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95 J <br /> AESTHETIC/CULTURAL RESOURCES IN THE RURAL BUFFER <br /> DATA ANALYSIS: VISUAL AMENITIES <br /> I. <br /> Visual resources include everything that is seen. which <br /> can also be described as the land and any activities on it. <br /> The visual aspect of the land is considered a non-renewable <br /> resource since change in the landscape is irreversible even <br /> though it is a natural process. <br /> While the visual environment is most often disregarded <br /> during resource analysis. it should be emphasized for several <br /> reasons. Most importantly. the visual environment educates <br /> the viewer about possible problems in the physical environ- <br /> ment. Imbalances in the socio-economic system are also <br /> reflected in the visual environment. Unfortunately. many <br /> problems are not dealt with until they become visually <br /> evident. Similarly, everything that is seen affects human <br /> emotion and guides activities on the land. <br /> The analysis of visual resources found in the Rural <br /> Buffer currently includes the following: (1) a general photo <br /> survey of many distinctive views found throughout the Rural <br /> Buffer and (2) a map of visually sensitive areas where <br /> preservation or at least retention of visual resources is of <br /> primary concern during land use planning. <br /> II. FINDINGS: <br /> The overall image of the Rural Buffer is one of variety, <br /> which is most valuable in the visual environment. Visual <br /> variety with harmony not only is aesthetically pleasing. but <br /> it usually indicates a more ecologically stable community. <br /> Furthermore. an environment which has visual variety is more <br /> tolerant of visual change. <br /> Rural land can be classified into three groups: wild- <br /> lands. agrarian areas. and settlement areas. Wildlands are <br /> characterized by natural elements in a natural state or <br /> returning through succession. Agrarian areas are described <br /> as natural elements in an unnatural state such as planted <br /> fields or pasture. Settlement areas are dominated by man- <br /> made elements. The Rural Buffer has a variety of each type <br /> landscape. <br /> For the purpose of this study. an inventory was done of <br /> sensitive areas where development could have a negative <br /> visual impact. This analysis is a composite of the following <br /> inventories: prime farmlands. resource protection areas, <br /> public/private open space. biologically significant areas, <br /> historic sites. and prominent topographic relief features. <br /> • <br />