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N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Renewable Energy & Landscape Alteration
Surrounding U.S. NationalParks
Jordan HoaglundCommunity Planner
Denver Service CenterPlanning Division
Susan McPartlandMasters Candidate - UC Denver
GIS SpecialistIntermountain Region GIS
Program
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Overview Policies and guidance Potential impacts of renewable energy renewable energy
structures Landscape alteration & visitor experience Using GIS to evaluate impacts of renewable energy
Regional and national analysis techniques Site level analysis techniques
Conclusions Questions
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Policies and Guidance
Mission of the NPS"...to promote and regulate the use of the...national parks...which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.“
-NPS Organic Act, 16 U.S.C.1
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Policies and Guidance
DOI policies on renewable energyRenewable energy is a key part of keeping America
competitive, creating jobs, and winning the future for our children. At the Department
of the Interior, we have a responsibility to ensure that solar, wind and
geothermal projects are built in the right way and in the right places so they protect our
natural, cultural and wildlife resources. Taken together, today’s initiatives are
another positive step toward making sure we are building a clean energy economy
that is smart from the start.
- Ken Salazar DOI Press Release 2.8.2011
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Policies and Guidance
NPS policies on renewable energy“As our nation moves towards cleaner sources of energy and
energy independence, the NPS has an important responsibility and
opportunity in helping to achieve these goals in a way that does not
compromise the protection of our parks and other nationally designated
areas.”-NPS Director 8.5.2010
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Renewable Energy & Parks Potential Environmental impacts
Social impacts Landscape alteration
Park visitor experience
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Place Attachment
Location vs. place
Place attachment factors i.e. frequency of visitation, activities
experienced, proximity to location & expectations
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Visitor Experience Landscape Alteration
Change due to renewable energy development
Visitor Experience Expectations & experience
Will renewable energy have any impact to visitor experience? GIS as first step
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Using GIS to identify potential impacts and solutions
Two tiers of analysis
Regional and national analysis Wind energy development & southwestern
national parks
Site level analysis Wind & solar development surrounding Petrified
Forest NP
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
National/Regional Analysis
Suitability for renewable energy development National Regional
Example: Intermountain Region GIS work Southwestern national parks
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
National Suitability Existing/Proposed renewable energy Existing/Proposed Energy corridors Energy potential Existing energy capacity State tax incentives Social interest
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Regional SuitabilityFactors Transportation Existing/potential energy corridors Energy potential Topography Land ownership
GIS Operations Overlay Analysis Proximity Suitability Analysis
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Site Level Analysis
Example: Petrified Forest National Park Methodologies Additional capabilities Results and lessons learned
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Localized Analysis (3D Analysis and Viewsheds)
Case Study: Petrified Forest National Park July 2009 notification 475 wind turbines, 1430
solar towers, 4.5 miles 13 days to respond conceptual site plans Intermountain GIS contacted
Visual Impact Denver Service Center /
General Management Plan
Source: NZ Legacy
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Visual Impact Process Overview
ArcMap 9.3 Viewshed Analysis At any given point on the surface how many
observer points (i.e. turbines, solar towers) are visible from that point
Source: NZ Legacy
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Pre-Process Convert PDF to
TIFF (6 conceptual site plans)
Georeference Control points
Digitize all
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Observer Features hundreds of observer features = not practical Minimize
Structure centers Minimal points (about 60 each) = virtually identical
result
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Viewshed
pre-processing
viewshed (OFFSETA)
add results
total points visible
add field
% points visible=
visual impact
clip to PEFO
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Petrified Forest NP
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Petrified Forest NP
Not visible
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
3D Modeling What does “visible” look like? Google Earth & Sketchup
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Petrified Forest NP
Results Better informed comment Project still pending
Lessons learned Good base data is key More OP’s not necessarily
better results
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Conclusion Future research
Overlay with high use areas Effects on visitor experience
Growing issue Growing role of GIS as
a decision making tool
N a t i o n a l P a r k S e r v i c e • U . S . D e p a r t m e n t o f t h e I n t e r i o r
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior
Questions
