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 3-289 Flowage easements associated with the operation of the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric facility and held by the Grant County PUD are located around the shoreline perimeter of the Priest Rapids Reservoir. Flowage easements are variously located along Route Segment 3b. 3.14.4.10 Route Segment 3c Route Segment 3c parallels the Columbia River below Priest Rapids dam for approximately three miles. In this area, the route roughly coincides with the designated shoreline and 100 year floodplain. This route would also cross the Columbia River approximately five miles below Priest Rapids Dam. Both the Columbia River and Priest Rapids Reservoir are lacustrine wetland systems. Palustrine wetlands found in this area are comprised of agricultural ponds, and persistent and ephemeral wetlands. Route Segment 3c crosses Lower Crab Creek, which has some emergent riparian vegetation present and its 100 year floodplain. Wetland systems associated with Lower Crab Creek include both palustrine and lacustrine wetland types. Several irrigation canals would be crossed including Mattawa Drain, Saddle Mountain Wasteway, and Wahluke Branch Canal. Other water resources crossed by this route include several un- named ephemeral drainages. Riparian habitats along this route segment are typically dominated by non- native species, included noxious weeds. 3.14.4.11 Route Segment NNR-2 The Route Segment NNR-2 Project study area crosses an irrigation canal on JBLM YTC and several un- named intermittent or ephemeral drainages. This route segment Project study area also crosses one palustrine wetland bisected by JBLM YTC’s Firing Center Road. This palustrine wetland is highly disturbed and contains two noxious weeds: purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea). 3.14.4.12 Route Segment NNR-3 The Route Segment NNR-3 Project study area parallels a palustrine wetland. This wetland is an excavated pond associated with the Selah Creek Rest Area and contains no wetland vegetation. Route Segment NNR-3 Project study area crosses several un-named intermittent or ephemeral drainages. The Project study area for this route segment also crosses three streams categorized as perennial: Burbank Creek, Lmuma Creek, and Selah Creek. Riparian vegetation is present along Burbank and Lmuma Creeks. Selah Creek contains perennial flow for much of the season (JBLM YTC 2002); however, the reach of Selah Creek within the Project study area appears to be intermittent. 3.14.4.13 Route Segment NNR-4 The Route Segment NNR-4 Project study area crosses several un-named intermittent or ephemeral drainages with no riparian vegetation present. 3.14.4.14 Route Segment NNR-5 The Route Segment NNR-5 Project study area crosses several intermittent or ephemeral drainages with no riparian vegetation present. The Project study area for this route segment also crosses Badger Creek, which is intermittent or ephemeral within the Project study area. 3.14.4.15 Route Segment NNR-6 The Route Segment NNR-6 Project study area crosses several un-named intermittent or ephemeral drainages. A section of the ROW for this route segment parallels Foster Creek and is within 0.4 mile at its closest location. The ROW for Route Segment NNR-6 also parallels Johnson Creek. At its nearest point, Johnson Creek lies approximately one mile south of the Route Segment NNR-6 ROW. Both Foster and Johnson Creeks are perennial and contain forested riparian vegetation.