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 3-154 Columbia Basin Wildlife Area-Priest Rapids Unit The Priest Rapids Unit of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area provides access to the Columbia River. The unit includes Goose Island, located just north of the Priest Rapids Dam. There are no developed recreation sites within this unit. John Wayne Pioneer Trail-Iron Horse State Park/Milwaukee Road Corridor The John Wayne Pioneer Trail, also known as the Milwaukee Road Corridor in the Project study area, includes 100 miles of trail and is part of the Iron Horse State Park. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (State Parks) owns an abandoned railroad (referred to by the state as the “Milwaukee Road Corridor”), the old C, M, SP, & P Railroad through the Lower Crab Creek area, Beverly, and across the Columbia River to the JBLM YTC. Twenty-two miles of the trail are located within, owned, and managed by JBLM YTC (Army 2010). The eastern-most portion of the trail crosses the Project study area on the north side. The trail follows the C, M, SP, & P Railroad corridor through Beverly and crosses the river along the Beverly Trestle Railroad Bridge (a National Register of Historic Places site, see Section 3.11 - Cultural Resources), extending into the JBLM YTC just west of Wanapum Dam. Hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, waggoners, cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and dog-sledders all use the trail. A parking area, “Army East Trailhead”, is located south of the Wanapum Dam on the west side of the river. There are segments of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail that are not managed by State Parks, the largest such segment being under the management of the Army on the JBLM YTC. The other portion of the trail not managed by State Parks is the Milwaukee Road Corridor, which is managed by DNR. Access to the Milwaukee Road Corridor is provided by permit only (pursuant to WAC 332-52-500) on all portions of the trail other than those portions on the JBLM YTC in the Project study area. Permits are obtained through DNR. On the JBLM YTC, permits are required for camping and after dark use on the John Wayne Trail and can be obtained from the JBLM YTC Operations Center. No hunting or motorized use is allowed in the Milwaukee Road Corridor. The Milwaukee Road Corridor is open for use year-round. Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve The Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve (NAP) is managed by the Southeast Region of DNR and was established to protect the known population of basalt daisy (Erigeron basalticus) and prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus). It is located between SR-821 and Interstate (I) 82 near the Fred G. Redmon Memorial Bridge. The area may be viewed from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) rest area and public access to the NAP is provided from SR-821 along Selah Creek. Selah Cliffs NAP has an interpretive trail system including an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible crushed gravel half-mile loop and several interpretive signs. Parking can accommodate five vehicles. 3.5.2.3 County Administered Recreation Areas Yakima County There are no Yakima County administered recreation sites in the Project study area. A northern extension of the Yakima River Greenway is proposed along the west bank of the Yakima River in the Project study area (Yakima County 2008). Benton County There are no Benton County administered recreation sites in the Project study area. Kittitas County There are no Kittitas County administered recreation sites in the Project study area.