Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D4 - 1

APPENDIX D-4 

Forestwide Management Direction - 

Scenery Management System 

Introduction 

The Forest Service has used the Scenery Management System (SMS) Landscape Aesthetics A 

Handbook for Scenery Management; 1995 Agriculture Handbook # 701 (USDA FOREST 

SERVICE. 1995B) since the late 1990’s as a management tool to describe, map, and provide 

direction for arranging, planning, and designing landscape attributes relative to the appearance of 

places and expanses in outdoor settings. SMS is one of four mapped management direction 

elements used in this FEIS, the others being Management Prescription Categories (MPC), Winter 

Recreation and Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS). SMS is a guideline intended to assist 

managers and help the public understand the scenic resource management framework for project 

level decisions and larger area analyses. The system is applied in combination with other 

management direction such as desired future conditions, standards, guidelines, goals, and 

objectives to define expectations about management of a particular area of the forest. 

Tables D4-1 provides a cross walk from MPC to the associated Landscape Character Theme 

(LCT) and Scenic Integrity Object (SIO) applied to the National Forest System Land of the 

WCNF. SMS is used in conjunction with adjustments for local management to create 

appropriate management. SMS maps of the alternatives with the LCT and SIO management 

direction can be found in the Map Packets. 

Table D4-1. Scenery Conversion Table for Management Prescription Categories 

Converted to Landscape Character Themes with Scenic Integrity Objectives 

Applied for the Wasatch-Cache National Forest 

Scenery Conversion Table 

Management Prescription 

Categories 

Landscape Character Theme Scenic Integrity Objective 

 1.0 – 1.5 Wilderness Natural Evolving Very High 

 2.1-2.3 Wild, Scenic, and 

 Recreational Rivers 

 2.4 Research Natural Areas 

 2.6 Undeveloped 

 2.7 Special Interest Area 

Natural Appearing High 

2.5 Forest Service Scenic Byway 

Highway 89 – Logan Canyon, 

Highway 150 – Mirror Lake 

Highway 39 – Mouth of 

Developed Natural Appearing High 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D4 - 2

Scenery Conversion Table 

Management Prescription 

Categories 

Landscape Character Theme Scenic Integrity Objective 

Ogden Canyon - Monte 

Cristo Segment, 

Highway 190 – Big Cottonwood Canyon, 

Highway 210 – Little Cottonwood Canyon

3.1 Aquatic Habitat Natural Appearing High 

3.1a Aquatic Habitat Emphasis Natural Appearing High 

3.1w Watershed Emphasis Natural Appearing High 

3.2 Terrestrial Habitat Natural Appearing Moderate 

3.2d Terrestrail Habitat - 

developed 

Natural Appearing Moderate 

3.2u Terrestrail Habitat - undeveloped Natural Appearing High 

4.1 Backcountry non-motorized 

4.2 Recreation non-motorized 

Natural Appearing High 

4.3 Backcountry Motorized 

4.4 Recreation Motorized 

Natural Appearing High 

 4.5 Developed Recreation Areas 

Along Scenic Byway Corridors within 1⁄2 mile 

of road. Includes campgrounds, Trailheads, 

overlooks and so forth. 

Developed Natural Appearing High 

 4.5 Developed Recreation Area

Ski areas –Snowbird, Solitude, Brighton, 

Snowbasin and Alta

Resort Natural Setting High 

 4.5 Developed Recreation Area 

Pineview Reservoir 

Water Recreation Rural Appearing High 

5.1 Forested Vegetation ... 

Multiple resource objectives 

Natural Appearing Moderate 

5.2 Forest Vegetation ... 

Timber growth and yield 

Natural Appearing Low 

6.1 Rangeland Vegetation ... 

Multiple resource objectives 

Natural Appearing High 

6.1 Rangeland Vegetation ... 

Livestock forage production 

Natural Appearing High 

8.0 Concentrated Development Areas 

Communication sites 

Natural Appearing Moderate 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D4 - 3

Scenery Conversion Table 

Management Prescription 

Categories 

Landscape Character Theme Scenic Integrity Objective 

8.1 Mineral Development Emphasis 

Natural Appearing Moderate 

Utility Corridor 

(Not mapped as a Management 

Prescription) 

Natural Appearing Low 

Utility Corridor 

(Not mapped as a Management 

Prescription) 

Developed Natural Appearing Low 

Table D4-2 provides the next step in the application of the SMS framework for the WCNF. The 

“Wasatch-Cache Nation Forest Landscape Character Theme and Scenic Integrity Objective 

Definition Table” describes the overall picture of scenery management for the National Forest 

System Lands of the WCNF. The following provides a description of the Table D4-2 and how it 

is applied in the management of scenery of the Forest. By identifying the LCT in the table there 

is an associated “Theme Description” which gives a general depiction of the landscape character 

for a particular LCT. Below the “Theme Description” is the SIO designation and the “Integrity 

Description” that describes how intact or the amount deviation a landscape may have in 

relationship to the landscape character being managed for. Under the “Integrity Description” 

“landscape elements” of Land Form, Vegetation, Water Form and Cultural Features are further 

characterized in the “Landscape Character Goal Attribute Baseline” where specific attributes are 

illustrated in a baseline description for a comparison in managing the LCT and SIO landscape 

character. 

 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D4 - 4

Table D4-2. Landscape Character Themes and Scenic Integrity Objectives 

Definitions for the Wasatch-Cache National Forest 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest 

Landscape Character Theme and Scenic Integrity Objective 

 Definition Table 

Landscape 

Character 

Theme Theme Description 

Natural 

Evolving

The natural evolving landscape character originates primarily from natural disturbances and 

succession of plants, with subtle changes due to indirect human activities. The existing landscape 

character generally continues to change gradually over time through natural processes. 

Notes: 

1. Fire use or large-scale forest mortality due to insects and disease may be responsible for 

dramatic changes to the landscape character of an area, but in each of these cases they 

would be considered a natural process. 

2. Change in the natural evolving landscape character from active range allotments of sheep 

and/or cattle. The landscape should appear natural to most recreation users other than the 

presence of cattle and/or sheep (Sight, sound, smell). 

SIO Integrity Description 

Very 

High 

The valued landscape character "is" intact with only subtle if any deviations. The 

Natural Evolving landscape character and sense of place is expressed at the highest 

possible level. 

Landscape 

Elements Landscape Character Goal Attribute Baseline 

 Land Form No cultural modification except for the dams of the 17 reservoirs that 

were established prior to Wilderness designation. 

 Vegetation Change in Vegetation mosaics from Wildland Fire. 

No vegetation management activities. 

 Water 

Form 

17 reservoirs establish prior to Wilderness designation. 

Natural lakes, pond and water courses. 

 Cultural 

Features 

Active range allotments of sheep and /or cattle. Trails and rustic 

signing within immediate foreground (0 to 300 feet). 

See ROS class Wilderness/Primitive and Wilderness/Semi Primitive. 

Natural 

Appearing 

The existing landscape character has been influenced by both direct and indirect human activities, 

but appears natural to the majority of viewers. Natural elements such as native trees, shrubs, 

grasses, forbs, rock outcrops and streams or lakes dominate the views. While there is evidence of 

human influence from historic use, campgrounds, small organization camps, rustic structures and 

management activity, it is part of the valued built environment in the landscape to the majority of 

viewers. 

SIO Integrity Description 

High Landscapes where the valued landscape character "appears" intact. Deviations may 

be present but must repeat the form, line, color, texture, and pattern common to the 

landscape character so completely, and at such scale, that they are not evident. 

Landscape 

Elements Landscape Character Goal Attribute Baseline

Land Form Dams with vegetated faces. 

Roads where the geometry of road in cuts and fills would not be 

evident, but would appear to be part of the landscape. 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D4 - 5

Wasatch-Cache National Forest 

Landscape Character Theme and Scenic Integrity Objective 

 Definition Table 

Landscape 

Character 

Theme Theme Description 

Natural 

Appearing 

Vegetation Mechanical treatment and fire use mimics natural appearing openings, 

lines, edges and form found in the surrounding landscape. Fuel 

breaks are mitigated to mimic natural appearing lines, forms and 

edges found in the existing landscape. 

Manage vegetation for properly functioning condition at landscape 

scale (see Revised Forest Plan Vegetation Landscape Structure and 

Pattern Types for Properly Functioning Condition Table). 

Water 

Form 

Reservoirs that have minimum water levels maintained for 

conservation pools and canals that mimic natural appearing lines, 

forms and edges found in the existing landscape. 

Stock ponds that mimic natural appearing lines, forms and edges 

found in the existing landscape. 

Cultural 

Features 

Campgrounds, group sites, organization camps, picnic areas, 

recreation cabins, and organizational sites follow architectural themes 

and harmonize with the surrounding landscape. 

Historic sites are maintained or enhanced to propagate their inherent 

values. 

Roadway guardrails integrate into the surrounding landscape. 

Bridges complement the surrounding landscape. 

Fences are subordinate to the landscape by use of color and blending 

with the historical cultural context of the communities. 

Parking lots, trailheads, restrooms are present. Architecture is 

thematic and borrows from the form, line, color and texture of the 

surrounding landscape. Parking lots, roads, and other amenities 

appear to be part of the natural appearing landscape by eliminating the 

geometry of the built feature upon the landscape. For example, road 

cuts do not slice through the landscape, but are shaped, contoured and 

constructed so that the landscape is only interrupted by the track of 

road. 

SIO Integrity Description 

Moderate Noticeable deviations remain visually subordinate to the valued landscape character 

being viewed. 

Landscape 

Element Landscape Character Goal Attribute Baseline

Land Form Dams, road cuts and fills with slope rounding and contouring with 

minimal vegetation of grasses etc.

Vegetation Mechanical treatments and fire use are subordinate to the surrounding 

landscape by repeating the form, line and edge found in the 

surrounding landscape. Fuel breaks are mitigated to mimic natural 

appearing lines, forms and edges found in the existing landscape. 

Water 

Form 

Stock ponds, reservoirs, canals. 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D4 - 6

Wasatch-Cache National Forest 

Landscape Character Theme and Scenic Integrity Objective 

 Definition Table 

Landscape 

Character 

Theme Theme Description 

Natural 

Appearing 

Cultural 

Features 

Electronic Sites harmonize with the surrounding landscape. 

Oil fields repeat the form and line of adjacent landscapes and are 

compatible in color and texture. 

Mineral development sites are of such a scale that they are 

subordinate to, and borrow the form, line, color and texture from the 

surrounding landscape. 

SIO Integrity Description 

Low Deviations dominate the landscape character being viewed. However, activities 

borrow from the form, line, color, texture and scale found in the landscape character 

being viewed that are compatible with the surroundings. 

Landscape 

Elements Landscape Character Goal Attribute Baseline

Land form Should be contoured to fit the form, line, color and texture of the 

surrounding landscape. 

Vegetation Openings in vegetation dominate, but pull from the forms, lines and 

texture of the surrounding landscape. 

Water 

Form 

No water forms under this management. 

Cultural 

Features 

Utility towers’ and poles’ scale are dominant, but the color integrates 

into the surrounding landscape. 

Landscape 

Character 

Theme Theme Description 

Developed 

Natural 

Appearing 

This landscape character theme is characteristic of National, National Forest and State scenic 

byways with development, and developed and dispersed recreation facilities within the foreground 

of the viewshed (1/2 mile). In these areas, the roadway, recreation amenities, and development are 

anticipated features in the landscape. For users these amenities are part of the valued natural 

appearing landscape. Users of these amenities are attracted to the natural appearing landscape, but 

desire a moderate to easy interaction with the landscape through the use of these amenities. This 

landscape character is adjacent to Natural Evolving, and Natural Appearing landscape character 

themes and should draw from, complement and harmonize with these themes. 

SIO Integrity Description 

High Landscapes where the valued landscape character "appears" intact. Deviations may 

be present but must repeat the form, line color, texture, and pattern common to the 

Developed Natural Appearing landscape character so completely, and at such scale, 

that they are not dominant. 

Landscape 

Elements Landscape Character Goal Attribute Baseline

Land Form Dams with vegetated faces. 

Roads and trails where the geometry of travel way in cuts and fills 

would not be evident, but would appear to be part of the landscape. 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D4 - 7

Wasatch-Cache National Forest 

Landscape Character Theme and Scenic Integrity Objective 

 Definition Table 

Landscape 

Character 

Theme Theme Description 

Developed 

Natural 

Appearing 

Vegetation Mechanical treatment mimics natural appearing lines, forms and 

edges found in the landscape. 

Fire use mimics natural appearing lines, forms and edges found in the 

landscape. Fuel breaks are mitigated to mimic natural appearing lines, 

forms and edges found in the landscape. 

Parking lots with more than 20 spaces should have a minimum of 

10% of the interior parking area landscaped. Interior landscape area 

should be of such a size that the vegetation could sustain itself without 

irrigation. Landscape areas should be dispersed throughout the 

parking area to effectively break up the expanse of the parking lot. 

Manage vegetation for properly functioning condition at landscape 

scale (see Revised Forest Plan Vegetation Landscape Structure and 

Pattern Types for Properly Functioning Condition Table). 

Water 

Form 

Reservoirs that have minimum water levels maintained for 

conservation pools and canals that mimic natural appearing lines, 

forms and edges found in the landscape. 

Cultural 

Features 

Campgrounds, group sites, organization camps, picnic areas, 

recreation cabins, interpretive structures and organizational sites 

follow architectural themes and harmonize with the surrounding 

landscape. 

Historic sites are maintained or enhanced to propagate their inherent 

values. 

Roadway guardrails integrate into the surrounding landscape. 

Bridges complement the surrounding landscape. 

Fences are subordinate to the landscape by use of color and blending 

with the historical cultural context of the communities. 

Parking lots, trailheads, restrooms are present. Architecture is 

thematic and borrows from the form, line, color and texture of the 

surrounding landscape. Parking lots, roads, and other amenities 

appear to be part of the natural appearing landscape by eliminating the 

geometry of the built feature upon the landscape. For example road 

cuts do not slice through the landscape, but are shaped, contoured and 

constructed so that the landscape is only interrupted by the track of 

road. 

Resort 

Natural 

Setting

This landscape character theme is characteristic of developed recreation facilities such as ski 

resorts and recreation resort communities. In these areas, recreation amenities are the main 

attraction for people and why they come to an area. Facilities are designed and constructed to 

harmonize with the natural setting. While the form of the base areas facilities dominate the 

foreground views, it declines as it transitions into the mountain and becomes subordinate in the 

middleground and background views. Likewise, recreational opportunities provided in base areas 

rely more heavily on constructed facilities, while those higher on the mountain become 

increasingly oriented toward the natural setting. This landscape character is adjacent to Natural 

Evolving, Natural Appearing and Developed Natural Appearing landscape character themes and 

should draw from, complement and harmonize with these themes. 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D4 - 8

Wasatch-Cache National Forest 

Landscape Character Theme and Scenic Integrity Objective 

 Definition Table 

Landscape 

Character 

Theme Theme Description 

SIO Integrity Description 

Resort 

Natural 

Setting 

High Landscapes where the valued landscape character "appears" intact. Recreation 

amenities are designed and maintained so that they complement and harmonize with 

the natural appearing landscape. 

Landscape 

Elements Landscape Character Goal Attribute Baseline

Land Form Parking lots, roads, and travel ways appear to be part of the natural 

setting by eliminating the geometry of the built feature upon the 

landscape and bringing the contour of the existing landscape into the 

built structure. For example, road cuts do not slice through the 

landscape, but are shaped, contoured and constructed so that the 

landscape is only interrupted by the track of road. 

Vegetation Ski runs and play areas draw from the forms, lines, colors and textures 

found in the surrounding landscape. 

Parking lots with more than 20 spaces should have minimum of 10% 

of the interior parking area landscaped. Interior landscape area should 

be of such a size that the vegetation could sustain itself without 

irrigation. Landscape areas should be dispersed throughout the 

parking area to effectively break up the expanse of the parking lot. 

Manage vegetation for properly functioning condition at landscape 

scale (see Revised Forest Plan Vegetation Landscape Structure and 

Pattern Types for Properly Functioning Condition Table).

Water 

Form 

Detention and retention basin for water run off, landscaped ponds and 

pools. 

Cultural 

Features 

Parking lots follow contours of the land and are visually broken to 

reduce their dominance. Ski trails are subordinate to adjacent LCT 

landscapes by repeating openings found in the surrounding landscape. 

Trams and ski lifts blend with vegetation or lines and colors found in 

the resort scene. 

Architecture harmonizes with the surrounding landscape visually and 

is in context with other structures found in the resort. 

Landscape 

Character 

Theme Theme Description 

Water 

Recreation 

Rural 

Appearing

This theme is characteristic of Pineview Reservoir recreation complex. The scenic qualities of 

Ogden Valley attract visitors, and maintaining rural character is important to many landowners in 

this area. In these areas recreation amenities are the main attraction for people and why they come 

to an area. The cultural setting of farms, fields, pastures, influences development on the private 

lands. Housing, businesses, roads and other developments dominate some views. 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D4 - 9

Wasatch-Cache National Forest 

Landscape Character Theme and Scenic Integrity Objective 

 Definition Table 

Landscape 

Character 

Theme Theme Description 

SIO Integrity Description 

High Landscapes where the valued landscape character "appears" intact. Recreation 

amenities are designed and maintained so that they complement and harmonize with 

the valued landscape character. 

Landscape 

Elements Landscape Character Goal Attribute Baseline

Water 

Recreation 

Rural 

Appearing 

Land Form Parking lots, roads, and travel ways appear to be part of the Rural 

setting by repeating the geometry of both the built and natural 

environment on the landscape. Contouring of cuts and fills of travel 

ways would be rounded where retaining walls that incorporate rural 

type materials are not used. 

Beach areas, boat ramps, and trails are present. 

Vegetation Trees, shrubs and ground cover should be native species with minimal 

use of non-natives. 

Parking lots with more than 20 spaces should have minimum of 10% 

of the interior parking area landscaped. Interior landscape area should 

be of such a size that the vegetation could sustain itself without 

irrigation. Landscape areas should be dispersed throughout the 

parking area to effectively break up the expanse of the parking lot.

Water 

Form 

Reservoirs, ponds. 

Cultural 

Features 

Campgrounds, group sites, picnic areas, interpretive structures and 

marinas follow architectural themes and harmonize with the 

surrounding landscape. 
Final Environmental Impact Statement - Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest D4 - 10

Wasatch-Cache National Forest 

Landscape Character Theme and Scenic Integrity Objective 

 Definition Table 

Landscape 

Character 

Theme Theme Description 

Natural 

1985 

Forest 

Plan 

The natural landscape character originates primarily from natural disturbances and succession of 

plants, with subtle changes due to indirect human activities. The existing landscape character 

generally continues to change gradually over time through natural processes. Each degree of 

change in integrity describes a different degree of acceptable alteration of the natural landscape. 

The degree of visual alteration is measured in terms of visual contrast with the surrounding natural 

landscape. 

This LCT represents the existing 1985 Forest Plan direction which used Visual Quality Objectives 

(VQO) as developed under the Visual Management System. In AH 701 a cross walk for 

terminology and component changes from the Visual Management System to SMS is provided. 

The following is an application of those changes: 

Visual Management System Scenery Management System 

VQO – Preservation Very High Scenic Integrity 

Objective 

VQO – Retention High Scenic Integrity Objective 

VQO – Partial Retention Moderate Scenic Integrity 

Objective 

VQO – Modification Low Scenic Integrity Objective 

(Note: Natural LCT was only applied to alternative 4, existing 1985 Forest Plan) 

SIO Integrity Description 

Very High The viewed landscape character "is" intact with only subtle if any deviations. 

Allows for ecological change only. Management activities, except for very low 

visual impact recreation facilities, are prohibited. 

High Landscapes where the viewed landscape character "appears" intact. Deviations may 

be present but must repeat the form, line color, texture, and pattern common to the 

landscape character so completely, and at such scale, that they are not evident. For 

example, clearings created by timber harvest must be similar in size and shape to 

natural openings in the landscape being viewed so that, when ground cover has 

become established, the clearing looks completely natural.

Moderate Noticeable deviations in the viewed landscape, must remain visually subordinate to 

the landscape character being viewed. For example, clearings created by timber 

harvest are evident, but the natural character of the landscape is still the primary 

influence of the view. 

Low Deviations dominate the landscape character being viewed. However, activities, 

structures, and roads borrow from the form, line, color, texture and scale found in 

the landscape character being viewed that they are compatible with the 

surroundings.