3.1 aesthetics - acgov.org

Alameda County Community Development Agency Impact Analysis

Aesthetics

APWRA Repowering Final PEIR 3.1‐1

October 2014ICF 00323.08

3.1 Aesthetics Thissectionidentifiesandevaluatesissuesrelatedtovisualresourcesintheprogramandprojectareas.

TheExistingConditionsdiscussionbelowdescribesthecurrentsetting.Thepurposeofthisinformationistoestablishtheexistingenvironmentalcontextagainstwhichthereadercanunderstandtheenvironmentalchangescausedbytheproposedprogramandindividualprojects.Theenvironmentalsettinginformationisintendedtobedirectlyorindirectlyrelevanttothesubsequentdiscussionofimpacts.Forexample,thesettingidentifiesgroupsofpeoplewhohaveviewsoftheprogramandprojectareasbecausetherepoweringactivitiescouldchangetheirviewsandexperiences.

TheenvironmentalchangesassociatedwiththeprogramandthetwoindividualprojectsarediscussedinSection3.1.3,EnvironmentalImpacts.Thissectionidentifiesimpacts,describeshowtheywouldoccur,andprescribesmitigationmeasurestoreducesignificantimpacts,ifnecessary.

3.1.1 Concepts and Terminology

Identifyingaprojectarea’svisualresourcesandconditionsinvolvesthreesteps.

1. Objectiveidentificationofthevisualfeatures(visualresources)ofthelandscape.

2. Assessmentofthecharacterandqualityofthoseresourcesrelativetooverallregionalvisualcharacter.

3. Determinationoftheimportancetopeople,orsensitivity,ofviewsofvisualresourcesinthelandscape.

Theaestheticvalueofanareaisameasureofitsvisualcharacterandquality,combinedwiththeviewerresponsetothearea(FederalHighwayAdministration1988).Scenicqualitycanbestbedescribedastheoverallimpressionthatanindividualviewerretainsafterdrivingthrough,walkingthrough,orflyingoveranarea(U.S.BureauofLandManagement1980).Viewerresponseisacombinationofviewerexposureandviewersensitivity.Viewerexposureisafunctionofthenumberofviewers,numberofviewsseen,distanceoftheviewers,andviewingduration.Viewersensitivityrelatestotheextentofthepublic’sconcernforaparticularviewshed.Thesetermsandcriteriaaredescribedindetailbelow.

Visual Character

Naturalandartificiallandscapefeaturescontributetothevisualcharacterofanareaorview.Visualcharacterisinfluencedbygeologic,hydrologic,botanical,wildlife,recreational,andurbanfeatures.Urbanfeaturesincludethoseassociatedwithlandscapesettlementsanddevelopment,includingroads,utilities,structures,earthworks,andtheresultsofotherhumanactivities.Theperceptionofvisualcharactercanvarysignificantlyseasonally,evenhourly,asweather,light,shadow,andelementsthatcomposetheviewshedchange.Thebasiccomponentsusedtodescribevisualcharacterformostvisualassessmentsaretheelementsofform,line,color,andtextureofthelandscapefeatures(U.S.ForestService1995;FederalHighwayAdministration1988).Theappearanceofthelandscapeisdescribedintermsofthedominanceofeachofthesecomponents.


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Visual Quality

Visualqualityisevaluatedusingthewell‐establishedapproachtovisualanalysisadoptedbyFederalHighwayAdministration,employingtheconceptsofvividness,intactness,andunity(FederalHighwayAdministration1988;Jonesetal.1975),whicharedescribedbelow.

Vividnessisthevisualpowerormemorabilityoflandscapecomponentsastheycombineinstrikinganddistinctivevisualpatterns.

Intactnessisthevisualintegrityofthenaturalandhuman‐builtlandscapeanditsfreedomfromencroachingelements;thisfactorcanbepresentinwell‐kepturbanandrurallandscapes,andinnaturalsettings.

Unityisthevisualcoherenceandcompositionalharmonyofthelandscapeconsideredasawhole;itfrequentlyatteststothecarefuldesignofindividualcomponentsinthelandscape.

Visualqualityisevaluatedbasedontherelativedegreeofvividness,intactness,andunity,asmodifiedbyitsvisualsensitivity.High‐qualityviewsarehighlyvivid,relativelyintact,andexhibitahighdegreeofvisualunity.Low‐qualityviewslackvividness,arenotvisuallyintact,andpossessalowdegreeofvisualunity.

Visual Exposure and Sensitivity

Themeasureofthequalityofaviewmustbetemperedbytheoverallsensitivityoftheviewer.Viewersensitivityorconcernisbasedonthevisibilityofresourcesinthelandscape,proximityofviewerstothevisualresource,elevationofviewersrelativetothevisualresource,frequencyanddurationofviews,numberofviewers,andtypeandexpectationsofindividualsandviewergroups.

Theimportanceofaviewisrelatedinparttothepositionoftheviewertotheresource;therefore,visibilityandvisualdominanceoflandscapeelementsdependontheirplacementwithintheviewshed.Aviewshedisdefinedasallofthesurfaceareavisiblefromaparticularlocation(e.g.,anoverlook)orsequenceoflocations(e.g.,aroadwayortrail)(FederalHighwayAdministration1988).Toidentifytheimportanceofviewsofaresource,aviewshedmustbebrokenintodistancezonesofforeground,middleground,andbackground.Generally,thecloseraresourceistotheviewer,themoredominantitisandthegreateritsimportancetotheviewer.Althoughdistancezonesinaviewshedmayvarybetweendifferentgeographicregionortypesofterrain,thestandardforegroundzoneis0.25–0.5milefromtheviewer,themiddlegroundzonefromtheforegroundzoneto3–5milesfromtheviewer,andthebackgroundzonefromthemiddlegroundtoinfinity(Jonesetal.1975).

Visualsensitivitydependsonthenumberandtypeofviewersandthefrequencyanddurationofviews.Visualsensitivityisalsomodifiedbyvieweractivity,awareness,andvisualexpectationsinrelationtothenumberofviewersandviewingduration.Forexample,visualsensitivityisgenerallyhigherforviewsseenbypeoplewhoaredrivingforpleasure,peopleengaginginrecreationalactivitiessuchashiking,bikingorcamping,andhomeowners.Sensitivitytendstobelowerforviewsseenbypeopledrivingtoandfromworkoraspartoftheirwork(U.S.ForestService1995;FederalHighwayAdministration1988;U.S.SoilConservationService1978).Commutersandnonrecreationaltravelersgenerallyhavefleetingviewsandtendtofocusoncommutetraffic,notonsurroundingscenery;therefore,theyaregenerallyconsideredtohavelowvisualsensitivity.Residentialviewerstypicallyhaveextendedviewingperiodsandareconcernedaboutchangesintheviewsfromtheirhomes;therefore,theyaregenerallyconsideredtohavehighvisualsensitivity.


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Viewersusingrecreationtrailsandareas,scenichighways,andscenicoverlooksareusuallyassessedashavinghighvisualsensitivity.

Judgmentsofvisualqualityandviewerresponsemustbemadebasedinaregionalframeofreference(U.S.SoilConservationService1978).Thesamelandformorvisualresourceappearingindifferentgeographicareascouldhaveadifferentdegreeofvisualqualityandsensitivityineachsetting.Forexample,asmallhillmaybeasignificantvisualelementonaflatlandscapebuthaveverylittlesignificanceinmountainousterrain.

3.1.2 Existing Conditions

Regulatory Setting

Federal

ThefederalgovernmentdoesnotexplicitlyregulatevisualqualitybutrecognizesitsimportanceandpreservesaestheticvaluesthroughtheNationalPark,NationalWildlifeRefuge,NationalMonument,andNationalScenicBywaySystems.

State

Interstate580(I‐580)fromtheSanJoaquinCountylinetoStateRoute(SR)205(PostMiles0.0to0.393),a0.4milelongsegment,isastate‐designatedscenichighway(CaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation2012).TheI‐580intersectionwithSR205fallsjustwithintheeasternborderoftheprogramarea.

Local

Alameda County General Plan

Scenic Route Element

TheScenicRouteElementoftheAlamedaCountyGeneralPlan(ScenicRouteElement)providesacontinuous,countywidescenicroutesystemandisintendedtoserveasaguideforlocaljurisdictionsfordevelopmentofcity‐scalescenicroutesystemsandasaguidefordevelopmenttoprotectandenhancethescenicvaluesalongdesignatedscenicroutes(AlamedaCounty1966).

TheScenicRouteElementidentifiesscenicfreewaysandexpresswaysastraversingorconnectingareasofmajorscenic,recreational,orculturalattractions,andasdistinctfromtwoothermajortypesofscenicroutes(scenicthoroughfaresandrural‐recreationroutes).Scenicroutesaredefinedtoconsistofthreeelements:theright‐of‐way,thesceniccorridor,andareasextendingbeyondthecorridor.Thecorridorisdefinedasthoseproperties,alongandupto1,000feetbeyondtheright‐of‐way,thateither(1)shouldbeacquiredforprotection,or(2)forwhichdevelopmentcontrolsshouldbeappliedtopreserveandenhancenearbyviewsormaintainunobstructeddistantviewsalongtherouteinruralareaswithhighscenicqualities.Morespecifically,sceniccorridorsaredefinedasthoseareaswhere“Developmentcontrolsshouldbeappliedtopreserveandenhancescenicqualities,restrictunsightlyuseofland,controlheightofstructures,andprovidesitedesignandarchitecturalguidancealongtheentiresceniccorridor”(AlamedaCounty1966).Fortheareasextendingbeyondsceniccorridors(i.e.,beyond1,000feetfromtheright‐of‐way),theScenicRouteElementalsorequiresbasicdevelopmentcontrols:intheundevelopedpartsofthecounty,project


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reviewshouldaddressgrading,removalofvegetation,streambeds,landscaping,utilityandcommunicationtowers,polesandlines,andoutdooradvertisingsignsorstructures.

Theprogramareacontainsonestate‐designatedscenicroute,I‐580,whichisalsocategorizedasoneoftheCounty’sScenicFreewaysandExpressways.MostoftheotherroadsandhighwaysthattraversetheprogramareaarecategorizedasScenicRural‐RecreationRoutes(orasmappedMajorRuralRoads);thesearelistedbelow(AlamedaCounty1966).

AltamontPassRoad

Byron‐BethanyRoad

FlynnRoad

GrantLineRoad

MountainHouseRoad

PattersonPassRoad

ProposedRoute239Freeway

TeslaRoad

VascoRoad

TheScenicRouteElementprovidesthefollowingprinciplesforScenicRouteCorridorsthatmayapplytotherepoweringprogramaswellastheGoldenHillsandPattersonPassProjects.Theprinciplesareorganizedlooselyunderfiveheadings:thesystem,therights‐of‐way,thecorridors,thecorridorsandtheremainderorbalanceoftheCounty,andareasbeyondthecorridors.Forreferenceinthesubsequentdiscussions,eachprincipleisidentifiedbyacode(e.g.,SRE‐Corr‐1).

ProvideforNormalUsesofLandandProtectAgainstUnsightlyFeatures:Inbothurbanandruralareas,normallypermittedusesoflandshouldbeallowedinsceniccorridors,exceptthatpanoramicviewsandvistasshouldbepreservedandenhancedthroughsupplementingnormalzoningregulationswithspecialheight,area,andsideyardregulations;throughprovidingarchi‐tecturalandsitedesignreview;throughprohibitionandremovalofbillboards,signsnotrelevanttothemainuseoftheproperty,obtrusivesigns,automobilewreckingandjunkyards,andsimilarunsightlydevelopmentoruseofland.Designandlocationofallsignsshouldberegulatedtopreventconglomerationsofunsightlysignsalongroadsides.(SRE‐Corr‐1).

LocateTransmissionTowersandLinesOutsideofScenicRouteCorridorsWhenFeasible:Newoverheadtransmissiontowersandlinesshouldnotbelocatedwithinsceniccorridorswhenitisfeasibletolocatethemelsewhere.(SRE‐Corr‐2).

UndergroundUtilityDistributionLinesWhenFeasible;MakeOverheadLinesInconspicuous:New,relocatedorexistingutilitydistributionlinesshouldbeplacedundergroundwheneverfeasible.Whenitisnotfeasibletoplacelinesunderground,theyshouldbelocatedsoastobeinconspicuousfromthescenicroute.Polesofanimproveddesignshouldbeusedwhereverpossible.Combinedoradjacentrights‐of‐wayandcommonpolesshouldbeusedwhereverfeasible.(SRE‐Corr‐3).

UseLandscapingtoIncreaseScenicQualitiesofScenicRouteCorridors:Landscapingshouldbedesignedandmaintainedinscenicroutecorridorstoprovideaddedvisualinterest,toframescenicviews,andtoscreenunsightlyviews.(SRE‐Corr‐5).

ControlTreeRemoval:Nomaturetreesshouldberemovedwithoutpermissionofthelocaljurisdictionasameansofpreservingthescenicqualityofthecounty.(SRE‐Corr/Rem‐5).

ControlAlterationofStreambedsandBodiesofWater:Alterationofstreambedsorbodiesofwaterandadjacentvegetationshouldbepermittedonlywithapprovalofthelocaljurisdiction,asameansof


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preservingthenaturalscenicqualityofthestreamcourses,bodiesofwater,vegetationandwildlifeinthecounty.Developmentalongedgesofstreams,canals,reservoirs,andotherbodiesofwatershouldbedesignedandtreatedsoastoresultinnaturalistic,architectural,orsculpturalforms.(SRE‐Corr/Rem‐6).

PreserveandEnhanceNaturalScenicQualitiesinAreasBeyondtheScenicCorridor:Viewsfromscenicrouteswillcompriseessentiallyalloftheremainderofthecountybeyondthelimitsofthesceniccorridor:thecorridorisintendedtoestablishaframeworkfortheobservationoftheviewsbeyond.Therefore,inallareasinthecountyextendingbeyondthescenicroutecorridors,scenicqualitiesshouldbepreservedthroughretainingthegeneralcharacterofnaturalslopesandnaturalformations,andthroughpreservationandenhancementofwaterareas,watercourses,vegetationandwildlifehabitats.Developmentoflandsadjacenttoscenicroutecorridorsshouldnotobstructviewsofscenicareasanddevelopmentshouldbevisuallycompatiblewiththenaturalscenicqualities.(SRE‐BeyondCorr‐1).

ProvideforNormalUsesofLandbutLimitOverheadUtilitiesandOutdoorAdvertisingStructures:Inbothdevelopedandundevelopedareas,outdooradvertisingstructures,utilityandcommunicationtowers,poles,andwiresshouldbelocatedonlywheretheywillnotdetractfromsignificantscenicviews.Allotherstructuresanduseoflandshouldbepermittedasspecifiedinthelocalzoningordinanceassupplementedbyspecialheightregulations.(SRE‐BeyondCorr‐2)

Lastly,theScenicRouteElementestablishesdevelopmentstandardsthatmayapplytotheprogramandtheGoldenHillsandPattersonPassProjects.

Alterationtonaturalorartificiallandcontoursshouldnotbepermittedwithoutagradingpermitissuedbythelocaljurisdictionasameansofpreservingandenhancingthenaturaltopographyandvegetationindevelopableareas.Massgradingshouldnotbepermitted.Thefollowingcriteriashouldbeappliedinthereviewofgradingpermitsindevelopableareas:

Asameansofpreservingnaturalridgeskylineswithinthecounty,nomajorridgelineshouldbealteredtotheextentthatanartificialridgelineresults.

Accessroadsshouldbelocatedanddesignedtokeepgradingtoaminimum.

Naturalgroundcontoursinslopeareasover10%shouldnotbealteredmorethan5%overall,exceptinsuchslopeareaswherelargestandsofmaturevegetation,scenicnaturalformationsornaturalwatercoursesexist,wheregradingshouldbelimitedsoastopreservethenaturalfeatures.

Anycontouralteredbygradingshouldberestoredbymeansoflandsculpturinginsuchamannerastominimizerun‐offanderosionproblems,andshouldbeplantedwithlowmaintenance,fireresistantplantmaterialsthatarecompatiblewiththeexistingenvironment.

Open Space Element

ThefollowingprinciplesfromtheOpenSpaceElementoftheGeneralPlan(OpenSpaceElement)mayapplytotheprogramandtheGoldenHillsandPattersonPassProjects.

IncludeNaturalRidgelinesandSlopeAreas:Naturalridgelines,andslopesinexcessoftwenty‐fivepercentingrade,shouldbeleftasopenspacetoeliminatemassgrading.

ConsolidateandLocateUtilityLinestoAvoidScenicAreas:Whereverfeasible,powerandpipeutilitylinesshouldbeconsolidatedtopreventfurtherseveranceofopenspacelands.Utilitylinesandaqueductsinopenspaceareasshouldbelocatedsoastoavoidareasofoutstandingbeauty.

NaturalResourceswithinOpenSpaceAreasShouldbePermanentlyProtected:Withinopenspaceareas,eitherpubliclyorprivatelyowned,removalofmaturetreesshouldnotbepermittedwithoutthepermissionofthelocalauthority.Alterationofstreambedsorbodiesofwaterandadjacentvegetationshouldbepermittedonlyasameansoferosion‐controlorfloodcontrol,aspermittedbytheadoptedplansofregionalorlocaljurisdictions,andinsuchamannerastoenhancewatercourses,scenicshorelines,andwetlandswithinthecounty.


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East County Area Plan

TheprogramareafallswithinAlamedaCountyECAP.ThefollowinggoalsandpoliciesoftheECAPmaybeapplicabletotheproposedprogramandprojects.GoalsintheECAPareintendedtobegeneralstatementsofaconditionAlamedaCountywantstoachieve,andtheassociatedpoliciesarethefocusedstatementsofhowtheCountywillachievethesegoals(AlamedaCounty2000).

Sensitive Viewsheds

Goal:Topreserveuniquevisualresourcesandprotectsensitiveviewsheds.

Policy105:TheCountyshallpreservethefollowingmajorvisually‐sensitiveridgelineslargelyinopenspaceuse:

1. TheridgelinesofPleasanton,Main,andSunolRidgeswestofPleasanton;

2. TheridgelinesofSchafer,Shell,Skyline,OakandDivideRidgeswestofDublinandtheridgelinesaboveDoolanCanyoneastofDublin;

3. TheridgelinesaboveCollierCanyonandVascoRoadandtheridgelinessurroundingBrushyPeaknorthofLivermore;

4. TheridgelinesabovethevineyardssouthofLivermore;

5. TheridgelinesaboveHappyValleysouthofPleasanton.

Policy106:Structuresmaynotbelocatedonridgelinesorhilltopsorwheretheywillprojectabovearidgelineorhilltopasviewedfrompublicroads,trails,parksandotherpublicviewpointsunlessthereisnoothersiteontheparcelforthestructureoronacontiguousparcelincommon ownershiponorsubsequenttothedatethisordinancebecomeseffective.Newparcelsmaynotbecreatedthathavenobuildingsiteotherthanaridgelineorhilltop,orthatwouldcauseastructuretoprotrudeabovearidgelineorhilltop,unlessthereisnootherpossibleconfiguration.

Policy107:TheCountyshallpermitnostructure(e.g.,housingunit,barn,orotherbuildingwithfourwalls)thatprojectsaboveavisually‐sensitivemajorridgeline.

Policy108:Totheextentpossible,includingbyclusteringifnecessary,structuresshallbelocatedonthatpartofaparceloroncontiguousparcelsincommonownershiponorsubsequenttothedatethisordinancebecomeseffective,wherethedevelopmentisleastvisibletopersonsonpublicroads,trails,parksandotherpublicviewpoints.Thispolicydoesnotapplytoagriculturalstructurestotheextentitisnecessaryforagriculturalpurposesthattheybelocatedinmorevisibleareas.

Policy113:TheCountyshallreviewdevelopmentproposedadjacenttoornearpublicparklandstoensurethatviewsfromparksandtrailsaremaintained.

Policy114:TheCountyshallrequiretheuseoflandscapinginbothruralandurbanareastoenhancethescenicqualityoftheareaandtoscreenundesirableviews.Choiceofplantsshouldbebasedoncompatibilitywithsurroundingvegetation,drought‐tolerance,andsuitabilitytositeconditions;andinruralareas,habitatvalueandfireretardance.

Policy115:Inallcasesappropriatebuildingmaterials,landscapingandscreeningshallberequiredtominimizethevisualimpactofdevelopment.Developmentshallblendwithandbesubordinatetotheenvironmentandcharacteroftheareawherelocated,soastobeasunobtrusiveaspossibleandnotdetractfromthenatural,openspaceorvisualqualitiesofthearea.Tothemaximumextentpracticable,allexteriorlightingmustbelocated,designedandshieldedsoastoconfinedirectraystotheparcelwherethelightingislocated.

Policy116:Tothemaximumextentpossible,developmentshallbelocatedanddesignedtoconformwithratherthanchangenaturallandforms.Thealterationofnaturaltopography,


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vegetation,andothercharacteristicsbygrading,excavating,fillingorotherdevelopmentactivityshallbeminimized.Totheextentfeasible,accessroadsshallbeconsolidatedandlocatedwheretheyareleastvisiblefrompublicviewpoints.

Policy117:TheCountyshallrequirethatwheregradingisnecessary,theoff‐sitevisibilityofcutandfillslopesanddrainageimprovementsisminimized.Gradedslopesshallbedesignedtosimulatenaturalcontoursandsupportvegetationtoblendwithsurroundingundisturbedslopes.

Policy118:TheCountyshallrequirethatgradingavoidareascontaininglargestandsofmature,healthyvegetation,scenicnaturalformations,ornaturalwatercourses.

Policy119:TheCountyshallrequirethataccessroadsbesitedanddesignedtominimizegrading.

Policy120:TheCountyshallrequirethatutilitylinesbeplacedundergroundwheneverfeasible.Whenlocatedaboveground,utilitylinesandsupportingstructuresshallbesitedtominimizetheirvisualimpact.

Windfarms

Goal:Tomaximizetheproductionofwindgeneratedenergy.

Policy169:TheCountyshallallowforcontinuedoperation,newdevelopment,redevelopment,andexpansionofexistingandplannedwindfarmfacilitieswithinthelimitsofenvironmentalconstraints.

Policy170:TheCountyshallprotectnearbyexistingusesfrompotentialtraffic,noise,dust,visual,andotherimpactsgeneratedbytheconstructionandoperationofwindfarmfacilities.

Streets and Highways

Goal:TocompleteCounty‐plannedstreetandhighwayimprovementswhichareattractivelydesignedtointegratepedestrianandvehicleuse.

Policy198:TheCountyshallallowreductionsinroadwayswidthsinareasofcomplextopography,sensitiveresources,orscenicvalue.

Scenic Highways

Goal:Topreserveandenhanceviewswithinsceniccorridors.

Policy215:TheCountyshallmanagedevelopmentandconservationoflandwithinEastCountyscenic highway corridors tomaintainandenhancescenicvalues.

Contra Costa County—Conditions of Approval

Windturbinestructuresshallbeofneutralnon‐reflectivecolors.ColorsshallbesubjecttoreviewandapprovalbytheZoningAdministrator.Thisincludesthebladesofthewindturbines.AlthoughtheprogramareaiscompletelywithinAlamedaCounty,itsnorthernboundarybordersContraCostaCounty.ContraCostaCountyconditionsofapprovalandordinancesrelatedtowindenergyconversionsystemsmaybeapplicabletothecumulativeanalysisbecausetheVascoWindsRepoweringProjectisnearthesouthernboundaryofContraCostaCounty.

Contra Costa County Code of Ordinances—Chapter 88‐3: Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS)

88‐3.618SiteAesthetics.(a)WECS(towersandblades)structuresandfencingshallbeofanon‐reflective,unobtrusivecolor.(b)AllWECS,buildings,andstructuresshallbesitedtominimizevisualimpacttoresidenceswithinonemile,adjacentroadways,andCountyscenicroutes.ThismayrequirerelocationofoneormoreproposedWECS.


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Environmental Setting

Regional Character

TheprogramareaisinanunincorporatedruralpartofAlamedaCounty,inthenortheasterncornerofthecountyadjacenttothewesternboundaryofSanJoaquinCountyandthesouthernboundaryofContraCostaCounty.

Thearea’stopographyischaracterizedbygrass‐covered,roundedhillsandsmoothcontours,withoccasionalsteepslopesandridges.Abroad,flatexpanseoftheSanJoaquinValleyliestothenortheastandeast,andtheDeltaliesnortheastofthesite.TheSanJoaquinValleyisdominatedbyagriculturallands.Theremainderofthesurroundingareaischaracterizedbygrass‐covered,roundedhillsandsmoothcontours,withoccasionalsteepslopesandridges,andmuchofthislandservesascattlegrazingland.

TheLosVaqueroswatershedliesnorthwestoftheprogramarea.ThecityofLivermorelieswestoftheprogramarea.Tothenorthandeastoftheprogramarea,respectively,arethecityofTracyandthecommunityofByron.Theareasouthoftheprogramareaislargelyundeveloped.

Ingeneral,theprogramareaismostlyundeveloped.However,agricultural,industrial,andruralresidentiallandusesarescatteredthroughouttheregion.Windturbinesandassociatedinfrastructure,suchassubstations,areadominantandestablishedindustrialvisualfeaturethroughoutmostoftheregion(Figures2‐3and3.1‐1).

Vicinity Character

Theprojectvicinityisdefinedastheareawithin0.5mileoftheprogramareaandiscomprisedoftheprogram,GoldenHillsProject,andPattersonPassProject.

Program Area

TheprogramareaisinthenortheasterncornerofAlamedaCountynexttoitsboundarieswithContraCostaCountytothenorthandSanJoaquinCountytotheeast(Figure1‐2).

Similartothegreaterregion,theprogramareaismostlycharacterizedbygrass‐covered,rollinghills,withroadcutstoaccommodateruralroadsandI‐580.Stringsofturbines,powerlines,transformers,accessroads,andsubstationsarethemostvisuallydistinctartificialfeaturesthroughoutmosttheprogramarea.Whileportionsoftheprogramareaarenotdevelopedwithturbines,asnotedintheProjectDescription,asofOctober2011,therewereapproximately3,490windturbinesof11differenttypesintheAPWRAacrossbothAlamedaandContraCostaCounties(AppendixA).TheseincludetheturbinesassociatedwiththeGoldenHillsandPattersonPassProjectsites.Theprogramareaisdottedwithindustrialsites,residences,andstockponds,includingafewclustersofsmallerruralresidentialpropertiesonDyerRoad,MidwayRoad,andMountainHouseRoad.

TheprogramareanorthofI‐580isprimarilycomposedofrollingterrainthattransitionstoflatteragriculturallandsjustoutsideofthenortheasternprogramareaboundary.TheCaliforniaAqueduct,CaliforniaAqueductBikeway,BethanyReservoirStateRecreationArea(BethanyReservoir),AltamontandVascoRoadLandfills,SummitSchool,MountainHouseBar,MountainHouseSchool,andaseriesofmulti‐useregionaltrailsconnectingBrushyPeakRegionalPreservetoDelValleRegionalPark,SanJoaquinCountybordertoShadowCliffsRegionalRecreationArea,BrushyPeak


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RegionalPreservetoBethanyReservoir,andVascoCavesRegionalPreservetoBrushyPeakRegionalPreserveareinthenorthernprogramarea(Figure3.1‐2)(EastBayRegionalParkDistrict2007).Therearealsoacoupleofindustrialsitesandrailroadtracksinthisareaaswell.

TheprogramareasouthofI‐580ismoresparselypopulatedandhasfewerindustrialusesthanthenorthernprogramarea.Theterraintransitionsfromrolling,grassyhillstomorerugged,steeperreliefwithmoretreestothesouth.ThepotentialfutureTeslaRegionalPreserveandCarnegieStateVehicularRecreationAreaareinthesouthernprogramarea(Figure3.1‐2).TheMidwaySubstationisanothervisuallyprominentfeatureinthissectionoftheprogramarea(Figure2‐10).

TherollingterrainandpresenceofturbinescreatesauniquevisualexperienceforviewersonscenicroutesshowninFigure3.1‐2andfromnon‐designatedroadwaysintheprogramarea.Viewsvary,seasonally,whenthegrassesonthehillsideschangefromgreentobrown.

Golden Hills Project

ThevisualcharacteroftheGoldenHillsprojectareaissimilartothatoftheprogramarea.ThecharacteroftheGoldenHillsprojectarea(Figure3.1‐2)isdiscussedfromnorthtosouth.

Thenorthernmostportionoftheprojectarea,justsouthofI‐580,ischaracterizedbyrolling,grassyterrainwithturbines,transmissionlines,andaccessroads.Inadditiontotheturbines,thisareaisdottedwithindustrialfacilities,residences,andstockponds.TheareaisalsocharacterizedbysteepcutsinthehillsthroughouttoaccommodateJessRanchRoad,FlynnRoad,andtherailroadtracks.TheSanJoaquinCountytoShadowCliffsRegionalRecreationArearegionaltrailfollowsaportionofthenorthernprojectareaboundary(EastBayRegionalParkDistrict2007).Therearefourscenicroutesintheprojectareavicinity:I‐580isbothastate‐andCounty‐designatedscenicroute,andAltamontPassRoad,FlynnRoad,andPattersonPassRoadareCounty‐designatedscenicroutes(Figure3.1‐2)(AlamedaCounty1966).GrantLineRoadismorethanamilenortheastoftheclosestprojectboundary,whileMountainHouseRoadismorethan2milesnortheastoftheclosestprojectboundary,andneitherhaveviewsoftheprojectareaduetointerveningtopography.Inaddition,theproposedRoute239freeway(aproposedAlamedaCounty‐designatedscenicroute)wouldbeleast2milesnortheastoftheclosestprojectboundary(TriLink2014).TheproposedRoute239freewayisnotshownonFigure3.1‐2becausethefinalroutehasnotbeenchosen.However,itisanticipatedthatthisroute,whichwouldbenearGrantLineandMountainHouseRoads,wouldsimilarlynothaveviewsoftheprojectareaduetointerveningtopography.

FlynnRoadcrossesthesouthernmostportionoftheprojectareafromwesttoeastwherenoturbinesarecurrentlypresent.Viewsconsistmostlyofrollinggrass‐coveredhills.However,stringsofturbinesinthevicinityofthisundevelopedareaarestillthemostprominentartificialfeaturesinviewsfromthissectionofroad.PattersonPassRoad,anAlamedaCounty–designatedscenicroute,runsgenerallysouthoftheprojectarea,skirtingitseasterntip(Figure3.1‐2)(AlamedaCounty1966).ViewsoftheprojectareaareavailablefromLivermore,I‐580,FlynnRoad,JessRanchRoad,easternPattersonPassRoadbetweenitsintersectionwiththerailroadtracksandtheSanJoaquinCountyline,andvariousresidential(Figure1‐2)andindustrialuses.HillsblockviewsoftheprojectareafromAltamontPassRoad.Becausetheexistingturbinesarelocatedonhill‐andridgetops,theyarevisiblefromtheselanduses.RefertoFigure3.1‐1forarepresentativeviewfromI‐580.

TheGoldenHillsprojectareadisplaysamoderatelevelofvividness,intactness,andunity.Therollinghillsarevisuallypleasingincontrasttotheflatvalleyfloor.Theturbinesmaybeperceivedasaddingtothevisualuniquenessofviewsbecauseoftheformandmotionassociatedwiththe


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turbines.However,theycanalsobeperceivedasanegativevisualfeatureduetothescaleandnumberofturbinesthatpopulatetherollinghillsidesandcanbeseenasjuttingoutofthetopsofthesmooth,grass‐covered,rollinghills,detractingfrom,encroachingon,andbreakingupviewsofthesenaturalfeatures.Utilitylinesandpylontowersintheprogramareamayacttodetractfromtheintactnessandunity,butvaryinprominencefromplacetoplace.Therefore,theoverallvisualqualityoftheGoldenHillsprojectareaismoderate.

Patterson Pass Project

Liketheprogramarea,thePattersonPassProjectvicinityischaracterizedbygrassy,rollinghillswithstringsofturbines,transmissionlines,substations,andaccessroads.Therearecurrently317operationalturbinesonthePattersonPassProjectsite.Inadditiontotheturbines,therearetwoindustrialsites,astream,andfourstockpondsinthePattersonPassProjectvicinity.

Therearenostate‐designatedscenichighwaysinthePattersonPassProjectvicinity.PattersonPassRoad,alongthesouthernborderofthesite,isanAlamedaCounty–designatedscenicroute(Figure3.1‐2)(AlamedaCounty1966).

ViewsofthisprojectsiteareavailablefromPattersonPassRoadlookingnorthandfromJessRanchRoadlookingsouth.Therearealsoacoupleofresidencesneartheprojectarea;however,theclosestisatleast2,200feetfromthenearestproposedturbinelocation.Thedominantfeaturesvisiblefromtheseroadsaretheexistingturbinestringscoveringtheprojectarea.

LiketheGoldenHillsprojectarea,thePattersonPassprojectareadisplaysamoderatelevelofvividness,intactness,andunity.Therollinghillsarevisuallypleasingincontrasttotheflatvalleyfloor.Theturbinesmaybeperceivedasaddingtothevisualuniquenessofviewsbecauseoftheformandmotionassociatedwiththeturbines.However,theycanalsobeperceivedasanegativevisualfeatureduetothescaleandnumberofturbinesthatpopulatetherollinghillsidesandcanbeseenasjuttingoutofthetopsofthesmooth,grass‐covered,rollinghillsthatdetractfrom,encroachon,andbreakupviewsofthesenaturalfeatures.Utilitylinesandpylontowersintheprogramareamaydetractfromtheintactnessandunity,buttovaryingdegrees,dependingonlocation.Therefore,theoverallvisualqualityofthePattersonPassProjectismoderate.

Existing Viewer Groups and Viewer Responses

Thefollowingdiscussionofexistingviewergroupsandviewerresponsesisapplicabletotheprogram,GoldenHillsProject,andPattersonPassProject.

Residents

Residencesarescatteredthroughouttheprogramarea.Theseresidencestendtobemostlysingle‐family,ruralhomesonlargelandparcels.Theviewsofmostresidentsintheprogramareaconsistofsmooth,grass‐covered,rollinghillsandturbinestringscharacteristicoftheprogramarea.Residentswouldbeexpectedtohavethehighestsensitivitytovisualchangesintheprojectareasbecauseoftheirfamiliaritywiththeview,theirinvestmentinthearea,andtheirsenseofownershipoftheview.Residentswhooccupyparcelsleasedforwindgenerationfacilitieswouldbeexpectedtohavethelowestlevelofsensitivitytochangebecausetheselandownershaveagreedtoleasethesiteforwindenergygenerationpurposesandwouldthereforebemoreacceptingofrelatedvisualchanges.


Aesthetics



Businesses

Thereareafewbusinesses/industrialusesscatteredthroughouttheprogramarea.However,almostallbusinessandindustrialusesarelocatednorthofI‐580.Businessesintheprogramareaaremostlyagriculture‐related.Thereisanoff‐roadspecialtystoreandtheAltamontLandfilloffofAltamontPassRoad,theVascoRoadLandfilloffofVascoRoad,theMountainHouseBaroffofGrantLineRoad,andaconstructioncompanyoffofDyerRoad.Almostallbusinessesintheprogramareahaveturbinesintheirviewshed,andtheirviewsconsistofsmooth,grass‐covered,rollinghillsandturbinestringscharacteristicoftheprogramarea.Employeesatnearbybusinesseswouldbeengagedinwork‐relatedactivitiesandwouldbeexpectedtobelesssensitivetovisualchangesthannearbyresidents.Therefore,businessesareconsideredtohavelowvisualsensitivity.

Roadway Users

Motoristsuseroadwaysintheprogramandprojectareasandmayusetheroadwaysforcommutingandhaulingorformorerecreationaluses,suchassightseeingonscenicroadways.Roadwaystraversingtheprojectrangefromhigh‐speedinterstatetolower‐speed,two‐lanelocalroadwaysthatwindthroughtherollinglandscape.Motorists’viewsrangefromsmooth,grass‐covered,rollinghillsdominatedwithturbinestringstosteepridgesandravineswithnoartificialstructures.Whilemorenumerousthanresidents,motoristswouldgenerallybelesssensitivetovisualchangesintheprogramareabecauseoftheshorterdurationoftheirexposuretotheviewsandthefocusoftheirattentionondrivingactivities.Therefore,motoristsareconsideredtohavemoderatevisualsensitivity.

Recreationists

Recreationistsincludecyclistsonregionaltrailsandlocalroadwaysandusersofrecreationalandpreserveareas.Viewersusingrecreationtrails,recreationareas,andregionalpreservesareconsideredtohavehighvisualsensitivitybecauserecreationiststendtohighlyvalueviewsindesignatedrecreationareasandcouldbeexposedtotheseviewsforextendedperiods(e.g.,hikingalongregionaltrailsorspendingthedayatBethanyReservoir).

3.1.3 Environmental Impacts

Methods for Analysis

Usingtheconceptsandterminologydescribedatthebeginningofthissection,andcriteriafordeterminingsignificancedescribedbelow,analysisofthevisualeffectsoftheprojectarebasedonthefollowing.

DirectfieldobservationonJune5,2013fromvantagepoints,includingneighboringpropertiesandroadways.

Photographicdocumentationofkeyviewsofandfromtheprojectsites.

Evaluationoftheregionalvisualcontext.

Visualsimulations.

Reviewoftheprojectinregardtocompliancewithstateandlocalordinancesandregulationsandlocalgeneralplanpolicies.

Professionalstandardspertainingtovisualquality.


Aesthetics



Determination of Significance

InaccordancewithAppendixGoftheStateCEQAGuidelines,theprogramAlternative1,programAlternative2,theGoldenHillsproject,orthePattersonPassprojectwouldbeconsideredtohaveasignificanteffectifitwouldresultinanyoftheconditionslistedbelow.

Haveasubstantialadverseeffectonascenicvista.

Substantiallydamagescenicresources,includingbutnotlimitedtotrees,rockoutcroppings,andhistoricbuildingsalongascenichighway.

Substantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityofthesiteanditssurroundings.

Createanewsourceofsubstantiallightorglarethatwouldadverselyaffectdaytimeornighttimeviewsinthearea.

Impacts and Mitigation Measures

Thissectiondescribesthepotentialimpactsrelatedtoaestheticsthatcouldresultfromimplementationoftheproposedprogramandprojects.Theanalysisbeginswithrelativelyshort‐termeffectsanticipatedduringconstructionandproceedstoconsiderationofthelongertermvisualimpacts.

ImpactAES‐1a‐1:Temporaryvisualimpactscausedbyconstructionactivities—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

ConstructionassociatedwithAlternative1wouldcreatetemporarychangesinviewsofandfromtheprogramarea.Constructionisexpectedtolast8–12months,andconstructionactivitieswouldcreateviewsofheavyequipmentandassociatedvehicles(seeSection2.6.3,RepoweringActivities),intotheviewshedofresidents,businesses,recreationareas,state‐designatedscenichighways(I‐580),andAlamedaCounty–designatedscenicroutes.Constructionwouldalsorequirecranepads,laydownareasforoffloadingturbinecomponents,andthreetoeightconcretebatchplants.RefertotheVicinityCharacterdiscussionaboveforadetaileddescriptionoftheselandusesintheprogramarea.

Motoristsalongstate‐designatedscenichighwaysandCounty‐designatedscenicroutes,nearbyresidences,recreationistsusingtherecreationareasandtrails,andemployeesofnearbybusinesseswouldbetheprincipalviewergroups.Whilemotoristsintheareawouldbemoderatelysensitivetochangesinviews,theyhaveintermittentandshort‐termvisualaccesstotheprogramareaastheyarepassingby,sotheywouldnotbenegativelyaffectedbytemporaryconstructionactivities.Residentsareconsideredhighlysensitiveviewersandcouldbeadverselyaffectedbyconstructionactivitiesbecausetheywouldhaveprolongedviewsofconstructionactivitiesandarenotaccustomedtoconstructionactivitiesinthearea.RecreationistsarealsoconsideredhighlysensitivetoviewsofconstructionactivitybecausetheycouldhaveprolongedviewswhenusingregionaltrailsorspendingthedayatBethanyReservoir,theyvaluetheviewsfromtheserecreationareas,andtheywouldnotbeaccustomedtoconstructionactivitiesinthearea.Employeesofbusinesseswouldnotbegreatlyaffectedbyconstructionactivitiesbecausetheywouldbemostlyfocusedontheirworkratherthanconstructionactivities.

Inaddition,high‐voltagelightingusedfornighttimeconstructionwouldnegativelyaffectnighttimeviewsofandfromtheworkareaandcouldbeanuisancetonearbyresidents,whoareconsideredtohavehighvisualsensitivity.Constructionisassumedtooperateforapproximately10hoursperday.


Aesthetics



AlamedaCountyNoiseOrdinance,Section6.60.070,limitsnoisesourcesassociatedwithconstructiontooccurbetween7a.m.and7p.m.MondaythroughFridayandbetween8a.m.and5p.m.onSaturdayandSunday.Thiswouldensurethatmostconstructionwouldnotoccurpastthesehours.Duringsummer,theordinancewillensurethatnighttimelightingisnotneededbecausethesunwillrisearound6a.m.andsetaround8:30p.m.However,duringwinter,thesunwillrisearound7a.m.andsetaround5p.m.(SunriseSunset2013).Consequently,ifconstructionoccursaftersunset,whichvariesbyseason,high‐poweredlightingwouldberequiredforconstructionoperations.Thepresenceofthislightingduringconstructionwouldadverselyaffectnearbyresidentsifhigh‐poweredlightingspillsinsidetheirhomesoryards;roadwaytravelerspassingbyconstructionworkareasnearroadwaysintheprogramareaduringdawnandduskwouldhavesimilarexperiences.High‐poweredlightingcouldalsoadverselyaffectsviewsofsunsetsandnighttimeconstellationsforviewersintheprogramareaduringtheconstructionmonths.

Constructionimpactswouldbetemporaryandshort‐term,anddecommissioningandconstructionactivitieswouldoccurinamannerconsistentwithAlamedaCountyrequirementsforworkdaysandhours.However,thehighlysensitiveviewersintheprogramarea(residentsandrecreationists)couldperceivetheseimpactsassignificant.Therefore,constructionimpactswouldbepotentiallysignificantonatemporarybasis.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureAES‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

MitigationMeasureAES‐1:Limitconstructiontodaylighthours

Majorconstructionactivitieswillnotbeundertakenbetweensunsetandsunriseoronweekends.Constructionactivityisspecificallyprohibitedfromusinghigh‐wattagelightingsourcestoilluminateworksitesaftersunsetandbeforesunrise,withtheexceptionofnighttimedeliveriesundertheapprovedtransportationcontrolplanorotherconstructionactivitiesthatrequirenighttimeworkforsafetyconsiderations.

ImpactAES‐1a‐2:Temporaryvisualimpactscausedbyconstructionactivities—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

ImpactsassociatedwithAlternative2wouldbesimilartothoseofAlternative1.UnderAlternative2,21moreturbinescouldbeinstalled,resultinginaslightlygreateramountofconstructionactivity.However,constructionoftheadditionalturbineswouldoccurincloseproximitytotheturbinesproposedunderAlternative1andwouldnotresultinperceivabledifferencesinconstructionbetweenthetwoalternatives.

ConstructionassociatedwithAlternative2wouldcreatetemporarychangesinviewsofandfromtheprogramarea.Constructionisexpectedtolast8–12months,andconstructionactivitieswouldcreateviewsofheavyequipmentandassociatedvehicles(seeSection2.6.3,RepoweringActivities),intotheviewshedofresidents,businesses,recreationareas,state‐designatedscenichighways(I‐580),andAlamedaCounty–designatedscenicroutes.RefertotheVicinityCharacterdiscussionaboveforadetaileddescriptionoftheselandusesintheprogramarea.Inaddition,high‐voltagelightingusedfornighttimeconstructionwouldnegativelyaffectnighttimeviewsofandfromtheworkareaandcouldbeanuisancetonearbyresidents,whoareconsideredtohavehighvisualsensitivity.Constructionisassumedtooperateforapproximately10hoursperday.AlamedaCountyNoiseOrdinance,Section6.60.070,limitsnoisesourcesassociatedwithconstructiontooccurbetween7a.m.and7p.m.MondaythroughFridayandbetween8a.m.and5p.m.onSaturdayandSunday.Thiswouldensurethatmostconstructionwouldnotoccurpastthesehours.During


Aesthetics



summer,theordinancewillensurethatnighttimelightingisnotneededbecausethesunwillrisearound6a.m.andsetaround8:30p.m.However,duringwinter,thesunwillrisearound7a.m.andsetaround5p.m.(SunriseSunset2013).Consequently,ifconstructionoccursaftersunset,whichvariesbyseason,high‐poweredlightingwouldberequiredforconstructionoperations.Thepresenceofthislightingduringconstructionwouldadverselyaffectnearbyresidentsifhigh‐poweredlightingspillsinsidetheirhomesoryards;roadwaytravelerspassingbyconstructionworkareasnearroadwaysintheprogramareaduringdawnandduskwouldhavesimilarexperiences.High‐poweredlightingcouldalsoadverselyaffectsviewsofsunsetsandnighttimeconstellationsforviewersintheprogramareaduringtheconstructionmonths.

MotoristsalongStatescenichighwaysandCounty‐designatedscenicroutes,nearbyresidences,recreationistsusingtherecreationareasandtrails,andemployeesofnearbybusinesseswouldbetheprincipalviewergroups.Whilemotoristsintheareawouldbemoderatelysensitivetochangesinviews,theyhaveintermittentandshort‐termvisualaccesstotheprogramareaastheyarepassingby,sotheywouldnotbenegativelyaffectedbytemporaryconstructionactivities.Residentsareconsideredhighlysensitiveviewersandcouldbeadverselyaffectedbyconstructionactivitiesbecausetheywouldhaveprolongedviewsofconstructionactivitiesandarenotaccustomedtoconstructionactivitiesinthearea.RecreationistsarealsoconsideredhighlysensitivetoviewsofconstructionactivitybecausetheycouldhaveprolongedviewswhenusingregionaltrailsorspendingthedayattheBethanyReservoir,andtheyvaluetheviewsfromtheserecreationareasandwouldnotbeaccustomedtoconstructionactivitiesinthearea.Employeesofbusinesseswouldnotbegreatlyaffectedbyconstructionactivitiesbecausetheywouldbemostlyfocusedontheirwork,ratherthanconstructionactivities.

Constructionimpactswouldbetemporaryandshort‐term,anddecommissioningandconstructionactivitieswouldoccurinamannerconsistentwithAlamedaCountyrequirementsforworkdaysandhours.However,thehighlysensitiveviewersintheprogramarea(residentsandrecreationists)couldperceivetheseimpactsassignificant.

Therefore,constructionimpactswouldbepotentiallysignificantonatemporarybasis.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureAES‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.


ImpactAES‐1b:Temporaryvisualimpactscausedbyconstructionactivities—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

ConstructionoftheGoldenHillsProjectisexpectedtolastapproximately9months.Refertothediscussionoftheprogramalternatives(ImpactsAES‐1a‐1andAES‐1a‐2)forageneraldescriptionofvisualimpactsofconstructionactivities.TemporaryconstructionimpactsfortheGoldenHillsProjectwouldbesimilar,andhighlysensitiveviewersintheGoldenHillsProjectarea(residentsandrecreationists)couldbeadverselyaffectedbyconstructionactivities.Thisimpactwouldbepotentiallysignificant.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureAES‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.



Aesthetics



ImpactAES‐1c:Temporaryvisualimpactscausedbyconstructionactivities—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

ConstructionofthePattersonPassProjectisexpectedtolastapproximately6–9months.Refertothediscussionfortheprogramalternatives(ImpactsAES‐1a‐1andAES‐1a‐2)forageneraldescriptionofvisualimpactsofconstructionactivities.TemporaryconstructionimpactsforthePattersonPassProjectwouldbesimilar,andhighlysensitiveviewersinthePattersonPassProjectarea(residentsandrecreationists)couldbeadverselyaffectedbyconstructionactivities.Thisimpactwouldbepotentiallysignificant.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureAES‐1wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.


ImpactAES‐2a‐1:Haveasubstantialadverseeffectonascenicvista—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

AsdiscussedintheRegulatorySetting,Policy105oftheECAPliststheridgelinesaboveVascoRoadandtheridgelinessurroundingBrushyPeaknorthofLivermoreassensitiveviewsheds.Policy105alsostatesthattheCountyshallpreservethesevisuallysensitiveridgelineslargelyinopenspaceuse.SincetheprojectareasurroundsBrushyPeak,andVascoRoadpassesthroughthenorthwesternboundaryoftheprojectarea(Figure3.1‐2),thereispotentialforturbinestobeinstalledintheseareas.However,underPolicy105theCountywouldbeobligatedtodisallownewturbinestructuresfrombeinglocatedintheseareas(seeRegulatorySettingsection).TheinstallationofnewturbinesinsuchareaswouldconflictwithPolicy105andwouldconstituteasignificantimpactonscenicroutesidentifiedintheScenicRouteElement.

Anumberofscenicvistasareavailablefromlocalroadways,outandovertheprogramarea.Inaddition,scenicvistasexistfromlocalrecreationaltrailsandresidencesandbusinessesonhillsidesintheprogramarea.Theseareasconsistofwideopenviewsoftherolling,grass‐covered,rurallandscapedottedwithexistingturbines.Thehubheightoffirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesrangesfrom18to55meters(approximately59to180feet)andthird‐generationrangefrom41to68meters(approximately134to223feet).Theproposedfourth‐generationtowersinstalledunderAlternative1wouldbe80–96meters(262–315feet)tall.Therefore,theproposedfourth‐generationtowerswouldbe28–62meters(92–203feet)tallerthantheexistingturbines.Viewsoftheproposedturbinesmaybemoreorlessprevalentdependingonaviewer’slocationwithinthelandscapeandiftheviewerhasmoredirectviewsoftheturbinesorviewsthatarepartiallyorfullyscreenedbytopography.

Althoughthenew,moreefficientturbinesarelargerthantheexistingturbines,thenewwidelyspacedconfigurationdetractslessfromthenaturallandscapethantheexistingstringconfiguration.Figures3.1‐3to3.1‐7showexistingviewsoftheprogramareaandsimulatedviewswithbuildoutoftheprogramunderbothalternatives.Theimagesarepresentedfromnorthtosouth;Figures3.1‐6and3.1‐7areexamplesofascenicvistaintheprogramarea.Thenew,less‐clutteredconfigurationallowsforviewsoftherolling,grassyterraintobecomemoreprominent,back‐droppedagainstthesky,andlessinterruptedbyanthropogenicfeatures.Whilethelargerturbineswoulddrawviewers’attentiontowardthem,theeyeisalsoabletofollowtheridgelineofthehillsinamorecohesivemannerthanexistingconditions.Withexistingconditions,theeyeisdrawntoandfocusedonthenumerousturbinesthatcluttertheviewbystickingupandacrossthehillsidesandridgelines.


Aesthetics



Placementofnewturbinesonundevelopedportionsoftheprogramareawouldintroducelargestructureswherenonepresentlyexist,alteringtheundevelopedcharacteroftheseparcels.

TherearealsoscenicvistasfromTeslaRoad,whichisanAlamedaCounty–designatedscenicroutenearthesouthernboundaryoftheprogramareawherenoturbinescurrentlyexist.Theseviewsconsistofgrass‐covered,rollinghillsdottedwithoaktrees;steeperridges;andcrevassesandaremostlyfreefromencroachmentofartificialfeatures,exceptfortheoccasionalresidence.Installingturbinesinthesescenicvistaareaswouldconstituteasignificantimpactonviewsfromlocalroadways(includingTeslaRoad),recreationaltrails,andresidencesandbusinesseslocatedonhillsides.Policies170and215oftheEastCountyAreaPlanrequiretheCounty,respectively,toprotectnearbyexistingusesfromthevisualimpacts(amongothereffects)ofwindfarms’constructionandoperation,andtomaintainandenhancescenicvaluesintheseareasthroughreviewofdevelopmentanduseofconservationpolicies(seeRegulatorySetting).Becauseitisanareawherenoturbinescurrentlyexist,theconflictwithPolicies170and215andthevisualimpactitselfwouldbesignificant.Forthoseareaswithexistingolderturbines,thereplacementofthemanyexistingsmallerandolderturbineswithproportionallyfarfewerandlessintrusivefourth‐generationturbineswouldservePolicies170and215oftheEastCountyAreaPlan,andservetoprotectandenhancescenicvalues.

Therefore,thisimpactwouldbepotentiallysignificant.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2athroughAES‐2cwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.

MitigationMeasureAES‐2a:Requiresitedevelopmentreview

Newturbinesalongridgelinesorhilltopsthathavenotpreviouslybeendevelopedwithcommercial‐scalewindturbineswillnotbeallowed,unlessaseparateSiteDevelopmentReviewiscompletedthatdeterminesthatthevisualeffectswillbesubstantiallyavoidedbydistancefrompublicviewpoints(e.g.,morethan2,000feet),interveningterrain,screeninglandscaping,orcompensatoryimprovementstoequivalentandnearby(radiusof1mile)scenicfeatures,asapprovedbythePlanningDirector.

MitigationMeasureAES‐2b:Maintainsitefreeofdebrisandrestoreabandonedroadways

Projectsiteswillbecleanedofallderelictequipment,windturbinecomponentsnotrequiredfortheproject,andlitteranddebrisfromoldturbinesandpastturbineoperations.Suchlitteranddebrismayincludederelictturbines,obsoleteanemometers,unusedelectricalpoles,andbrokenturbineblades.Inaddition,abandonedroadsthatarenolongerinuseonsuchparcelswillberestoredandhydroseededtoreclaimthesitesandremovetheirvisualtracesfromtheviewscape,exceptincaseswheretheresourceagencies(USFWSandCDFW)recommendthatthefeaturesbeleftinplaceforresourceprotection.Allparcelswithnewturbineswillbemaintainedinsuchamannerthroughthelifeofprojectoperationsanduntiltheparcelsarereclaimedinaccordancewiththeapprovedreclamationplan.

MitigationMeasureAES‐2c:Screensurpluspartsandmaterials

Surpluspartsandmaterialsthatarekeptonsitewillbemaintainedinaneatandorderlyfashionandscreenedfromview.Thiscanbeaccomplishedbyusingaweatherproofcamouflagematerialthatcanbedrapedoversurpluspartsandmaterialsstockpiles.Drapingmaterialswillbechangedouttoaccommodateforseasonalvariationssothatsurplusmaterialsarecamouflagedinaneffectivemannerwhengrassesarebothgreenandbrown.


Aesthetics



ImpactAES‐2a‐2:Haveasubstantialadverseeffectonascenicvista—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

AsdiscussedintheRegulatorySetting,Policy105oftheECAPliststheridgelinesaboveVascoRoadandtheridgelinessurroundingBrushyPeaknorthofLivermoreassensitiveviewsheds.Policy105alsostatesthattheCountyshallpreservethesevisually‐sensitiveridgelineslargelyinopenspaceuse.SincetheprojectareasurroundsBrushyPeak,andVascoRoadpassesthroughthenorthwesternboundaryoftheprojectarea(Figure3.1‐2),thereispotentialforturbinestobeinstalledintheseareas.However,underPolicy105theCountywouldbeobligatedtodisallownewturbinestructuresfrombeinglocatedintheseareas(seeRegulatorySettingsection).

Anumberofscenicvistasareavailablefromlocalroadways,outandovertheprogramarea.Inaddition,scenicvistasexistfromlocalrecreationaltrailsandresidentsandbusinesseslocatedonhillsideswithintheprogramarea.Theseareasconsistofwideopenviewsoftherolling,grass‐covered,rurallandscapedottedwithexistingturbines.Thehubheightoffirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesrangesfrom18to55meters(approximately59to180feet)andthird‐generationrangefrom41–68meters(approximately134–223feet).Theproposedfourth‐generationtowersinstalledunderAlternative1wouldbe80–96meters(262–315feet)tall.Therefore,theproposedfourth‐generationtowerswouldbe28–62meters(92–203feet)tallerthantheexistingturbineslocatedonsite.Viewsoftheproposedturbinesmaybemoreorlessprevalentdependingonaviewer’slocationwithinthelandscapeandiftheviewerhasmoredirectviewsoftheturbinesorviewsthatarepartiallyorfullyscreenedbytopography.

Althoughthenew,moreefficientturbinesarelargerthantheexistingturbines,thenewwidelyspacedconfigurationdetractslessfromthenaturallandscapethantheexistingstringconfiguration.Figures3.1‐3to3.1‐7showexistingviewsoftheprogramareaandsimulatedviewswithbuildoutoftheprogramAlternative2.Theimagesarepresentedfromnorthtosouth,andtheexistingviewshowninFigures3.1‐6and3.1‐7showexamplesofscenicvistasintheprogramarea.Twenty‐oneadditionalturbineswouldbebuiltunderAlternative2.Asseeninthesimulationforthisalternative,onlythetopsoftheturbinesandturbinebladesofthesenewturbineswouldbevisible,giventhehillyterrainthatactstoobscuretherestoftheturbinebodyfromview.TheadditionalturbinesassociatedwithAlternative2arebarelynoticeableandwouldresultinvisualchangesthatareimperceptiblecomparedwithAlternative1.LikeAlternative1,thenew,less‐clutteredconfigurationofAlternative2allowsforviewsoftherolling,grassyterraintobecomemoreprominent,back‐droppedagainstthesky,andlessinterruptedbyanthropogenicfeatures.Whilethelargerturbineswoulddrawviewers’attentiontowardthem,theeyeisalsoabletofollowtheridgelineofthehillsinamorecohesivemannerthanexistingconditions.Withexistingconditions,theeyeisdrawntoandfocusedonthenumerousturbinesthatcluttertheviewbystickingupandacrossthehillsidesandridgelines.

TherearealsoscenicvistasfromTeslaRoad,whichisanAlamedaCounty–designatedscenicroutenearthesouthernboundaryoftheprogramareawherenoturbinescurrentlyexist.Theseviewsconsistofgrass‐covered,rollinghillsdottedwithoaktrees;steeperridges;andcrevassesandaremostlyfreefromencroachmentofartificialfeatures,exceptfortheoccasionalresidence.Installingturbinesinthesescenicvistaareaswouldbeasignificantimpactonviewsfromlocalroadways(includingTeslaRoad),recreationaltrails,andresidencesandbusinesseslocatedonhillsides.Policies170and215oftheECAPrequiretheCounty,respectively,toprotectnearbyexistingusesfromthevisualimpacts(amongothereffects)ofwindfarms’constructionandoperation,andtomaintainandenhancescenicvaluesintheseareasthroughreviewofdevelopmentanduseof


Aesthetics



conservationpolicies(seeRegulatorySettingsection).Becauseitisanareawherenoturbinescurrentlyexist,theconflictwithPolicies170and215andthevisualimpactitselfwouldbesignificant.Forthoseareaswithexistingolderturbines,thereplacementofthemanyexistingsmallerandolderturbineswithproportionallyfarfewerandlessintrusivefourth‐generationturbineswouldservePolicies170and215oftheEastCountyAreaPlan,andservetoprotectandenhancescenicvalues.

Therefore,thisimpactwouldbepotentiallysignificant.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2a,2b,and2cwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.




ImpactAES‐2b:Haveasubstantialadverseeffectonascenicvista—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificant)

TherearenodesignatedscenicvistasintheGoldenHillProjectarea.However,thereareanumberofscenicvistasavailablefromlocalroadwaysintheGoldenHillsProjectarea,suchasPattersonPassRoad(Figure3.1‐6),AltamontPassRoad(Figure3.1‐7),FlynnRoad,andI‐580,outandovertheprojectsite.Inaddition,scenicvistasexistfromlocalrecreationaltrailsand,potentially,fromnearbyresidencesandbusinesseslocatedonhillsidescouldhavevistaviewsthatincludetheGoldenHillsProjectsite.Theseareasconsistofwideopenviewsoftherolling,grass‐covered,rurallandscapedottedwithexistingturbines.Thehubheightsoffirst‐andsecond‐generationturbinesintheprojectarearangefrom18to55meters(approximately59to180feet).Theproposedfourth‐generationtowersinstalledwouldbe80–96meters(262–315feet)tall.Therefore,theproposedfourth‐generationtowerswouldbe41–62meters(135–203feet)tallerthantheexistingturbines.Viewsoftheproposedturbinesmaybemoreorlessprevalentdependingonaviewer’slocationwithinthelandscapeandwhethertheviewerhasmoredirectviewsoftheturbinesorviewsthatarepartiallyorfullyscreenedbytopography.

Althoughthenew,moreefficientturbinesarelargerthantheexistingturbines,thenewwidelyspacedconfigurationdetractslessfromthenaturallandscapethantheexistingstringconfiguration(Figures3.1‐3to3.1‐7).Thenew,less‐clutteredconfigurationallowsforviewsoftherolling,grassyterraintobecomemoreprominent,back‐droppedagainstthesky,andlessinterruptedbyanthropogenicfeatures.Whilethelargerturbineswoulddrawviewers’attentiontowardthem,theeyeisalsoabletofollowtheridgelineofthehillsinamorecohesivemannerthanexistingconditions.Withexistingconditions,theeyeisdrawntoandfocusedonthenumerousturbinesthatcluttertheviewbystickingupandacrossthehillsidesandridgelines.

Becausethenewturbineswoulddetractlessfromthenaturallandscapethantheexistingstringconfiguration,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.WithrespecttoPolicies170and215oftheECAP,thereplacementofthemanyexistingsmallerandolderturbineswithproportionallyfarfewerfourth‐generationturbineswithbroaderspacingwouldservethesepoliciesandhelptoprotectandenhancescenicvalues.


Aesthetics



ImpactAES‐2c:Haveasubstantialadverseeffectonascenicvista—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)

TherearenodesignatedscenicvistasinthePattersonPassProjectarea.However,thereareanumberofscenicvistasavailablefromlocalroadwaysinthePattersonPassProjectarea,suchasthosefromPattersonPassRoad(Figure3.1‐6),outandovertheprojectsite.Inaddition,scenicvistasexistfromlocalrecreationaltrailsand,potentially,fromnearbyresidencesandbusinesseslocatedonhillsidescouldhavevistaviewsthatincludethePattersonPassProjectsite.Theseareasconsistofwideopenviewsoftherolling,grass‐covered,rurallandscapedottedwithexistingturbines.Thehubheightsoffirst‐andsecond‐generationturbineslocatedonthesiterangefrom18to55meters(approximately59to180feet).Theproposedfourth‐generationtowersinstalledwouldbe80–96meters(262–315feet)tall.Therefore,theproposedfourth‐generationtowerswouldbe41–62meters(135–203feet)tallerthantheexistingturbineslocatedonsite.Viewsoftheproposedturbinesmaybemoreorlessprevalentdependingonaviewer’slocationwithinthelandscapeandwhethertheviewerhasmoredirectviewsoftheturbinesorviewsthatarepartiallyorfullyscreenedbytopography.

Althoughthenew,moreefficientturbinesarelargerthantheexistingturbines,thenewwidelyspacedconfigurationdetractslessfromthenaturallandscapethantheexistingstringconfiguration(Figures3.1‐3to3.1‐7).Thenew,less‐clutteredconfigurationallowsforviewsoftherolling,grassyterraintobecomemoreprominent,back‐droppedagainstthesky,andlessinterruptedbyanthropogenicfeatures.Whilethelargerturbineswoulddrawviewers’attentiontowardthem,theeyeisalsoabletofollowtheridgelineofthehillsinamorecohesivemannerthanexistingconditions.Withexistingconditions,theeyeisdrawntoandfocusedonthenumerousturbinesthatcluttertheviewbystickingupandacrossthehillsidesandridgelines.

Becausethenewturbineswoulddetractlessfromthenaturallandscapethantheexistingstringconfiguration,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.WithrespecttoPolicies170and215oftheECAP,thereplacementofthemanyexistingsmallerandolderturbineswithproportionallyfarfewerfourth‐generationturbineswithbroaderspacingwouldservethesepoliciesandhelptoprotectandenhancescenicvalues.

ImpactAES‐3a‐1:Substantiallydamagescenicresources,includingbutnotlimitedtotrees,rockoutcroppings,andhistoricbuildingsalongascenichighway—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

AsdiscussedintheVicinityCharactersection,I‐580fromtheSanJoaquinCountylinetoSR205,a0.4‐mile‐longsegment,isastate‐designatedscenichighway(CaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation2012).AsshowninFigure3.1‐2,theprogramareaincludesthissegmentofI‐580.Theclosestexistingturbinestothissegmentareapproximately0.7milesouthandarenoteasilyvisiblefromI‐580duetotopographyinsomeareasanddistance‐onlyinothers.Themostdominantartificialfeaturesarethelargetowersassociatedwithpowerlinesandthetall,stadium‐typelightingassociatedwiththeformerAltamontSpeedway.Becausethelocationofturbineshasnotyetbeendetermined,itispossiblethatwindturbinescouldbeinstalledinthisarea.Althoughmotoristsareconsideredmoderatelysensitive,itwouldbeasignificantimpacttolocateturbinesaroundthisdesignatedscenichighwaywherenoturbinescurrentlyexist.

Inadditiontostate‐designatedscenichighways,thereareseveralCounty‐designatedscenicroutesintheprogramarea.RefertotheVicinityCharacterdiscussionfortheprogramforalistofCounty‐designatedscenicroutesintheprogramarea.Currently,therearenoturbinesintheprogramarea


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aroundByron‐BethanyRoad,GrantLineRoad,TeslaRoad,andVascoRoad.TherearealsoportionsofI‐580,AltamontPassRoad,FlynnRoad,MountainHouseRoad,PattersonPassRoad,andtheproposedRoute239Freeway(Figure3.1‐2)wherenoturbinescurrentlyexist,butmotoristsontheseroadsareaccustomedtoseeingwindturbinesalongtheroute,sotheywouldnotbeadverselyaffected.Additionally,wherethereareexistingturbines,althoughthenew,moreefficientturbineswouldbe28–62meters(92–203feet)tallerthantheexistingturbines,thenewwidelyspacedconfigurationdetractslessfromthenaturallandscapethantheexistingstringconfiguration(Figures3.1‐3to3.1‐7).Theproposedconfigurationallowsforviewsoftherolling,grassyterraintobecomemoreprominent,back‐droppedagainstthesky,andlessinterruptedbyanthropogenicfeatures.Whilethelargerturbineswoulddrawviewers’attentiontowardthem,theeyeisalsoabletofollowtheridgelineofthehillsinamorecohesivemannerthanexistingconditions.Withexistingconditions,theeyeisdrawntoandfocusedonthenumerousturbinesthatcluttertheviewbystickingupandacrossthehillsidesandridgelines.However,itwouldbeasignificantimpacttolocateturbinesaroundByron‐BethanyRoad,GrantLineRoad,TeslaRoad,andVascoRoadwherenoturbinescurrentlyexisteventhoughmotoristsareconsideredmoderatelybutnothighlysensitive.

Forsuchareaswherenoturbinescurrentlyexist,suchasthewesternportionofFlynnRoad,theeffectonthescenicresourcesandthevisualimpactitselfwouldbesignificant.Forthoseareaswithexistingolderturbines,thereplacementofthemanyexistingsmallerandolderturbineswithproportionallyfarfewerandlessintrusivefourth‐generationturbineswouldservePolicies170and215oftheEastCountyAreaPlan,andservetoprotectandenhancescenicvalues.Therefore,thisimpactispotentiallysignificant.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2a,AES‐2b,AES‐2c,andAES‐3wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.




MitigationMeasureAES‐3:DonotconstructturbinesontheundevelopedportionoftheGoldenHillsprojectareaalongFlynnRoad

InordertocomplywithPolicy170ofAlamedaCounty’sEastCountyAreaPlan,andtopreventsignificantimpactsonvisualcharacter,noturbineswillbelocatedontheundevelopedportionoftheGoldenHillsprojectareaalongFlynnRoad(Figure3.1‐2).

ImpactAES‐3a‐2:Substantiallydamagescenicresources,includingbutnotlimitedtotrees,rockoutcroppings,andhistoricbuildingsalongascenichighway—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

AsdiscussedintheVicinityCharactersection,I‐580fromtheSanJoaquinCountylinetoSR205,a0.4‐mile‐longsegment,isastate‐designatedscenichighway(CaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation2012).AsshowninFigure3.1‐2,theprogramareaincludesthissegmentofI‐580.Theclosestexistingturbinestothissegmentareapproximately0.7milesouthandarenoteasilyvisiblefromI‐580duetotopographyinsomeareasanddistance‐onlyinothers.Themostdominantartificialfeaturesarethelargetowersassociatedwithpowerlinesandthetall,stadium‐typelightingassociatedwiththeformerAltamontSpeedway.Becausethelocationofturbineshasnotyetbeendetermined,itispossiblethatwindturbinescouldbeinstalledinthisarea.Althoughmotoristsare


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consideredmoderatelysensitive,itwouldbeasignificantimpacttolocateturbinesaroundthisdesignatedscenichighwaywherenoturbinescurrentlyexist.

Inadditiontostate‐designatedscenichighways,thereareseveralCounty‐designatedscenicroutesintheprogramarea.RefertotheVicinityCharacterdiscussionfortheprogramforalistofCounty‐designatedscenicroutesintheprogramarea.Currently,therearenoturbinesintheprogramareaaroundByron‐BethanyRoad,GrantLineRoad,TeslaRoad,andVascoRoad.TherearealsoportionsofI‐580,AltamontPassRoad,FlynnRoad,MountainHouseRoad,PattersonPassRoad,andtheproposedRoute239Freeway(Figure3.1‐2)wherenoturbinescurrentlyexist,butmotoristsontheseroadsareaccustomedtoseeingwindturbinesalongtheroute,sotheywouldnotbeadverselyaffected.Additionally,wherethereareexistingturbines,althoughthenew,moreefficientturbineswouldbe28–62meters(92–203feet)tallerthantheexistingturbines,thenewspacedoutconfigurationdetractslessfromthenaturallandscapethantheexistingstringconfiguration(Figures3.1‐3to3.1‐7).Asseeninthesimulationsforthisalternative,onlythetopsoftheturbinesandturbinebladesofthesenewturbineswouldbevisible,ifvisibleatall,giventhehillyterrainthatactstoobscuretherestoftheturbinebodyfromview.TheadditionalturbinesassociatedwithAlternative2arebarelynoticeableandwouldresultinvisualchangesthatareunperceivablecomparedtoAlternative1.LikeAlternative1,theproposedconfigurationofAlternative2allowsforviewsoftherolling,grassyterraintobecomemoreprominent,back‐droppedagainstthesky,andlessinterruptedbyanthropogenicfeatures.Whilethelargerturbineswoulddrawviewers’attentiontowardthem,theeyeisalsoabletofollowtheridgelineofthehillsinamorecohesivemannerthanexistingconditions.Withexistingconditions,theeyeisdrawntoandfocusedonthenumerousturbinesthatcluttertheviewbystickingupandacrossthehillsidesandridgelines.However,itwouldbeasignificantimpacttolocateturbinesaroundByron‐BethanyRoad,GrantLineRoad,TeslaRoad,andVascoRoadwherenoturbinescurrentlyexisteventhoughmotoristsareconsideredmoderatelybutnothighlysensitive.

Forsuchareaswherenoturbinescurrentlyexist,theeffectonthescenicresourcesandthevisualimpactitselfwouldbesignificant.Forthoseareaswithexistingolderturbines,thereplacementofthemanyexistingsmallerandolderturbineswithproportionallyfarfewerandlessintrusivefourth‐generationturbineswouldservePolicies170and215oftheEastCountyAreaPlan,andservetoprotectandenhancescenicvalues.Therefore,thisimpactispotentiallysignificant.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2a,AES‐2b,andAES‐2cwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.






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ImpactAES‐3b:Substantiallydamagescenicresources,includingbutnotlimitedtotrees,rockoutcroppings,andhistoricbuildingsalongascenichighway—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Therearenostate‐designatedscenichighwaysintheGoldenHillsProjectarea.GrantLineandMountainHouseRoadsaremorethan1and2miles,respectively,northeastoftheclosestprojectboundaryanddonothaveviewsofthesiteduetointerveningtopography.Inaddition,theproposedRoute239freewaywouldbeatleast2milesnortheastoftheclosestprojectboundary,anditisanticipatedthatthisproposedroutewouldsimilarlynothaveviewsoftheprojectareaduetointerveningtopography.However,therearefourCounty‐designatedscenicroutesinthearea:I‐580,AltamontPassRoad,FlynnRoad,andPattersonPassRoad(Figure3.1‐2).Theseroutesarealreadylinedwithexistingturbines,somotoristsontheseroutesareaccustomedtoviewsofturbines,andalthoughthenew,moreefficientturbineswouldbe41–62meters(135–203feet)tallerthantheexistingturbines,thenewwidelyspacedconfigurationdetractslessfromthenaturallandscapethantheexistingthreadconfiguration(Figures3.1‐3to3.1‐7).Theproposedconfigurationallowsforviewsoftherolling,grassyterraintobecomemoreprominent,back‐droppedagainstthesky,andlessinterruptedbyanthropogenicfeatures.Whilethelargerturbineswoulddrawviewers’attentiontowardthem,theeyeisalsoabletofollowtheridgelineofthehillsinamorecohesivemannerthanexistingconditions.Withexistingconditions,theeyeisdrawntoandfocusedonthenumerousturbinesthatcluttertheviewbystickingupandacrossthehillsidesandridgelines.

Forareaswherenoturbinescurrentlyexist,suchasalongportionsofFlynnRoad,theeffectonthescenicresourcesandthevisualimpactitselfwouldbesignificant.Forthoseareaswithexistingolderturbines,thereplacementofthemanyexistingsmallerandolderturbineswithproportionallyfarfewerandlessintrusivefourth‐generationturbineswouldservePolicies170and215oftheECAP,andservetoprotectandenhancescenicvalues.Thisimpactwouldbepotentiallysignificant.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2a,AES‐2b,andAES‐2cwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.





ImpactAES‐3c:Substantiallydamagescenicresources,includingbutnotlimitedtotrees,rockoutcroppings,andhistoricbuildingsalongascenichighway—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificant)

Therearenostate‐designatedscenichighwaysinthePattersonProjectarea.However,thereisoneCounty‐designatedscenicrouteinthearea:PattersonPassRoad(Figure3.1‐2).PattersonPassisalreadylinedwithexistingturbines,somotoristsonthisrouteareaccustomedtoviewsofturbines,andasdiscussedforImpactAES‐3babove,thenewturbinesarelessvisuallyobtrusive(Figure3.1‐6).Thisconfigurationallowsforviewsoftherolling,grassyterraintobecomemoreprominent,back‐droppedagainstthesky,andlessinterruptedbyanthropogenicfeatures.Whilethe41–62meters(135–203feet)tallerturbineswoulddrawviewers’attentiontowardthem,theeyeisalso


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abletofollowtheridgelineofthehillsinamorecohesivemannerthanexistingconditions.Withexistingconditions,theeyeisdrawntoandfocusedonthenumerousturbinesthatcluttertheviewbystickingupandacrossthehillsidesandridgelines.Thereplacementofthemanyexistingsmallerandolderturbineswithproportionallyfarfewerandlessintrusivefourth‐generationturbineswouldservePolicies170and215oftheECAP,andservetoprotectandenhancescenicvalues.

Thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.Nomitigationisrequired.

ImpactAES‐4a‐1:Substantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityofthesiteanditssurroundings—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Theprogramprimarilywouldbevisibletorecreationists,arearesidents,motorists,andemployeesofthebusinesses(seeVicinityCharactersectionfordetails).

AsdiscussedintheVicinityCharactersection,theareaismostlycharacterizedbygrass‐covered,roundedhillsandsmoothcontours.Stringsofturbines,pluspowerlines,transformers,accessroads,andsubstationsarethemostvisuallydistinctartificialfeaturethroughoutmostoftheprogramarea.Inaddition,althoughthenew,moreefficientturbinesarelargerthantheexistingturbines,thenewwidelyspacedconfigurationdetractslessfromthenaturallandscapethantheexistingstringconfiguration(Figures3.1‐3to3.1‐7).Thisconfigurationallowsforviewsoftherolling,grassyterraintobecomemoreprominent,back‐droppedagainstthesky,andlessinterruptedbyanthropogenicfeatures.Whilethelargerturbineswoulddrawviewers’attentiontowardthem,theeyeisalsoabletofollowtheridgelineofthehillsinamorecohesivemannerthanexistingconditions.Withexistingconditions,theeyeisdrawntoandfocusedonthenumerousturbinesthatcluttertheviewbystickingupandacrossthehillsidesandridgelines.Becauseofthis,programimplementationinareaswhereturbinescurrentlyexistwouldnotsubstantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityoftheprogramareaandwouldimproveviewswhereexistingturbinethreadsarereplacewithmuchfewerofthenewlargerturbines.

However,noturbinescurrentlyexistinthesouthernportionoftheprogramarea,startingapproximately2.5milessouthofPattersonPassRoad,andthereareotherpatchesthroughouttheprogramareawherenoturbinescurrentlyexist(Figure2‐3).Becauseturbinelocationsfortheprogramhavenotyetbeendetermined,itispossiblethatturbineswouldbesitedintheseareas.Theprogramwouldconstructaccessroads,turbines,andtheassociatedfoundations,collectionsystems,andcommunicationsystems,andmeteorologicaltowers.Thiswouldsubstantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterandqualityoftheseareas.

TheareasouthofPattersonPassRoadissparselypopulated.ThereareonlyafewresidencesonTeslaRoad,whichisalsoaCounty‐designatedscenicroute.ThepotentialfutureTeslaRegionalPreserveisinthisarea.Inaddition,theCarnegieStateVehicularRecreationAreaisjustsouthoftheprogramareaboundary(Figure3.1‐2),andtherearevariousrecreationtrailsinthisareaaswell.Newturbinesassociatedwiththeprogramcouldbevisiblefromtheseareas,andresidentsandrecreationistsareconsideredhighlysensitiveviewers.Inaddition,motoristsalongTeslaRoadwouldnotbeaccustomedtowindturbinesalongthatroute,andalthoughmotoristsareconsideredmoderatelysensitive,TeslaRoadisaCounty‐designatedscenicroute.

Inaddition,therearenoexistingturbinescurrentlylocatedonaportionofthesitealongFlynnRoad,butthereareturbineswithin0.5milethatarevisiblefromthissite.Turbinesareapartoftheexistingvisualcharacterofthesitevicinity.However,theprojectwouldalsoentailconstructionofaccessroads,turbinesandfoundations,collectionsystem,communicationsystem,and


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meteorologicaltowersonthisportionofthesite.Thesechangeswouldsubstantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterandqualityofthisundevelopedsite.

AccordingtoPolicy170oftheECAP,AlamedaCountyisobligatedtoprotectnearbyexistingusesfrompotentialvisualandotherimpactsgeneratedbytheconstructionandoperationofwindfarmfacilities(seeRegulatorySettingsection).Severalresidencesinthevicinitywouldhaveviewsofthisportionoftheprojectarea.Becauseresidentsareconsideredhighlysensitiveviewers,constructingturbinesinthisareawouldconflictwithPolicy170.Thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2a,AES‐2b,AES‐2c,andAES‐3wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.





ImpactAES‐4a‐2:Substantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityofthesiteanditssurroundings—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Theprogramprimarilywouldbevisibletorecreationists,arearesidents,motorists,andemployeesofthebusinesses(seeVicinityCharactersectionfordetails).

AsdiscussedintheVicinityCharactersection,theareaismostlycharacterizedbygrass‐covered,roundedhillsandsmoothcontours.Stringsofturbines,pluspowerlines,transformers,accessroads,andsubstationsarethemostvisuallydistinctartificialfeaturethroughoutmostoftheprogramarea.Inaddition,althoughthenew,moreefficientturbinesarelargerthantheexistingturbines,thenewwidelyspacedconfigurationdetractslessfromthenaturallandscapethantheexistingstringconfiguration(Figures3.1‐3to3.1‐7).Asseeninthesimulationsforthisalternative,onlythetopsoftheturbinesandturbinebladesofthesenewturbineswouldbevisible,ifvisibleatall,giventhehillyterrainthatactstoobscuretherestoftheturbinebodyfromview.TheadditionalturbinesassociatedwithAlternative2arebarelynoticeableandwouldresultinvisualchangesthatareunperceivablecomparedtoAlternative1.LikeAlternative1,theconfigurationofAlternative2allowsforviewsoftherolling,grassyterraintobecomemoreprominent,back‐droppedagainstthesky,andlessinterruptedbyanthropogenicfeatures.Whilethelargerturbineswoulddrawviewers’attentiontowardthem,theeyeisalsoabletofollowtheridgelineofthehillsinamorecohesivemannerthanunderexistingconditions.Withexistingconditions,theeyeisdrawntoandfocusedonthenumerousturbinesthatcluttertheviewbystickingupandacrossthehillsidesandridgelines.Becauseofthis,programimplementationinareaswhereturbinescurrentlyexistwouldnotsubstantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityoftheprogramareaandwouldimproveviewswhereexistingturbinethreadsarereplacewithfarfewerofthenewlargerturbines.

However,aswithAlternative1,noturbinescurrentlyexistinthesouthernportionoftheprogramarea,startingapproximately2.5milessouthofPattersonPassRoad,andthereareotherpatchesthroughouttheprogramareawherenoturbinescurrentlyexist(Figure2‐3).Becauseturbinelocationsfortheprogramhavenotyetbeendetermined,itispossiblethatturbineswouldbesitedintheseareas.Theprogramwouldconstructaccessroads;turbines;theassociatedfoundations,


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collectionsystems,andcommunicationsystems;andmeteorologicaltowers.Thiswouldsubstantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterandqualityoftheseareas.

TheareasouthofPattersonPassRoadissparselypopulated.ThereareonlyafewresidencesonTeslaRoad,whichisalsoaCounty‐designatedscenicroute.ThepotentialfutureTeslaRegionalPreserveisinthisarea.Inaddition,theCarnegieStateVehicularRecreationAreaisjustsouthoftheprogramareaboundary(Figure3.1‐2),andtherearevariousrecreationtrailsinthisareaaswell.Newturbinesassociatedwiththeprogramcouldbevisiblefromtheseareas,andresidentsandrecreationistsareconsideredhighlysensitiveviewers.Inaddition,motoristsalongTeslaRoadwouldnotbeaccustomedtowindturbinesalongthatroute,andalthoughmotoristsareconsideredmoderatelysensitive,TeslaRoadisaCounty‐designatedscenicroute.

Inaddition,therearenoexistingturbinescurrentlylocatedonaportionofthesitealongFlynnRoad.Thereareturbineswithin0.5milethatarevisiblefromthissite,buttheyarenotinthenearforeground.Turbinesareapartoftheexistingvisualcharacterofthesitevicinity.However,theprojectwouldconstructaccessroads,turbines,andtheassociatedfoundation,collectionsystem,communicationsystem,andmeteorologicaltowersonthisportionofthesite.Thesechangeswouldsubstantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterandqualityofthisundevelopedsite.Thereseveralresidencesinthevicinitythatwouldhaveviewsofthisportionofthesite.Residentsareconsideredhighlysensitiveviewers.

AccordingtoPolicy170oftheECAP,AlamedaCountyisobligatedtoprotectnearbyexistingusesfrompotentialvisualandotherimpactsgeneratedbytheconstructionandoperationofwindfarmfacilities(seeRegulatorySettingsection).Sincethereresidencesinthevicinitythatwouldhaveviewsofthesite,constructingturbinesonthissitewouldconflictwithPolicy170.Therefore,thisimpactwouldbesignificant,butimplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2a,AES‐2b,AES‐2c,andAES‐3wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.





ImpactAES‐4b:Substantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityofthesiteanditssurroundings—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Asfortheprogram,theGoldenHillsProjectwouldbeprimarilyvisibletorecreationists,arearesidents,motorists,andemployeesofbusinesses(seeVicinityCharactersectionfordetails).

Thenew,moreefficientturbinesarelargerandmorewidelyspacedthantheexistingturbineconfiguration,whichdetractslessfromthenaturallandscapethantheexistingstringconfiguration(Figures3.1‐3to3.1‐7).RepoweringoftheGoldenHillsProjectwouldbeconductedinareaswhereturbinescurrentlyexistandsowouldnotsubstantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityoftheGoldenHillsprojectareaandwouldimproveviewswhereexistingturbinethreadsarereplacedwithfewerofthenew,largerturbines.Inaddition,althoughI‐580,FlynnRoad,and


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PattersonPassRoadareCounty‐designatedscenicroutes,motoristsontheseroadsareaccustomedtotheexistingturbinesalongtheseroutes.

Asdiscussedindetailabove,therearenoexistingturbinescurrentlyonaportionofthesitealongFlynnRoad,andconstructingturbinesonthissitewouldsubstantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterandqualityinthisareasignificantlyaffectinghighlysensitiveresidentsinthevicinity.

AccordingtoPolicy170oftheECAP,AlamedaCountyisobligatedtoprotectnearbyexistingusesfrompotentialvisualandotherimpactsgeneratedbytheconstructionandoperationofwindfarmfacilities.Sincethereareresidencesinthevicinitythatwouldhaveviewsofthisarea,constructingturbinesonthissitewouldconflictwithPolicy170.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2a,AES‐2b,andAES‐2c,andAES‐3wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.





ImpactAES‐4c:Substantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityofthesiteanditssurroundings—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

ThePattersonPassProjectwouldbeprimarilyvisibletomotoristsalongPattersonPassRoadandemployeesofnearbybusinesses(seeVicinityCharactersectionfordetails).AsdiscussedintheExistingViewerGroupsandViewerResponsessection,motoristsareconsideredtohavemoderatevisualsensitivity,andemployeesofbusinessesareconsideredtohavelowvisualsensitivity.

ThePattersonPassProjectvicinityischaracterizedbygrassy,rollinghillswithstringsofturbines,transmissionlines,andaccessroads.Thereare317turbinesandassociatedinfrastructureinthePattersonPassprojectarea.ThePattersonPassProjectwouldremovetheexistingturbinesandwouldconstruct8–12turbinesandassociatedfoundationsandinfrastructureonthesite,asdescribedinSection2.6.2,PattersonPassProject.Althoughthenew,moreefficientturbinesarelargerthantheexistingturbines,thenewwidelyspacedconfigurationdetractslessfromthenaturallandscapethantheexistingstringconfiguration.RefertoFigure3.1‐6forarepresentativesimulation.Thisconfigurationallowsforviewsoftherolling,grassyterraintobecomemoreprominent,back‐droppedagainstthesky,andlessinterruptedbyanthropogenicfeatures.Whilethelargerturbineswoulddrawviewers’attentiontowardthem,theeyeisalsoabletofollowtheridgelineofthehillsinamorecohesivemannerthanexistingconditions.Withexistingconditions,theeyeisdrawntoandfocusedonthenumerousturbinesthatcluttertheviewbystickingupandacrossthehillsidesandridgelines.

Forthesereasons,thePattersonPassProjectwouldnotsubstantiallydegradetheexistingvisualcharacterorqualityofthePattersonPassProjectsiteorsurroundingareaandwouldimproveviewsbecausetheexistingturbinethreadswouldbereplacedwithmuchfewerofthenewlargerturbines.Inaddition,althoughPattersonPassRoadisaCounty‐designatedscenicroute,motoristsonthisroadareaccustomedtotheexistingturbinesalongtheroute,andtherearenoothersensitiveviewersinthePattersonPassProjectvicinity.


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AccordingtoPolicy170oftheECAP,AlamedaCountyisobligatedtoprotectnearbyexistingusesfrompotentialvisualandotherimpactsgeneratedbytheconstructionandoperationofwindfarmfacilities.Sincethereresidencesinthevicinitythatwouldhaveviewsofthesite,constructingturbinesonthissitewouldconflictwithPolicy170.Theprojectwouldintroducelarge,visuallyobtrusiveturbineswithinexistingviewsheds.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2a,AES‐2b,andAES‐2cwouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.




ImpactAES‐5a‐1:Createanewsourceofsubstantiallightorglarethatwouldadverselyaffectdaytimeornighttimeviewsinthearea—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

AsdiscussedintheprojectdescriptionunderLighting,allrepoweredwindturbineswouldrequireFederalAviationAdministration(FAA)lighting.Thiscouldaffectdaytimeandnighttimeviewsintheprogramarea.However,becausetheprogramwouldreplaceexistingturbinesstringswithmuchfewerofthelarger,moreefficientturbines,theamountofFAA‐requiredlightingintheprogramareaisexpectedtobesimilartoexistingturbinelightingintheprogramarea.Therefore,theproposedprogramwouldnotcreateanewsourceofsubstantiallightintheprogramareathatwouldaffectdaytimeornighttimeviews.

Therearecurrentlyninesubstationsownedandoperatedbythewindcompanieswithintheprogramarea.Onesubstationperprojectisexpectedtoberequiredaspartoftheprogram.Thesesubstationsmaybenewlyconstructed,orexistingsubstationsmaybereconstructedorexpanded.Existingsubstationsmaybereplacedinthesamegenerallocations.Asdescribedintheprojectdescription,underCollectorSubstations,substationswouldbelightedforsafetyandsecurity.Becauseanynewlightswouldbeshieldedordirecteddownwardtoreduceglare,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.

Generally,turbinesarepaintedwhite.Becausetheexistingturbineswouldbereplacedwithfarfewerofthelarger,moreefficientturbines,thissourceofglareisexpectedtobereducedinareaswhereturbinescurrentlyexist.However,inareaswherenoturbinescurrentlyexist,theirpresencecouldbeanewsourceofsubstantialglare.Moreover,asstatedintheprojectdescription,thecoloroftowersandrotorsonthenewturbineswouldbeneutralandnonreflective(e.g.,dullwhiteorlightgray).

Bladerotationcouldcauseshadowflickerthatcouldbeavisualintrusiontoviewersandcouldbeespeciallydisruptivetoresidentswhowouldbeexposedtotheseconditionsforlongperiodsoftime(DepartmentofEnergyandClimateChangenodate).AsshowninTable2‐2,AlamedaCountyhasdevelopedsetbackrequirementsforsitingturbinesinrelationtocertaintypesoflanduses,andturbineswouldnotbeallowedtobelocatedwithinthesesetbackdistances.However,thesesetbacksmaynotbesufficienttopreventshadowflickerwiththenew,tallerturbines.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureAES‐5wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.


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MitigationMeasureAES‐5:Analyzeshadowflickerdistanceandmitigateeffectsorincorporatechangesintoprojectdesigntoaddressshadowflicker

Whereshadowflickercouldresultfromtheinstallationofwindturbinesproposednearresidences(i.e.,within500meters[1,640feet]inagenerallyeastorwestdirectiontoaccountforseasonalvariations),theprojectapplicantwillprepareagraphicmodelandstudytoevaluateshadowflickerimpactsonnearbyresidences.Noshadowflickerinexcessof30minutesinagivendayor30hoursinagivenyearwillbepermitted.IfitisdeterminedthatexistingsetbackrequirementsasestablishedbytheCountyarenotsufficienttopreventshadowflickerimpactsonresidences,AlamedaCountywillrequireanincreaseintherequiredsetbackdistancestoensurethatresidencesarenotaffected.Ifanyresidenceisaffectedbyshadowflickerwithinthe30‐minute/30‐hourthresholds,theapplicantwillimplementmeasurestominimizetheeffect,suchasrelocatingtheturbine;providingopaquewindowcoverings,windowawnings,landscapebuffers,oracombinationofthesefeaturestoreduceflickertoacceptablelimitsfortheaffectedreceptor;orshuttingdowntheturbineduringtheperiodshadowflickerwouldoccur.Suchmeasuresmaybeundertakeninconsultationwithowneroftheaffectedresidence.Iftheshadowflickerstudyindicatesthatanygiventurbinewouldresultinshadowflickerexceedingthe30‐minute/30‐hourthresholdsandthepropertyownerisnotamenabletowindowcoverings,windowawnings,orlandscapingandtheturbinecannotbeshutdownduringtheperiodofshadowflicker,thentheturbinewillberelocatedtoreducetheeffecttoacceptablelimits.

ImpactAES‐5a‐2:Createanewsourceofsubstantiallightorglarethatwouldadverselyaffectdaytimeornighttimeviewsinthearea—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

UnderAlternative2,21additionalturbinesandassociatedfacilitieswouldbeconstructedintheprogramarea.LightandglareimpactswouldbesimilaratthelocationofanygivenfeaturetothoseunderAlternative1,buttheamountoflightandglarewouldonlyresultinasmallincrementalincreasecomparedwithAlternative1.

AsdiscussedintheprojectdescriptionunderLighting,allrepoweredwindturbineswouldrequireFederalAviationAdministration(FAA)lighting.Thiscouldaffectdaytimeandnighttimeviewsintheprogramarea.However,becausetheprogramwouldreplaceexistingturbineswithfarfewerofthelarger,moreefficientturbines,theamountofFAA‐requiredlightingintheprogramareaisexpectedtobesimilartoexistingturbinelightingintheprogramarea,evenwiththegreaternumberofturbinesthatcouldbeinstalledunderAlternative2.Therefore,theprogramwouldnotcreateanewsourceofsubstantiallightintheprogramareathatwouldaffectdaytimeornighttimeviews.

Onesubstationperprojectisexpectedtoberequiredaspartoftheprogram.Thesesubstationsmaybenewlyconstructed,orexistingsubstationsmaybereconstructedorexpanded.Existingsubstationsmaybereplacedinthesamegenerallocations.Asdescribedintheprojectdescription,underCollectorSubstations,substationswouldbelightedforsafetyandsecurity.Becauseanynewlightswouldbeshieldedordirecteddownwardtoreduceglare,thisimpactwouldbelessthansignificant.

Generally,turbinesarepaintedwhite.Becausetheexistingturbineswouldbereplacedwithfarfewerofthelarger,moreefficientturbines,thissourceofglareisexpectedtobereducedinareaswhereturbinescurrentlyexist.However,inareaswherenoturbinescurrentlyexist,theirpresencecouldbeanewsourceofsubstantialglare.Moreover,asstatedintheprojectdescription,thecolor


Aesthetics



oftowersandrotorsonthenewturbineswouldbeneutralandnonreflective(e.g.,dullwhiteorlightgray).

Bladerotationcouldcauseshadowflickerthatcouldbeavisualintrusiontoviewersandcouldbeespeciallydisruptivetoresidentswhowouldbeexposedtotheseconditionsforlongperiodsoftime.AsshowninTable2‐2,AlamedaCountyhasestablishedsetbackrequirementsforsitingturbineswithincertaintypesoflanduses,andturbineswouldnotbeallowedtobelocatedwithinthesesetbackdistances.However,thesesetbacksmaynotbesufficienttopreventshadowflickerwiththenew,tallerturbines.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureAES‐5wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.


ImpactAES‐5b:Createanewsourceofsubstantiallightorglarethatwouldadverselyaffectdaytimeornighttimeviewsinthearea—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Liketheprogram,theGoldenHillsProjectwouldrequireFAAlighting.Inadditiontonewturbines,theGoldenHillsProjectisanticipatedtorequiretwonewcollectorsubstations.However,asstatedintheprojectdescriptionunderCollectorSubstations,theexistingsubstationswouldbereplacedinthesamegenerallocationandwouldincludeanoutdoorlightingsystem.However,thenewlightswouldbeshieldedordirecteddownwardtoreduceglare,andthenewsubstationswouldnotemitmorelightthantheexistingsubstations.

Becauseturbinescouldbeinstalledwherenoturbinescurrentlyexist,anewsourceofsubstantialglarecouldbecreated.However,asstatedintheprojectdescription,thecoloroftowersandrotorsonthenewturbineswouldbeneutralandnonreflective(e.g.,dullwhiteorlightgray).

Bladerotationcouldcauseshadowflickerthatcouldbeavisualintrusiontoviewersandcouldbeespeciallydisruptivetoresidentswhowouldbeexposedforlongperiodsoftime.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureAES‐5wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.


ImpactAES‐5c:Createanewsourceofsubstantiallightorglarethatwouldadverselyaffectdaytimeornighttimeviewsinthearea—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

Liketheprogram,thePattersonPassProjectwouldrequireFAAlighting.ImplementationofthePattersonPassProjectwouldreduceglarebecausetherewouldbefarfewerturbinesonthesite,butthelarger,brightwhitesurfacestypicalofturbineswouldhavethepotentialtoincreaseglare.Thisimpactwouldbepotentiallysignificant,butasstatedintheprojectdescription,thecoloroftowersandrotorsonthenewturbineswouldbeneutralandnonreflective(e.g.,dullwhiteorlightgray).

Bladerotationcouldcauseshadowflickerthatcouldbeavisualintrusiontoviewersandcouldbeespeciallydisruptivetoresidentswhowouldbeexposedforlongperiodsoftime.ImplementationofMitigationMeasureAES‐5wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.


Aesthetics




ImpactAES‐6a‐1:Consistencywithstateandlocalpolicies—programAlternative1:417MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

TheCountywouldbeobligatedtocomplywithmeasuressetforthtoprotectvisualresourcesalongscenicroadwaysandopenspaceareasidentifiedforprotection,asdetailedintheScenicRouteandOpenSpaceElementsoftheAlamedaCountyGeneralPlan(AlamedaCounty1966).Inaddition,theCountyisobligatedtocomplywithmeasuressetforthintheECAPtoprotectvisualresourcessuchassensitiveviewsheds,streetsandhighways,scenichighways,andareasaffectedbywindfarms(AlamedaCounty2000).Theturbineswouldbeneutralandnonreflective(e.g.,dullwhiteorlightgray)soastoblendwiththesurroundings.However,theproposedprojectwouldstillintroducelarge,visuallyobtrusiveturbineswithinexistingviewshedsofscenicviewshedsinproximitytosensitiveviewersandresidences.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2a,AES‐2b,AES‐2c,andAES‐3,andAES‐5wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.






ImpactAES‐6a‐2:Consistencywithstateandlocalpolicies—programAlternative2:450MW(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

EvenwiththegreaternumberofturbinesthatcouldbeinstalledunderAlternative2,theCountywouldbeobligatedtocomplywithmeasuressetforthtoprotectvisualresourcesalongscenicroadwaysandopenspaceareasidentifiedforprotection,asdetailedintheScenicRouteandOpenSpaceElementsoftheAlamedaCountyGeneralPlan(AlamedaCounty1966).Inaddition,theCountyisobligatedtocomplywithmeasuressetforthintheECAPtoprotectvisualresourcessuchassensitiveviewsheds,streetsandhighways,scenichighways,andareasaffectedbywindfarms(AlamedaCounty2000).Theturbineswouldbeneutralandnonreflective(e.g.,dullwhiteorlightgray)soastoblendwiththesurroundings.However,theproposedprojectwouldstillintroducelarge,visuallyobtrusiveturbineswithinexistingviewshedsofscenicviewshedsinproximitytosensitiveviewersandresidences.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2a,AES‐2b,AES‐2c,andAES‐3,andAES‐5wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.





Aesthetics





ImpactAES‐6b:Consistencywithstateandlocalpolicies—GoldenHillsProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

UndertheGoldenHillsProject,theCountywouldbeobligatedtocomplywithmeasuressetforthtoprotectvisualresourcesalongscenicroadwaysandopenspaceareasidentifiedforprotection,asdetailedintheScenicRouteandOpenSpaceElementsoftheAlamedaCountyGeneralPlan(AlamedaCounty1966).Inaddition,theCountyisobligatedtocomplywithmeasuressetforthintheECAPtoprotectvisualresourcessuchassensitiveviewsheds,streetsandhighways,scenichighways,andareasaffectedbywindfarms(AlamedaCounty2000).Theturbineswouldbeneutralandnonreflective(e.g.,dullwhiteorlightgray)soastoblendwiththesurroundings.Whiletheproposedprojectwouldreplacesmallerexistingturbineswithlarger,morevisuallyobtrusiveturbineswithinexistingviewsheds,therewillbeconsiderablyfewerturbinesasaresultofrepowering.ImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2a,AES‐2b,AES‐2c,andAES‐3,andAES‐5wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.






ImpactAES‐6c:Consistencywithstateandlocalpolicies—PattersonPassProject(lessthansignificantwithmitigation)

UnderthePattersonPassProject,theCountywouldbeobligatedtocomplywithmeasuressetforthtoprotectvisualresourcesalongscenicroadwaysandopenspaceareasidentifiedforprotection,asdetailedintheScenicRouteandOpenSpaceElementsoftheAlamedaCountyGeneralPlan(AlamedaCounty1966).Inaddition,theCountyisobligatedtocomplywithmeasuressetforthintheECAPtoprotectvisualresourcessuchassensitiveviewsheds,streetsandhighways,scenichighways,andareasaffectedbywindfarms(AlamedaCounty2000).Theturbineswouldbeneutralandnonreflective(e.g.,dullwhiteorlightgray)soastoblendwiththesurroundings.However,theproposedprojectwouldstillintroducelarge,visuallyobtrusiveturbineswithinexistingviewshedsofscenicviewshedsinproximitytosensitiveviewersandresidencesImplementationofMitigationMeasuresAES‐2a,AES‐2b,AES‐2c,andAES‐3,andAES‐5wouldreducethisimpacttoaless‐than‐significantlevel.


Aesthetics








3.1.4 References Cited

AlamedaCounty.1966.ScenicRouteElementoftheGeneralPlan.May.ReprintedJune1974,AmendedMay5,1994.

———.1998.DraftEnvironmentalImpactReport—RepoweringaPortionoftheAltamontPassWindResourceArea.August.StateClearinghouse#98022024.Hayward,CA:AlamedaCountyCommunityDevelopmentAgency.

———.2000.EastCountyAreaPlan.AdoptedMay1994.ModifiedbypassageofMeasureD,effectiveDecember22,2000.Oakland,CA.

CaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation.2012.OfficiallyDesignatedStateScenicHighways.July11.Available:http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/scenic/schwy.htm.Accessed:July11,2013.

DepartmentofEnergyandClimateChange.Nodate.UpdateofUKShadowFlickerEvidenceBase.Finalreport.PreparedbyParsonsBrinckerhoff,NewcastleUponTyne,UK.

EastBayRegionalParkDistrict.2007.EastBayRegionalParkDistrictExistingandPotentialParklandsandTrails.Amendmentofthe1997MasterPlanMapasapprovedbytheBoardofDirectorsonNovember6,2007.

FederalHighwayAdministration.1988.VisualImpactAssessmentforHighwayProjects.(FHWA‐HI‐88‐054.)U.S.DepartmentofTransportation.

Jones,G.R.,J.Jones,B.A.Gray,B.Parker,J.C.Coe,J.B.Burnham,andN.M.Geitner.1975.AMethodfortheQuantificationofAestheticValuesforEnvironmentalDecisionMaking.NuclearTechnology25(4):682–713.SunriseSunset.2013.SunriseSunsetCalendar:CaliforniaLocations.Lastrevised:2013.Available:http://www.sunrisesunset.com/USA/California.asp.Accessed:August27,2013.

TriLink.2014.CorridorConsiderationsandPotentialRoutes.Lastrevised:2012.Available:http://trilink239.org/corridor‐considerations/.Accessed:February24,2014.

U.S.BureauofLandManagement.1980.VisualResourceManagementProgram.(StockNo.024‐001‐00116‐6.)Washington,DC:U.S.GovernmentPrintingOffice.

U.S.ForestService.1995.LandscapeAesthetics:AHandbookforSceneryManagement.(AgricultureHandbookNumber701.)


Aesthetics



U.S.SoilConservationService.1978.ProceduretoEstablishPrioritiesinLandscapeArchitecture.(TechnicalReleaseNo.65.)Washington,DC.

3.1 aesthetics - acgov.org

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