Abagold WEC BAR - Anchor Environmental

Probability ofoccurrence withmitigationCumulative impact withmitigationSignificance withmitigationshorescape. Where external lighting is required for steps etc. theseshould be low-level bulkhead type fittings with reflectors to preventlight spillage. All electrical and other cables should be locatedunderground. Consideration should be given to creating an attractive graphicdisplay of the wave energy facility and an upgraded visitor centrefor education purposes and to provide an attraction for tourists.ProbableMedium-lowMEDIUM-LOWB.6. POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO NEIGHBOURING USERS: VISUAL IMPACTS (Alternative 3)Nature of impact The relatively small footprint and low profile of the buffer dam meansthat they would have a fairly small view catchment area, and would bevisible from few shore-based viewpoints. It would, however, be visiblefrom the sea and from tour boats. Visibility from the restaurant would befurther reduced with the construction of the planned Relmar abalonefarm in the foreground.The rocky cove site below the abalone farms is in a visually secludedarea, screened in part by rocky promontories and by the high walls ofthe abalone farms. The seaward facing slot-slope buffer dam walls areconstructed from interlocking precast elements with little opportunityfor alternative surface treatment. These will however become coveredwith marine life, which will reduce their visual significance.StatusNegativeExtentLocalDurationLong-termIntensityMediumProbability ofHighly probableoccurrenceCumulative impact Mediumprior to mitigationSignificance prior to MEDIUMmitigationDegree to which impactcan be mitigatedNo visual screening from the sea is possible, and therefore no furthermitigation is feasible.Proposed mitigation No further mitigations are feasible in terms of siting and layout. The side walls of the buffer dams should be faced with rough stone,using the local sandstone, to blend with the surrounding rockycoastal landscape, similar to the rough stone facing on the existingwalls of the Abagold abalone farm.70