Environmental Assessment
Volume E-3.11
Tailings Facility
Visual Aesthetics
Ambatovy Project
142
January 2006
3.11
VISUAL AESTHETICS
3.11.1 Introduction
This section presents the Environmental Assessment for the effects of the tailings
facility on visual aesthetics. As per the Ambatovy Project (the project) Terms of
Reference, the viewshed for the tailings facility is determined and the potential
impacts on the nearest habitations or frequented viewpoints are evaluated.
3.11.2 Study area
The tailings facility Local Study Area (LSA) for visual aesthetics is an area
within 5 km of the tailings facility in all directions, as shown in Volume A,
Figure 7.2-3. This study area is designed to include the limits of the area in
which the tailings facility is close enough to be a prominent visible feature within
the local terrain.
3.11.3 Baseline summary
The valleys in which the tailings facility is planned are characterized by
moderately steep, partially forested hillsides (valley walls) which descend into
flat, wide valley floors. A few small communities are located within this
landscape. In general, the views of the area may be perceived differently by
different people; the area has a relatively natural appearance and is only sparsely
occupied but is, in fact, heavily modified by historical human use. Vegetation in
the area tends to be lush in valley bottoms, but sparse on hillsides.
Key viewpoints for this assessment must be accessible to the public during
project activity and must be within the project viewshed. The key viewpoints are
summarized in Table 3.11-1. Baseline views from key viewpoints TF1 to TF4
are presented in Volume I, Appendix 11.1, Attachment 1, Photographs 20
through 23.
Additional details concerning baseline conditions are provided in Volume I,
Appendix 11.1.
