Riverhead Solar 2 Case No. 17-F-0655 1001.24 Exhibit 24 Visual Impacts EXHIBIT 24 Riverhead Solar 2, LLC Riverhead Solar 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS VISUAL IMPACTS .....................................................................................................................................1 (a) Visual Impact Assessment............................................................................................................................ 1 (1) Character and Visual Quality of the Existing Landscape .......................................................................... 3 (2) Visibility of the Facility .............................................................................................................................. 9 (3) Visibility of Overhead Transmission and Collection Lines ...................................................................... 10 (4) Appearance of the Facility Upon Completion ......................................................................................... 10 (5) Lighting ................................................................................................................................................... 12 (6) Photographic Overlays (Simulations) ..................................................................................................... 12 (7) Nature and Degree of Visual Change from Construction ....................................................................... 12 (8) Nature and Degree of Visual Change from Operation ............................................................................ 13 (9) Operational Effects of the Facility ........................................................................................................... 15 (10) Measures to Mitigate for Visual Impacts ................................................................................................ 16 (11) Description of Visual Resources to be Affected ..................................................................................... 19 (b) Viewshed Analysis ...................................................................................................................................... 20 (1) Viewshed Maps ...................................................................................................................................... 21 (2) Viewshed Map Methodology .................................................................................................................. 25 (3) Sensitive Viewing Areas ......................................................................................................................... 27 (4) Viewpoint Selection ................................................................................................................................ 30 (5) Photographic simulations ....................................................................................................................... 31 (6) Simulation Rating and Assessment of Visual Impact ............................................................................. 37 (7) Visible Effects Created by the Facility .................................................................................................... 40 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................................... 44 LIST OF TABLES Table 24-1. Landscape Similarity Zones by Total Area in 1-Mile Study Area ................................................................6 Table 24-2. Example Albedo Values for Various Materials (Source Mertens, 2018) ................................................... 15 Table 24-3. Summary of PV Panel Viewshed Results for the Visual Study Area1 ...................................................... 22 Table 24-4. Summary of PV Panel Visibility by LSZ ................................................................................................... 23 Table 24-5. Cumulative Viewshed Analysis Results ................................................................................................... 25 Table 24-6. Visually Sensitive Resources Identified Within the Visual Study Area ..................................................... 27 Table 24-7. Visually Sensitive Resources with Potential Visibility of the Facility ......................................................... 29 Table 24-8. Summary of Rating Panel Review of Visual Simulations ......................................................................... 38 Table 24-9. Visual Mitigation Influence on Contrast Ratings ....................................................................................... 40 EXHIBIT 24 Riverhead Solar 2, LLC Page ii Riverhead Solar 2 VISUAL IMPACTS (a) Visual Impact Assessment On behalf of the Applicant, Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Engineering & Environmental Services, D.P.C. (EDR) has conducted a Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) to determine the extent and significance of the proposed Facility’s visual impacts. The VIA methodology and content are consistent with the policies, procedures, and guidelines contained in 16 NYCRR § 1001.24 and the general visual assessment methodologies used by state and federal agencies (NYSDEC, 2019; Sullivan & Meyer, 2014; United States Department of Agriculture [USDA] Forest Service, 1995; United States Department of the Interior [USDI] Bureau of Land Management [BLM], 1984). Components of the VIA include characterization of the existing landscape, identification of Visually Sensitive Resources (VSRs), viewshed mapping, confirmatory fieldwork, visual simulations, visual impact analysis, cumulative visual impact analysis, and proposed visual impact mitigation. The overall VIA process is outlined in Inset 24.1 and discussed in detail below: EXHIBIT 24 Riverhead Solar 2, LLC Page 1 Riverhead Solar 2 Inset 24.1 – VIA Process EXHIBIT 24 Riverhead Solar 2, LLC Page 2 Riverhead Solar 2 (1) Character and Visual Quality of the Existing Landscape Overview Per the requirements set forth in Stipulation 24, the Visual Study Area (VSA) for the proposed Facility is defined as the area within one mile of any Facility components, as depicted in Figure 24-1. Within the VSA, all known VSRs of national, regional, statewide, and local importance have been identified [see Section (a)(11) of this Exhibit], and all portions of the VSA have been categorized into Landscape Similarity Zones (LSZs), as discussed in detail in Section (a)(1)(ii) of this Exhibit and illustrated in Figure 24-2. Representative images of each LSZ are included in Figure 24-3. Prominent landscape features located within the VSA include Calverton Executive Airpark, which is located in the southwest portion of the VSA, a 2-mile long section of Interstate Route 495 (I-495) which runs through the southeastern portion of the VSA, and several existing large solar facilities. Peconic Lake and the associated Peconic River also occur in the southeastern portion of the VSA, generally running parallel with I-495. Land use within the VSA is dominated by commercial sod farming, industrial uses, and single-family residences. Notable residential settlements occur in the hamlet of Calverton, at the intersection of State Route 25 and Edwards Avenue, along sections of Riley Avenue in the northern portion of the VSA, and west of Fresh Pond Avenue in the northwestern portion of the VSA. NYS Route 25 is the main commercial corridor within the VSA and hosts a gravel pit operation, gas stations, landscape centers, and a few larger business parks which are situated in the eastern portion of the VSA. A large water park recreation center is located near the I-495 and State Route 25 interchange. Beyond these developed areas, the remaining portions and the majority of the VSA consists of open fields, forests, and widely-space rural residences. There are also four existing solar facilities within the VSA, including Riverhead Solar 1 (RH1) to the west, STR Systems (STR) to the east, and the Sutter and Sterlington solar facilities (SSF) to the south of the proposed Riverhead 2 Solar Facility. Topography within the majority of the VSA is relatively flat with elevations ranging from approximately 17 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) at Peconic Lake to approximately 154 feet AMSL in the forested hills a short distance south of Peconic Lake. The remainder of the VSA is generally between 50 and 70 feet AMSL. Prominent topographic features are not evident within in the VSA and therefore, do not contribute to the visual character of the landscape. User Groups Local Residents This user group includes those who live and work within the VSA. These individuals generally view the landscape from their yards, homes, local roads, schools, and places of employment. Residents are EXHIBIT 24 Riverhead Solar 2, LLC Page 3 Riverhead Solar 2 concentrated along the main thoroughfares, such as State Route 25, and in residential developments along Riley Avenue and Hill Rise Road. However, residents occur in relatively low density throughout the VSA. Except when involved in local travel, residents are likely to be stationary and have frequent or prolonged views of the landscape. Local residents may view the landscape from ground level or elevated viewpoints (typically upper floors/stories of homes). Residents’ sensitivity to visual quality is variable. However, it is assumed that local residents may be very sensitive to changes in views from their homes, yards, and community gathering places. Through-Travelers/Commuters