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4 Environmental Analysis 4.1 Aesthetics quality to be quantified and rated with a minimum of ambiguity or subjectivity, which can be easily understood and compared by the reader. According to this method, visual quality is rated according to the presence and characteristics of seven key components of the landscape. These components include landform, vegetation, water, color, adjacent scenery, scarcity, and cultural modifications, defined as follows: 1. The landform component of the visual quality rating criteria takes into account the fact that topography becomes more interesting visually as it gets steeper or more massive, or more severely or universally sculptured. Outstanding landforms may be monumental (as found in Yosemite Valley), or they may be exceedingly artistic and subtle (such as certain ridgelines, pinnacles, peaks, and other extraordinary formations). 2. The vegetation component of the rating criteria gives primary consideration to the variety of patterns, forms, and textures created by plant life. Short-lived displays are given consideration when they are known to be recurring or spectacular. Consideration also is given to smaller scale vegetational features that add striking and intriguing detail elements to the landscape (e.g., hedgerows or trees, native grasses, etc.). 3. The water component of the rating criteria recognizes that visual quality is largely tied to the presence of water in scenery, as it is that feature which adds movement or serenity to a scene. The degree to which water dominates the scene is the primary consideration in selecting the rating score for the water component. 4. The color component of the visual quality rating criteria considers the overall color(s) of the basic components of the landscape (e.g., soil, rock, vegetation, etc.). Key factors that are used when rating the color of scenery are variety, contrast, and harmony. 5. The adjacent scenery component of the rating criteria takes into account the degree to which scenery outside the view being rated enhances the overall impression of the scenery under evaluation. The distance of influence for adjacent scenery normally ranges from zero to 5 miles, depending on the characteristics of the topography, the vegetation cover, and other such factors. This factor generally is applied to views that normally would rate very low in score, but the influence of the adjacent high visual quality would enhance the visual quality and raise the score. 6. The scarcity component of the visual quality rating criteria provides an opportunity to give added importance to one or all of the scenic features that appear to be relatively unique or rare within a region. There may also be cases where a separate evaluation of each of the key factors does not give a true picture of the overall scenic quality of an area. Often, it is a number of not-so-spectacular elements in the proper combination that produces the most pleasing and memorable scenery. The scarcity factor can be used to recognize this type of area and give it the added emphasis it should have. 7. The cultural modifications component of the visual quality rating criteria takes into account any humanmade modifications to the landform, water, vegetation, and/or the addition of humanmade structures. Depending on their character, these cultural modifications may detract from the scenery in the form of a negative intrusion, or they may complement and improve the scenic quality of a view. Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.1-3 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023