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Visual Impact Assessment Griffith Energy Storage Project 3.2.6 Viewer Types and Characteristics The term "sensitive viewers" refers to specific user groups associated with various land uses that have a sensitivity to landscape change and,therefore,could be adversely affected by the construction and operation of a project. In this regard, potentially sensitive viewing locations are typically associated with key travel routes, recreation areas,and residential areas.Viewpoints represent critical or typical viewpoints within,or along,an identified viewing location and are used to assess visual impacts of a proposed project.The sensitivity of viewers at each viewpoint is based on the type of use,expected concern for aesthetics,and special status or designation. Identifying groups of individuals that would likely be sensitive to visual changes is an important part of the visual assessment process and helps to define specific locations from which to assess changes to the visual character of the landscape.An inventory of sensitive viewers considers 1)the most critical viewpoints (i.e.,views from communities, residential areas,or recreational areas);2)views from scenic areas specifically identified in local planning documents;and 3)views that represent the general area or landscape setting. Distinctions among user groups and their expected sensitivity to landscape changes, based on activity types and viewing characteristics,are standard components of a visual assessment. For example, residential viewers are generally expected to have high concern for changes in views from their residences. Motorists'concerns generally depend on when and where travel occurs, and the type of travel involved (e.g.,commuting versus recreational travel). However, because their focus is on driving to their destination and because the time they view the landscape as they drive through is more limited,they may have lower visual sensitivity. Scenic views designated in land use plans adopted by federal,state,or local government entities typically formalize a recognized visual value of a resource and the public's desire to protect that value (e.g.,a designated wilderness or scenic area).Where such officially designated lands exist,the public expectation is that the view at the location of the identified resource would be preserved,and the viewer concern is considered high. OTETRA TECH 18 August 2023