Visual Impact Assessment Guidebook

Table of Contents

Appendix 5

Digital terrain model presentation criteria

The following information should be included with or shown on each digital terrain model plot:

• Title (e.g., "Digital Terrain Model of . . ." or "Perspective view of . . .")
• Geographic area name (e.g., Lake X, Highway XX)
• Name and/or number of viewpoint used to produce plot
• Viewpoint UTM co-ordinates
• Elevation of viewpoint above ground (normally 1.6 m)
• Licensee name
• Licensee and/or cutting permit number
• Existing cutblock or road (including numbers)
• Proposed cutblock or road (including number)
• Average tree height used for forest cover
• Lens size (Ministry of Forests recommends 50 mm)
• Direction of view angle in degrees (centreline of vision cone)
• Vertical viewing angle (degrees)
• Vertical exaggeration (Ministry of Forests requests none)
• Name and telephone number for person who produced DTM
• Date plotted

Notes:

• The recommended DTM plot size is 11 x 17 inches. Each DTM plot should be accompanied with a plan-view map.
• A photograph taken from the same viewpoint location as the DTM plot should also be attached to the plot, especially if used for public presentation.
• The plan-view map DTM plot and photograph(s) should all be oriented in the same way in relation to each other.
• If colour codes are used on the plot instead of labels, then a colour-coded legend should be used to differentiate between water features, existing and proposed roads, and existing and proposed blocks.

Basic features or data to show on the accompanying plan-view map:

• Number of topographic map
• Contour lines with roads and water features
• Scale of map; 1:50 000 or larger scale preferred (e.g., 1:20 000 or 1:10 000)
• Existing cutblocks or roads
• Proposed cutblocks or roads
• Viewpoint location used for the DTM (shown on the map with a symbol) with centre and cone of vision lines matching the perspective view.
• Visual landscape inventory data, such as visible area and visual sensitivity unit (VSU) boundaries, VSU label including number and ratings, and visual quality objective.