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Abstract
With the increasing need for reliable energy infrastructure in the United States, the once natural openness of the Wild West has evolved into a web of infrastructure scattered across the landscape. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands managed under a multiple-use mission are no exception. While projects built on BLM land go through in-depth environmental analysis, including making recommendations for proper design features and mitigation measures to reduce impacts to visual resources, it is often difficult for BLM staff to ensure full implementation of these measures. This is sometimes a result of not having the expertise or tools to simulate design features and mitigation measures. This paper describes the process that the BLM followed to warrant the color treatment of built structures on a recent 500 kV transmission line through a highly scenic and publicly sensitive landscape. It highlights the process of using two-dimension (2D) visual simulations to conduct a color analysis of the natural landscape. It also demonstrates how using these techniques provided invaluable information to help BLM decision makers select the most appropriate surface color treatment for the structures in this project.
Parent Publication
Citation
Colvin, Brandon. 2018. Surface Color Treatment of Transmission Line Structures. In: Gobster, Paul H.; Smardon, Richard C., eds. Visual resource stewardship conference proceedings: landscape and seascape management in a time of change. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-183. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 244-256.
