Environmental and Geotechnical Issues
Sensitive Areas
Construction on slopes, which are formally viewed
as "sensitive areas" in Washington State, is generally frowned upon by
permitting agencies. Many of these agencies will allow a certain amount of
tram, stairway, or trail building. Often a variance is required in the
permitting process.
One of the advantages of Cable Lift Aerial Trams
is that they do not generally involve any construction, grading, or alteration
of the slopes they traverse. To date, every single Cable Lift permit applied
for has been granted.
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Track
Lift Supports
Track Lifts involve supports for the tracks at intervals
of up to 18'. These Supports are, by necessity, on the slope, and are subject
to more problems from bank slides, settling, pressure from the slope uphill of
the support, and undermining below the support than an aerial-type tram. Also,
from a builder's point of view, building supports on a steep slope is difficult
work. If the slope is fundamentally stable and not too steep or long, these
problems are minimized, and a Track Lift is a good possibility.
Landing On The Beach
Many Cable Lifts land directly
on the beach on the water front of Puget Sound. An anchor on the beach attaches
the two support cables that the gondola rides on. This anchor is usually below
grade, installed in one day, near the high tide line. The overall impact of the
Cable Lift is very low. Fisheries Department officials have reviewed and
approved this approach.
Visual Impacts
Visually, the two support cables of a
Cable Lift blend into the landscape from even a short distance away (say, one
hundred feet), making them close to invisible. Anyone who has looked at a
staircase on a slope from a mile or more away can attest to their prominent
visual impact.
Noise
The noise levels from Accumar cable Lifts and
Track Lifts are very low, and can seldom even be heard from a neighboring
property. There are virtually no mechanical noises; the noise from the electric
hoist is comparable to running a clothes dryer.
Pathways For The Tram
Usually a path can be located
for a tram which misses any major trees or obstacles. The path needs to be five
to seven feet wide. Accumar will visit sites to determine the best location for
a tram.
Geotechnical (soils) Reports
Many local permitting
agencies require a geologist or geotechnical engineer to prepare a report on
the slope soils. Accumar can help arrange this if necessary.
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©ACCUMAR Corporation
1180 NW Finn Hill Road, Poulsbo, Washington USA 98370
License Number:
ACCUMC*110QG
Phone: 360-779-7795
Fax: 360-697-6779 |
