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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-107 The eight-mile wide Route Segment NNR-5 analysis area contains 28,425 acres of suitable Sage-Grouse habitat (70 percent of the analysis area), 71 acres of marginal habitat (less than one percent), and 12,193 acres of unsuitable habitat (30 percent; Table 3.3-9). The estimated Sage-Grouse population range does not overlap the Route Segment NNR-5 ROW. Less than one percent (1,104 acres) of the JBLM YTC 95 percent population range is within four miles of Route Segment NNR-5. The core population range does not overlap the analysis area (Figure 3.3-4). Four walking transects surveyed during two visits in May and July of 2013 revealed just one sign of recent grouse use of this route segment (Appendix B-1). No active leks are known to occur within four miles of Route Segment NNR-5 (Table 3.3-5). Five historic leks are located within four miles of the route segment. 3.3.4.15 Route Segment NNR-6 Route Segment NNR-6 is 6.4 miles long and continues to closely parallel the existing Pacific Power Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV transmission line, staying within approximately 200 feet for the entire route segment. This route segment consists primarily of sagebrush/perennial grassland cover type (7,966 acres, 78 percent; Table 3.3-2). These shrublands provide suitable habitat for shrub-steppe and grassland species. Route Segment NNR-6 crosses several un-named intermittent or ephemeral drainages. A section of this route segment parallels Foster Creek and is within 0.4 mile at its closest location. Route Segment NNR-6 also parallels Johnson Creek. At its nearest point, Johnson Creek lies approximately one mile north of Route Segment NNR-6. Both Foster and Johnson creeks are perennial streams and contain forested riparian habitat (20.4 acres). Much of the eastern one-third of Route Segment NNR-6 burned in 2014 in a large wildfire; thus, much of the sagebrush-steppe habitat has likely been converted, at least temporarily, to grassland (see Vegetation and Fire History Map in Appendix A). A burrowing owl nest has been documented within one mile of this route segment. A historical observation from 1952 of Merriam’s shrew has been documented along Route Segment NNR-6. A concentration of mule deer is known to utilize this portion of JBLM YTC. Loggerhead shrikes are known to utilize McDonald Springs, located south and outside of this route segment’s ROW. The entire ROW for Route Segment NNR-6 is within Sage-Grouse MUs defined as Regularly Occupied Habitat (Table 3.3-8). The eight-mile wide Sage-Grouse analysis area contains areas set aside by JBLM YTC as a primary protection zone for Sage-Grouse. Although Route Segment NNR-6 consists almost entirely of relatively intact sagebrush-steppe with a perennial grass understory, in most areas the sagebrush cover is relatively low. Pockets of dense sagebrush occur primarily in swales and drainages; the same areas that would be expected to collect deep deposits of windblown snow on the relatively high elevation north facing slopes, likely limiting winter suitability during typical-weather years, but these same areas contain relatively mesic pockets of sagebrush with a lush, forb-rich understory that likely stays relatively green during the summer months in typical years. The eight-mile wide Route Segment NNR-6 analysis area contains 52,922 acres of suitable Sage-Grouse habitat (82 percent of the analysis area), 187 acres of marginal habitat (less than one percent), and 11,968 acres of unsuitable habitat (18 percent; Table 3.3-9). Because much of the eastern one-third of the Route Segment NNR-6 analysis area burned in 2014, much of the Sage-Grouse habitat in this area has likely been lost, at least temporarily. According to WHCWG analysis, Route Segments NNR-6 and NNR-7 cross the most promising zone for connectivity between the Moses Coulee Sage- Grouse population and the YTC Sage-Grouse population (Robb and Schroeder 2012). The estimated Sage-Grouse population range does not overlap the Route Segment NNR-6 ROW. Less than one percent (11 acres) of the JBLM YTC 95 percent population range is within four miles of Route Segment NNR-6. The core population range does not overlap the analysis area (Figure 3.3-4). While the