The visual environment was identified as one of the valued components (VC) during the VC scoping and selection as part of the Environmental Assessment / Impact Assessment (EA/IA) process. This section describes and assesses the potential effects that the Project may have on the Visual Environment VC. For the purposes of the Environment Assessment Report / Impact Statement (EAR/IS), visual environment or visual landscape refers to the visual qualities or aesthetics of natural and cultural features that comprise the landscape within the project study areas.

We have created this easier to understand visual and written version of the introduction with links to the source material, to ensure that not only scientists and policy personnel can understand this, but lay people as well.