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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-280 Watersheds A watershed is an area draining into a river, lake, or other waterbody. The WDOE and other state natural resource agencies have divided the state into 62 Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs) to delineate the state’s major watersheds. The Project study area includes portions of five WRIAs including Esquatzel Coulee (WRIA 36), Lower Yakima (WRIA 37), Upper Yakima (WRIA 39), Alkali/Squilchuck (WRIA 40), and Lower Crab (WRIA 41). The WRIA boundaries are shown in Appendix A - Water Resources and Wetlands map. Water Quality The federal Clean Water Act (CWA), adopted in 1972, requires that all states restore their waters to be “fishable and swimmable.” Section 303(d) of the federal CWA requires Washington State to periodically prepare a list of all surface waters in the state for which beneficial uses of the water (drinking, recreation, aquatic habitat, and industrial use) are impaired by pollutants. These are water quality limited estuaries, lakes, and streams that fall short of state surface water quality standards and are not expected to improve within the next two years. The WDOE has designated two water features in the Project study area as impaired. The segment of the Columbia River at Priest Rapids Reservoir has been listed as water quality impaired due to temperature and pesticides from unknown sources. Lower Crab Creek has been listed as water quality impaired due to pH, temperature, and pesticides from unknown sources. Shorelines Washington’s Shoreline Management Act (SMA) governs the use and development of Washington shorelines and creates a partnership between local and state government. The SMA strives to achieve responsible shoreline use and development, environmental protection, and public access. Local governments develop programs based on the SMA and state guidance, and the state ensures local programs consider statewide public interests. Within the Project study area, designated shorelines are associated with the Yakima and Columbia Rivers. Shorelines fall under the jurisdiction of the respective counties; however, the shoreline along the banks of Priest Rapids Reservoir is managed by Grant County Public Utility District (PUD). The Grant County PUD Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project is licensed by and requires consultation with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The FERC and Grant County PUD identified stakeholders to complete a Shoreline Master Plan for the shorelines along the reservoirs created by the two dams. The FERC prepared an Environmental Assessment for Grant County PUD’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP) and Grant County adopted an updated SMP in September 2014 (WDOE 2015). The updated SMP requires that any development that takes place within 200 feet of the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) of a jurisdictional body of water result in a no net-loss of ecological function within the shoreline environment. If any of the support structures will be located within 200 feet of the OHWM of this portion of Priest Rapids Reservoir or if there will be any ground disturbing activities within this same area, additional mitigation measures will be required by Grant County PUD to ensure that no net-loss of ecological function of the shoreline is achieved. Kittitas County has an approved SMP intended to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the community by providing long range, comprehensive policies and effective, reasonable regulations for development and use of shorelines within Kittitas County; manage shorelines in a positive, effective, and equitable manner; assume and carry out the county’s responsibilities established by the SMA; and to implement Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 90.58.020 for shorelines of the state (Kittitas County 2014). Water bodies in Kittitas County that correspond to the Project study area that are considered shorelines of statewide importance and regulated under the Kittitas County SMP include the Columbia River (Route Segment 3b below the Wanapum Dam) and Route Segment NNR-8 below the Wanapum