Environmental Assessment
Volume C-3.8
Slurry Pipeline
Visual Aesthetics
Ambatovy Project
75
January 2006
visual impacts is considered moderate during construction and low during
operations. The geographic extent of impacts is local, as rough topography
obscures the views of most areas outside the LSA.
The most prominent impacts (during construction) are short-term, while the
lower-magnitude impacts of the operations phase are medium-term in duration.
Landform impacts are not reversible, as the landscape will not be returned to its
initial state. Viewing frequency is medium, as the pipeline is relatively long and
viewers will intermittently be at specific viewpoints from which the project will
be visible. Key views from the Torotorofotsy Ramsar Site and Mantadia-
Zahamena Protected Area will be improved through reclamation immediately
after construction, so that new forest is established by early in the operations
phase. Overall, the environmental consequence for visual effects is low for the
construction and operation phases, and will be negligible after closure.
The construction of facilities along the pipeline route will present an impact low
in magnitude, since such facilities will appear out of place in a rural setting but
will be relatively small in size. Effects are local in extent, short-term in duration
(during construction only) and are reversible. Viewing frequency is expected to
be low due to the low number of viewpoints from which the facilities will be
visible. The overall environmental consequence of pipeline construction camps
and facilities for visual aesthetics will be negligible.
Release of dust and visible emissions will occur during construction along roadways
to the pipeline and along the pipeline RoW. The visual effects from these releases
will have an impact negligible in magnitude. Mitigation such as dust control
measures will be implemented. Effects are regional in extent because dust and other
emissions may be visible from outside the LSA. Effects are short-term in duration
(almost all traffic will occur during construction) and are reversible. Viewing
frequency is expected to be medium. The overall environmental consequence of
emissions and dust for visual aesthetics will be negligible.
An overall residual impact classification for visual aesthetics for each key issue
and each phase of the project is presented in Table 3.8-4.
Prediction Confidence
The baseline status of topography in the LSA is well understood, and general
information about the construction measures along the pipeline RoW has been
provided. Impact ratings are dependent on the success of the mitigations
proposed, including erosion control under challenging conditions. Overall, the
prediction confidence for this assessment is considered medium to high.
