Code of Maine Rules
06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL
Chapter 315 - ASSESSING AND MITIGATING IMPACTS TO EXISTING SCENIC AND AESTHETIC USES
Section 096-315-5 - Definitions
Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024
As used in these rules, the following terms have the following meanings. Other terms used in these rules have the meanings set forth at 38 M.S.R.A. § 480-X and Chapter 310, the Wetlands and Waterbodies Protection Rules.
A. Adverse visual impact. The negative effect of a regulated activity on the visual quality of a landscape.
B. Composition. The arrangement of the component parts of a landscape. Component parts are objects or activities usually described in terms of color, texture, line, form, dominance, and scale.
C. Contrast. Comparing the component parts of a landscapein terms of form, line, color, texture, dominance, or scale.
D. Existing uses. The current appearance and use of the landscape, considering previous human alterations.
E. Landscape. An area characterized by its geology, landform, biota, and human influences throughout that area.
F. Mitigation. Any action taken or not taken to avoid, minimize, rectify, reduce, or eliminate actual or potential adverse environmental impact, including adverse visual impact.
G. Practicable. Available and feasible considering cost, existing technology and logistics based on the overall purpose of the activity.
H. Scenic Resource. Public natural resources or public lands visited by the general public , in part for the use, observation, enjoyment, and appreciation of natural or cultural visual qualities.. The attributes, characteristics, and features of the landscape of a scenic resource provide varying responses from, and varying degrees of benefits to, humans.
I. Viewshed. The geographic area as viewed from a scenic resource, which includes the proposed activity. The viewshed may include the total visible activity area from a single observer position or the total visible activity area from multiple observers' positions.
J. Visual Quality. The essential attributes of the landscape that when viewed elicit overall benefits to individuals and, therefore, to society in general. The quality of the resource and the significance of the resource are usually, but not always, correlated.
