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The Consultant found these classifications to be accurate aril accepted them as <br />the quality baseline for the analysis of the visual impacts of the proposed <br />develognent. <br />The VRM Classes, which range from I to IV, provide the basic criteria for the <br />analysis of proposed intrusions in the landscape by definition of a visual <br />quality nt~nagement objective for each VRM Class. The anticipated visual <br />impacts of the development activity proposed were judged according to the <br />following VRM Class Objectives as defined by the SLM system: <br />CLASS III O&7ECTIVE. The objective of this class is to rtiall <br />retain e existing character of the landscape. The leveange <br />to the characteristic landscape should be moderate. Managerrent <br />activities may attract attention but should not dominate the view of <br />the casual observer. Changes should repeat the basic elements found <br />in the predominant natural features of the characteristic larrlscape. <br />CLASS 1V OEJFX.TIVE. The objective of this class is to provide for <br />management activities which require major modification of the existing <br />character of the landscape. The level of change to the characteristic <br />landscape can be high. These management activities ~ dominate the <br />view and be the major focus of viewer attention. However, every <br />attempt should be made to minimize the impact of these activities <br />through careful location, minimal disturbance, and repeating the basic <br />elements. <br />• Follaring the establishment of the areas VRM Classes and their associated <br />management objective, the proposed activities were assessed in terms of their <br />potential to be seen and their visual contrast with the surrounding <br />characteristic landscape. On-site observations, photographs and line-of-site <br />sections were utilized to determine if the proposed activity would be visible <br />from various locations which had been identified as having sane level of <br />• sensitivity to intrusions on the scenic quality of the area. Visual contrast <br />was analyzed and quantified using the contrast rating system defined by the <br />BIM Visual Resource Management System. The resulting contrast ratings were <br />then tested against the VRM Class Objectives to determine the acceptability of <br />the proposed activites in the characteristic landscape. Contrast ratings are <br />generally related to the VRM Classes as follaas: <br />CCMPATABLE <br />VRM CLASS CONPRASP RATING <br />I None <br />II Weak <br />III Moderate <br />IV Strong <br />An intrusion in a VRM Class I area should not have any observable <br />contrasts with the characteristic landscape. In Class IV the <br />intrusion can be strongly contrasting and be acceptable. <br /> <br />2 <br />