Environmental Assessment
Volume C-3.8
Slurry Pipeline
Visual Aesthetics
Ambatovy Project
71
January 2006
3.8.5
Impact Assessment
During the construction phase, vegetation will be cleared and a linear corridor of
between 25 and 100 m will be developed to include the pipeline and a parallel
access road. Access roads will be constructed to facilitate the transport of
construction materials to the site and allow for access of construction personnel.
Laydown areas and camp areas will be constructed temporarily, and
progressively reclaimed as soon as feasible. During the operations phase, the
major access routes could be maintained, in accordance with the wishes of local
communities and the needs of the project. A linear scar from the preparation of a
flat right-of-way (RoW) of adequate width through hilly terrain will remain as a
relatively prominent visual feature during construction and operations. This
feature will be fully reclaimed with native species or other species appropriate to
local land uses at closure unless authorized access is desired by locals within
particular areas. Some sections of the pipeline, including forested areas of the
Torotorofotsy Ramsar Site and Mantadia-Zahamena Conservation Area, will be
reclaimed immediately following construction.
3.8.5.1 Assessment Methods
Topographic information, photographs and on-site observations were used to
describe current views. A general understanding of the pipeline route and cross-
sectional requirements for the pipeline RoW were used to assess potential visual
effects qualitatively. Experience in the evaluation of the visual effects of other
pipelines and linear corridors was applied to assess a range of potential impacts
in the context of Madagascar.
3.8.5.2 Assessment Criteria
The assessment criteria used for visual aesthetics are presented in Table 3.8-2.
Table 3.8-2 Impact Description Criteria for Visual Aesthetics
Direction
Magnitude
Geographic
Extent
Duration
Reversibility
Frequency
positive:
change
in landscape to
more natural
appearance
negative
: change
in landscape to
less natural
appearance
negligible:
no measurable effect
on visual aesthetics
low: key viewpoints allow distant
or minor views of project effects
moderate:
key viewpoints allow
direct but not overwhelming
views of project effects
high:
key viewpoints allow for
close-in, overwhelming views of
project effects (views
representing a large proportion
of the visible landscape)
local:
effect
restricted to the
LSA
regional:
effect
extends beyond
the LSA
short
term:
<3
years
medium
term:
3 to
30 years
long term:
>30 years
reversible or
irreversible
low:
views
occur rarely
medium:
views occur
intermittently
high:
views
occur
continuously
