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Attaining Visual Quality Objectives In Timber Harvest Areas - Landscape Architects' Evaluation, United States Department Of Agriculture, Forest Service

Forestry

When management activities such as timber harvest are undertaken on National Forest lands, landscape architects establish plans and guidelines so the project will meet a desired level of visual quality. This visual quality objective (VQO) for a given project is based on forest conditions, topography, and the type of viewing that is anticipated (viewing distance, number and type of visitors, etc.). Although landscape architects provide criteria and guidelines to achieve these visual objectives, there is no direct feedback mechanism with which to monitor the public's reaction or ascertain the extent to which visual objectives are met.