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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-32 however, burningbush occurrences were not mapped because of its ubiquitous and dominant nature on federal land within the Project study area (Table 3.2-2; Appendix B-4 Noxious Weed Reports). 3.2.4.4 Route Segment 2a Vegetation within the two-mile wide Project study area for Route Segment 2a is comprised primarily of non-native annual grassland (2,097.4 acres, 64.5 percent) and some big sagebrush with an understory of native perennial bunchgrasses (745.2 acres, 22.9 percent; Table 3.2-1). Route Segment 2a crosses a small unnamed creek which has some riparian vegetation present. No special status plant species are known to occur within one mile of Route Segment 2a. The entire route segment is comprised of non-federal land (19.3 acres) and was not surveyed (Table 3.2-3). Approximately 2.0 acres of suitable habitat and 16.0 acres of marginal habitat are present within this route segment (Table 3.2-6). No priority ecosystems are known to within five miles of Route Segment 2a. No noxious weeds are known to occur along this short route segment; however, as this route segment is comprised entirely of non-federal land, this route segment was not surveyed. 3.2.4.5 Route Segment 2b Vegetation within the two-mile wide Project study area for Route Segment 2b is comprised primarily of big sagebrush with an understory of native perennial bunchgrasses (13,751.5 acres, 60 percent), with some non-native annual grasslands (4,515.2 acres, 19.7 percent; Table 3.2-1). Route Segment 2b crosses several ephemeral drainages with primarily upland vegetation present. Columbia milkvetch, a special status plant species, was documented along this route segment. This occurrence was near a previously documented WNHP population and consisted of approximately 116 individuals scattered throughout 1.9 acres. Approximately 85 percent (43.0 acres) of federal lands within this route segment were surveyed for special status plants; however, the majority of Route Segment 2b is comprised of non-federal land (266.9 acres) and was not surveyed (Table 3.2-3). Approximately 112.9 acres of suitable habitat, 144.5 acres of marginal habitat, and 40.2 acres of unsuitable habitat is present within this route segment. One priority ecosystem, big sagebrush-bluebunch wheatgrass, is located approximately 4.5 miles southeast of this route segment. Two noxious weed species were identified on federal land, primarily along JBLM YTC’s fuel break, during the Project-specific noxious weed survey: diffuse knapweed and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). Less than 0.1 acre of federal land within Route Segment 2b was documented as occupied by these two noxious weed species (Table 3.2-2; Appendix B-4 Noxious Weed Reports). 3.2.4.6 Route Segment 2c Vegetation within the two-mile wide Project study area for Route Segment 2c is comprised primarily of agricultural lands (10,565.8 acres, 42.1 percent; Table 3.2-1), non-native annual grassland (7,092.4 acres, 28.3 percent), and sagebrush with perennial bunchgrasses (6,860.5 acres, 27.3 percent; Table 3.2-1). The eastern portion of Route Segment 2c is private land utilized for agricultural purposes. Several un-named ephemeral drainages with some riparian vegetation are crossed by Route Segment 2c. No special status plant species were identified along Route Segment 2c; however, WNHP data indicate that Columbia milkvetch is known to occur within one mile of Route Segment 2c. Approximately 50 percent (0.1 acre) of federal lands within this route segment were surveyed for special status plants; however, the majority of Route Segment 2c is comprised of non-federal land (351.5 acres) and was not surveyed (Table 3.2-3). Approximately 8.5 acres of suitable habitat, 242.7 acres of marginal habitat, and 78.6 acres of unsuitable habitat is present within this route segment. One priority ecosystem, big sagebrush-bluebunch wheatgrass, is located approximately four miles southeast of this route segment.