Environmental Assessment
Volume C-3.8
Slurry Pipeline
Visual Aesthetics
Ambatovy Project
72
January 2006
3.8.5.3 Mitigation
As much of the pipeline as possible will be buried. Although a road will be built
along much of the route, in some areas the pipeline will be engineered with extra-
thick walls to allow for the regrowth of endemic vegetation across the RoW
immediately after construction. These areas will include sections of the pipeline
in forested areas through the Torotorofotsy Ramsar site and through the
Mantadia-Zahamena Conservation Area.
The number of new linear corridors developed will be minimized by using
existing road access to the route and/or planning with other land users to ensure
new roads meet their needs and no additional future access roads will be needed.
Dust control measures, such as the use of water tankers, will be used along access
roads in hot, dry weather.
During very wet weather, construction activity will be minimized. Any damage
from severe road rutting and erosion will be repaired/reclaimed after the wet
season.
Construction will be minimized on side slopes, which necessitate a wider
footprint and increase erosion risk.
Cleared areas such as camps and staging areas will be promptly revegetated
following construction.
3.8.5.4 Results
The proposed project would result in two types of potential impacts on visual
resources:
•
short-term impacts resulting from construction activities and related
materials and equipment staging; and
•
long-term impacts from pipeline route opening of the landscape.
Groups of people likely to be viewing the slurry pipeline RoW include local
residents, passers-by along access routes traversed by the pipeline, and tourists,
particularly those visiting the Torotorofotsy Wetlands. The visual effect of the slurry
pipeline on people will vary widely based on personal perception, and may affect the
enjoyment of the natural aesthetic qualities of the area. For viewers within the
viewshed, perceptions of the aesthetic effects of the mine may be affected by:
