Exhibit EN-12 Visual Analysis Proposed Vermont

Exhibit EN-12
April 13, 2009
Visual Analysis
Proposed Vermont Yankee Perimeter Fence
Harry L. Dodson
Dodson Associates, Ltd.
Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee LLC proposes to build a perimeter fence around a
portion of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station in Vernon in order to comply with
Vermont regulations restricting public access to areas in the general proximity of nuclear
facilities. Dodson Associates, Ltd. has been asked by Entergy to assess the visual
impacts of the proposed fence on the surrounding area.
1. Visual Factors
Proposed Fence: The proposed fence will consist of narrow guage, wide rectangular
wire mesh. It will be 6' in height with 3" diameter cedar posts located 10' on center. This
type of fence is called a "game fence" and is often used for agricultural purposes,
specifically to restrict deer and other wild animals from fields and gardens. The
Perimeter Fence Plan by SVE Associates dated 2/19/09 shows the proposed location of
the fence. The attached manufacturer's catalog sheets show the design and construction
of the proposed fence.
Visibility: Due to its proposed location, its relatively small size and its inconspicuous
appearance, the proposed fence will be visible from only a few locations in its immediate
vicinity.
Back Yards of 4 Homes: The fence will be partially visible from the rear of four
private residences along the east side of Governor Hunt Road between the Vernon
School and the Vernon Town Offices. Existing vegetation will partially obscure
the fence in many of these backyard areas. In some locations the fence will be
visible from the back of certain homes, profiled against the field at certain times
of the year. Plantings can reduce the fence's visibility in these locations.
Governor Hunt House: The proposed fence will be located at the edge of a lawn
along an existing wooded area approximately 125' north of the Governor Hunt
House. The fence will be visible from the infrequently used north side of the
historic house and its small size, design and color will allow it to blend
inconspicuously with the agricultural character of the area.
Governor Hunt Road: The fence will be partially visible at a distance of 250' to
800' from three short sections of Governor Hunt Road between the Vernon School
Vermont Yankee Fence Visual Analysis
April 13, 2009
Page 2 of 5
and the Vernon Town Offices. It will be built in an existing agricultural field in
these locations and will be primarily visible in the winter and spring before crops
obscure the fence. The sections of the road with views of the proposed fence
average 200' in length or about 5 seconds each at the posted speed limit at this
location. Because the fence will in most cases be located at right angles to the
direction of travel and will be framed by existing trees, it will not be visually
apparent to most travelers.
Visual Characteristics: The proposed fence will blend with its visual surroundings
because of its relatively low 6' height, the very thin visual profile of its narrow gauge,
wide rectangular mesh wire, because of its agricultural character and because of the
distance it will be seen from by the majority of viewers. Refinements to the design of the
fence such as the use of narrower, matte black steel posts and matte black fence material
would further reduce the fence's visual appearance.
When located at the edge of existing wooded or shrubby areas as it will be for over half
of its length, the proposed fence will be difficult to distinguish from its background,
especially if it is painted black or a dark earth tone color. When located in the
agricultural field, the fence will be out of sight during the growing season but partially
visible during the winter and early spring. Clearing weeds and woody brush from the
base of the fence will reduce its visual prominence in the winter months.
2. Queechee Analysis
The Queechee Analysis has been used by Vermont Environmental Boards to review the
aesthetic impacts of proposed projects under Act 250. Queechee is also used by the
Vermont Public Service Board to judge the aesthetic impact of proposals under its
jurisdiction. The following is a review of the visual impacts of the proposed Vermont
Yankee fence based on the Queechee Analysis.
Part One: Is there an adverse aesthetic impact?
1-1. What is the nature of the project’s surroundings? The proposed project is located in
an agricultural setting at the edge of a small Vermont village including an historic house.
An adjacent nuclear power plant is not visible from the site of the proposed fence due to
its lower elevation and the presence of an intervening dense evergreen forest. The fence
is to be located along the edges of and, for a short section, through a portion of a flat
agricultural field along the north side of Governor Hunt Road. The field is actively
farmed for corn and other crops. The field is bordered on the east by a mature, primarily
evergreen forest; on the west by four Twentieth Century residences bordering Governor
Hunt Road, on the north by more agricultural fields and on the south by the historic
Governor Hunt House which serves as the Vermont Yankee visitors center. The Vernon
School and Vernon Town Offices are located about 600' and 800' away from the
Vermont Yankee Fence Visual Analysis
April 13, 2009
Page 3 of 5
proposed fence respectively on the opposite side of Governor Hunt Road. The Governor
Hunt House is located approximately 125' south of the nearest portion of the proposed
fence. The proposed fence will be located between 600' and 1,200' from the nuclear
power station which is not visible from this location due to the dense stand of evergreen
trees blocking views of the structure and the fact that the plant is located well below the
level of the field. Because the site is flat, has limited off-site views and is bordered by a
mix of building types, the landscape is moderately scenic.
1-2. Is the project’s design compatible with its surroundings? Yes. The location, low
visual profile, modest 6' height and agricultural character of the proposed fence will
allow it to blend in with its surroundings. Lining the edges of the field and lawns, the 6'
high, narrow gauge, wide mesh fence will be difficult to distinguish from the wooded
background. In the open field, the fence will be visible but will be in character with its
agricultural surroundings. Gates are proposed in the fence to allow tractors to continue
accessing the site to continue farming the fields. Because the fence is relatively small,
visually innocuous and located at a considerable distance from most viewers it will have
a minor visual impact on its surroundings.
1-3. Are the colors and materials selected for the project suitable for its context? Yes.
The narrow guage, large mesh wire fence will have a very unobtrusive visual character.
Cedar or narrow steel posts will have a minimal visual presence and will reflect the
agricultural character of the site. Painting the fence and the posts black or in dark earth
tones will further reduce the fence's visibility by allowing it to blend in with its
surroundings. Fence gates to allow access by farm equipment will also be narrow guage
steel or wood painted in dark earth tones.
1-4. Where can the project be seen from? As described above, the proposed fence will
be visible from only a few locations in its immediate vicinity. It will be partially visible
from the rear of four private residences along the east side of Governor Hunt Road
between the Vernon School and the Vernon Town Offices. Existing vegetation will
partially obscure the fence in many of these backyard areas. In some locations the fence
will be visible from the back of certain homes, profiled against the field at certain times
of the year. Plantings can reduce the fence's visibility in these locations. For most
viewers the proposed fence will be located in the middle ground of views which will be
of short duration because the majority of viewers will be traveling in vehicles heading at
right angles to views of the fence.
The proposed fence will be located at the edge of a lawn along an existing wooded area
approximately 125' north of the Governor Hunt House. The fence will be visible from
the infrequently used north side of the historic house and its small size, design and color
will allow it to blend inconspicuously with the agricultural character of the area. The
fence will be partially visible at a distance of 250' to 800' from three short sections of
Governor Hunt Road between the Vernon School and the Vernon Town Offices. It will
be built in an existing agricultural field in these locations and will be primarily visible in
Vermont Yankee Fence Visual Analysis
April 13, 2009
Page 4 of 5
the winter and spring before crops obscure the fence. The sections of the road with
views of the proposed fence average 200' in length or about 5 seconds each at the posted
speed limit at this location. Because the fence will in most cases be located at right
angles to the direction of travel and will be framed by existing trees, it will not be
visually apparent to most travelers.
1-5. What is the project’s impact on open space in the area? The proposed fence will
have limited impacts on open space in the area. It will not reduce the amount of existing
open space nor will it change the use of the space. The fence will function as a typical
agricultural fence separating wooded areas from fields. In the few locations where it
traverses the field, agricultural use will continue on both sides of the fence with access
for tractors provided by a gate. Currently private property, public access to open space
will not be affected by this state-mandated fence. Visual access to the site by the public
from Governor Hunt Road will not be impaired by the fence.
Conclusion: The proposed project will not cause adverse visual impacts on the site or
surrounding area. The proposed fence will not be a significant factor in the existing
landscape for the vast majority of viewers and will blend in with its agricultural
surroundings as would a typical farm fence. Current agricultural use and appearance of
the site will not be significantly changed by the fence.
Part Two: Are the project’s visual impacts undue?
2-1. Does the project violate a clear, written community standard intended to preserve
the aesthetics or the scenic, natural beauty of the area? No. Since the proposed fence
will have very minimal visual impacts on the site and surrounding area, it will not violate
standards promulgated by the Town of Vernon, the Windham Regional Commission and
the State of Vermont to protect scenic character and agricultural resources. The project
will not be visually apparent from Vermont Route 142, a state scenic road, nor will it be a
visually disruptive factor from the north side of the historic Governor Hunt House. No
local, regional or state standards, regulations or bylaws exist prohibiting fences and the
proposed project meets community standards regulating fences.
2-2. Does the project offend the sensibilities of the average person? No. A low farm
fence located in the middle distance at the edges of a farm field is in character with the
Vermont landscape and will not be readily noticeable to, much less offensive to the
average viewer.
2-3. Has the applicant failed to take generally available mitigating steps which a
reasonable person would take to improve the harmony of the proposed project with its
surroundings? Yes. The proponent, required by State law to restrict public access near
the nuclear station, has selected a fence type and design that will have minimal visual
impacts and that will fit in with the agricultural character of the site. The agricultural
Vermont Yankee Fence Visual Analysis
April 13, 2009
Page 5 of 5
character of the fence, its relatively low 6' height, narrow guage wire construction,
narrow posts and gates and its dark, earth tone finish have been selected to mitigate
possible visual impacts.
Conclusion: The proposed project will result in very minimal visual change to the site
and surrounding landscape. It has been designed to be visually unobtrusive and to reflect
the agricultural character of its setting. Its projected visual impacts are neither adverse
nor undue under the standards of the Queechee Analysis.
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effective, durable and virtually invisible. This
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Dave Benner founded the company on the
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KeepingDeer Out Without Changing Your View
Vn"z%wd!@Irnddble Deer Fencing Systems
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