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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-113 NNR-7 would require an estimated 61 structures; however, none of the structures would be located greater than 0.25 mile from an existing transmission line (Table 4.3-5). Within 1.0 mile of Route Segment NNR-7, potentially suitable habitat is present for 62 special status wildlife species that are possible, likely, or known to occur (Tables 3.3-2, 3.3-3, and 3.3-7). Potential impacts and RDFs to address them are discussed in Sections 4.3.3.1 and 4.3.3.2. Species or wildlife resources that have been documented at specific locations within one mile of Route Segment NNR-7 include critical habitat for bull trout, Chinook salmon, and steelhead; cliff bands with potential for high concentrations of nesting raptors, striped whipsnake, night snake, black-tailed jackrabbit, Merriam’s shrew; and regular concentrations of chukars and mule deer. Critical habitats for bull trout, the Columbia River Chinook salmon ESU, and the Upper Columbia River steelhead DPS occur within 1.0 mile of Route Segment NNR-7 in the Columbia River. Tributaries of the Columbia River in and near the Project area are not part of the Upper Columbia River Spring Run Chinook salmon ESU; they are part of the Mid-Columbia River Spring Run Chinook salmon ESU which is not listed under the ESA (NOAA 2013). It is unlikely that spawning occurs in streams within the Project area. Bull trout and Chinook salmon are not known to spawn within streams within the Project 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 structure or road construction work would occur directly within the Columbia River. Erosion would be minimized by applying and maintaining standard erosion and sediment control methods. The implementation of RDFs is anticipated to be effective at minimizing impacts to all three species; no identifiable impacts to the three species or their habitats are anticipated to occur through construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed Project. Cliff bands occur within 1.0 mile of Route Segment NNR-7, near the Columbia River. The cliffs likely attract high concentrations of raptors, though PHS data documents no raptor nests within 1.0 mile of Route Segment NNR-7. Cliffs would be spanned without direct disturbance to the cliff habitat. If a raptor nest is found, seasonal restrictions would occur within the species-specific buffer of the active nest (refer to Section 2.3). No identifiable impacts to raptors or cliff habitat are anticipated to occur through construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed Project. Striped whipsnake and night snake have been documented within 1.0 mile of Route Segment NNR-7. Both species utilize a variety of upland steppe habitats. Potential impacts to these species include direct habitat loss, indirect habitat loss or 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. RDFs would be implemented to minimize impacts, as described in Sections 4.3.3.1 and 4.3.3.2. For both species, impact levels are expected to be moderate for 0.9 mile of the route segment. A Priority Species Regional Area regular small concentration of chukars is located approximately 0.9 mile from Route Segment NNR-7 and additional suitable dry rocky slope habitat is present. 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 transmission structure 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. No identifiable impacts to chukars are anticipated to occur through construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed Project.