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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 1 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Purpose and Need PAGE 1-16 1.8.2.9 Kittitas County Kittitas County Code (KCC) 151.11 “Development Agreements” allows for Kittitas County to enter into a development agreement on a case-by-case basis. The size and timing of this transmission line project may require a development agreement. KCC 17.61.010(2)(b) states an electrical transmission line “exceeding 115,000 volts” is defined as a “Special Utility.” Under KCC 17.61.020(6), “special utilities may be authorized as a conditional use in all zoning districts.” A CUP can be approved by the Board of County Commissioners after they receive a recommendation for approval or denial by an independent Hearing Examiner. The Hearing Examiner and Board must base their recommendation and approval upon criteria that the proposal is consistent with the intent, goals, policies, and objectives for the County’s Comprehensive Plan; that it is essential or desirable to the public convenience and not detrimental to public health and safety or to the character of the surrounding neighborhood; and that the proposal complies with relevant development standards and criteria set forth in the KCC. Any conditional use proposal is subject to all other criteria within the KCC including, but not limited to, all building permit requirements. The Kittitas County Board of County Commissioners approved the County's updated SMP on December 2, 2014. WDOE granted final approval of the County’s updated SMP on February 22, 2016 making the County’s comprehensive SMP update effective as of March 7, 2016. The proposed Project is subject to Shoreline Substantial Development Permit and Shoreline CUP pursuant to Kittitas County SMP. 1.8.2.10 Yakima County Under Yakima County Code Title 15, the proposed Project is subject to a Type II Land Use review. A Type II application shall be reviewed by the County Administrative Official and may be conditioned in order to ensure compatibility and compliance with the provisions of the zoning district and the goals, objectives and policies of the Yakima County Comprehensive Plan – Plan 2015. For the county to make a decision regarding the issuance of a Type II administrative permit, it is necessary for the Project to comply with SEPA. 1.9 LAND USE PLAN CONFORMANCE The BLM Spokane District RMP ROD (BLM 1987) is the approved land use plan applicable to BLM- managed lands within the proposed Project area. Federal regulations, 43 CFR Part 1610.5-3(a) states the following: “All future resource management authorizations and actions, as well as budget or other action proposals to higher levels in the Bureau of Land Management and Department, and subsequent more detailed or specific planning, shall conform to the approved plan.” In general, the 1987 ROD allows for a variety of land uses, including ROW grants, provided that those uses can occur within the sustained yield capability of the resource and that appropriate consideration is given to mitigating resource concerns (BLM 1987, p. 12). The 1987 ROD specifically provides for ROW grants on BLM-managed lands in the following manner: “All public land will be available and open for utility and transportation corridor development except the Hot Lakes Research Natural Area and Area of Critical Environmental Concern, the Brewster Bald Eagle Roost and Juniper Forest ACECs [Areas of Critical Environmental Concern], the Chopaka Mountain Wilderness Study Area, and the Juniper Dunes Wilderness Area Corridors have been identified and designated on BLM lands in Washington…Corridor widths may vary but are a minimum of 200 feet. Additional corridors will be considered on a case-by- case basis. Applicants will be encouraged to locate new facilities within existing corridors to the extent possible (BLM 1987, p. 27).”