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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-27 approximately 884 acres are known to occur within the region. Threats to this species are primarily from OHV use (WNHP and BLM 2005). One occurrence of Nuttall’s sandwort was located during the special status plant surveys along Route Segment 1b and intersects Route Segment 1b for approximately 0.1 mile. Another occurrence was discovered 60 feet downslope from the ROW edge of Route Segment 3b in an area that would be potentially used for access. The occurrence within Route Segment 1b consisted of approximately 10 individuals scattered throughout 34 square feet. The occurrence of Nuttall’s sandwort within Route Segment 3b consisted of one individual. Additional Nuttall’s sandwort occurrences could be present within the Project study area as suitable habitat is available within all of the route segments (Table 3.2-6). Current threats to these occurrences of Nuttall’s sandwort include invasion of exotic species, such as cheatgrass. As the entirety of all route segments were not surveyed, Nuttall’s sandwort could be present elsewhere. Pauper Milkvetch Pauper milkvetch is a BLM Sensitive Species and a Washington Sensitive species. This species is found only within Washington, with known occurrences in Klickitat, Yakima, Kittitas and Douglas counties and historical records from Benton and Franklin counties. Habitat for pauper milkvetch consists of sagebrush steppe, often in low sage open areas, open ridgetops, and upper slopes. It occurs at elevations from 500 to 3,000 feet. The greatest threats to pauper milkvetch are from soil disturbing activities such as grazing, road construction and military training (Camp and Gamon 2011). WNHP and GeoBOB data indicate that pauper milkvetch intersects Route Segment NNR-3 for approximately 2.0 miles. One occurrence of pauper milkvetch was documented during the special status plant survey along Route Segment NNR-3 (Table 3.2-5). This occurrence consisted of approximately 1,800 individuals scattered across 34.6 acres, of which 12.6 acres is located within the ROW. Current threats to this occurrence of pauper milkvetch include current and future development and invasive and exotic species (e.g., cheatgrass, diffuse knapweed, and Russian knapweed [Acroptilon repens]). As the entirety of all route segments were not surveyed, pauper milkvetch could be present elsewhere. Snowball Cactus Snowball cactus is a BLM Sensitive and Washington Sensitive species. This species ranges from eastern Washington to Nevada and has been found in Yakima, Kittitas, Chelan, Douglas, and Grant counties in Washington. In the region, fourteen populations occupying approximately 11,895 acres are known to occur. The greatest threat to snowball cactus is from cactus collectors (WNHP and BLM 2005). GeoBOB and WNHP data indicate that snowball cactus intersects Route Segments 1b, 1c, and NNR-3 for approximately 1.7 miles. One occurrence of snowball cactus was documented during the 2013 special status plant surveys within the ROW of Route Segment NNR-3 (Table 3.2-5). This occurrence consisted of 34 individuals scattered across 4.6 acres, of which 0.9 acre is located within the ROW. In addition, two occurrences of snowball cactus were documented during the 2011 special status plant survey within the ROW of Route Segment 1b. However, this species was not determined to be a special status plant until after the 2011 surveys were complete; therefore, its mapped location at Route Segment 1b is based on field notes and retrospective mapping. As such, information on number of individuals and acres occupied was not collected. Current threats to these occurrences of snowball cactus include development, invasive and exotic species, and competition from cheatgrass. Suksdorf’s Monkeyflower Suksdorf’s monkeyflower (Erythranthe suksdorfii) is a BLM Sensitive and Washington Sensitive species. The distribution of Suksdorf’s monkeyflower ranges from California to Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Arizona. In Washington, it is known to occur in Benton, Chelan, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat,