AESTHETIC IMPACTS

The analysis of aesthetic impacts is limited to the off-site visual aspects
of the proposed project
Section NR 132.17, Wisconsin Administrative Code, regulates the location,
design, painting,
maintenance, and screening of the facilities to insure visual compatibility
of the facility with the
surrounding area. Since the screening of the proposed facility would be partially
dependent upon
surrounding forest, any unplanned removal of the forest by natural occurrence
or human activity
could increase the visual impact of the facility.



Mine/Mill Surface Facility - Visual screening of the mine/mill surface facility
consi
well-stocked northern hardwood pole timber with some areas of medium-stocked
as
hardwood poles. The west exhaust raise and exhaust fan would be surrounded
by a s
well-stocked aspen saplings with further screening along Sand Lake Road by
northei
timber. A minimum of 200 feet of undisturbed forest would remain between
Sand L
closest portion of the mine/mill site perimeter fence. Mine/mill structures
not exc4
of the forest canopy (approximately 60 feet) should, therefore, be reasonably
well s5
off-site ground level viewpoints.

Both the headframe (155' high) and the concentrator building (approximately
100' E
above the height of the surrounding forest. The headframe and concentrator
would
would be rough textured to minimize reflectivity and of a color compatible
with the
background.

Possible viewpoints include surrounding hilltops, lake frontages, fields,
or right-of-,
vistas toward the headframe. Many viewpoints would be screened by hills and/or
fo

Aesthetic Impacts of Mine Waste Disposal Facility - The proposed tailings
pond emi
rise above the surrounding landscape and provide screening for activities
within the
exterior of the bank would be effectively screened by surrounding hills and
trees.

Aesthetic Impacts of the Power line - The preferred power line route would
have a
along U.S. Highway 8. There is presently a 24.9 V distribution line along
this route.
would consist of 75-foot single wooden poles spaced 350 feet apart with three
steel
existing 24.9 KV distribution line would be underbuilt on the new poles.
The new co
increase the visual impact because of the larger poles and additional wires.

The preferred power line route would cross the Wolf River at the Highway
8 bridge,
existing 24.9 K power line crosses. The Exxon transmission line would look
essentia
the existing line, although it would be taller, and the aesthetic impacts
would be lov

Where the power line route goes cross country, between Highway 8 and the
Exxon al
would create a new opening through primarily forested lands. About seven
or eight
recreational units located near CTH B, Gliske Creek, and the Highway 55 crossing
n
the power line depending on pole alignment. Pole alignment has not yet been
deterr
Creek is a trout stream, and construction techniques which would leave low
brush a]
would decrease the impacts at the crossing.

The final segment would parallel the proposed access road from Highway 55.
Powei
and clearing would add to the visual impacts of the access road as described
below.

Aesthetic Impacts of Access Road and Electric Power line - The access road
and elm
from Highway 55 to the mill would be completed during the first 14 months
of consl
segment of this corridor visible from Highway 55 would be across an open
field to ti
distance of approximately 3,200 feet. The bridge and power line crossing
at Swamp
visible to persons using the stream at that location. Upon project termination,
the 1
line would be removed and the roadway reclaimed if no alternative uses had
develor



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