Opinion ID: 2966842
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Visual Resource Protection Plan

Text: Finally, the Association contends that the Visual Resource Protection Plan filed by Summersville under Article 409 of its original license and approved by FERC is inadequate because it does not adequately address the visual impact of the transmission line as it crosses the Meadow River. This argument, however, overlooks the absence of any legal requirement to provide a Protection Plan for the Meadow River crossing. Article 409 of the license as originally approved requires that Summersville minimize the visual impacts of the powerhouse and the transmission line in the area of the powerhouse. In connection with the original application for a license, no one challenged the visual impact of the transmission line elsewhere, and FERC did not take Article 409 as applying elsewhere. Nonetheless, in considering the amendment, FERC decided to mitigate any adverse visual impacts of the transmission line away from the dam as a condition of approving the amendment. It added Article 414, which requires Summersville to adopt a final design plan for the entire transmission line in consultation with affected property owners and relevant federal and state agencies. But FERC's imposition of new Article 414 does not give the Association a right to challenge Summersville's Plan under Article 409 based on its inadequacy at the Meadow River crossing. Article 409 never imposed an obligation on Summersville to address the Meadow River crossing.