Non-Federal Agency Visual Resource Inventory Processes

Some states and other government agencies have visual resource inventory (VRI) processes, though most do not. These inventory processes typically are designed primarily to support visual impact assessments (VIAs) for proposed projects, rather than for land planning and management purposes.

Three examples of non-Federal agency VRIs are discussed below.

Maine State Planning Office Scenic Resource Inventory Methodology

The Maine State Planning Office has developed a scenic inventory methodology to identify, evaluate, and document scenic resources and to identify scenic viewpoints for coastal areas. The process identifies local, regional, statewide and national areas of scenic significance. The methodology is documented in the Scenic Assessment Handbook (2008, 90 pp).

Cape Cod Commission

The Cape Cod Commission has developed a methodology for VIA that includes a project-level VRI. The Cape Cod VIA methodology is described in Technical Bulletin #12 – 001: Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) Methodology for Offshore Development (2012, 40 pp).

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) leads a cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, including the preservation and enhancement of scenic values. Based on scenic inventories, TRPA has identified important scenic resource areas, and for these areas (not for all lands in the region) has identified scenic standards that must be met for new development. For more information, see the TRPA Scenic Quality Regulations page of the TRPA website.