FINAL APPLICATION FOR LICENSE OF MAJOR UNCONSTRUCTED …leapshydro.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/V18-E1-2-Study... · 2019. 2. 21. · Study 30 - Visual Impacts FERC Project No

FINAL APPLICATION FOR LICENSE

OF MAJOR UNCONSTRUCTED PROJECT

STUDY 30

VISUAL IMPACTS

LAKE ELSINORE

ADVANCED PUMPED STORAGE PROJECT

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

PROJECT NUMBER 14227

Applicant:

THE NEVADA HYDRO COMPANY, INC.

2416 Cades Way

Vista, California 92081

(760) 599-1813

(760) 599-1815 FAX

February 2019

Study 30 – Visual Impacts FERC Project No. 14227

Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project February 2019 Page i

Table of Figures

Figure 1: Northern Map Key ............................................................................................... 3

Figure 2: Southern Map Key ............................................................................................... 4

Figure 3: Aerial Project View ............................................................................................... 5

Figure 4: Eastern Shore ....................................................................................................... 6

Figure 5: Downtown ............................................................................................................ 7

Figure 6: Serenity Park ........................................................................................................ 8

Figure 7: Lakepoint Park ..................................................................................................... 9

Figure 8: Ortega Highway Intersection ............................................................................. 10

Figure 9: Lakeside High School .......................................................................................... 11

Figure 10: Boat Launch ..................................................................................................... 12

Figure 11: Terramor .......................................................................................................... 13

Figure 12: Lee Lake Substation ......................................................................................... 14

Figure 13: Santa Rosa Substation ..................................................................................... 15

Figure 14: Case Springs Substation ................................................................................... 16

FERC Project No. 14227 Study 30 – Visual Impacts

February 2019 Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project Page ii

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Study 30 - Visual Impacts FERC Project No. 14227

Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project February 2019 Page 1

STUDY 30

VISUAL IMPACTS

On June 15, 2018, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) directed, in connection with its Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage (LEAPS) Project (FERC Project Number 14227-003) that The Nevada Hydro Company (Nevada Hydro) conduct an updated and expanded visual simulation study that addresses the potential aesthetic effects of the project on new development, and includes additional key observation points that represent the extent of proposed project infrastructure.

Therefore, Nevada Hydro must conduct a visual resources study.of the proposed northerly transmission alignments of the. See Figure 1. As a result of specific requests from the City of Lake Elsinore, Nevada Hydro also created visual simulations of the southern route from the intersection of Ortega Highway and Grand Avenue, and west of Serenity Park near Grand Avenue, southwest of Lake Elsinore (Figure 2).

In response to the FERC request for additional study, Nevada Hydro contacted the City of Lake Elsinore (City), Riverside County, the Sycamore Creek HOA, Pacific Clay, the Terramor development, and the proposed Lakeside residential development near Lee Lake (EHOF II Lakeside, LLC) to solicit input regarding potential vantage points to be studied. The County agreed to the proposed methodology, and the City and the Sycamore Creek HOA suggested specific vantage points they requested be modelled.

Nevada Hydro acquired new high-resolution photography of vistas and specific vantage points of the proposed transmission routes as requested by respondents and rendered the following images . It should be noted that while the vistas are “softened” by light conditions and haze over a distance due to the ambient conditions at the time, the superimposed towers actually stand out more clearly than they will when impacted by the same ambient conditions.

The visual simulation team used Google Earth and GPS technology with Google Earth visualization of tower location on the transmission route.

The following rendered images will enable Nevada Hydro, residents, municipal officials, and regulators to more accurately access the visual impact of the proposed transmission lines connecting the LEAPS project to the California electrical grid.

Figures 1 through 3 provide an aerial view of the proposed route alignments for context. Figures 12, 13 and 14 are artists conceptions of yet-to-be designed substations at Lee Lake (requested by Sycamore Creek HOA), Santa Rosa and Case Springs.

Figures 4 through 11 are described on the following pages.

FERC Project No. 14227 Study 30 - Visual Impacts

February 2019 Lake Elsinore Advanced Pumped Storage Project Page 2

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Figure 1: Map Key



Figure 2: Southern Map Key: Cave Springs Substation



Figure 3: Aerial Project View



Figure 4: Eastern Shore

The City of Lake Elsinore requested visualizations of what elements of the proposed northern route might be seen from the eastern shore of Lake Elsinore. Note that the towers are shown in stark relief and may in fact be less visible to an observer under normal conditions.



Figure 5: Downtown

The City of Lake Elsinore requested visualizations of what elements of the proposed southern route might be seen from the eastern shore of Lake Elsinore. Note that the towers are shown in stark relief against the skyline or “in focus” against the less-focused landscape and should in reality be less visible to an observer under normal conditions.



Figure 6: Serenity Park

The City of Lake Elsinore requested visualizations of what elements of the proposed southern route might be seen from Serenity Park, southwest of Lake Elsinore. Note that the towers are “in focus” and superimposed and should be less visible to an observer under normal conditions.



Figure 7: Lakepoint Park

The City of Lake Elsinore requested visualizations of what elements of the proposed southern route might be seen from Lakepoint Park, on the eastern shore of Lake Elsinore. Note that the towers are shown in stark relief against the skyline and should be less visible to an observer under normal conditions.



Figure 8: Ortega Highway Intersection

The City of Lake Elsinore requested visualizations of what elements of the proposed northern route might be seen from Lakepoint Park, on the eastern shore of Lake Elsinore. Note that the towers are shown in stark relief against the skyline and should be less visible to an observer under normal conditions.



Figure 9: Lakeside High School

The City of Lake Elsinore requested visualizations of what elements of the proposed northern route might be seen from Lakeside High School, near the northern shore of Lake Elsinore. Note that the towers are shown in stark relief against the skyline and should be less visible to an observer under normal conditions.



Figure 10: Boat Launch

The City of Lake Elsinore requested visualizations of what elements of the proposed northern route might be seen from Lakeside High School, near the northern shore of Lake Elsinore. Note that the towers are “in focus” and superimposed and should be less visible to an observer under normal conditions.



Figure 11: Terramor

The FERC requested visualizations of what elements of the proposed northern route might be seen from the Terramor residential development east of Temescal Valley. Note that the towers are “in focus” and superimposed and should be less visible to an observer under normal conditions.



Figure 12: Lee Lake Substation

The Sycamore HOA requested a visualization of the proposed I-15 crossing and switchyard near Lee Lake. The switchyard will be designed with input from the community and municipalities and may not look like this illustration, which is an artist’s concept based on similar facilities. Note that the towers are “in focus” and superimposed on the landscape or in stark relief to the horizon and should be less noticeable to an observer under normal conditions.

Substation

Switchyard



Figure 13: Santa Rosa Substation

Note: This facility has not been designed and visual impact will be subject to community and municipal input.



Figure 14: Case Springs Substation

Documents

FINAL APPLICATION FOR LICENSE OF MAJOR UNCONSTRUCTED …leapshydro.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/V18-E1-2-Study... · 2019. 2. 21. · Study 30 - Visual Impacts FERC Project No