Vantage to Pomona FEIS Index 34 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 2 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Proposed Action and Alternatives PAGE 2-49 BIO-12: Minimize the blading of native plant communities during construction, operation, and ongoing maintenance activities consistent with safe construction practices. BIO-13: Restrict construction and maintenance activities during sensitive periods (breeding or nesting). Restricting these activities would eliminate the potential disturbance of wildlife during these critical periods of their life cycles, as identified in the Plant and Wildlife Species Protection Measures of the POD, the Framework for Development of a Greater Sage -Grouse Compensatory Mitigation Plan, and the Project-Specific Compensatory Mitigation Plan which will developed by Pacific Power. • Avoid construction activities within 0.25 to 1.0 mile radius of an active raptor nest, if possible, unless specific features (e.g., terrain, barriers) dictate reduced buffers. Spatial buffers and seasonal restrictions would vary depending on the species (Romin and Muck 2002): Nests of any raptor species not specified here would be buffered by 0.25 mile. Specified nest buffers include: o Bald eagle nest – 1.0 mile buffer from January through August. o Burrowing owl – 0.25 mile buffer from March through August. o Ferruginous hawk – 0.5 mile buffer from March through July. o Golden eagle – 0.5 mile buffer from January through August. o Osprey – 0.5 mile buffer from April through August. o Peregrine falcon – 1.0 mile buffer from February through August. o Prairie falcon – 0.25 mile buffer from April through August. • Sage-Grouse: o Avoid construction or maintenance activities within four miles of active leks from February 1 to June 15 to protect lekking, nesting, and early brood-rearing (Stinson et al. 2004; Cadwell et al. 1994). o Avoid construction or maintenance activities within Sage-Grouse winter habitat from December 1 through February 1 if winter conditions are exceptionally severe. Severe winter conditions would consist of snow cover much higher than normal (e.g., above sagebrush height) or temperatures much lower than normal. Winter construction or maintenance activities within sage-grouse winter habitat will be coordinated with the JBLM YTC Public Works Department. • Migratory birds: o Avoid construction or maintenance activities during the migratory bird breeding season, typically from March 1 through July 31. If construction or maintenance activities must occur during this time period, qualified biologists will conduct clearance surveys prior to activity. If migratory bird nests are identified, spatial buffers of at least 100 feet around the nest will be initiated. Individual nests will not be marked. Spatial buffers and seasonal restrictions would vary depending on the species. No ROW corridor mowing will occur during the nesting season. • Bald eagle wintering areas: o Construction or maintenance activities within 0.25 mile of a bald eagle winter roost would occur between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. • Big game seasonal restrictions: o Avoid construction or maintenance activities within big game wintering areas during the wintering season, typically December 1 through March 1, or as defined by WDFW for each big game population in question. BIO-14: New or improved access roads (e.g., blading, widening existing access), that are not required for Project maintenance or by the land management agencies, will be closed or rehabilitated following construction. Closing access roads would protect the resources in that area from further disturbance by limiting new or improved accessibility by OHVs and other motorized vehicles.