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 3-194 • Saddle Mountains MA – This BLM-administered area provides off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding in the open area, petrified wood collection, horseback riding, hunting, and other recreational opportunities. These activities are generally dispersed across western and eastern portions of the Saddle Mountains, with OHV riding being the dominant recreational activities on the west end. Numerous trails traverse the area and informational signing is located at the R Road access point. Access to the area is provided primarily by the R Road extension (see Saddle Mountain Recreation Access Route below). • Yakima River Cliffs/Umtanum Ridge ACEC (BLM) – This 320-acre ACEC is 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. Scenic quality as identified in the 2010 VRI (BLM 2010) is Class A. • Yakima River Canyon - This canyon has been designated as a Washington State Scenic Byway (WSDOT Tourism Route) and offers excellent wildlife viewing, fishing in a Blue Ribbon trout stream, family river rafting, and camping. Several developed BLM recreation sites are located along the river corridor: o Roza Recreational Site (BLM) - Roza is the main take-out for all river floaters, as it is located 0.5 mile above Roza Dam. Motorized vessels are permitted from the Roza boat launch down to Roza Dam. Upstream of the Roza Boat Launch the river is limited to non-motorized boats only. There is a concrete boat launch at the site to accommodate motorized boat users. o Big Pines Recreation Site (BLM) - At 20 acres, Big Pines is BLM’s largest recreation site in the Yakima River Canyon. The northern edge of the recreation site is adjacent to undeveloped hiking trails on lands managed by the WDFW. o Lmuma Creek Recreation Site (BLM) - Lmuma Creek is the smallest river access site the BLM manages in the Yakima River Canyon. o Umtanum Creek Recreation Site (BLM) - A wooden footbridge crosses the Yakima River at this site, providing the only access to the west side of the river in the Yakima River Canyon. The west side of the river consists mainly of BLM and WDFW-managed lands. • Selah Butte Watchable Wildflower Area – Located in the vicinity of Selah Butte on BLM- managed land and covering about 10 acres, the Selah Butte Watchable Wildflower Area is recognized as an area of dispersed wildflower (e.g., balsamroot) viewing activity during April and May. The area is accessed by the communication facility service road leading from Roza Creek Drive that intersects with SR-821. Overlook views to Yakima Canyon are an important part of the landscape setting in this area. • Umtanum Ridge Water Gap National Natural Landmark (NNL) - Established in 1980, this site illustrates the geological processes of tectonic folding and antecedent stream cutting, and contains a portions of the Yakima River Cliffs/Umtanum Ridge ACEC and Wenas Wildlife Area (WDFW), as well as private lands. Access to this NNL is from SR-821 either directly from the highway (south of Wymer) on the east side of the Yakima River or from a wooden footbridge crossing the Yakima River at the BLM Umtanum Ridge Recreation Site, which provides the only access to the west side of the river in the Yakima River Canyon. • Ginkgo Petrified Forest NNL – Established in 1965, this site contains fossilized trees preserved in lava flows. The site encompasses the entirety of the Ginkgo Petrified Forest and Wanapum State Parks on the west side of Wanapum Reservoir, as well as county and private lands. Public Access to the NNL is provided from Huntzinger Road in the vicinity of the Project (via Wanapum State Park).