Draft Environmental Impact Report - California Off Highway Vehicle ...

3.4 Visual Resources
resource identified in the Conservation and Open Space Element that is visible from Clay Pit SVRA
is Table Mountain, which is visible in background views from the site. No scenic corridors are
located along highways in the vicinity of the SVRA.
3.4.3 Thresholds of Significance
The significance criteria for this analysis are based on the environmental checklist in Appendix G
of the State CEQA Guidelines, as amended. Implementation of the Clay Pit SVRA General Plan,
including construction and operation of the headquarters facilities, would have significant
environmental impacts related to visual resources if it would:
have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista;
substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock
outcroppings, and historic buildings within a state scenic highway;
create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or
nighttime views in the area; or
substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of the site and its
surroundings.
Because an assessment of visual quality is often a subjective matter, one can debate whether a
change in the visual character of a project site would be beneficial or adverse (thus causing a
degradation of the visual quality). For this analysis, a conservative approach was used, and a
substantial change to the visual character of the project site would be considered an adverse
impact. Therefore, a substantial change to the visual character of the project site would be
considered a degradation of the resource, and a potentially significant impact.
The project site is not on or near a state scenic highway or a county‐designated scenic highway;
therefore, this topic is not addressed further in this DEIR (Caltrans 2010).
3.4.4 Environmental Evaluation
Evaluation Methodology
The visual impact analysis is based on field observations conducted by AECOM in March 2010 and
a review of maps and aerial photographs. Potential changes to existing visual resources that would
result from project implementation were evaluated. In determining the extent and implications of
the visual changes, consideration was given to:
specific changes in the visual composition, character, and valued qualities of the affected
environment;
Clay Pit State Vehicular Recreation Area
Draft EIR 3.4-3 February 2012