A Viewshed Analysis and Visual Impact Assessment of the Schoodic Peninsula

Simons, Erin

This report used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to determine the visual impact of potential development on a 1600 acre parcel of land on the northern half of Schoodic Peninsula. Eight observer locations were selected for the viewshed analyses using ArcGISÆs 3D Analyst Module. A series of figures (maps) are provided to illustrate the results found from the eight sights. 'In general we found that there are many potential lines-of-sight into the adjacent parcel. In reality, the viewsheds are certainly limited to a greater degree by the dense conifer woodland that covers much of the park than we were probably able to portray. In our analyses, the method that we used to add the tree height to the elevation data likely underestimated the effect of the dense vegetation. Nonetheless, it would seem that the range of elevations on Schoodic Peninsula is significant enough to maintain many of the views into the park and the adjacent parcel form the road or the trails. Strong evidence of this was provided by the location on Schoodic Head, which is not obstructed by trees and is a particular viewshed for both the park and the community. Certainly, from Schoodic Head at the southern end of the peninsula, one would be able to see into the parcel. The unfortunate side of this outcome is that any development within the adjacent parcel or any of the surrounding areas would likely be visible from somewhere, and maybe from many locations within the park. This would seem to be particularly the case on the western side of Schoodic Peninsula. In all of the simulations, more areas did not fall within a viewshed on the eastern side of the park and the parcel than on the western side. ' /STUDY LOCATIONS:/ /SCHOODCI PENINSULA/