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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-191 BLM SQRU ID NUMBER DESCRIPTION SCENIC QUALITY RATING 026 Large, distinct river corridor, but with a high level of modification. Rating unit includes lands along the mid-Columbia River. The Columbia River dominates views from throughout the unit, though there are highly developed areas that introduce discordant elements to the landscape in multiple locations. Landforms include gently rolling hills to striking rock faces, bands, outcrops, and formations, as well as prominent vertical relief. Use in the river corridor is high given the importance of the Columbia River to commerce, travel, tourism, and recreation. Modifications include several dams, transmission lines, roads, rural development, and railroads, among other elements. B 030 Interesting as a remnant of undeveloped land, but landform is common in region; interesting elements, some contrast, but in highly modified area and common to region. Unit includes BLM lands in the vicinity of Yakima, primarily on undeveloped to lightly developed ridges and slopes, which are interspersed with residential and agricultural development. Undeveloped areas contrast with the urban/suburban development and agricultural fields (orchards) in and around Yakima. Ridges and slopes contain many interesting features (rock outcrops and formations, edaphic plant communities), but tend to be common to the region and surrounded by highly modified landscapes. C 064 Very prominent ridge line with interesting rock formations, outcrops, striations, and variability. Landscape is dominated by the north-facing slopes of the Saddle Mountains. Adjacent valley includes the Crab Creek Wildlife Area, portions of the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, and the John Wayne Trail. The slopes of the Saddle Mountains contain multiple interesting features including rock outcrops, formations, striations, erosional plumes, and others. The adjacent wildlife areas create a distinct valley that contrasts and adds interest to the ridge/slopes. The slopes and valley have some discontinuous elements, though others appear harmonious. While prominent on the landscape, the slope and its interesting features are somewhat common in the region. A Source: BLM 2010 Table 3.8-2 Proposed Project SQRUS in Project Study Area SQRU ID NUMBER DESCRIPTION SCENIC QUALITY RATING 1 IOP 01_22v Extension of BLM Unit 22 occupying the area south of and along the southern border of JBLM YTC of the Yakima Ridge. Largely undeveloped, but some low density residential development and isolated communication structure installations and roads. Moderate to steeply sloping hillsides and ridges often exhibiting dark, sparsely vegetated volcanic domes of rock adding interest to the generally uniform slopes, but the landscape is common to the region and bordered on the south by agricultural or urban development. C A 02_24v Extension of BLM Unit 24 along the Yakima River Valley through the city of Yakima, this unit is a riparian corridor with urban development occupying the border areas and parkland development interspersed within the unit. Open, flowing water and diversity in vegetation forms define the narrow, natural ribbon through the highly modified urban area. The developed parkland modifying the dominant natural riparian corridor only slightly detracts from the setting, but influence of the urbanized areas of adjacent scenery negatively influences the scenic quality of the unit. B B 03_30v Extension of BLM Unit 30 in the north of Yakima, typically undeveloped, but includes some communication structures and roads. Adjacent to the Yakima River, the moderate to steeply sloping hillsides and ridge of the western-most section of the Yakima Ridge in the Project study area contains rock outcrops and formations adding interest to the generally uniform slopes, but it is common to the region and surrounded by agricultural or urban development. C C 04_26v Inferred from BLM VRI and similar regional landscapes (see Table 3.8-1, Unit 26). B None