Vantage to Pomona FEIS Index 34 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-26 GeoBOB and WHNP data indicate that Hoover’s desert-parsley intersects Route Segments 3b, 3c, and NNR-3 for approximately 7.0 miles. WNHP locations include large buffers; therefore, it is uncertain whether additional occurrences intersect the ROW. One occurrence of Hoover’s desert-parsley was documented during the special status plant survey along Route Segment NNR-3 (Table 3.2-5). This occurrence consisted of approximately 21 individuals scattered across 0.2 acre of a basalt flow. Current threats to this occurrence of Hoover’s desert-parsley include development and invasive and exotic species (e.g., cheatgrass). As the entirety of all route segments were not surveyed, Hoover’s desert-parsley could be present elsewhere. Hoover’s Tauschia Hoover’s tauschia (Tauschia hooveri) is a federal SOC, BLM Sensitive, and Washington Sensitive species. Hoover’s tauschia is regionally endemic extending from south-central Yakima County to east- central Kittitas County. Within the region, 28 populations occupying approximately 13,911 acres are known to occur. Potential threats to Hoover’s tauschia include loss and degradation of habitat through orchard expansion and housing, grazing, OHV use, and road construction. Fire is typically not a threat because Hoover’s tauschia sites generally do not have enough vegetation present to carry a fire (WNHP and BLM 2005). WNHP data indicate that Hoover’s tauschia intersects Route Segment NNR-3 for approximately 0.4 mile. These locations include large buffers; therefore, it is uncertain whether this occurrence intersects the ROW. As the entirety of all route segments were not surveyed, Hoover’s tauschia could be present elsewhere. Kalm’s Lobelia Kalm’s lobelia (Lobelia kalmii) is a BLM Strategic and a Washington Endangered species. Kalm’s lobelia occurs from Newfoundland to Pennsylvania, west to British Columbia, and Colorado to Hudson Bay and the southern Mackenzie District. In Washington, it occurs in Yakima County. Within the region, one population occupying approximately 92 acres is known to occur. The primary threats to Kalm’s lobelia include habitat degradation from livestock and weedy species. The sustainability of the habitat is dependent upon the steady flow of the natural spring. The existing site in Yakima County has been degraded from past livestock use (Camp and Gamon 2011). WNHP data indicate that Kalm’s lobelia intersects Route Segment 3b for approximately 0.3 mile. As the entirety of all route segments were not surveyed, it is possible that Kalm’s lobelia could occur elsewhere. Miner’s Candle Miner’s candle (Cryptantha scoparia) is a BLM Strategic and Washington Sensitive species. It is found in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, and Wyoming. Within Washington, it is known to occur in Benton, Grant, Kittitas, and Yakima counties. Four populations are known to occur within the region, occupying approximately 401 acres. Threats to this species include grazing, OHV use, development, and competition with non-native plants (WNHP and BLM 2005; Camp and Gamon 2011). WNHP data indicates that Miner’s candle intersects Route Segment NNR-7 for approximately 0.5 mile. However, special status species locations include large buffers; therefore, it is uncertain whether this occurrence intersects the ROW. As the entirety of all route segments were not surveyed, miner’s candle could be present elsewhere. Nuttall’s Sandwort Nuttall’s sandwort is a BLM Sensitive and a Washington Threatened Species. This species is found in Washington; Oregon; California; Nevada; and Grant County, Washington. Two populations occupying