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 3-144 segment crosses the Nunnally Lake drainage canal located northeast of Burkett Lake (MP 21.7). This route segment would cross SR 243 at MP 3.9, parallel Road N from MP 5.3 to 11.3, parallel Road 24 SW between MP 11.3 and 12.3, and parallel O Road between MP 12.3 and 13.4. The route segment crosses Lower Crab Creek Road at MP 21.2. This route segment is also in proximity to the aforementioned paved private airstrip located north of Nunnally Lake that is part of the Lower Crab Creek Unit of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area. The concentration of irrigated cropland and irrigation infrastructure (e.g., center pivots, ditches, siphons) along and adjacent to Roads N SW and O SW are concerns for the operation of a new transmission line as well as farming operations (cultivation, harvesting, pest management). Careful siting of the transmission line structures in cooperation with land owners are required to manage any conflicts with agricultural operations. This is covered in more detail in Chapter 4. A total of 2.7 miles of irrigated agricultural land is crossed by this route segment. The crop types crossed include wine grapes (1.5 miles), wheat (0.5 mile), cherries (0.3 mile), green pea (0.2 mile), potato (0.2 mils), and small areas of alfalfa hay, blueberry, field corn, and timothy totaling less than 0.1 mile. Hand-moveable sprinkler irrigation is the predominant method used along the route segment, accounting for 1.2 miles crossed. Also, center pivot irrigation is crossed along 0.9 mile with nine pivots. Smaller areas of drip and other irrigation are also used along the route segment. Appendix A: Maps 9a through 9e shows the crop types and irrigation infrastructure in the Wahluke Slope area of this route segment. Also refer to Tables 3.4-9A and 3.4-9B for a summary of land uses. The Grant County PUD “Shoreline Management Plan” also designates land uses adjacent to Lower Crab Creek. Lands classified as “Resources Management and “Public Recreation Development,” which are managed for recreation-oriented development are located adjacent to Lower Crab Creek (Grant County PUD 2010a). The Burkett Lake Recreation Area (see Section 3.5 - Recreation) is located west and south of the route segment north of Lower Crab Creek. The plan classifies land around the Vantage Substation and the Wanapum Dam and Grant County PUD’s Priest Rapids-Vantage 230 kV transmission line as “Project Facilities.” 3.4.4.11 Route Segment NNR-2 The existing land use along Route Segment NNR-2 is centered around military activities within TA 13 and the cantonment area of JBLM YTC. A total of 21 residences are within 500 feet of this route segment and 47 are within 1,000 feet. This route segment crosses only federal (Army) jurisdiction land. A total of one parcel owned by one public land owner (Army) is crossed. The route segment is located entirely in Yakima County. No agricultural areas or PLSS sections containing CRP lands are crossed by Route Segment NNR-2, but farmland of statewide importance is crossed for 1.4 miles and prime if irrigated land is crossed for 2.4 miles. 3.4.4.12 Route Segment NNR-3 The existing land use along this route segment of the Project study area is related to transportation facilities (I-82, eastbound Selah Creek Rest Area), agriculture, BLM recreation, and special management areas (Selah Cliffs NAP, Yakima Cliffs/Umtanum Ridge ACEC, Selah Butte Wildflower Watching Area), and the Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV utility corridor. This segment crosses a BLM grazing lease and vacant land. There are no residences within 500 feet of this route segment, but two are within 1,000 feet. This route segment crosses BLM, private, and WSDOT ROW land. A total of 26 parcels owned by 11 private land owners are crossed. The route segment is located in Yakima County and Kittitas County. Zoning along this Route Segment in Yakima County is “Remote Rural/Extremely Limited Development;” zoning in Kittitas County is Forest and Range.