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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-15 Conservation no longer considers Ute ladies’-tresses as having the potential to occur within the Project area (USFWS 2015). For all route segments, potential Project impacts may affect, but are not likely to adversely affect Ute ladies’-tresses because limited potential habitat is present. Wetlands and the area immediately adjacent to the Columbia River would be avoided. In addition, RDFs that have been incorporated into the proposed Project are anticipated to minimize impacts to special status species. RDFs include: adhering to measures and terms and conditions that are identified during the consultation period under Section 7 of the ESA; taking appropriate action to avoid adverse impacts on identified special status species and their habitats; delineating populations of special status plants for avoidance during construction; and developing a Plant Protection Plan to identify specific measures for the protection of special status plants. The Plant Protection Plan would be incorporated into the POD and would include the following: timing restrictions; pre-construction ROW clearance surveys; the use of biological monitors; procedures to follow if new special status plants are discovered on federal or state lands during Project surveys or construction; and protection measures for any newly discovered populations. It is anticipated that no impacts would occur to Ute ladies’-tresses or its habitat with the construction of the proposed Project. Wenatchee Mountain Checker-Mallow The known historical and current range of Wenatchee Mountain checker-mallow (Sidalcea oregana var. calva) is restricted to Chelan County, Washington. The historical range covered an area approximately 11 by 3 miles and extended southeast of Leavenworth, Washington. Currently five populations are known to occur. Wenatchee Mountain checker-mallow is typically associated with moist meadows and open conifer stands; however, known populations are associated with a drainage ditch and along the shoulder of a forest road. The nearest population is located approximately 50 miles north of the Project area. No occurrences of this species were found during the special status plant surveys in 2011 or 2013. Primary threats to the species include hydrological disturbance, ground disturbance associated with timber harvest, development and agriculture, competition from non-native grasses, fire, infestation by aphids, and livestock (USFWS 2004a). For all route segments, Project impacts may affect, but are not likely to adversely affect Wenatchee Mountain checker-mallow because limited potential habitat is present, primarily associated with canals, intermittent streams, and the Columbia River. Wetlands and the area immediately adjacent to the Columbia River would be avoided and canals, drainage ditches, and riparian areas would be spanned, where practicable. In addition, RDFs that have been incorporated into the proposed Project are anticipated to minimize impacts to special status species. RDFs include: adhering to measures and terms and conditions developed during the consultation period under Section 7 of the ESA as specified by the USFWS; taking appropriate action to avoid adverse impacts on identified special status species and their habitats; delineating populations of special status plants for avoidance during construction; and developing a Plant Protection Plan to identify specific measures for the protection of special status plants. It is anticipated that no impacts would occur to Wenatchee Mountain checker- mallow or its habitat with the construction of the proposed Project. White Bluffs Bladderpod Only one population of White Bluffs bladderpod (Physaria douglasii ssp. tuplashensis) is known to occur. This population is restricted to the upper edge of the White Bluffs of the Columbia River in Franklin County, Washington, which is outside the Project area (USFWS 2010c). Primary threats include landslides in the White Bluffs, infestation of non-native weeds, OHV use, and wildland fire. No occurrences of this species were found during the special status plant surveys in 2011 or 2013. The effects determination of no effect was made for all route segments except for Route Segments 3b and 3c. For these route segments, potential Project impacts may affect, but are not likely to adversely affect White Bluffs bladderpod because limited potential habitat is present along the Columbia River. RDFs that have been incorporated into the proposed Project are anticipated to minimize impacts to special status species. RDFs include: adhering to measures and terms and conditions developed during the consultation period under Section 7 of the ESA as specified by the USFWS; taking appropriate action to avoid adverse