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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-132 The route segment would cross private land in Yakima County, and would be consistent with the Yakima County Comprehensive Plan (2007). Route Segment 1b would be subject to YCC 19.18.260(4) – Linear Transmission Facilities, and would require a Type II review. The Project would be in compliance with the Final Cultural and Natural Resources Management Plan for the JBLM YTC. Overall, moderate impacts would occur for 12.6 miles of this route segment. 4.4.4.3 Route Segment 1c Route Segment 1c is similar to Route Segment 1b except that is located outside of the JBLM YTC boundary. The land use for a good portion of the route segment is undeveloped rangeland, while agricultural land uses are located in the southern portion of this route segment between milepost (MP) 9.5 and MP 10.5. Active agricultural operations would be temporarily impacted by construction activities associated with the construction and/or expansion of access roads, both temporary and permanent; pulling sites and construction equipment and vehicle staging areas; and the installation of H-frame or single pole transmission line structures and wires. These construction activities could temporarily interfere with active agricultural operations by damaging or removing crops, impeding access to certain fields or plots of land, obstructing farm vehicles and equipment, disrupting drainage and irrigation systems, and disrupting grazing activities, all of which could result in the temporary reduction of agricultural productivity. Depending upon the extent of construction required for certain aspects of the proposed route segment, soils, including those designated as Important Farmland, would be compacted as a result of construction activities, (i.e., the use of heavy construction equipment). This would create a short-term disturbance to agricultural soils that would impact active agricultural operations, such as the planting of crops. Short- term impacts would occur on 2.2 acres of irrigated cropland and 36.5 acres of low density residential areas. Impacts to agricultural land would occur where the location of route segment facilities, such as access roads and H-frame or single pole structures, would permanently convert the land upon which they are situated to non-agricultural use. This also includes soils designated as Important Farmland. Loss of agricultural land would result in initial high and moderate impacts while grazing impacts would be low. Areas disturbed by construction would be minimal. Following rehabilitation, areas removed from use for the life of the proposed Project would include the small areas at the structure footings and/or guy anchors, as well as new access roads. Once construction is complete and the H-frame or single pole structures are in place, agricultural uses (e.g., crops, grazing) may be re-established/continued within the route segment ROW corridor. The loss of productive farmland will result in financial impacts to farmers. The amount of financial impact would depend on the type of crop since crop values fluctuate from year to year. In addition to the long-term loss of land under active agricultural operations, the construction of the route segment would result in other agricultural impacts in the vicinity of the proposed Project. These include: disrupting farming facilities or operations and disrupting or altering aerial spraying practices.