Rocky Forge Wind Report

Visual Assessment Report

Proposed Rocky Forge Wind Energy Project Updated: North Mountain October 8, 2019 Botetourt County, Virginia Prepared by: Hill Studio Table of Contents

Introduction

1 GIS Mapping

2 Selected Sites Hill Studio Team

David P. Hill, ASLA

Ross Hammes

Laurice Ellsworth

Hill Studio Commission 1540.05 • • • • based onlocalwinddataandtheseattributes: private land,theareaunderconsideration is suitable for awind energy project Located in rural Botetourt County,adjacent to existing transmission lines on whichis expected togenerateenoughenergypower upto20,000homes annually. Wind, Forge Rocky developing actively is Virginia, Charlottesville, economy and supportingjobsinthelocalcommunity. Apex Clean Energyof with clean,homegrownenergy,whilediversifying BotetourtCounty’s provides anopportunitytohelpaddress Virginia’s growingelectricitydemand According totheRockyForgeWind website, “theRockyForgeWind project Proposed Action architects andplanningprofessionalsatHillStudioinRoanoke,Virginia. 8(d) and ordinance. This workwas ofthe a teamoflandscape producedby parts of8(f) Sections address to formatted are report this of Segments Systems. the visualimpactanalysisofBotetourtCountyOrdinance25-446Wind Energy by RockyForgeWind, toprovideinformation fortheproposedSEP,addressing proposed changes.Thisworkwas commissioned asanindependentassessment and surroundingareasbasedonthe County of northernBotetourt visual quality 2015 reporthas been composed to describe and predict potentialchanges to the increase the heightofthoseturbinesto680feet.This 2019 updateoftheoriginal to 22and SEP toreducethenumberofwindturbines an amendmenttothe Thedeveloperof 550feet. a height at turbines project isnowrequesting ofthe the SEPapplication.The2015reportevaluated theinstallationof25wind Exception Permit (SEP).The2015Visual Assessment Report was apartof The Rocky ForgeWind project was approved in February2016withaSpecial Introduction reach upto680’from theground,measuredfromtower base. 16’ diameteratthebase, theyrise425’tothehub,andwillhave bladesthat may the Federal Aviation Administration. Sitedonmonopole towers, approximately County. Thewindturbines areproposedtobewhiteincolor,per requirementsby parallel andconverging ridgetopsonNorthMountainin NorthernBotetourt The windturbinesareproposedtobeplaced inaformationthatoccupiestwo

Proximity tostatehighways Expansive private land Existing high-voltagepower lines Verified windresource destinations, suchastheBlueRidge Parkway andthe Appalachian Trail. tourism nationally-significant host which Mountains, Ridge Blue the are site Bounding theviewshed fromabout11miles southeast oftheproposed project Valleyof aGreat site. 14 miles northeastofthe as isLexington, county-seat, Great Valley. Located 15 milesfromthesite,Fincastle isthenearestexample in Virginia’s east and north the to miles hundred several stretches that pattern the site,rollingterrainofBotetourtfeatures hilltownsandsmallfarmsina Castle arealignedinthisformationtothe northandwest. Southandeastof immediate area.Themunicipalitiesof Clifton Forge,Covington,andNew the in 3200’ of elevations to rise and viewshed the of edge western the bound align in a long NE-SW range to form the eastern slope of the Alleghenies, which the mountains.Several milesnorthandwest oftheproposedsite,mountains of peaks the at above3000’ riversideto the near 1000’ about elevationsof from and steepwoodedmountains,whichrise inthevicinityofproposedproject lowlands atthe upperreachesoftheJamesRiver, setagainstpasturedvalleys predominantly rural environment features the historically-tilled floodplain and Windand forestrylanduses.This agricultural project—ischaracterizedby Northern BotetourtCounty—theproposed location of the RockyForge Existing Visual Enviroment illustrations was suppliedtoHillStudioforuseinthevisualrepresentations. were scaled to amaximum 680’ blade tipheight.Manufacturer’s literature with General Electric. The final wind turbine model may vary, therefore simulations The turbinemodelled in thevisualsimulations is model 5.5-158 manufacturedby • • • • • • • • maximum scaleofturbinesunderconsiderationfortheproject: Wind.Rocky Forge dimensions, providedby Thesearemeanttoshowthe studies andassessmentsincludedhereinarebasedonthese The visualquality

idth (atwidestpoint):13’ idth (atthetop): idth (atthebottom): Blade W Blade Length: Nacelle Radius: Nacelle length: Base Offset(fromtheBlades): Base W Base W Base Height:

255’ 7’ 71’ 425’

12’

10’ 16’

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Introduction 1 GIS Mapping 5 AREA OFPOTENTIAL VISUAL EFFECT different categories: foreground, middleground and background. These can be can These background. and middleground foreground, categories: different three into viewer the from distance subdivide typically architects Landscape to theobjectisanimportant measureofthepotentialimpact. much a occupy would greater percentage of the view from adjacent the house window. Therefore, the distance built one However, horizon. the on speck a be only would away miles 5 built warehouse A homeowner. same very the to concern big a be may house the from away feet few a just built warehouse the However,homeowner. nearby perceivedawaya readily miles be by not might 5 built warehouse new a example, For view. viewer’s the of more occupies it Generally, the closer the change is to the viewer, the more it is realized, because tothechangeinlandscape: 2. Relativedistancefromtheviewer by tensofthousandspeopleperday. seen be would that change For a than impact lesser a the impact. have will people few a only of to visible landscape the magnitude in change equal—a the being factors affects other example—all change the experience will who viewers of number the landscape, existing the in change a considering When whowillexperiencethechange: 1. Numberofviewers These dimensionsaredefinedanddiscussedbelow: relative the predict impact to of considered the change is in the perception landscape to in people’s visual dimensions experience of these the region. of Each 3. Potentialsensitivityoftheviewer tothechange 2. Relative distancefromtheviewer tothechangeinlandscape 1. Numberofviewers whowillexperiencethechange methodology Our assumptions. fundamental considers: several upon change bases landscape the in change and quality visual of study our methodologies, their with Torelate and protection. scenic resourcesforstatus methods toprioritize lands according to visual quality methods or objectives. These agencies use these Parkway, and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation assess their WashingtonGeorge Ridge The Blue region. the Forests, National Jefferson and the in operating state and and place both in currently with methodologies quality visual national be compatible to formatted is study quality visual This Viewers andChangeintheLandscape discussions below. viewersmap the discussed in is resources pristine these of some visiting while and windfarm betweenthe relationship junkyard. The traditional a from seen windfarm a than sensitivity viewer to subject more be monuments—would or windfarm seen from an area defined as sacred or important—like national parks lands. non-designated other from views than A sites cultural or natural from of a windfarm. Viewers are likely to be more sensitive to views of the windfarm away from visible signs of mankind, they may be particularly sensitive to views to change than others. For example, when people quest for experiences in areas The third topic deals with the fact that some viewers may have a higher tothechange: 3. Potential oftheviewer sensitivity sensitivity greater visualimpactthanabackgroundview. impact than a middleground view. A middleground view is considered to have With regard to impact, the foreground view is considered to have greater visual Background Morethan5miles Middleground 2000’–5miles Foreground 0–2000’ wind turbinesite,we have setthedividinglinesasfollows: proposed the near lands Federal for methodology USFS the with correspond To drawn. are boundaries these where on consensus absolute no is vary,there opinions professionals’ As background. and middleground, foreground, the between drawn is line dividing the where affect that factors many are There be cannot tree single distinguished fromneighboringtrees.Thetreesareseenasaforest. a background, the In leaves. individual distinguish to middleground can be differentiated fromthe neighboring trees,in but ittree isThe impossible branches. the on leaves individual see can we foreground the In trees. as simple as something perceives one how discussing by compared

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report GIS Mapping 6 Geospatial Analysis Modeling can view the wind turbines, one might additionally consider site-specific groves of trees or forests or buildings between the viewer and the wind A geographic information system (GIS)—a powerful tool used to assist in turbines, which can obscure views and further reduce the visibility of the understanding the general patterns of the visual landscape— was used by Hill wind turbines from the viewer. Studio to assist in the prediction of potential windfarm visibility. The Spatial Analysis program was used to generate a Digital Elevational Model (DEM) in the Especially due to forest cover (page 14) , the field experience of visibility of the computer, resulting in a three-dimensional model simulating the topography in wind turbines can be predicted to be somewhat less than the area of potential the study area. This virtual landscape is represented by a series of cells or pixels, visual effect shown in the other GIS maps, particularly in the summer months. 100’ x 100’ in size. The proposed wind turbines were then placed in the model. 550’ Map Cells at the proposed wind turbine locations were elevated to proposed wind turbine height. Two height studies were performed measuring from the tip of The first GIS map, on page 11, shows the area of potential visual effect of the the blade at its highest point above the ground; one with the updated turbines for the original proposed turbine height, relative to a viewer standing on the specifications (680’) and one with the originially approved specifications (550’). study area terrain. This answers the question “In the study area, where does the terrain allow for views to the tip of the wind turbines?” The tips are placed at The computer was then queried to report which cells in the study area were 550’ above the ground as a maximum case scenario for turbine selection. potentially visible from each of the elevated locations. The computer performed a radial scan from the elevated cell representing the wind turbine height. The On the map, a viewer in almost all the terrain within the 2000’ foreground query resulted in a color map of the cells that are potentially visible, due to (99%+) can see one or more of the blade tips. Substantial amounts (58%+) of terrain. The query was repeated for each of the 22 proposed wind turbines, the middle-ground (2000’ to 5 miles) can also see the tips. In the background then all cells potentially visible from all the wind turbines were processed into (beyond 5 miles), terrain allows for views to the tips from higher ground, a composite montage. especially higher ground with a foreground valley. Nearby mountains obscure the views when they are between the viewer and the windfarm. The 550’ height Considerations was the proposed turbine height approved in 2016.” The analysis model is very useful at the regional scale, but it is a simple model. 680’ Map Its coarse overview should be supplemented with field verification for specific sites. In discussion of the potential issues of elevation models, consider several The second map, on page 12, shows the area of potential visual effect of the tip additional complexities not addressed: of the blade, at its highest point, relative to a viewer. This answers the question “In the study area, where does the terrain allow for views to the tip of the wind 1. First, the model assumes that if cells on the ground can be seen from the top turbines?” The tips are placed at 680’ above the ground as a maximum case of the wind turbine, then the top of the wind turbine can be seen from the scenario for turbine selection. cells. We have found no evidence to suggest this fundamental assumption is not always correct. On the map, a viewer in almost all the terrain within the foreground (99%+) can see one or more of the blade tips. Substantial lands of the middleground 2. Secondly, the 100’x 100’ cell size assumes the cell is entirely the same (62%+) can also see the tips. In the background (beyond 5 miles), terrain allows elevation. Although this size has become much more refined in recent for views to the tips from higher ground, especially higher ground with a years, there is still terrain variation within the cell that is not accounted for foreground valley. Nearby mountains obscure the views when located between in the model. Rocks, gullies, berms and other detailed modifications may the viewer and the windfarm. further obscure or provide for views beyond the limits of the analysis. The 680’ height is the updated wind turbine tip height, so this model was used 3. Third, for decades since the invention of this medium, it has been standard as a base for further analysis. practice for analysis models to be created and studied without the tree cover being a part of the visual analysis. The Rocky Forge analysis considers only 680’ Map Enlarged terrain and its relationship to visibility. The Botetourt County landscape The third map, on page 13, shows the 10-mile area surrounding the turbines provides a number of forests, buildings, and other objects that help to with the potential visiual effect of the highest point relative to the viewer. This buffer and mitigate the views beyond the bare-earth scenario depicted on the analysis. When considering the detail level of potential cells that provides a more detailed version of the area closest to the wind turbines. Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Forge Visual Rocky GIS Mapping

7 not anticipated that the wind turbines will impact their potential individual eligibility for listingintheNRHP and/orVLR. potential their impact will turbines wind the that anticipated not is it resources, historic these of number limited a for effect visual potential of turbines. While the analysis indicates that the wind turbines will be in the area throughout spread the 5-mile buffer resources area, at individual varying distances from 218 the proposed wind approximately these shows Map Resources Historic Architectural The VLR. or NRHP the in listing evaluatedfor formally been not have area buffer 5-mile the within identified old) years 50 over being visual effect. The bulk of the previously recorded historic resources (defined as potential of area the in Church Episcopal Emmanuel show not does analysis The area. buffer the within resource historic eligible potentially a as identified also was Church Episcopal Emmanuel turbines. wind proposed the of miles 5 within resources historic recorded previously the to relates it as effect visual Page 15, the Historic Architectural Resources Map illustrates the area of potential archeological site’spotentialtoyieldinformationimportantinhistory. will impact turbines its NRHP/VLR listing since wind their existence will the not compromise the that anticipated not is it effect, visual potential of area the in be to appears sites the of one While sites. tourist not are and lands private on located are sites archaeological These River. James the of floodplain the in and Gala Archaeological Sites are pre-historic Native American villages located Bessemer The area. buffer the within sites archaeological (VLR)-listed Register Landmarks Virginia and (NRHP) Places Historic of Register National two of presence the verified Associates + Dutton by analyzed and collected data The Archaeological andHistoricResources of thewindfarm. visibility the mitigate coverto provides landscape overheadforested the trees, 90% of the area within 5 miles. When the viewer is beneath the canopy of these forests (52%),evergreen forests(7%),mixed(30%)cover approximately separated out for analysis, as they better mitigate views. Combined, deciduous categories. For the purposes of visibility studies, the taller vegetation types are field open in area the of overwhelmingly10% is only area study with forested, 5-mile the within area The tones. yellowgreen the lighter in and are crops and entire study area. The forested areas are shown in green tones, and open fields Page 14, National Landcover Database, shows various vegetation cover over the National LandcoverDatabase the on effect visual special-status landsinconservation categories. potential showing maps illustrate pages following The turbines. wind proposed the of radius 5-mile a within resources cultural and natural overlay on effect wasvisual maps potential the demonstrate to created of series a 8f, Section Ordinance, Wind County Botetourt with correspond To Overlay Maps Within Area of PotentialVisual Effect: Within theBoundary: following conservation landsareintheareaofpotentialvisualeffect: the boundary, area study 5-mile the Within easements. conservation in be to Parks, Virginia State Virginia Wildlife Management Forests, Areas and State Forests, and privately-held lands known National Jefferson and Washington George the by owned lands includes lands, conserved and protected 16, Page Protected andConservedLands aeet ae ed y le ig Ln Cnevny n Virginia and Conservancy Land Ridge Blue Outdoors Foundation. by held These are effect. visual easements potential of area the in is windfarm the of miles 5 within easments conservationprivate the of (53.7%) half Approximately windfarm. There are no privately owned conservation easements within 2000’ of the 5 milesarewithintheareaofpotentialvisualeffect. within lands conserved and protected the of (45.9%) half Approximately of potentialvisualeffect. AlloftheselandsbelongtotheForests. conservedand area protected the the within of are All 2000’ within lands private the in is windfarm the Land Conservancy andVirginia OutdoorsFoundation. of miles 5 within conservation easement category. These easements are held by Blue Ridge land the of 4.8% windfarm. There are no privately owned conservation easements within 2000’ of the Outdoors FoundationandBlueRidgeLandConservancy. Creek Virginia Moore’s to belonging easements areas, conservation in land biological and Forest, special State Barren Suck Blue and Knobs and conserved lands category. This includes land in the Forests, Anthony’s 28.8% of the land within 5 miles of the windfarm belongs in the protected and protected the in is conserved landscategory. All ofthislandbelongstotheForests. windfarm the of 2000’ within land the of 1.6%

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report GIS Mapping 8 Recreation Opportunity Spectrum analyze scenery on National Forest lands, to assist in establishment of overall resource goals and objectives, to monitor scenic resources and to ensure high Page 17 shows lands owned by the George Washington and Jefferson National quality scenery for future generations…. The process for scenery management Forests, using their Recreation Opportunity Spectrum overlay system. This system involves identifying scenic components as they relate to people, system delineates the recreational priority of their lands. One way the USFS mapping these components and assigning a value for aesthetics.” categorizes their lands, is according to their availability for access and recreation, ranging from the most-accessible paved area to the most remote wilderness. From pdf maps that are available online for the GW&JNF master planning According to the USFS (Tonto National Forest website), “The Recreation process, study area lands have been examined in the Scenic Integrity Objectives Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) is a classification tool used by Forest Service categories. Within the 5-mile study area boundary, the analysis indicates lands managers since the 70s to provide visitors with varying challenges and outdoor in these categories are in the area of potential visual effect: experiences. The ROS (U.S. Forest Service 1982) classifies forest service lands into Medium six management class categories defined by setting and the probable recreation experiences and activities it affords including: urban; rural; roaded natural; Low semi-primitive motorized; semi-primitive non-motorized; and primitive. The Within the 5-mile study area boundary, the analysis indicates lands in these setting characteristics that define ROS include physical, social and managerial. higher-priority categories are not in the area of potential visual effect: “Physical” setting characteristics include type of access, remoteness, and size of the area while “social” is based on the number of people encountered. Visitor Very High management, level of development, and naturalness (evidence of visitor impacts High and / or management activities) are setting characteristics for “managerial”.” Scenic Rivers and Roads The USFS Recreational Opportunity Map indicates that within the 5-mile study area boundary, the analysis indicates following lands are in the area of potential Page 19, shows Scenic Rivers and Scenic Roads designated in the Virginia visual effect: Outdoors Plan, hosted by Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. This state agency designates and maintains a program of Scenic Roads, Scenic Semi-Primitive Motorized (SPM): Rivers, and Potential Scenic Rivers categories. Roaded Natural (RN): Scenic Rivers The analysis indicates the more pristine land categories do not fall within the According to the Virginia Outdoors Plan (see dcr.virginia.gov), the “Virginia 5-mile boundary: Scenic Rivers Program’s intent is to identify, designate and help protect rivers Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized Areas (SPNM) and streams that possess outstanding scenic, recreational, historic and natural characteristics of statewide significance for future generations…The program’s Wilderness Areas focus is on enhancing the conservation of scenic rivers and their corridors. State Scenery Management System and federal agencies must take into consideration how projects and programs affect state scenic rivers.” Page 18 shows lands owned by the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, using their Scenery Management System, defining maps in a Scenic The following scenic rivers are within the 5-mile study area: Integrity Objective overlay system. This is another system used by the Forest James River, a distance of 9.2 miles (4.07 miles in area of visual effect) Service, developed to show the scenic priority of their lands. According to the USFS website (Tonto National Forest),”… The Scenery Management Scenic Roads System provides a systematic approach for determining the relative value The Virginia Outdoors Plan also maintains a database of scenic roads. ”There and importance of scenery in National Forest lands. Ecosystems provide the are both national and state-sponsored scenic road programs. The Virginia environmental context for the scenery management system. Ecosystems as Byways program in Virginia, which is managed by Virginia Department of recreational settings greatly affect the quality and effectiveness of the recreation Transportation (VDOT) in partnership with the Department of Conservation experience. A key attribute of recreation settings is the quality of aesthetics. The and Recreation (DCR), recognizes natural, cultural, historical, recreational SMS is to be used in the context of ecosystem management to inventory and and archeological amenities of the commonwealth’s scenic roads. In addition, Rocky Forge Visual Assesment Report Forge Visual Rocky GIS Mapping

9 the roadandwindfarm. onto high points, where there are foreground open Rock pastures Eagle and fieldsof between east traverses it as glimpse occasional an show also will indicates it that analysis The 36). page Drive, Nest Eagle’s of simulation (see miles linear 2.26 approximatly for segment US220 the along windfarm the of view a a for area distance of study 7.66 the linear miles traverses near Road, the Passagesouthwest boundary. Narrow This and byway Road will show Botetourt of segment a VirginiaBywayincluding designated a Road, Creek Craig of North seen fromthisroadinsidethestudyarea. be can windfarm the that likely not is it Rock, valleyEagle the near in down is area study the within segment the Because feet. linear 1,700 of distance a for area study 5-mile the of boundary southwest the skirts road This Road. Creek Botetourt Road (US 220) is a designated scenic road between Fincastle and Craig elevated westbound lane(seesimulationofInterstate64,page64) the from seen be be can blades the of tips The blades. the of tips the of glimpse a allow lane eastbound lower, The feet. hundred several of distance a for area study study 5-mile the of boundary north the touches the area, study the of west points to of area NE miles 2 from road, scenic designated a 64, Interstate following special-statusroadsarelocatedwithinthe5-milestudyarea: National Byways, Scenic Forest Scenic Byways Virginiaand American Automobile Byways, Association recognition.” The American include designations Commonwealth are represented by designated Virginia Byways…Scenic Road the of regions geographic the of character and culture varied and unique the of thisanalysisarediscussedinthefollowing chapter. visited and assessed over a dozen sites around the county and beyond. Results personnel Studio of Hill model, analysis the of assessment work the supplement and impact refined more a provide To study. the augment that resources Specificeffect. site-basedvisual observationpotential of pointsoverview maybroad benefita provides fromanalysis additionalgeospatial field-observedThe Further Considerations

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report GIS Mapping 10 Legend CowpastureCowpasture RiverRiver Viewshed Analysis Foreground 2,000 Cowpasture River GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && GoshenGoshen && LittleLittle NorthNorth MountainMountain JeffersonJefferson NationalNational ForestsForests WildlifeWildlife ManagementManagement AreaArea Middleground 2,000 to 5 Miles

JacksonJackson RiverRiver Stonewall Jackson Hospital 55 milesmiles Lexington County oundaries

2000'2000' Eagle Rock Grab N Go Buena Vista Nearest Neighboring Residence Tredegar House ShortShort HillsHills Eagle Rock School & Library I-81 Maury River Eagle's Nest Drive Blue Ridge Vineyard Citgo-Eagle Rock

JamesJames RiverRiver

GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && JeffersonJefferson NationalNational ForestsForests GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && Jefferson National Forests Football Field Jefferson National Forests New Castle Fincastle Cemetery Courthouse Blue Ridge Parkway

W Lynchburg Salem Tpk CarvinsCarvins CoveCove ReservoirReservoir N

Hollins Miles j 0 2.5 5 10 15 20 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Viewshed Analysis DEM is based upon preliminary design plans. Area of Potential Visual Effect: 550 feet (comparison map from October 2015 study) Structure design and location will be finalized during Date: September 9, 2019 the detail design and permitting process. 11 Legend CowpastureCowpasture RiverRiver Viewshed Analysis Foreground 2,000 Cowpasture River GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && GoshenGoshen && LittleLittle NorthNorth MountainMountain JeffersonJefferson NationalNational ForestsForests WildlifeWildlife ManagementManagement AreaArea Middleground 2,000 to 5 Miles

JacksonJackson RiverRiver Stonewall Jackson Hospital 55 milesmiles Lexington County oundaries

JamesJames RiverRiver

W Lynchburg Salem Tpk CarvinsCarvins CoveCove ReservoirReservoir N

Hollins Miles j 0 2.5 5 10 15 20 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Viewshed Analysis DEM is based upon preliminary design plans. Area of Potential Visual Effect: 680 feet Structure design and location will be finalized during Date: September 9, 2019 the detail design and permitting process. 12 DouthatDouthat StateState ParkPark GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && JeffersonJefferson NationalNational ForestsForests Legend I-64 Viewshed Analysis Foreground 2,000 10 miles Middleground 2,000 to 5 Miles Cowpasture River Clifton Forge I-64 ackground 5 miles .! ind urbine Locations Iron Gate Lake Robertson ! Visual Simulation Locations VMI Parade Ground Jackson River Lexington !P Other Visual Locations 5 miles Road Center Lines Stonewall uilding Footprints Jackson County oundaries Hospital

2000' GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && JJefferseffersonon NationalNational ForestsForests MauryMaury RiverRiver Eagle Rock Grab N Go Nearest Neighboring Residence ShortShort HillsHills Tredegar House Eagle Rock School & Library I-81 Eagle's Nest Drive Blue Ridge Vineyard Citgo-Eagle Rock James River

GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && JeffersonJefferson NationalNational ForestsForests

N Miles j 0 1.25 2.5 5 7.5 10

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Enlargrment Showing 10-mile Detailed Area of Potential Effect DEM is based upon preliminary design plans. Area of Potential Visual Effect: 680 feet Structure design and location will be finalized during Date: September 9, 2019 the detail design and permitting process. 13 Legend CowpastureCowpasture RiverRiver Viewshed Analysis Foreground 2,000 Cowpasture River GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && GoshenGoshen && LittleLittle NorthNorth MountainMountain JeffersonJefferson NationalNational ForestsForests WildlifeWildlife ManagementManagement AreaArea Middleground 2,000 to 5 Miles

DouthatDouthat StateState ParkPark ackground 5 miles I-64 .! ind urbine Locations ! Visual Simulation Locations 1010 milesmiles !P Other Visual Locations Clifton Forge I-64 Iron Gate Lake Robertson Road Center Lines Covington VMI Parade Ground uilding Footprints JacksonJackson RiverRiver Stonewall Jackson Hospital 55 milesmiles Lexington County oundaries National Landcover Database 2016 2000'2000' Eagle Rock ater Grab N Go Buena Vista Open Space Nearest Neighboring Residence Tredegar House ShortShort HillsHills Developed Lands Eagle Rock School & Library I-81 Maury River Eagle's Nest Drive arren Land Blue Ridge Vineyard Citgo-Eagle Rock Deciduous Forest JamesJames RiverRiver Evergreen Forest Mied Forest

GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && ShrubScrub JeffersonJefferson NationalNational ForestsForests GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && JeffersonJefferson NationalNational ForestsForests Herbaceuous New Castle Football Field Fincastle Cemetery PastureHay Courthouse Blue Ridge Parkway Cultivated Crops oody etlands Emergent Herbaceuous etlands

W Lynchburg Salem Tpk CarvinsCarvins CoveCove ReservoirReservoir N

Hollins Miles j 0 2.5 5 10 15 20 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Viewshed Analysis DEM is based upon preliminary design plans. National Landcover Database 2016 (NLCD 2016) Structure design and location will be finalized during Date: September 9, 2019 the detail design and permitting process. 14 Legend CowpastureCowpasture RiverRiver Viewshed Analysis Foreground 2,000 Cowpasture River GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && GoshenGoshen && LittleLittle NorthNorth MountainMountain JeffersonJefferson NationalNational ForestsForests WildlifeWildlife ManagementManagement AreaArea Middleground 2,000 to 5 Miles

JacksonJackson RiverRiver Stonewall Jackson Hospital 55 milesmiles Lexington County oundaries Historic Architectural Resources 2000'2000' Eagle Rock Grab N Go Buena Vista Nearest Neighboring Residence Tredegar House ShortShort HillsHills Eagle Rock School & Library I-81 Maury River Eagle's Nest Drive Blue Ridge Vineyard Citgo-Eagle Rock

JamesJames RiverRiver

W Lynchburg Salem Tpk CarvinsCarvins CoveCove ReservoirReservoir N

Hollins Miles j 0 2.5 5 10 15 20 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Viewshed Analysis DEM is based upon preliminary design plans. Historic Architectural Resources Structure design and location will be finalized during Date: September 9, 2019 the detail design and permitting process. 15 Legend CowpastureCowpasture RiverRiver Viewshed Analysis Foreground 2,000 Cowpasture River GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && GoshenGoshen && LittleLittle NorthNorth MountainMountain JeffersonJefferson NationalNational ForestsForests WildlifeWildlife ManagementManagement AreaArea Middleground 2,000 to 5 Miles

JacksonJackson RiverRiver Stonewall Jackson Hospital 55 milesmiles Lexington County oundaries Conservation Easements 2000'2000' Eagle Rock Protective Management Lands Grab N Go (National & State ParksForestsReservoirsScenic Areas) Buena Vista Nearest Neighboring Residence ildlife Management Areas Tredegar House ShortShort HillsHills Eagle Rock School & Library I-81 Maury River Eagle's Nest Drive Blue Ridge Vineyard Citgo-Eagle Rock

JamesJames RiverRiver

W Lynchburg Salem Tpk CarvinsCarvins CoveCove ReservoirReservoir N

Hollins Miles j 0 2.5 5 10 15 20 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Viewshed Analysis DEM is based upon preliminary design plans. Conservation Lands Structure design and location will be finalized during Date: September 9, 2019 the detail design and permitting process. 16 Legend CowpastureCowpasture RiverRiver Viewshed Analysis Rough Mountain Foreground 2,000 Cowpasture River GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && GoshenGoshen && LittleLittle NorthNorth MountainMountain JeffersonJefferson NationalNational ForestsForests WildlifeWildlife ManagementManagement AreaArea Middleground 2,000 to 5 Miles

DouthatDouthat StateState ParkPark Rich Hole ackground 5 miles I-64 .! ind urbine Locations ! Visual Simulation Locations 1010 milesmiles !P Other Visual Locations Clifton Forge I-64 Iron Gate Lake Robertson Road Center Lines Covington VMI Parade Ground uilding Footprints

JacksonJackson RiverRiver Stonewall Jackson Hospital 55 milesmiles Lexington County oundaries USFS Recreational Opportunity Spectrum 2008 2000'2000' Inventory by eorge ashington National Forest Eagle Rock Grab N Go SPNM (beyond 12 mile from any roadutility) Buena Vista Nearest Neighboring Residence Tredegar House ShortShort HillsHills SPM (beyond 12 mile from improved roadutility) Eagle Rock School & Library I-81 Maury River RN (within 12 mile from any roadutility) Eagle's Nest Drive Blue Ridge Vineyard Designated ilderness Citgo-Eagle Rock

JamesJames RiverRiver Barbours Creek James River Face

Shawvers Run

GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && Thunder Ridge JeffersonJefferson NationalNational ForestsForests GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && Jefferson National Forests Football Field Jefferson National Forests New Castle Fincastle Cemetery Courthouse Blue Ridge Parkway

W Lynchburg Salem Tpk CarvinsCarvins CoveCove ReservoirReservoir N

Hollins Miles j 0 2.5 5 10 15 20 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Viewshed Analysis DEM is based upon preliminary design plans. USFS Recreational Opportunity Structure design and location will be finalized during Date: September 9, 2019 the detail design and permitting process. 17 Legend CowpastureCowpasture RiverRiver Viewshed Analysis Foreground 2,000 Cowpasture River GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && GoshenGoshen && LittleLittle NorthNorth MountainMountain JeffersonJefferson NationalNational ForestsForests WildlifeWildlife ManagementManagement AreaArea Middleground 2,000 to 5 Miles

JacksonJackson RiverRiver Stonewall Jackson Hospital 55 milesmiles Lexington County oundaries USFS Scenic Integrity Obectives 2000'2000' Eagle Rock Very High Grab N Go Buena Vista High Nearest Neighboring Residence Tredegar House Short Hills Short Hills Medium Eagle Rock School & Library I-81 Maury River Eagle's Nest Drive Blue Ridge Vineyard Low Citgo-Eagle Rock

JamesJames RiverRiver

W Lynchburg Salem Tpk CarvinsCarvins CoveCove ReservoirReservoir N

Hollins Miles j 0 2.5 5 10 15 20 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Viewshed Analysis DEM is based upon preliminary design plans. USFS Scenic Integrity Structure design and location will be finalized during Date: September 9, 2019 the detail design and permitting process. 18 Legend CowpastureCowpasture RiverRiver Viewshed Analysis Douthat State Park Rd. Foreground 2,000 Cowpasture River GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && GoshenGoshen && LittleLittle NorthNorth MountainMountain JeffersonJefferson NationalNational ForestsForests WildlifeWildlife ManagementManagement AreaArea Middleground 2,000 to 5 Miles

DouthatDouthat StateState ParkPark ackground 5 miles Maury River Rd. .! N Mountain Rd. I-64 ind urbine Locations ! N Lee Hwy Visual Simulation Locations 1010 milesmiles !P Other Visual Locations Clifton Forge I-64 Iron Gate Lake Robertson South River Rd. Road Center Lines Covington VMI Parade Ground uilding Footprints

JacksonJackson RiverRiver Stonewall Jackson Hospital 55 milesmiles Lexington County oundaries Rich Patch Rd. Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia yways 2000'2000' Eagle Rock Scenic Roads Grab N Go Buena Vista lue Ridge Parkway Nearest Neighboring Residence Tredegar House ShortShort HillsHills S Lee Hwy Designated Scenic Rivers Eagle Rock School & Library I-81 Maury River Eagle's Nest Drive Craig Creek Rd Potential Scenic Rivers Blue Ridge Vineyard Citgo-Eagle Rock ualified Scenic Rivers JamesJames RiverRiver Rivers & Streams

Caldwell Mtn Rd.

GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && Groove Hill Rd. Blue Ridge Parkway JeffersonJefferson NationalNational ForestsForests GeorgeGeorge WashingtonWashington && Botetourt Rd. Jefferson National Forests Football Field Jefferson National Forests New Castle Fincastle Cemetery Courthouse Blue Ridge Parkway

W Lynchburg Salem Tpk CarvinsCarvins CoveCove ReservoirReservoir N

Hollins Miles j 0 2.5 5 10 15 20 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Viewshed Analysis DEM is based upon preliminary design plans. Scenic Roads & Rivers Structure design and location will be finalized during Date: September 9, 2019 the detail design and permitting process. 19 2 Selected Sites 21 12. NearestNeighbortotheProject windfarm, andprovideageneralassessmentoftheInterstateimpact. impact from the nearestneighborand historic Tredegar House to theproposed In additiontothesesites,RockyForgeWind requestedthatwe studythevisual 11. EaglesNestDrive 10. EagleRockSchool/Library 9. BlueRidgeVineyard 8. BlueRidgeParkway 7. CliftonForge 6. IronGate 5. EagleRockCitgo 4. ExxonGrabNGo 3. FootballField 2. FincastleCemetery 1. FincastleCourthouse a slateofsiteswas providedbyBotetourtCountyforvisualassessment. County WindAs partoftheworktocorrespondwithBotetourt Ordinance, of thirteen sites were originally selected for study, thenexpanded to eighteen. condition and the proposed condition once the wind turbines were built. A total the photographsforpotentialtoconvey acomparison between theexisting personnel visited each of these sites, took a series of photographs, and analyzed community and simulations. HillStudio and after stakeholders andproposedforbefore officials government by pinpointed were County Botetourt To augment theworkof the geospatialanalysis, selected sites from around Selected Sites 18. Interstate64 17. LakeRobertson 16. VMIParade Ground,Lexington 15. Stonewall JacksonHospital,Lexington additional sitesforvisualeffectattherequest ofRockyForgeW Due to the new turbine heights for the 2019 update, HillStudio studied four 14. Interstate81 13. TredegarHouse

ind. with ourfindingsastowhyfurthersimulationwork was notpursued. other buildings, and/or forests. Each is described below beginning on page 23, view oftheproposed windfarm. This is becauseitwillbeblocked bymountains, significant a have not will sites 18 proposed the of 8 that predicts Studio Hill leaves oncorrespondtotimesmorevisitorsareintheregion. Scenic Rivers, theBlueRidgeParkway and Appalachian Trail.Thetreeswith and visitingtheForests,ScenicRoads come tothehighlandsforhiking, summer seasoncorresponds to timespeopleare outdoorsmoreandtravelers on deciduous trees. According to data from Virginia Tourism Corporation, the brings atimewhenthewindfarmwouldbemorevisible,duetolackofleaves toward theendofgrowingseason,beforetreesturnwithfallcolor.Winter leavessection showthe and simulationsinthe The photographs trees onthe sitesand these Wevisited sites. selected photographed theminlatesummerandearlyfall,2015expanded2019. these from effect visual of extent contrasting theexistingscene with theproposed action and determining the analysis by HillStudioandphotographedforpotentialinclusioninbefore/after middleground andbackgroundwereThese selectedviewpointsinthe reviewed

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Selected Sites 22 23

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Selected Sites I-81 Eagle RockLibrary Eagle RockCitgo study area. the from I-81 of departure northeast the to continue and Lexington, near (Fairfield), 200 and (Lexington) again alongsouthboundI-81between188. Distantviewsofthewindfarmwill begin exitsatmiles188 at miles150(Hollins)and162(Buchanan). ThemountainsblockviewsalongI-81between miles162and cover,the predominantviewswillbe inopenareasalongnorthboundI-81between itislikely the exits the northboundlanes will likelycatch glimpses of the wind turbines. Sometimes mitigated by vegetative miles throughBotetourtCountyonaNE-SW traverse. According totheviewshedanalysis,travelers of Linking Daleville,TroutvilleandBuchanan to points North,theI-81corridor stretches approximately28 I-81 the Eagle’sNestDrive simulation. sites may see glimpses of the turbinesfrom these locations. Please see page 35for additional discussion of existing vegetation. Inthewintermonths,whendeciduous trees have shedtheirleaves, visitorsofthese and EagleRockLibrarygrounds.Notethattheviewindirectionofwindturbines isblockedbythe a viewtowardRoute 220.Thephotostotheleftexhibit thewind turbines frombothEagleRockSchool facilities willfeatureaview,sowe modelled theviewfromEagle’s NestDrive, nearitsintersectionwith from their sites, due to thethickforest located just to thenorth of these facilities. The road that leads to both Neither EagleRock School nor Eagle Rock Library is predicted to have a view of the proposed windfarm Eagle Rock SchoolandLibrary illustrates thattheviewindirectionofwindturbinesisblockedbymountain. The photo totheleftexhibitsaviewtoward the wind turbines from the storeand Route 220.This photo miles fromthesite,willnotbevisibleduetoviewbeingshieldedbyRatholeMountain. convenience store for local residents. Hill Studio predicts that thewindfarm, which is approximately 6.5 The CitgostorelocatedjustoutsideofthetownEagleRockonnorthboundsideUS220isapopular Eagle Rock Citgo I-64 Most of the drive along Interstate 64 westbound through Alleghany County will not feature a view of the windfarm. The photo along Interstate 64 looks in the direction of the windfarm from the westbound lane. On the eastbound lane, a truck rest area approximately 2 miles west of the Irondale Furnace exit is the closest visitor facility location along I-64 to the windfarm at 5 miles from the property. Hill Studio predicts that the windfarm will not be visible to visitors of the rest area because the view will be blocked by Blacks Gap and the northern end of North Mountain in the foreground. However, the raised westbound lane of I-64, located about 20 feet higher than the rest area, will provide a brief glimpse of the windfarm tips for westbound travelers for a few seconds. Please see page 63 for additional discussion of the Interstate 64 simulation location which was taken from the eastbound land as it provides a view of the windfarm for a greater portion of I-64.

I-64 Fincastle Courthouse The view from the historic crossroads and courthouse square has foreground obstacles in the form of a number of other buildings. Hill Studio predicts that it would not be possible to see the proposed windfarm from the grounds of or adjacent to the Botetourt County Courthouse. The photograph to the left exhibits a view toward the wind turbines from the courthouse grounds. This photograph illustrates that the view in the direction of the wind turbines is blocked by buildings.

Fincastle Courthouse

Clifton Forge Located in Alleghany County, northwest of the proposed windfarm, Clifton Forge is 8.5 miles from the windfarm at its nearest point. The visual analysis indicates the vast majority of the land in Clifton Forge will not have a view of the wind turbine site due to the ridges of Wilson Mountain blocking this view from a number of the residences, businesses, and travel routes. There are a few isolated places shown on the visibility analysis map, which may have a view of the turbines. These include several clusters of houses in elevated neighborhoods, which will have a view of the upper parts of the wind turbines in the background. The majority of these residences will have potential views blocked by vegetation. To the left, a photo from Clifton Forge looks in the direction of the proposed windfarm. Wilson Mountain is predicted to block the view. Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Forge Visual Rocky Selected Sites Clifton Forge 24 25

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Selected Sites VMI Parade Ground Stonewall JacksonHospital Lake Robertson turbines willnotbevisible Hill Mountainridge,allofLakeRobertson ispredictedtobeoutofviewthewindfarm,therefore surrounded by maturetreesandmorethan50campingsites.Itslocationinthevalley beneaththeGreen and culturalresourcetotheregion,this580-acreareafeaturesa26-acrelake natural An important Lake Robertson the Parade Ground. be blockedbyforegroundbuildingsalongLetcher Avenue andbythedense trees onthesouthwest endof flat, a features Ground Parade the grassy plateau,castingtheeye towards County, distantmountains.Thewindfarmistotheleftofphotobutwill Rockbridge in visibility for chances best the of one Offering VMI Parade Ground to densityofvegetation. the left,windmillsareblockedbytreestoleftoflightpost.Views areunlikelyinwinterdue hills thatsurround Lexington willprovidesome views ofthewindfarm in thebackground.Inphototo rolling upper cleared The Fincastle. in demonstrated manner same the in effect, potential this mitigate to and maturevegetationhospital, thedensityofbuildings such asthe are likely middle ofdowntown in the downtown of vicinity the in points high several the from of visible effect. potentially as showing Although visual most ofthecityLexingtonisnotwithinareapotential The viewshedanalysisshowsthat Stonewall JacksonHospital Pre- andPost-Construction Assessment website versions ofthedocumentwillaccountforatmosphere. in printing.Thelargerformatboardsfor publicpresentationandlargeformat detail wouldbelost are notarduouslymanipulated,because in mostcasesthe the document,atmospheric conditions between viewer andthewindturbines sunlight, and particles in the air change frequently. For the printedversion of as humidity, interesting, process. TheBlueRidgeatmosphereisparticularly rendering of the atmosphereremainsoneofmostcomplicated partsofthesimulation of Theprediction available. hasbecome as technology efficient Over the years the practice of digital modeling has become more precise and has beenproducedand beenshownonthefollowingpages. post-construction assessment (also known asa“beforeandafter”simulation) The remaining10proposedsiteswere analyzedandapre-construction Selected Sites 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. The followingprocessisemployed: when buildingamodeltopredicttheaftercondition. There are a number of influences which the landscape architect takes in account landscape thatwillbeseenfollowingtheconstructionofwindturbines. a comparison between theexistinglandscape seen by theviewer, and the A “before and after simulation” is a design professional’s best judgment of Reviewing Before/AfterSimulations

elements, whichappearontheexistingconditionsphotographs. Adjust the simulationforatmospheric conditionsand other detailed turbine model. Render adepictionofthephotograph,topographicmodel, and wind model. digital modelsoftheproposed wind turbinesandsplicetheseintothe Superimpose, oroverlay, thephotographontodigitalmodel.Obtain approximate conditionsseenbytheaverage viewer. Capture photographsof the existingcondition using a lens, which will Create adigitalthree-dimensionalmodelofthetopography. the post-construction condition. a pairwisespreadof existingpreconstructioncondition,and ourpredictionof Following themontage, for each of the selected viewpoints, we have provided 4. 3. 2. 1. montage ofseveral assessmentgraphics.Eachmontagefeatures: Each of thesites features adescription of thelocation of theproperty,anda

the contextofdesignedframedscene. overlookpanorama shownfromMillsGap windfarm in demonstratesthe opened toprovideaviewofthemanagedcountryside.The intentionally are which vistas, magnificent its for community design the in renowned is actions todisplayapanoramic scene fortheviewer. TheBlueRidge Parkway intentional of result the are however, Others, hayfield. a make to wanted experiences resultfromrandom luck. A viewisopenedbecause afarmer the scene, it is the complete scene we remember. Some of thepanoramic framed byforegroundtrees. Although thewindfarm occupies less of amorememorablecontext, panorama showsthewindfarminarguably memorable experienceofthewindfarm.Incasedistantscenes, of alltheturbines.Thepanoramaprovidesamorerealistic,completeand residence, thenormalconeofvisiondoesnotfullyallowanexperience view. Insomeforegroundexperiences,likethenearestnon-participating our head, thememoryofsceneiscomplete turning without vision doesnotallowustocompletelyexperiencesomeofthepanoramas unplanned viewer experiences in theregion. Although ournormal cone of the proposed action tothescale and contextofsome of theplannedand relation totheproposedwindfarm.Thepanoramaisprovidedrelate panelizes several photographs,showingtheexpanseofview,in this landscapefeaturebroadpanoramicviews.Thedepiction Panoramic viewoftheproposedwindturbines.Manyscenesin above theviewer, showingthewindfarmonNorthMountain. Earth 3Dmodel.This depictioniselevatedGoogle the A locationwithin represents thetopographybetween theviewer andthenearestturbine. the nearestwindturbineat680’above thesurface.Thebrownshaded area base. Theblueshaded areashowstheviewer’sof tip relationshiptothe and verticallyare shownhorizontally Distances infeet wind turbine to the A scaledsectioncutshowingtheviewer, andtheproposedwindturbines. proposed windfarm. a section line, showingtherelationshipbetween theview point and the A mapofthestudyareafeaturingBotetourtCountyboundary,with

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Selected Sites 26 27

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Selected Sites The residenceislocatedonDaggerSpringsRoad. located approximately1.15miles from thenearest proposed turbine location. This residence is theclosest non-participating neighbortotheprojectsite, Closest Non-Participating Residence Location in3D model Rocky ForgeSite Location map Panoramic view of proposed wind turbines

Section from viewpoint to proposed wind turbines Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 1.15 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 17 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Closest Non-Participating Residence Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (18 Turbines Visible) 28 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 1.15 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 17 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Closest Non-Participating Residence Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. 29 Existing/Pre-Construction Condition Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 1.15 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 17 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Closest Non-Participating Residence Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (13 Turbines Visible) 30 31

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Selected Sites location. leaves,shed their from this visitorsofthissitemayseeglimpsestheturbines blocking thispotentialview.Inthewintermonths,whendeciduous trees have shows the viewindirection of the windfarm and with theforeground trees there isnowhereonthesitethatcanviewproposed windfarm. Thephoto of foreground vegetation on the west side of US 220, HillStudio predicts that of theclosestcommercial developments totheproposedwindfarm.Because Eagle RockGrabNGoisadjacenttotheJamesRiver alongUS220.Itisone A popular crossroads, commercial and recreational node in BotetourtCounty, Eagle Rock GrabNGo Location in3D model Rocky ForgeSite Location map Panoramic view of proposed wind turbines

Section from viewpoint to proposed wind turbines Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 4.20 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Grab N Go, Eagle Rock, VA Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (0 Turbines Visible) 32 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 4.20 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Grab N Go, Eagle Rock, VA Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. 33 Existing/Pre-Construction Condition LOCATION OF PROPOSED TURBINES VIEW BLOCKED BY VEGETATION

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 4.20 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Grab N Go, Eagle Rock, VA Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (0 Turbines Visible) 34 35

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Selected Sites Location in3Dmodel of thehighway corridor. 220, thereisanopenviewoftheturbinesdue to the clearand straight alignment intersection ofEaglesNestDrivearea. Fromthe visible inthatgeneral andUS and theLibrary,anewsimulationwaswould be addedtoshowwhereturbines determined thatthewindturbineswere notvisiblefromtheElementarySchool Eagles Nest Drive intersectsUS 220 outside of EagleRock.OnceHillStudio Eagles NestDrive Rocky ForgeSite Rocky ForgeSite Location map Panoramic view of proposed wind turbines

Section from viewpoint to proposed wind turbines Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 4.72 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Intersection of Eagles Nest Drive and Route 220 Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (18 Turbines Visible) 36 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 4.72 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Intersection of Eagles Nest Drive and Route 220 Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. 37 Existing/Pre-Construction Condition Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 4.72 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Intersection of Eagles Nest Drive and Route 220 Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (18 Turbines Visible) 38 39

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Selected Sites turbines willbelocatedtotherearoftastingroom/pavilion. blade tipsandsomehubsvisibletovisitorsofthevineyard. Theviewofthe of the wind turbines will be shielded mainly by Scruff Mountain, with only the The Blue RidgeVineyard is located approximately 3.8miles from the site.Views Blue RidgeVineyard Location in3D model Rocky ForgeSite Location map Panoramic view of proposed wind turbines

Section from viewpoint to proposed wind turbines Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 3.80 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Blue Ridge Vineyard Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (15 Turbines Visible) 40 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 3.80 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Blue Ridge Vineyard Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Existing/Pre-Construction Condition 41 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 3.80 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Blue Ridge Vineyard Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (15 Turbines Visible) 42 43

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Selected Sites Gate. Fincastle onRoute220,andfromhomes and roadways intheTownofIron viewer’svisible throughthe will be windshieldwhiletravelingsouth towards approximately 6.7 miles northwest of the proposed windfarm. The windfarm County line is locatedontheBotetourtCounty/Alleghany The TownofIronGate Iron Gate Location in3D model Rocky ForgeSite Location map Panoramic view of proposed wind turbines

Section from viewpoint to proposed wind turbines Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 6.70 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Iron Gate, Intersection of Route 220 and 10th Street Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (9 Turbines Visible) 44 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 6.70 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Iron Gate, Intersection of Route 220 and 10th Street Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Existing/Pre-Construction Condition 45 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 6.70 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Iron Gate, Intersection of Route 220 and 10th Street Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (9 Turbines Visible) 46 47

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Selected Sites the footballfieldindistantbackground. back ofthisframed view fromthebleachers.The windfarmcanbeseenfrom the are Mountain North including mountains, The beyond. valley the to field southwest orientation.Thegrandstandsfacenorthlookingacrossthefootball northeast a in oriented is School Middle Central Academy at field football The Football Field Location in3D model Rocky ForgeSite Location map Panoramic view of proposed wind turbines

Section from viewpoint to proposed wind turbines

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 14.12 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Central Academy Football Field, Fincastle, VA Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (18 Turbines Visible) 48 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 14.12 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Central Academy Football Field, Fincastle, VA Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. 49 Existing/Pre-Construction Condition Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 14.12 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Central Academy Football Field, Fincastle, VA Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (18 Turbines Visible) 50 51

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Selected Sites behind theTownofFincastle. towers arepredominantlymasked by ridgesandvegetation inthemiddleground blades. Thehubsandthe wind turbine only showthehighestportionsof visual impact.Stilltheviewofproposedwindfarmfromhighknobwill elevation,1293 feet cemetery, at of the point high ispredictedtohavemost the near theFincastleMethodistChurch.The Cemetery, islocatedonahighknob Fincastle Cemetery,also known as Godwin CemeteryorSlicer-Godwin Fincastle Cemetery Location in3D model Rocky ForgeSite Location map Panoramic view of proposed wind turbines

Section from viewpoint to proposed wind turbines Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 15.10 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Godwin Cemetery, Fincastle, VA Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (6 Turbines Visible) 52 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 15.10 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Godwin Cemetery, Fincastle, VA Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. 53 Existing/Pre-Construction Condition Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 15.10 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 15 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Godwin Cemetery, Fincastle, VA Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (6 Turbines Visible) 54 55

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Selected Sites Mountain. visible beyondPurgatoryMountain,BrushyMountainandStampingGround to thesite. Atare approximately14milesfromthesite,windturbines determined thattheMillsGapoverlook willhave theclearestandclosest view has several overlooks thatwere considered for visualsimulations.HillStudio The BlueRidgeParkway, locatedtotheeastandsoutheastofwindfarm, Blue RidgeParkway Location in3D model Rocky ForgeSite Location map Panoramic view of proposed wind turbines

Section from viewpoint to proposed wind turbines Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 14.15 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 18 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Blue Ridge Parkway, Mills Gap Overlook Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (18 Turbines Visible) 56 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 14.15 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 18 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Blue Ridge Parkway, Mills Gap Overlook Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. 57 Existing/Pre-Construction Condition Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 14.15 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 18 September 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Blue Ridge Parkway, Mills Gap Overlook Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (18 Turbines Visible) 58 59

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Selected Sites 4000’ fromthenearestturbine. The viewwillbeamiddlegroundexperience,withthehouse at approximately as theproposedwindfarm. same property Tredegar Houseisahistoricsiteonthe Tredegar House Location in3D model Rocky ForgeSite Location map Panoramic view of proposed wind turbines

Section from viewpoint to proposed wind turbines Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 0.76 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 30 November 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Tredegar House Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (5 Turbines Visible) 60 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 0.76 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 30 November 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Tredegar House Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. 61 Existing/Pre-Construction Condition Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 0.76 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 30 November 2015 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Tredegar House Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (5 Turbines Visible) 62 63

Rocky Forge Visual Assessment Report Selected Sites 30 seconds(2miles). At a speed of 70 miles per hour, the axialview will last for about 1 minute and while traveling east towards Lexington and west towards Clifton Forge on I-64. the viewer’sAnthony Knobs.Thewindfarmwillbevisiblethrough windshield approximately 6.8milesfromthesite,windturbinesarevisiblebeyond Furnace in Alleghany Countyhastheclearestandclosest view tothesite. At Studio determinedthattheeastboundsectionnearNicelytownandLongdale were64 hasafewlocationsthat considered forvisualsimulations.Hill Located tothenorthwest ofthewindfarmnearLongdaleFurnace,Interstate Interstate 64 Location in3D model Rocky ForgeSite Location map Panoramic view of proposed wind turbines

Section from viewpoint to proposed wind turbines Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 6.82 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 20 September 2019 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Interstate 64-Eastbound Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (8 Turbines Visible) 64 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 6.82 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 20 September 2019 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Interstate 64-Eastbound Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Existing/Pre-Construction Condition 65 Rocky Forge Visual Assessment: Preliminary Turbine Locations Distance: 6.82 miles Camera: Canon EOS Digital 400xTi Date of Photograph: 20 September 2019 Lens: Canon EF Digital 35mm fixed Simulation is based upon preliminary design plans. Interstate 64-Eastbound Angle: Viewer height, approximately with polarizing filter Structure design and location will be finalized during 5 feet from ground the detail design and permitting process. Proposed/Post-Construction Condition (8 Turbines Visible) 66