These data represent the Scenic Resource Inventory under Alternative D for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison national forests (GMUG) Forest Plan Revision undertaken under the 2012 Forest Planning Rule. These data were created using the Scenery Management Tool (USFS 2020) in ArcGIS Desktop (version 10.8.1, ESRI 2011). These data were last updated on October 18 2022.

The Scenery_ScenicClasses feature class is initially derived from Scenery Management System inventories and includes polygons created by combining Scenic Attractiveness and Visibility to derive scenic importance within a landscape.

The value given to each polygon is based on a matrix in the Landscape Aesthetics Handbook (page 4-16) and includes the values of concern levels, distance zones, seen area, and scenic attractiveness. Up to seven categories are derived from this matrix.

National Scenery Management System Inventory Mapping Protocols include instructions for identifying the appropriate feature classes for analysis, assigning concern level values using scenery management subject matter expertise, resource integration, or public collaboration, and documenting rationale.

The complete process is included in the Landscape Aesthetics Handbook and National Scenery Management System Inventory Mapping Protocols listed below, under "References".

Associated National Applications: Land Management Plan revision, watershed assessments, mid-scale assessments, project level planning, and monitoring.

This Scenery Management System Inventory was completed in 2017 by the Forest Recreation Staff and the USDA Forest Service Enterprise Program.

01/20/2021 Update: Corrections identified when developing Scenic Integrity Objectives for Forest Plan Revision. Scenic Classes re-created with updated Scenery_ScenicAttractive and Scenery_Visibility. Edits also match the updated national data dictionary.

Data Dictionary attribute: scenic_classes with values of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. Generally, scenic classes 1 and 2 have high public value for scenery, classes 3, 4, and 5 have moderate value for scenery and classes 6 and 7 have low public value for scenery (Agricultural Handbook 701).

References

ESRI. 2011. ArcGIS Desktop: Release 10. Redlands, CA: Environmental Systems Research Institute.

USFS. 2020, July. National Scenery Management System Inventory Mapping Protocols. Technical Guide.