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 3-33 No noxious weeds are known to occur along Route Segment 2c; however, as the majority of this route segment is comprised of non-federal land, much of this route segment was not surveyed. 3.2.4.7 Route Segment 2d Vegetation within the two-mile wide Project study area for Route Segment 2d is comprised primarily of big sagebrush with an understory of native perennial bunchgrasses (9,824.9 acres, 90.3 percent; Table 3.2-1). Some riparian vegetation is present along the ephemeral drainages that are crossed. Columbia milkvetch, a special status plant species, was documented along this route segment. This occurrence was near a previously documented population and consisted of approximately 110 individuals throughout 5.4 acres. WNHP data indicate that awned halfchaff sedge intersects Route Segment 2d; and that , beaked spike-rush, gray cryptantha, Hoover’s desert-parsley, Nuttall’s sandwort, and Piper’s daisy (Erigeron piperianus) also occur within one mile of Route Segment 2d. One-hundred percent (19.7 acres) of federal lands within this route segment were surveyed for special status plants; however, the majority of Route Segment 2d is comprised of non-federal land (117.3 acres) and was not surveyed (Table 3.2-3). Approximately 9.9 acres of suitable habitat, 117.7 acres of marginal habitat, and 0.8 acre of unsuitable habitat is present within this route segment (Table 3.2-6). Seven priority ecosystem types are located within five miles of Route Segment 2d: antelope bitterbrush-Indian ricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides); big sagebrush-bluebunch wheatgrass; big sagebrush-Sandberg bluegrass; Intermountain Basins Active and Stabilized Dune; sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus)-Sandberg bluegrass; spiny hopsage (Grayia spinosa)-Sandberg bluegrass; and winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata)-Sandberg bluegrass. No noxious weeds were documented on federal lands during the Project-specific noxious weed surveys; no WSDOT land is present (Table 3.2-2; Appendix B-4 Noxious Weed Reports). The majority of this route segment is comprised entirely of non-federal land and, as such, much of this route segment was not surveyed. 3.2.4.8 Route Segment 3a Vegetation within the two-mile wide Project study area for Route Segment 3a is comprised primarily of big sagebrush with an understory of native perennial bunchgrasses (2,119.8 acres, 96.6 percent; Table 3.2-1). WNHP data indicate that annual sandwort, beaked spike-rush, Geyer’s milkvetch (Astragalus geyeri), gray cryptantha, and Great Basin gilia (Gilia malior) are known to occur within one mile of Route Segment 3a. This short-route segment is comprised entirely of non-federal land (3.3 acres) and was not surveyed (Table 3.2-3). Approximately 2.2 acres of suitable habitat and 0.8 acre of unsuitable habitat is present within this route segment (Table 3.2-6). Three priority ecosystem types are located within five miles of Route Segment 3a: antelope bitterbrush-Indian ricegrass; Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis)-needle and thread grass; and Intermountain Basins Active and Stabilized Dune. No noxious weeds are known to occur along this short route segment; however, as this route segment is comprised entirely of non-federal land, surveys were not conducted. 3.2.4.9 Route Segment 3b Vegetation within the two-mile wide Project study area for Route Segment 3b is comprised primarily of big sagebrush with an understory of native perennial bunchgrasses (16,272.4 acres, 55.0 percent; Table 3.2-1). Route Segment 3b parallels the western side of the Columbia River and Priest Rapids Lake for approximately 12 miles. A section of this route segment also crosses basalt cliffs. This route also parallels several orchards and a watered poplar wind row. Route Segment 3b crosses the Columbia River below Wanapum Dam. This route would cross five creeks as well as several un-named ephemeral drainages that