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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-160 4.6.2 Impact Levels (High, Moderate, Low, No Identifiable Impact) Potential impacts to SMA resources were assessed along the assumed centerline of the proposed 230 kilovolt (kV) transmission line and access roads. The assumed centerline of the proposed 230 kV transmission line for impact assessment is 125 feet wide (i.e., the proposed ROW width). The location of SMAs in the Project area and their proximity to the route segments are shown Appendix A - Jurisdiction, Recreation and Special Management Areas. High - Impacts would be considered high where the Project would: • Create long-term effects on the use of established SMAs or recognized values described in the applicable agency management documents. Moderate - Impacts would be considered moderate where the Project would: • Create short-term effects on the use of established SMAs or recognized values described in the applicable agency management documents. • Create long-term effects on the use of proposed SMAs or recognized values described in the applicable agency management documents. Low - Impacts would be considered low where the Project would: • Not noticeably change or would cause only a minor change in the primary use, use patterns, function, status, and/or recognized/protected values of the established or proposed SMA and/or would generally be in conformance with goals, objectives, standards, and policies of the management documents or managing agency policies applicable to the SMA. • Create short-term effects on the use of proposed SMAs or recognized values described in the applicable agency management documents. No Identifiable - No identifiable impact would occur where SMA management uses would be able to continue as they currently exist and/or be in complete compliance with the goals, objectives, standards, and policies of the management documents or managing agency policies applicable to the SMA, even with the presence of the transmission line or where no established SMA exists. 4.6.3 Impacts Common to All Route Segments and Design Options There are no impacts common to all route segments pertaining to SMAs. 4.6.4 Impacts Specific to Route Segments and Design Options Long-term and short-term impacts to SMA resources were assessed for each route segment. Impacts for each route segment are discussed in detail in the following sections. 4.6.4.1 Route Segment 1a/NNR-1 There are no SMAs associated with Route Segment 1a/New Northern Route (NNR) 1 and no impacts would occur. 4.6.4.2 Route Segment 1b Low impacts for 12.6 miles on the Yakima Hills Important Bird Area (IBA) will occur as a result of the Project, because there are no specific management requirements in place as part of the IBA status. The goal of the IBA program is to identify the most essential areas for birds, monitor those sites for changes to