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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-165 3.6.2.8 Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve (NAP) The WDNR also manages approximately 107 acres as the Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve (NAP), characterized by basalt cliffs that form a small canyon. In 1993, the Selah Cliffs NAP was established to protect the largest known basalt daisy (Erigeron basalticus) population, primarily. The colorful, lichen covered cliffs also provide nesting and roosting habitat for raptors. The NAP is accesses from the Yakima River corridor and State Route 821 and includes an interpretive trail system and parking area. The Wanapum NAP is also located in the Project area. This NAP has been recommended by the State of Washington Natural Heritage Advisory Council and the DNR Natural Heritage Program as a future NAP. The proposed Wanapum NAP proposed boundary was established in April 2015 and contains habitat suitable for striped whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus). The establishment of the NAP and determination of a final boundary is subject to formal public hearing process and associated State Environmental Policy Act analysis. 3.6.2.9 Columbia River Eligible National Wild and Scenic River The Hanford Reach is the only stretch of the Columbia River in the United States that is not impounded by a dam. The Hanford Reach of the Columbia River and public lands within 0.25 mile was recommended for inclusion (eligible) in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system as a “Recreational River” as a result of a study conducted by the National Park Service (NPS; NPS 1994). The study also addressed “suitability” of Hanford Reach for designation, concluding that the river segment is suitable for designation. Congress has not acted upon this recommendation; however, subsequent legislation placed the river in permanent study status. The NPS found that the Hanford Reach supported the following seven outstandingly remarkable resources (ORRs): • Fall-run Chinook salmon along with their spawning and rearing habitat. • The intact ecosystem of the river and the adjacent Wahluke Slope. • Native American cultural resources. • Archeological artifacts and sites. • Hydrology and geology. • Federally recognized rare animal species. • Federally recognized rare plant species. 3.6.2.10 Yakima River Cliffs and Umtanum Ridge ACEC The Yakima River Cliffs and Umtanum Ridge ACEC consists of 320 acres of BLM-managed land located on the eastern slopes of the Yakima River Canyon. The ACEC was designated for the preservation of basalt daisy (State Threatened and BLM Sensitive) and Hoover’s desert-parsley (State Sensitive, Federal Species of Concern, and BLM Sensitive) under federal Candidate plant species values in the Spokane District RMP and ROD and the 1992 RMP Amendment (BLM 1992) and ROD (Spokane District 1985/1987 RMP [BLM 1987] and 1992 RMP Amendment/ROD; see BLM 2011). 3.6.2.11 Yakima River Canyon ACEC Yakima River Canyon ACEC consists of 4,200 acres of BLM-managed land located along and above the Yakima River Canyon slopes. The ACEC was designated for the protection of Hoover’s tauschia (Tauschia hooveri; Federal Species of Concern, State Threatened, and BLM Sensitive), basalt daisy (State Threatened and BLM Sensitive), Hoover’s desert-parsley (State Sensitive, Federal Species of Concern, and BLM Sensitive), the high density of nesting raptors and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), and for protection of the travel corridor of Native Americans and fur trappers (BLM 1992; BLM 2011). 3.6.2.12 Proposed ACECs The BLM announced its intention to prepare an RMP for Eastern Washington and the San Juan Planning Areas; this RMP was intended to replace the existing Spokane RMP and expand the Planning Area to