This BMP publication is divided into two main parts. The first part (Chapters 1 and 2) provides an introduction to the BMP publication and to key visual resource concepts within the context of utility-scale energy development on BLM lands. It includes an abbreviated discussion of the BLM visual resource management (VRM) system, a description of terminology associated with visual resources, a discussion of viewsheds, and an explanation of factors that affect the overall visibility of large-scale facilities.
The second part (Chapters 3–6) presents information about the visual characteristics of renewable energy facilities and BMPs for avoiding or reducing visual impacts from the facilities. Chapters 3–5 present the visual characteristics and BMPs for wind energy facilities, solar energy facilities, and geothermal facilities respectively. Chapter 6 presents BMPs for “common elements,” which include ancillary facilities common to utility-scale energy facilities as well as the design, construction, operation, and decommissioning activities common to large scale energy development projects.