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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-67 ROUTE SEGMENT LENGTH OF ROUTE SEGMENT (MILES) LENGTH (MILES) AND PERCENT OF ROUTE SEGMENT LOCATED >0.25 MILE FROM AN EXISTING TRANSMISSION LINE TOTAL ESTIMATED NUMBER OF NEW STRUCTURES TOTAL ESTIMATED NUMBER OF NEW STRUCTURES LOCATED >0.25 MILE FROM AN EXISTING TRANSMISSION LINE NNR-6o* 6.4 0.0% 48 0 NNR-6u* 6.4 0.0% 2 0 NNR-7 8.2 0.0% 61 0 NNR-8 2.7 0.0% 20 0 MR-1 11.9 11.2 (94%) 90 85 Source: Number of structures and types is based on preliminary engineering and design. *o = overhead design option; u = underground design option. The number of structures for undergrounding took into account transition stations. For this table, transition stations were considered as a structure. To minimize the potential for increased predation rates the following RDFs will be implemented: whenever possible, locations of the new transmission line structures will match the spans of adjacent transmission lines; to avoid providing food subsidies to ravens or other predators, food waste will be kept in covered receptacles and removed daily; and perch deterrents will be used within four miles of active leks. Disturbance from Human Presence and Avoidance of Infrastructure Another direct impact on wildlife from the construction and maintenance of the proposed Project would be visual and noise disturbance. For the most part, the increases in noise and visual disturbance from construction would result from temporary human presence during construction and maintenance activities and would be short-term and localized. Short-term disturbance due to the presence of humans and construction equipment may impact wildlife species by causing them to temporarily vacate habitat in the construction area. Long-term disturbance could also occur; for locations outside of the JBLM YTC, which has controlled access, the proposed Project may also result in increased human presence to areas previously inaccessible, as well as to off-road vehicle recreation (USFWS 2010a). For species, such as Sage-Grouse, that avoid trees and other tall objects, the presence of new permanent structures may have a long-term visual impact, essentially creating indirect habitat loss surrounding the transmission line structures if animals avoid occupying the adjacent habitat (Schroeder 2010; Wisdom et al. 2011; Stonehouse 2013). To minimize visual and noise disturbance to wildlife, the following RDFs would be implemented: restricting construction and maintenance activities during sensitive periods; avoiding construction during the bird nesting season when possible or conducting pre-construction clearance surveys and buffering active nests by at least 100 feet; conducting pre-construction clearance surveys for Sage-Grouse in overland access areas; restricting construction activity to predetermined spatial limits, including restrictions on use outside of the Project ROW; whenever possible, locations of the new transmision line structures will be in sync with the adjacent existing transmission lines; adhering to reasonable speed limits in construction and maintenance areas; and closing and revegetating new or improved access roads that are not required for ongoing maintenance activities. 4.3.3.3 Federally Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Species Impacts to federally endangered, threatened and candidate species are discussed below. In addition, a separate Biological Assessment, which assesses these Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed species, will be prepared for the Agency Preferred Alternative. Impacts to state-listed and other special status species, including U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) special status species, are discussed below and by route segment.