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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-68 Bull Trout Critical habitat for bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) occurs within the Project study area within the Yakima River and its tributaries, and the mainstem of the Columbia River (USFWS 2010c). Bull trout occur within the reach of the Columbia River that would be spanned by the proposed Project. Bull trout are not known to spawn within streams within the Project study area because the streams are too small and not cold enough over a long enough time period to provide suitable spawning and rearing habitat. However, bull trout could use streams for short periods for foraging (AECOM Environmental 2010). No transmission line structure or road construction work would occur directly within the Columbia or Yakima rivers. For the Columbia River crossing (Route Segments 3c or NNR-8), the structures would be approximately 200-foot tall steel lattice structures. Erosion would be minimized by applying and maintaining standard erosion and sediment control methods. These may include straw wattles, straw bale barriers, and silt fencing which would be placed at construction boundaries. Specific erosion and sediment control measures and locations would be specified in a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The implementation of RDFs is anticipated to be effective at minimizing impacts to bull trout. No identifiable impacts to bull trout or bull trout habitat are anticipated to occur through construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed Project. Chinook Salmon The endangered Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) has designated critical habitat within the Project study area. The Upper Columbia River Chinook Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) critical habitat includes the reach of the Columbia River that is within the Project area and that would be spanned by the proposed Project (Route Segments 3c or NNR-8). Tributaries of the Columbia River in and near the Project study area, including the Yakima River, are not part of the Upper Columbia River Spring Run Chinook ESU; they are part of the Mid-Columbia River Spring Run Chinook ESU which is not listed under the ESA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA] 2013). It is unlikely that spawning occurs in streams within the Project study area. No structure or road construction work would occur within the Columbia River. For the Columbia River crossings, the structures would be approximately 200-foot tall steel lattice structures. Erosion would be minimized by applying and maintaining standard erosion and sediment control methods. These may include straw wattles, straw bale barriers, and silt fencing which would be placed at construction boundaries. Specific erosion and sediment control measures and locations would be specified in a SWPPP. The implementation of RDFs is anticipated to be effective at minimizing impacts to Chinook salmon. No identifiable impacts to Chinook salmon or its habitat are anticipated to occur through construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed Project. Gray Wolf As of March 2015, Washington had 16 confirmed gray wolf (Canis lupus) packs, none of which are located in or near the Project area (WDFW 2011b). The closest confirmed wolf packs are located approximately 25 to 30 miles north of the Project area (Becker et al. 2013). The proposed Project would have no identifiable impact on the gray wolf or its habitat. Steelhead The reach of the Columbia River that would be spanned by the proposed Project is within designated critical habitat for the Upper Columbia River steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Distinct Population Segment (DPS). The Yakima River and Burbank Creek, also within the Project study area, are within critical habitat for the Middle Columbia River steelhead DPS. No transmission line structure or road construction work would occur directly within the three waterways that are designated critical habitat. The Yakima River is located greater than or equal to 0.75 mile from the proposed Project and would not be directly impacted. Burbank Creek and the Columbia River would be spanned. For the Columbia River crossing (Route Segments 3c or NNR-8), the structures would be approximately 200-foot tall steel lattice structures. Erosion would be minimized by applying and maintaining standard erosion and sediment