PD-17-00001 Marian Meadows Full Record with Index (2)

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Marian Meadows Rezone and Subdivision Final Environmental Impact Statement 1-31 Alternatives 2, 3C, and 5 with all development on the western portion of the site would retain the steep, eastern portion of the property in forest use. This area would continue to provide potential wildlife habitat and could serve as a migration corridor. The steep terrain in that part of the site, however, makes it a less productive habitat area and limits its effectiveness as a migration corridor for elk and other large animals. Impacts on the western portion of the site would be similar to Alternative 1. Similar restriction of migration across the western portion of the site would occur. Alternatives 3A, 3B, and 3D would result in substantially less residential development than Alternative 1 or 2. Habitat value for species sensitive to human disturbance would be reduced compared to current conditions; however, migration across the site would be restricted. Alternative 3D might have slightly lower impacts than 3A and 3B due to larger lot size and fewer lots. Alternative 4, PUD with reduced density on the entire site with about 147 lots, would result in the development of fewer residential lots than either Alternative 1 or 2. In the long term, however, habitat loss and species displacement would be similar to Alternative 1, although somewhat less on the steep, less productive eastern portion of the site. Under any of these cumulative impact scenarios, anticipated future development in the vicinity of the Marian Meadows site would contribute to further losses of wildlife habitat, potential degradation of fish habitat, and increased levels of human disturbance. Increased density of residential development in the upper Yakima River Valley floodplain would further constrain the movement of elk and other large mammals through the area, presenting barriers to movement between summer and winter habitat areas.