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Visual Resource Management. IVANPAH SOLAR ELECTRIC GENERATING SYSTEM. Project Location. A three facility Solar Thermal Electric Generating (SEGS) facility Two miles west of Ivanpah Dry Lake & southwest of Primm Total station net rating of about 400 MW Phase 1 and 2: 100 MW each
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Visual Resource Management IVANPAH SOLAR ELECTRIC GENERATING SYSTEM
A three facility Solar Thermal Electric Generating (SEGS) facility • Two miles west of Ivanpah Dry Lake & southwest of Primm • Total station net rating of about 400 MW • Phase 1 and 2: 100 MW each • Phase 3: 200 MW • Phase 1 and 2 will require about 920 acres • Phase 3 will require about 1,900 acres • Fenced areas require about 3,600 acres • Area between Phase 1 & 2 is about 380 acres Project Description
Admin warehouse & parking, substations transmission towers, wells, detention ponds and diversion channels, & gas line tap station • 500-foot tall power tower & four 120-foot tall receiver towers per phase • Linear features would include roads, gas lines, water lines, transmission line roads, trails & trail re-routes • Temporary linear distrubances would include gas line corridor, gas line tap construction area, laydown area, water line construction disturbance, & substation construction laydown Project Description
Existing RMP states that the project site is VRM III • VRM III objective: To partially retain the existing character of the landscape • Level of change to landscape can be moderate • Management activities may attract attention, but should not dominate the view of the casual observer • Changes should repeat the basic elements found in the natural landscape – form, line, color, & texture Visual Resource Inventory
Selection of Key Observation Points (KOP’s) considered: • The popular Ivanpah Dry Lake area, which is a Special Recreation Emphasis Area • Concerns of wilderness groups • Adjacency of golf course • Views from drivers on I-15 • Concerns of local casino owners Key Observation Points Background
For KOP 1 (dry lake recreation area), KOP 2 (golf course), & KOP 3 (I-15): • Degree of contrast is strong for a majority of the elements/features Visual Contrast Rating
The project would not meet the objectives of VRM III Amend the RMP to change the area from VRM III to VRM IV Proposed Management Actions
Paint all of the facilities (back of heliostats, buildings, etc) and/or add camouflage to blend in with existing landscape • Contour the roads and color roads to match the landscape • Four lattice reflector towers and one monopole tower per phase • Place berms around the detention ponds for each phase • Nighttime lighting: down casting, motion sensors • Daytime lighting: limit the use of light on top of tower if possible Proposed Design Strategies