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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-153 Yakima River Canyon Management Area The BLM manages land in the Yakima River Canyon MA for multiple uses, including recreation opportunities and wildlife habitat. The Yakima River Canyon MA contains four developed BLM recreation sites used for river access and camping, as well as land used for dispersed recreation activities. The MA also includes the Yakima River, a Blue Ribbon trout stream. One area within the Yakima River Canyon MA is a recognized area for wildflower viewing, the Selah Butte Watchable Wildflower Area. Only a small section of the Yakima River and the Selah Butte Watchable Wildflower Area is located within the two-mile Project study area (see Section 3.8 - Visual Resources for other recreation sites located along the Yakima River Canyon). The Selah Butte Watchable Wildflower Area is recognized as an area of dispersed wildflower (e.g., balsamroot) viewing activity covering about 10 acres during April and May. The area is accessed by the communication facility service road leading from Selah Creek Drive that intersects with State Route (SR) 821. The area provides views of the Yakima River Canyon (see Section 3.8 - Visual Resources). Recreational use data has been collected in the BLM Spokane District since the middle 1980s and is stored in the Recreation Management Information System. Visitation estimates were compiled as part of the AMS-Eastern Washington and San Juan Resource Management Plan (BLM 2011). Visits and visitor days were estimated for the Yakima River Canyon MA. Planning area total recreation visits and visitor days were estimated for 2001 through 2009. A visit represents one person’s trip or visit and a visitor day represents one person engaging in an activity for any part of the day. In 2009, the latest visitation estimate dates listed in the AMS, there were 174,100 visits and 441,111 visitor days in the Yakima River Canyon MA (for all recreation sites and dispersed users). 3.5.2.2 State Administered Recreation Areas Beverly Sand Dunes OHV Park Managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the 300-acre Beverly Sand Dunes OHV Park is located in the northern portion of the Project study area in Grant County between the northern slope of the Saddle Mountains and Lower Crab Creek, approximately one mile east of Mattawa. Located on state trust lands, the area was developed as a cooperative project between the DNR and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and is maintained with off-road vehicle license funds. The site contains primitive campsites, toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits, also. Buckshot Boat Launch Managed by the WDFW, Buckshot Boat Launch is located on the east side of the Columbia River southwest of Mattawa. The site is accessed from Road 26 SW, and includes a gravel parking lot. No restrooms are available, but camping is allowed. Currently, there are no plans for expansion or improvements at this facility. Columbia Basin Wildlife Area The Columbia Basin Wildlife Area is managed by the WDFW. Two administrative units are located in the Project study area: The Lower Crab Creek Unit and the Priest Rapids Unit (see Appendix A: Jurisdiction, Recreation and Special Management Areas Map). Lower Crab Creek Unit The Lower Crab Creek Unit of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area provides trout fishing, camping, hunting, wildlife viewing, and non-motorized boating activities in and around Nunnally Lake and Lenice Lake. The area is accessed by a parking lot located east of Beverly along Crab Creek Road and includes restroom (outhouse) facilities.