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 3-98 active every year since data collection began in 1989, with an average count of 27 males, though counts have been lower in recent years—with an average of four males during each of the past four years. Lek #3 had four males attending in 2015, and four in 2014. An inactive lek within the same complex (complex #3) is located approximately 1.6 miles southwest of the active Lek #3, and 1.3 miles northeast of Route Segment 1b.This lek was last active in 2006 (SEE 2015). Lek #4 occurs approximately 3.9 miles east of Route Segment 1b; it is described in more detail for Route Segment 2b, to which it is more closely located. Additionally, 12 historic leks occur within four miles of Route Segment 1b. 3.3.4.3 Route Segment 1c Route Segment 1c is 12.9 miles long and would parallel the western and southern boundary of JBLM YTC on private land. Route Segment 1c closely parallels Route Segment 1b for the majority of its length and has similar characteristics—i.e., a mosaic of annual grassland (8,869 acres, 48 percent), sagebrush/perennial grassland (4,212 acres, 23 percent) and perennial grassland (3,382 acres, 18 percent), providing suitable habitat for grassland and shrub-steppe species (Table 3.3-2). Small ephemeral drainages support 60 acres of riparian vegetation and a 1.1-acre aspen stand. Long-billed curlew Priority Species Regional Area occurs within one mile of the Route Segment 1c ROW and additional potential habitat is present. Five burrowing owl nests were documented in 2000 within one mile of Route Segment 1c. There is a small loggerhead shrike concentration area on the north slope of Yakima Ridge just east of the ROW (0.1 mile away). Black-tailed jackrabbits have also been documented on the north slope of Yakima Ridge, within one mile of Route Segment 1c. Elk winter range is located to the east, within one mile of Route Segment 1c. The entire route segment ROW is within the Rattlesnake Hills Sage-Grouse MU (Regularly Occupied Habitat; Table 3.3-8). The eight-mile wide Sage-Grouse analysis area also encompasses area set aside by JBLM YTC as a primary and secondary protection zones for Sage-Grouse. The majority of the habitat along and immediately adjacent to this Route Segment is highly disturbed and poor quality, and borders agricultural land, roads and residences. But much of the surrounding habitat is predominantly high quality big sagebrush and stiff sagebrush with abundant native perennial bunchgrasses, low non-native species cover, and a diverse and abundant native forb layer. The eight-mile wide Sage-Grouse analysis area for Route Segment 1c contains 26,960 acres of suitable Sage-Grouse habitat (29 percent of the analysis area), 1,716 acres of marginal habitat (two percent), and 65,642 acres of unsuitable habitat (69 percent; Table 3.3-9). Seventy-three percent of the Route Segment 1c ROW is within the estimated Sage-Grouse population range and 14 percent of the ROW is within the core population range. Approximately 25 percent (49,208 acres) of the JBLM YTC 95 percent population range is within four miles of Route Segment 1c (Figure 3.3-4).Three active leks (Leks #1, #3, and #4) and one inactive lek occur within four miles of Route Segment 1c. Because each of these leks is located closer to another route segment, they are described more fully for the route segment to which they are closest (Table 3.3-5). Lek #1 is located approximately 3.7 miles north of Route Segment 1c (described for Route Segment NNR-3), Lek #3 occurs approximately 3.0 miles northeast of 1c (described for 1b), Lek #4 occurs approximately 3.9 miles east of 1c (described for 2b), and an inactive lek is located approximately 1.4 miles northeast of 1c (described for 1b). Additionally, 12 historic leks occur within four miles of Route Segment 1c. 3.3.4.4 Route Segment 2a Route Segment 2a is 1.0-mile long and would extend south from the 1a/NNR-1-1b route node on private property paralleling the boundary of a DNR parcel for a distance of one mile to the 2b-2c route node. Habitat along this short segment is limited due to the domination of non-native annual grasses (2,097 acres, 65 percent; Table 3.3-2). Sagebrush/perennial grass makes up most of the remainder of the area