Final Environmental Impact Statement Appendices 

Wasatch-Cache National Forest B7 - 1 

APPENDIX B - 7 

Scenery Management System Application 

Introduction 

This document describes how the framework of the Scenery Management System (SMS)(USDA 

Forest Service. 1995b) was applied in the development of alternatives in the Revised Forest Plan 

process for the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The purpose of scenery management is to 

provide a tool to integrate the benefits, values, desires, and preferences regarding aesthetics and 

scenery into all levels of land management planning. The Scenery Management System is 

composed of 4 basic steps: 1- Inventory, 2 – Design, Analysis & Planning, 3 – Implementation 

and 4 – Monitoring. Each step becomes more detailed as you move through the various scales of 

planning from regional to project level. The Forest Plan scale provides broad program level 

direction for management. It is at this scale that the Scenery Management System framework 

was applied on the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. 

Inventory of Existing Condition 

A broad scale inventory was conducted of the Forest that consisted of existing use and 

management on the Forest to create a baseline from which to measure scenic integrity. The 

Forest was divided into five Landscape Character Themes (LCTs) that gave a broad image of the 

valued landscapes found on the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The descriptions of those five 

themes are as follows: 

1. Natural Evolving LCT

The existing landscape 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. 

2. Natural Appearing LCT 

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, undeveloped campsites 

etc. these alterations are subordinate and are valued amenities within the landscape. 

3. Developed Natural Appearing LCT 

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

scenic byways with minor summer residential development, and developed recreation 

facilities and concentrated use areas within the foreground of the viewshed (1/2 mile). In 

these areas, the roadway, recreation amenities, and development harmonize and are 

subordinate with the landscape. For users, this built environment is part of the valued 
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Wasatch-Cache National Forest B7 - 2 

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. 

4. Resort Natural Setting LCT

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

ski resorts, and recreation resort communities. In these areas recreation amenities that 

harmonize with the natural landscape are one of the attractions for people. Facilities are 

designed and constructed to harmonize with the natural setting. While the facilities in the 

base areas are dominant in scale or form, that dominance declines as it transitions onto 

the mountainsides up to the ridgelines. Likewise, recreational opportunities provided in 

base areas rely more heavily on architecturally thematic constructed facilities, while those 

higher on the mountain become increasingly oriented toward the natural setting. 

5. 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 this area, recreation amenities such as boat ramps, 

beaches, campgrounds, and boat docks are the main attraction for people. The 

surrounding cultural setting of farms, fields, and pastures influence development on the 

private lands for housing, businesses, roads and other developments. 

The Forest was divided into seven Management Areas that were defined by sociological and 

biological criteria. Existing landscape character descriptions were created for each of the 

Management Areas that described the physical, biological and cultural/social character of the 

area. These descriptions paint a general picture of the Management Area (See Management Area 

descriptions chapter 3 introduction). 

Mapping Alternatives 

The SMS process was applied to all alternatives except for Alternative 4 with some adjustments 

made for local application of the system. Alternative 4 is the 1985 Plan as amended and was 

interpreted using SMS terms. The process used for mapping Alternative 4 is described in 

Appendix D. 

The management prescriptions describe general management or use of the land. Mapping 

management prescriptions was one of the primary tools used to display the difference between 

alternatives. Based on management prescriptions and consistent with themes used in the baseline 

inventory, the following Landscape Character Themes (LCT) were used: 

• Natural Evolving 

• Natural Appearing 

• Develop Natural Appearing 

• Resort Natural Setting 

• Water Recreation Rural Appearing. 
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The general application is as follows: “Wilderness” or “Recommended Wilderness” defined 

“Natural Evolving” recognizes the direction given for the lands managed as Wilderness. Other 

considerations used were the amount of cultural modification within a landscape. Landscapes 

such as Ski Resorts “Resort Natural Setting” water recreation areas like Pineview Reservoir and, 

“Water Recreation Rural Setting” are landscapes that have been modified to provide amenities 

for people to use. Scenic Byways fall under “Developed Natural Appearing” because of the high 

development densities along the byway. The LCT used for the remaining National Forest 

System Lands is “Natural Appearing”. A tabular presentation of the conversion of MPCs to 

LCTs is provided in Appendix D. 

From the management described in the management prescription, a Scenic Integrity Objective 

(SIO) was assigned based on the following: 

1. Duration of effect a specific management would have on the landscape character within a 

specific LCT description. Five years plus duration where the image of the landscape appears 

changed. 

2. Dominance of effect a specific management would have on the landscape character with a 

specific LCT description. (geometry, size, shape, pattern, form etc.). 

3. What would be accepted as part of the apparent landscape character of a LCT. Considered 

cultural and biological elements. 

The SIO was applied to each MPC. A table for converting MPC to LCT to SIOs is presented in 

Appendix D along with detailed descriptions of LCT and SIO and accepted cultural 

modifications. 

From the above criteria, Forest “Landscape Character Themes” (LCT) and “Scenic Integrity 

Objectives” (SIO) were mapped. See “FEIS for Wasatch-Cache Forest Plan Revision Alternative 

- SMS” maps, map packet. 

Alternative 4 SMS Process application 

This Alternative represents the 1985 Forest Plan direction, which used Visual Quality Objectives 

(VQO) as developed under the Visual Management System. In 1995 the Forest Service replaced 

the Visual Management System (VMS) with the Scenery Management System. A cross walk for 

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

Appendix D, under the heading Landscape Character Definition Table for “Natural” 1985 Forest 

Plan Theme.