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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-193 • Residential • Transportation Corridor and Facilities • Agricultural • Industrial/Utility As with scenic quality, compatibility with Development Character Areas is assessed separately from “visibility”, and forms the baseline visual condition of the landscape independent from viewers. Examples of four Development Character Areas are shown in Appendix C2 – Development Character and Scenic Quality Supporting Data. 3.8.2.4 Sensitive Viewers and Viewpoints Residential All occupied residences were confirmed in the field within one mile on either side of proposed route segment centerlines. Other residences were selectively confirmed based on potential visibility of the Project within the visual resources analysis area (three miles on either side of the assumed centerlines of route segments). Concentrations of residential development with potential visibility of the Project were documented. Dispersed residences occur throughout the visual analysis area. Viewing conditions were noted from representative locations of residential areas (see KOPs, Table 3.8-4). Parks, Recreation and Special Management Areas See Section 3.5 for a detailed description of recreation areas and Section 3.6 for a detailed description of Special Management Areas within one mile on either side of route segment centerlines. These and other parks, recreation, and special management areas not identified in Sections 3.5 or 3.6 (greater than one mile from the proposed route segment centerlines) with potential views of the Project are summarized below. Refer to Table 3.8-3 for a summary of sensitive viewers and Appendix C-1 for detailed data on sensitive viewers in the Project study area. Federal Areas with potential visibility of the Project are associated with BLM lands within the Yakima River Canyon Management Area (MA), and include: • Columbia National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) – Public access to the refuge is very restricted in the Project study area. Its’ steep topography and lack of access limit potential visual sensitivity to the scenic attributes of the area. Located on the north side of the Saddle Mountains and along Lower Crab Creek, scenic quality is high (Class A). • Columbia River (and eligible Wild and Scenic River segment) – The Columbia River from one mile downstream of Priest Rapids Dam to through the Hanford Reach National Monument is accessed by the public from boat launches to the east of the Project study area (e.g., Vernita Bridge Fishing Access Site). This stretch of the river is used primarily for fishing. • Hanford Reach National Monument (HRNM) – Access to the HRNM is restricted in the Project study area. The USFWS portion of the monument is the only area open to the public. However, there are no dedicated facilities. • Sentinel Slope ACEC and McCoy Canyon ACEC – These ACECs are designated for federal Candidate plant species. There is no public access or recreational aspects to these areas and, therefore, there would be no views of the Project from these areas. Located on the cliffs of the Columbia River (McCoy Canyon) and Saddle Mountains (Sentinel Slope); however, scenic quality is generally moderate to high (Class B and A, respectively).