1637 Assessment methods, the present state of the environment and the assessed environmental impacts

at the power plant location and in its environment, and listing of valuable objects in the landscape and cultural environment known on the basis of the available source material. The impacts have been assessed in relation to the present state of the area.

In addition to the actual project area, the area under review includes the whole of the Hanhikivi headland, the nearest village (Parhalahti) and the surrounding shore and sea areas that have a view to the Hanhikivi headland. For other areas, the potential visual impacts of the project have been described on a general level.

7.7.3 Construction phase impacts

In addition to the actual construction site, landscape impacts during construction work will be caused by the heavy traffic generated by the transportation of large struc- tural parts, as well as the construction of new road connec- tions and the improvement of current roads required by such transportation operations. High cranes will be visible in the landscape from far away. Some of the buildings, outdoor areas, and traffic connections will only be imple- mented for the period of construction and will undergo landscaping when no longer needed.

7.7.4 Operation phase impacts

The nuclear power plant will be located on a headland clearly visible in an open sea landscape. In a larger land- scape, the headland is currently an integral part of a natural environment. The plant milieu will differ significantly from its environment in terms of its size and character, thus creat- ing a new landmark that dominates an extensive area of the landscape, changes the character and hierarchy of the land- scape and affects the continuity of the natural environment. However, when viewed from the sea at a sufficient distance, the large open water surface and outline of the continental coast in the background lend support to the large structure as the smaller features disappear from view. Figure 7-29 is an illustration of the nuclear power plant seen from the beach on the west shore of the Hanhikivi headland.

From the closest permanent settlement in the area, the Parhalahti village, views towards the power plant exist due to the open farmland and other open landscape. Based on examination of maps and the information of the height of the plant structures, the plant structures will rise above the forest horizon and will be visible from the direction of the Parhalahti fields. Due to the distance (over 4 kilometers), changes in the wider landscape are unlikely to cause significant changes to the character and hierarchy of the village landscape. Views towards the power plant may extend from other places in the mainland through suitably oriented open fields, clear felling areas, roads, and open swamp areas. In forested areas, vegetation close to the observation point effectively cuts off the views.

With regard to holiday residences, the most significant changes will occur in the views that extend towards the sea from the holiday residences located on the north shores of the Maunus and Syölatti areas located on the south side of the Hanhikivi headland, and in views from certain other holiday

residences for which the main direction of the view faces the plant area. Due to expectations related to holiday residences, the characteristics and types of environment in the region, as well as the size and nature of the project, the impact of the pro- ject on the sea landscape as viewed from the holiday residences will probably often be perceived as adverse. (Weckman 2006)

Local impacts on the landscape in the power plant con- struction area will be significant when the current natural forest area becomes a large-scale built environment. The landscape will also change on a larger scale: the landscape impact extending outside the actual plant area include those of the housing area and the new road from main road 8 to the power plant area, both to be built on areas that are currently in their natural state. The current buildings in the plant area will be removed from use or their purpose will be changed. The new large dock basin will alter the land- scape of the shore area, but will be perceived as an integral part of the built power plant environment when completed.

The power plant’s water intake structures will be located within the dock basin, and only a concrete structure resem- bling a pier will be visible of them. A channel structure will be built on the north shore of the Hanhikivi headland for dis- charge of cooling water, limited by protective banks. Due to the impact of warm water, the sea in front of the discharge site will remain open in the winter in an area of varying size. A cloud of fog may form above the unfrozen area on calm, subzero days.

In the dark, the power plant lighting will be visible in an area that is otherwise almost completely dark. The glow may be visible from afar. The significance of the plant as a new landmark in the region may be emphasized in the dark.

Since the scale of the nuclear power plant and the adjoin- ing structures will deviate from the surrounding nature, ‘hid- ing’ the buildings or structures in the landscape will not be possible. It is possible to make the power plant more fitting for the landscape, however, by selecting the correct surface materials and colors, carefully planning where buildings will be placed and adding vegetation to the power plant area.

Local impacts can be reduced in detailed design by, for example, forming embankments at shores that are in their natural state or almost in their natural state, and adding veg- etation in such a manner that they will fit into the natural shoreline of the area. This should be done if there are any recreational sites or holiday residences in the area. The light- ing used on the roads to the power plant can be designed in such a manner that it will not be visible from far away (light fixtures spreading light downwards). When designing the power line routes and roads, attention should be paid to how they blend in the landscape. Valuable landscapes and objects of the cultural environment shall also be taken into account. Architectural solutions may also be used to make the power plant blend into the surrounding landscape.

7.7.4.1 Impacts on valuable objects

The construction of the power plant will have a significant impact on the immediate environment of the Hanhikivi border stone, which is a historical monument of national importance originating from the era of written history, even though the project will have no direct impact on the stone

164 7 Assessment methods, the present state of the environment and the assessed environmental impacts

itself. The historical monument is indicated in the valid Pyhäjoki local detailed plan for the nuclear power plant area, and it is located on an agricultural zone in the imme- diate vicinity of the energy management block area, on its north side. Passage to the stone is indicated as a preliminary road connection through the agricultural zone.

The highest structures of the power plant are likely to show at places above the trees from the Parhalahti fish dock of national value (RKY 2009), from the Ostrobothnia coastal road’s section that passes through the Parhalahti village, also of national value (RKY 2009), and from the Parhalahti village, which has regional value. However, when considered as a whole, buildings and vegetation fairly effec- tively cut off the view to the power plant.

Potential visual impact is not likely to significantly affect the values of the objects due to the character and orientation of the areas, the extent of the visual impact in relation to the whole of the view, and the distance (no less than 34 kilometers). The importance of the Takaranta sea- shore meadow of regional value will be affected when the power plant replaces the existing low-lying natural area in the immediate vicinity (no less than one kilometer) of the meadow. Views from the Maunus shore meadow and its importance to the overall landscape will change.

Bedrock surveys and the necessary ground surveys will be carried out in the construction areas before a building permit is applied for. As indicated by the land use plans, representative parts of the bedrock are to be left exposed.

The plant will not have significant impacts on other valua- ble landscape or cultural environment objects in the region.

7.8 Traffic and traffic safety

7.8.1 Present state

The Hanhikivi headland is located to the west from main road 8 (E8). A pedestrian and bicycle way was constructed at the side of the main road in 2008. There is a local road, Puustellintie, leading from the Parhalahti village to the

Hanhikivi headland, the fishing harbor in Tankokarin- nokka, and the recreational residences located in the south- western and western coastlines of the headland.

Road traffic to and from the Hanhikivi headland nuclear power plant area will run on main road 8 and a branch road to be constructed specifically for the nuclear power plant. The current working-day traffic volume on main road 8 at the location where the road leading to the nuclear power plant will branch off is approximately 3,700–4,100 vehicles per day. Of this volume, heavy traffic accounts for some 500 vehicles per day. The traffic volume on main road 8 north of the power plant area is approximately 3,800 vehi- cles per day, and south of the area, approximately 4,100 vehi- cles per day. On both road sections, heavy traffic accounts for some 500 vehicles per day. (Liikennevirasto 2013) The estimated traffic volume on main road 8 north of the Han- hikivi headland intersection in 2020–2025 is approximately 3,800 vehicles per day, and south of the intersection, approx- imately 4,200 vehicles per day (Tiehallinto 2007).

In the plans of the Council of Oulu Region and the North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, satisfying the need for overhaul of main road 8 now appears as one of the short- term goals for regional investments. Among the areas for development are the performance of measures required for the construction of the nuclear power plant, upgrade of bridges and main intersections, and facilitation of the flow of traffic and improvement of traffic safety. The construction of the new road leading from main road 8 to the power plant area, the Hanhikivi road, will be accompanied by the construction of the necessary pedestrian and bicycle ways and the associated arrangements. Furthermore, there have been plans for a new intersection for access to main road 8 at Hanhikivi. A pedestrian and bicycle way running along the side of main road 8 between Parhalahti and Hurnasperä is under construction. (Pohjois-Pohjanmaan elinkeino-, liikenne- ja ympäristökeskus 2013b)

The distance from the Hanhikivi headland to the nearest railway station, located in Raahe, is approximately 25 kilo- meters by road. This railway section is only used for freight

Figure 7-29. Photographic illustration: the nuclear power plant in the Hanhikivi landscape, seen from the direction of the public beach.

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