INVENTORY AND EVALUATION CHART
INSTRUCTIONS
SCENIC QUALITY
Key Factors Rating Criteria and Score
Landform
High vertical relief as
expressed in prominent
cliffs, spires, or
massive rock outcrops;
or severe surface
variation or highly
eroded formations
including major
badlands or dune
systems; or detail
features dominant and
exceptionally striking
and intriguing such as
glaciers.
5
Steep canyons, mesas,
buttes, cinder cones,
and drumlins; or
interesting erosional
patterns or variety in
size and shape of
landforms; or detail
features which are
interesting though not
dominant or
exceptional.
3
Low rolling hills,
foothills, or at valley
bottoms; or few or no
interesting landscape
features.
1
Vegetation
A variety of vegetative
types as expressed in
interesting forms,
textures, and patterns.
5
Some variety of
vegetation, but only
one or two major types.
3
Little or no variety or
contrast in vegetation.
1
Water
Clear and clean
appearing, still, or
cascading white water,
any of which are a
dominant factor in the
landscape.
5
Flowing, or still, but
not dominant in the
landscape.
3
Absent, or present, but
not noticeable
0
Color
Rich color
combinations, variety
or vivid color; or
pleasing contrasts in
the soil, rock,
vegetation, water or
snow elds.
5
Some intensity or
variety in colors and
contrast of the soil,
rock, and vegetation,
but not a dominant
scenic element.
3
Subtle color variations,
contrast, or interest;
generally mute tones.
1
Inuence of
Adjacent
Scenery
Adjacent scenery
greatly enhances visual
quality.
5
Adjacent scenery
moderately enhances
overall visual quality.
3
Adjacent scenery has
little or no inuence on
overall visual quality.
0
Scarcity
One of a kind; or
unusually memorable,
or very rare within
region. Consistent
chance for exceptional
or wildower viewing,
etc. **
5+
Distinctive, though
somewhat similar to
others within the
region.
3
Interesting within its
setting, but fairly
common within the
region.
1
Cultural
Modications
Modications add
favorably to visual
variety while
promoting visual
harmony.
2
Modications add little
or no visual variety to
the area, and introduce
no discordant elements.
0
Modications add
variety but are very
discordant and promote
strong disharmony.
-4
Purpose: To rate the visual quality of the sce-
nic resource on all BLM managed lands.
How to Identify Scenic Value: Refer to
8431-1 illustrations 3, 4, 5, and 6 for
guidelines on descriptive terminology for
form, line, color and texture and illustrations
7 and 8 for additional terms to describe
landscape features and spatial orientation.
How to Determine Minimum Suitability: All
BLM lands are rated for scenic values. Also
rate adjacent or intermingling non-BLM lands
within the planning unit.
When to Evaluate Scenic Quality: Rate for
scenery under the most critical conditions
(i.e., the highest user period or season of use,
sidelight, proper atmospheric conditions, etc.).
How to Delineate Rating Areas: Consider
the following factors when delineating rating
areas.
1. Like physiographic characteristics (i.e.,
landform, vegetation, etc.).
2. Similar visual patterns, texture, color,
variety, etc.
3. Areas which have a similar impact from
cultural modications (i.e., roads, histori-
cal and other structures, mining opera-
tions, or other surface disturbances).
Explanation of Criteria:
(See H8410-1, Illustration 1.)
NOTE ABOUT SCORING: Values for each
rating criteria are maximum and minimum
scores only. Scores may be assigned at 0.5
increments within the ranges given.
NOTE ABOUT TOTAL SCORE: When the
Key Factor Score Total equals 11.5 (between
B and C) or 18.5 (between A and B), then
reassess the factor ratings and either adjust the
rating 0.5 upward or downward placing the
unit into the most appropriate scenic quality
class.
SCENIC QUALITY
CLASSIFICATION
A = 19 or more
B = 12-18
C = 11 or less
** A rating of greater than 5 can be given but must be supported by written justication.
(Form 8400-1, Page 3)
