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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3
<br />230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment
<br /> PAGE 3-90
<br />The pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) is associated with rock cliffs in shrub-steppe or desert areas across
<br />the west. Typical shrubs in areas where pallid bats occur include antelope bitterbrush, sagebrush,
<br />rabbitbrush, and forest cover types include ponderosa pine and riparian forests. They typically roost in
<br />cliff crevices, caves, mines, tree cavities, and occasionally buildings. The Project study area is within the
<br />known range of the pallid bat and they have been observed in the JBLM YTC and within the Project
<br />study area (DES 2000, Ferguson and Azerrad 2004, WDFW 2015a). Suitable habitat is present
<br />throughout the Project study area.
<br />Spotted bats (Euderma maculatum) are found in vegetation types ranging from desert to sub-alpine
<br />meadows, including desert-scrub, pinyon-juniper woodland, ponderosa pine, mixed conifer forest, canyon
<br />bottoms, rims of cliffs, riparian areas, fields, and open pasture. They typically roost on large cliff faces
<br />(Chambers and Herder 2005). Spotted bats are not known to occur within the Project study area, but
<br />suitable habitat exists.
<br />Townsend’s big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii) have been documented in nearly every county in
<br />Washington. Townsend’s big-eared bats are found in mixed conifer-hardwood forest, ponderosa pine
<br />forest, shrub-steppe, and riparian-wetlands with caves, lava tubes, mines, old buildings, bridges and
<br />concrete bunkers commonly used as day roosts in Washington (Woodruff and Ferguson 2005; WDFW
<br />2013a). There are no records of Townsend’s bats occurring in or around the Project study area and they
<br />have not been documented on JBLM YTC (DES 2000); however, suitable habitat exists.
<br />Townsend’s ground squirrels (Urocitellus townsendii) are associated with shrub-steppe (especially big
<br />sagebrush - wheatgrass association) and sandy soils, but can occasionally be found in agricultural fields.
<br />Their distribution is limited to Kittitas, Yakima, Benton, and Klickitat counties (WDFW 2013a). They
<br />have been documented on JBLM YTC and suitable habitat exists within the Project study area (DES
<br />2000; Howard 1996).
<br />Washington ground squirrel (Urocitellus washingtoni) was previously considered a Candidate species
<br />for the federal ESA. On September 21, 2016, the USFWS found that listing the species as endangered or
<br />threatened or maintaining the species as a candidate was not warranted through all or a significant portion
<br />of its range (USFWS 2016). Currently, the Washington ground squirrel is considered a BLM Sensitive
<br />Species and a candidate for state listing. Washington ground squirrels are associated with dry, open
<br />sagebrush or grassland habitats. They occur in areas with silty-loam or sandy soils along hillsides, in
<br />ravines, and on river bottoms. Washington ground squirrel distribution includes the Columbia Plateau east
<br />and south of the Columbia River.
<br />3.3.2.5 Local Critical Areas
<br />Local critical areas for wildlife include streams, lakes, and riparian areas; big game winter range; and
<br />priority habitats and species.
<br />The primary surface water features found within the Project study area include the Columbia River in the
<br />eastern portion of the Project study area and the Yakima River in the western portion. In addition, Lower
<br />Crab Creek, Lmuma, Burbank, Johnson, Foster, and Selah Creeks are present within the Project study
<br />area and contain perennial flow for much of their length. Riparian and wetland communities comprise a
<br />small portion of the Project study area (743 acres; 0.4 percent), but these communities are characterized
<br />by higher productivity and greater habitat and species diversity compared to adjacent uplands (Knutson
<br />and Naef 1997). The majority of riparian areas within the Project study area are seasonally moist uplands.
<br />These drier riparian areas are typically vegetated with upland shrubs, including sagebrush. The Yakima
<br />River (Route Segment NNR-3), Burbank Creek (Route Segment NNR-3), and Foster Creek (Route
<br />Segment NNR-6) support wooded riparian vegetation, primarily dominated by black cottonwood and
<br />willow. The largest riparian areas occur along the Columbia River and Lower Crab Creek (Route
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