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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-34 are seasonally moist and with little or no riparian vegetation present. Some riparian vegetation is present along the portions of the Columbia River that occur within the Project study area. Three special status plant species were documented along this route segment: caespitose evening- primrose, Columbia milkvetch, and Nuttall’s sandwort. The occurrence of caespitose evening-primrose was located within a previously documented location and consisted of approximately 75 individuals scattered throughout 0.14 acre within and along the ROW. The occurrence of Columbia milkvetch contained approximately 158 individuals within 5.4 acres and was located near previously documented populations. The occurrence of Nuttall’s sandwort along Route Segment 3b consisted of one individual and was located near previously documented populations. In addition to the three special status species documented, WNHP data indicate annual sandwort, awned halfchaff sedge, beaked spike-rush, bristle- flowered collomia, gray cryptantha, Hoover’s desert-parsley, and Kalm's lobelia intersect Route Segment 3b. GeoBOB and WNHP data indicate that the following species are also within one mile of Route Segment 3b: beaked cryptantha, dwarf evening-primrose, Geyer’s milkvetch, grand redstem (Ammannia robusta), Great Basin gilia, naked-stemmed evening-primrose (Camissonia scapoidea), Piper’s daisy, snowball cactus, white eatonella (Eatonella nivea), and Wormskiold’s northern wormwood. Approximately 36 percent (61.1 acres) of federal lands within this route segment were surveyed for special status plants; however, the majority of Route Segment 3b is comprised of non-federal land (250.6 acres) and was not surveyed (Table 3.2-3). Approximately 109.9 acres of suitable habitat, 157.6 acres of marginal habitat, and 128.2 acres of unsuitable habitat are present within this route segment (Table 3.2-6). Seven priority ecosystems are located with five miles of Route Segment 3b: Antelope bitterbrush-Indian ricegrass; big sagebrush-bluebunch wheatgrass; big sagebrush-Sandberg bluegrass; intermountain Basins Active and Stabilized Dune; Sand dropseed-Sandberg bluegrass; winterfat-Sandberg bluegrass; and Wyoming big sagebrush-needle and thread grass. Eight noxious weed species were identified on federal land during the Project-specific noxious weed survey and include: burningbush, common St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum), Canada thistle, diffuse knapweed, field bindweed, Russian knapweed, Russian olive, and Scotch thistle. Approximately 4.1 acres of federal land within Route Segment 3b are documented as occupied by these eight noxious weed species; however, burningbush occurrences were not mapped because of its ubiquitous and dominant nature on federal land within the Project study area. Russian olive was not classified as noxious until after Project-specific surveys were complete (Table 3.2-2; Appendix B-4 Noxious Weed Report). 3.2.4.10 Route Segment 3c Vegetation within the two-mile wide Project study area for Route Segment 3c is comprised primarily of big sagebrush with an understory of native perennial bunchgrasses (13,936.3 acres, 41.5 percent) and agriculture (11,180.7acres, 33.3 percent; Table 3.2-1). The southern portion of this route crosses agricultural croplands, including orchards, vineyards, and row crops. Route Segment 3c parallels the Columbia River below Priest Rapids Dam for approximately three miles. This route segment would also cross the Columbia River approximately five miles below Priest Rapids Dam. Some riparian vegetation is present along the margin of the Columbia River. Route Segment 3c also crosses Lower Crab Creek, which has some emergent riparian vegetation associated with it. Several ephemeral drainages with little or no riparian vegetation are also crossed by this segment. Riparian habitats along this route segment were typically dominated by non-native species, including noxious weeds. No special status plant species were identified during special status plant surveys along this route segment. However, WNHP data indicate that Route Segment 3c intersects occurrences of awned halfchaff sedge, Columbia milkvetch, gray cryptantha, hairy bugseed, and Hoover’s desert-parsley. In addition, the following species are within one mile of Route Segment 3c: annual sandwort, beaked spike-rush,