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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-38 activities could impact individuals or habitat (moderate impact), but would not contribute toward the need for federal listing. Gray Cryptantha Refer to Route Segment 3b for more information on gray cryptantha. WNHP data indicate that gray cryptantha intersects Route Segment NNR-7 for approximately 0.4 mile; however, special status species locations include large buffers, so it is uncertain whether this occurrence intersects the ROW corridor. As the entire ROW was not surveyed, gray cryptantha could be present. With the implementation of RDFs described above and the assumption that any occurrences found during pre-construction surveys would be spanned and avoided, Project construction, operation, and maintenance activities could impact individuals or habitat (moderate impact), but would not contribute toward the need for federal listing. Miner’s Candle Miner’s candle is a BLM Strategic and Washington Sensitive species. It is found in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, and Wyoming. Within Washington, it is known to occur in Benton, Grant, Kittitas, and Yakima counties. Four populations are known to occur within the region, occupying approximately 401 acres. Threats to this species include grazing, OHV use, development and competition with non-native plants. WNHP data indicate that Miner’s candle intersects Route Segment NNR-7 for approximately 0.5 mile; however, special status species locations include large buffers, so it is uncertain whether this occurrence intersects the ROW corridor. As the entire ROW was not surveyed, miner’s candle could be present. With the implementation of RDFs described above and the assumption that any occurrences found during pre-construction surveys would be spanned and avoided, Project construction, operation, and maintenance activities could impact individuals or habitat (moderate impact), but would not contribute toward the need for federal listing. Suksdorf’s Monkeyflower Refer to Route Segment NNR- 6o/NNR-6u for information on Suksdorf’s monkeyflower. WNHP data indicate that Suksdorf’s monkeyflower intersects Route Segment NNR-7 for approximately 0.6 mile; however, special status species locations include large buffers, so it is uncertain whether this occurrence intersects the ROW corridor. With the implementation of RDFs described above and the assumption that any occurrences found during pre-construction surveys would be spanned and avoided, Project construction, operation, and maintenance activities could impact individuals or habitat (moderate impact), but would not contribute toward the need for federal listing. 4.2.4.17 Route Segment NNR-8 General Vegetation Long-term disturbance to approximately 10.0 acres of land (Table 4.2-4) would occur with the construction of Route Segment NNR-8. The majority of the long-term disturbance would occur within 8.9 acres of sagebrush perennial grassland. The remaining long-term disturbance would occur within 0.5 acre of annual grassland and noxious weeds, 0.1 acre of perennial grassland, and 0.5 acre of sagebrush annual grassland. Approximately 3.2 acres of vegetation would be temporarily disturbed. General vegetation impacts are similar to those described above for Route Segment 1a/NNR-1. Disturbance would be minimized by RDFs described above that are designed to reduce impacts to vegetation resources. RDFs include using existing public roads to access structure sites, minimizing blading and disturbance to plant communities, revegetating following construction, and implementing a Noxious Weed and Invasive Plant Management Plan. Refer to Section 2.3 - Required Design Features Common to Action Alternatives for a complete list and description of RDFs. Impacts for Route Segment NNR-8 are anticipated to be: no identifiable for 0.4 mile (spanning the Columbia River and associated basalt cliffs), low for 0.9 mile, and moderate for 1.5 miles.