Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
off-highway vehicle use, hunting) are also possible, although restrictions may exist
for the use of guns, especially for aboveground pipelines or transmission lines. The
ROW and access roads may make some areas more accessible for recreation activi-
ties. Activities centered on solitude and scenic beauty would potentially be affected.
Military operations and aviation could be affected by the presence of transmission
lines; for example, transmission lines could affect military training and testing oper-
ations that may occur at low altitudes (e.g., military training routes).
s oils And g eologiC r esourCes
Following construction, disturbed portions of the site would be revegetated and the
soil and geologic conditions would stabilize. Impacts during the operation phase
would be limited largely to soil erosion impacts caused by vehicular traffic and
machinery operation during maintenance activities. Any excavations required for
pipeline maintenance would cause impacts similar to those from construction, but to
a lesser spatial and temporal extent. Herbicides would likely be used for ROW main-
tenance. The accidental spills of herbicides or pipeline product would likely cause
soil contamination. Except in the case of a large oil spill, soil contamination would
be localized and limited in extent and magnitude.
p AleontologiCAl r esourCes
Impacts during the operations phase would be limited to unauthorized collection of
fossils. This threat is present once the access roads are constructed and the ROW is
established, making remote areas more accessible to the public.
t rAnsportAtion
No noticeable impacts on transportation are likely during the operation and main-
tenance phase. Low volumes of heavy- and medium-duty pickup trucks, personal
vehicles, and other machinery are expected to be used during this phase. Infrequent,
but routine, shipments of component replacements during maintenance procedures
are likely over the period of operation.
V isuAl r esourCes
The above portions of energy transmission projects would be highly visible in rural
or natural landscapes, many of which have few other comparable structures. The
artificial appearance of a transmission line or pipeline may have visually incongru-
ous industrial-type associations for some, particularly in a predominately natural
landscape. Visual evidence of these projects cannot be completely avoided, reduced,
or concealed. Additional visual impacts would occur during maintenance from
vehicular traffic, aircraft, and workers. Maintenance, replacement, or upgrades of
project components would repeat the initial visual impacts of the construction phase,
although at a more localized scale.
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