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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-185 3.8 VISUAL RESOURCES As was done in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS), this section describes the existing conditions (affected environment) and considers issues related to visual resources along all Action Alternatives presented in the DEIS and SDEIS, including those raised during scoping. This Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) section consolidates and builds on the information presented in the January 2013 DEIS as well as the January 2015 SDEIS and includes references to those documents throughout the text where appropriate. This FEIS identifies the New Northern Route (NNR) Alternative – Overhead Design Option as the Environmentally Preferred Alternative and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has selected the NNR Alternative – Overhead Design Option as the Agency Preferred Alternative. This section documents existing visual resources in the Project study area. Visual resources were inventoried and characterized in a six-mile wide Project study area (three miles on either side of the route segment centerlines). 3.8.1 Data Sources The visual resource inventory consisted of a scenic quality and existing development character evaluation, a viewer sensitivity analysis, and an inventory of the regulatory framework for jurisdictions crossed by the Project Action Alternatives. Site reconnaissance occurred during May 2011 and June 2013 for the purposes of evaluating and confirming scenic quality and development character, visibility, and visual sensitivity analysis and identifying Inventory Observation Points (IOPs) and Key Observation Points (KOPs). Data sources included secondary sources from planning documents, online resources, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and aerial mapping, agency sources and studies conducted by the BLM and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). A 2010 Visual Resources Inventory (VRI) study developed for the BLM Spokane District as part of the planning effort in support of the BLM Eastern Washington Resource Management Plan (RMP) update was utilized for this study. This inventory analyzed portions of Eastern Washington where BLM-managed land was present and established baseline visual resource values. Data obtained from the study included Scenic Quality Rating Units (SQRUs), Sensitivity Level Rating Units, Distance Zones, and other data used in the development of the planning area VRI Classes. The data incorporated into this study from the BLM VRI was limited to Scenic Quality Classes (A, B, and C) and sensitivity levels. Scenic quality and sensitivity levels were incorporated and expanded upon in areas that were not inventoried in the 2010 BLM VRI. 3.8.2 Current Conditions and Trends, Regional Overview 3.8.2.1 Overview of Study Methodology and Analysis Area The study approach follows the procedures identified in the BLM’s Visual Resource Management (VRM) system as detailed in the Inventory Manual H8410-1 (BLM 1986a), Management Manual 8400 and Contrast Rating Manual 8431-1 (for impact assessment) (BLM 1986b), with modifications appropriate to the proposed Project and lands not under the jurisdiction of the BLM. These modifications allow a consistent and equal level of analysis across all Action Alternatives for comparative purposes while following the requirements of the VRM and BLM policy. The analysis considered issues raised during the public scoping process. Scoping comments included general concerns for scenic views and visual quality impacts, visual impacts on tourism, views from