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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-195 • Introduction of visually dominant transmission structures (wood H-frame, wood single pole, steel lattice structures) that contrasts with the developed or natural landscape for the Overhead Design Option and the transition station for the Underground Design Option; • Potential glare created by the presence of the conductors (wires) and associated marker balls (if used for avian mitigation or air traffic safety); • Landform and vegetation contrasts (grading and vegetation removal) caused by the construction of access roads or road improvements, pulling and tensioning sites, work areas, and laydown areas for the Overhead Design Option; • Landform and vegetation contrasts (grading and vegetation removal) caused by construction of access roads and duct bank for the Underground Design Option; and • Structure contrast caused by construction equipment, helicopter conductor stringing, and yarding/staging areas. As previously stated, impacts associated with the proposed Project affect scenic quality and sensitive viewers. These impacts also relate to whether or not the proposed Project is in compliance with agency management objectives (VRM, General Plans, etc.). Scenic Quality Impacts and Development Character Compatibility Scenic quality, as discussed in Section 3.8.4.3, was inventoried during the Visual Resource Inventory (VRI) as part of the BLM planning process or Project inventory. Scenic Quality was also evaluated on undeveloped landscapes outside of areas not inventoried during the VRI. Scenic quality was evaluated using BLM criteria uniformly along all Action Alternatives. At the Interstate (I) 82 crossing areas and on lands owned by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), an evaluation on scenic quality was made by WSDOT staff using the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) Visual Impact Assessment for Highway Project methodology. The proposed Project would impact the inherent scenic quality of the landscape independent of how it is viewed from any particular viewpoint. Impacts would be highest on those landscapes that exhibit high visual variability and diversity in terms of land form/vegetation/water and form/line/color/texture and where the proposed Project strongly or moderately contrasts with those elements (see Table 4.8-4). Similarly, the dominant development character, as identified in Section 3.8.4.3, may be affected by the proposed Project if that character is not compatible with the industrial, linear, and vertical visual character of the proposed Project. Though the immediate surrounding land use may be agricultural or residential, the visual influence of a utility corridor greatly affects the impression or character of the landscape in the vicinity of those industrial features (e.g., immediate foreground). The existing transmission corridors and related infrastructure (e.g., substations, dams) also would absorb and be visually compatible with the proposed Project even if the form, line, color, or texture of the proposed Project somewhat contrasts with existing engineered features that dominate that developed area. Therefore, the character of the industrial area would remain even though cumulative impacts would occur. Conversely, in an area where the dominant developed character is expressed by organic, non-linear, and/or architectural (rather than engineered) forms, lines, colors and textures, the proposed Project would not be compatible with that character. Sensitive Viewer Impacts Contrast or compatibility impacts scenic quality or dominant developed character regardless of potential viewers. How contrast is seen in the landscape causes impacts on sensitive viewers (see Tables 4.8-5 and 4.8-6). Strong contrasts may occur along a route segment of the proposed Project, but if those contrasts are not seen by a sensitive viewer, there would be no viewer impacts (although scenic quality impacts would occur to some degree). Views from representative KOPs (as identified in Section 3.8.4.4) documents how contrast is seen in the Project study area from specific viewpoints. Viewing variables such as direction of view, landform, vegetation, or architectural screening influence how sensitive viewers are impacted by the proposed Project and how contrasts are seen in the landscape. Impacts are highest on sensitive viewers where static (stationary), direct, unimpeded views of the proposed Project would occur