbound Figure 5.13-2A depicts the view from KOP 1, approximately one-half mile north of the LEC site. This viewpoint was selected because I-5 is a major public roadway,with approximately 77,000 vehicles passing the project site on the freeway daily.3 Interstate 5 is also designated 2 Vividness is the memorability of the visual impression received from contrasting landscape elements as they combine to form a striking and distinctive visual pattern. Intactness is the integrity of visual order in the natural and man-built landscape,and the extent to which the landscape is free from visual encroachment.Unity is the degree to which the visual resources of the landscape join together to form a coherent,harmonious visual pattern. Unity refers to the compositional harmony of intercompatibility between landscape elements.(US DOT FHWA 1988) 3 See Section 5.12.California Department of Transportation data from 2006 reported an average daily traffic volume of 77,000 vehicles on 1-5 near the interchange with State Route 12. 5.13-16 SAG371322I082350001(LEC_5.13_VISUAL.DOC)