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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-98 degradation through spread of invasive weeds or change in fire regime, injury or mortality due to crushing by construction equipment or vehicles during construction and maintenance activities, and increased predation from avian predators. As striped whipsnake is currently known to occur in one location near the Vantage Substation, impacts to the species or habitat could occur. However, the implementation of RDFs are anticipated to be successful at minimizing impacts to striped whipsnake, night snake, and sagebrush lizard, as described in Sections 4.3.3.1 and 4.3.3.2. For all three species, impact levels are expected to be moderate for 5.3 miles of the route segment. Nesting loggerhead shrikes were observed within a half mile of Route Segment 3b in 1994. While this particular nest is not likely to have persisted to the present, it demonstrates potential for loggerhead shrikes to nest near Route Segment 3b. Potential impacts include direct habitat loss, indirect habitat loss or degradation, increased predation from corvids and raptors attracted to nesting and/or perching opportunities on the new structures, and disturbance or displacement from noise or visual disturbance, especially during construction. RDFs would be implemented to minimize impacts, as described in Sections 4.3.3.1 and 4.3.3.2. Impact levels to loggerhead shrike are estimated to be moderate for 2.0 miles of the route segment. Black-tailed jackrabbit has been documented within a half mile of Route Segment 3b. Potential impacts include a reduction and degradation of habitat, disturbance and displacement from habitats, increased predation from avian predators, increased human activity, introduction and spread of noxious weeds, and injury or mortality due to collision with construction equipment. RDFs to address the impacts are described in Sections 4.3.3.1 and 4.3.3.2. Impact levels to black-tailed jackrabbits are expected to be moderate for 3.4 miles and low for 8.3 miles. Pallid bats were detected acoustically in two areas within a half mile of Route Segment 3b in 1994. RDFs to address habitat loss and degradation (Section 4.3.3.1) will reduce impacts to pallid bats. Impact levels are expected to be moderate for 4.1 miles of the route segment. Route Segment 3b crosses 3.0 miles of chukar Priority Species Regional Area. The majority of this area occurs away from this route segment, along draws created by intermittent streams on JBLM YTC property. Potential impacts include disturbance or displacement, injury or mortality from vehicle strikes and equipment, and direct habitat loss or degradation. Noise from construction equipment, helicopters, and general construction activities could disturb and displace chukar on a short-term basis. In addition, the new transmission line structures would serve as perch sites for raptor species, which could prey on chukar. The implementation of RDFs, as described in Sections 4.3.3.1 and 4.3.3.2, is anticipated to reduce impacts to chukar. Impact levels to chukar are anticipated to be moderate for the 3.0 miles of the route segment that cross the chukar concentration area. Route Segment 3b runs along the edge of a mule deer Priority Species Regional Area (designated concentration area) for much of its length. Mule deer have been observed in this area utilizing uplands and riparian habitat for forage, water, and cover. Potential impacts to mule deer include habitat loss, habitat degradation from the spread of invasive weeds, collision with vehicles during construction and maintenance, and disturbance during construction and maintenance. Mule deer are most likely to be impacted by disturbance during winter when increased energy expenditure may lower survival and during parturition when fawns are relatively immobile and vulnerable. Adherence to seasonal restrictions from December 1 to March 1 on construction activities within the designated concentration area should minimize disturbance impacts to mule deer. Impact levels to mule deer are anticipated to be moderate for the 12.7 miles of the route segment that overlap the edge of the designated concentration area. Priest Rapids Reservoir is a waterfowl and a common loon Priority Species Regional Area. This area has high concentrations of waterfowl present during the fall and winter months and common loon have been