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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-199 4.8.5 Impacts Specific to Route Segments and Design Options 4.8.5.1 Route Segment 1a/NNR-1 Visual Contrasts Along this route segment, visual contrasts are primarily dependent on the extent to which the proposed Project would parallel existing transmission lines, incorporate existing distribution lines, or would introduce a new structure in the landscape where no infrastructure currently exists. Pacific Power’s existing Pomona-Wanapum Transmission Line is paralleled between milepost (MP) 0.0 and 0.7 (see configuration #7 in Table 4.8-3). No existing transmission or distribution structures exist between MP 0.7 and 0.8 and between MP 1.9 and 2.4 (see configuration #2 in Table 4.8-3 and KOP 1 in Appendix C-4). The existing distribution line would be rebuilt along Sage Trail Road (see Appendix A - Visual Resources map), creating strong/moderate structure contrasts (see configuration #3 in Table 4.8-3) between MP 0.8 and 2.0. Landscape contrast would be none to weak because existing roads along the Pomona-Wanapum transmission line and Sage Trail Road would typically be used and vegetation cover is not often present due to development or is low-growing, herbaceous ground cover. Where Vegetation Group 3 removal is necessary as a result of spur road construction, greater landscape and Project contrast would result. Pulling and tensioning sites would also cause short-term landscape and structure contrasts. The presence of a helicopter during the stringing of the conductor wire would cause short-term structure contrasts, potentially disrupting views or scenic vistas (e.g., toward the Cascade Mountains). The temporary structure work areas, turn-around areas, and staging areas would cause low impacts due to the duration of landscape and structure contrasts. Project contrast would typically be weak near the Pomona Heights Substation and where the line would parallel Pacific Power’s existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV transmission line, but otherwise moderate to strong. Scenic Quality Impacts and Development Character The landscape of Route Segment 1a/NNR-1 is developed in character, with low density residential visual architectural elements dominating scenery. The natural scenery is visually subordinate within the landscape, typically only influencing middleground and background views (e.g., Yakima Ridge, Mount Rainier). This residential character is affected along the route segment by the presence of the Pomona- Wanapum 230 kV transmission line crossing the area, which contributes industrial visual elements in an otherwise predominantly residential setting. However, because of the industrial nature of the proposed Project and visual separation of the existing line from the route segment, the Project’s form, line, color, and texture would not be compatible with the predominant residential architectural features and would create high impacts on the developed landscape in areas where the route segment deviates from paralleling the existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV Transmission line. Sensitive Viewer Impacts Several residences located along Sage Trail Road and adjacent roads would have new transmission line structures and conductors in the line of sight of Mount Rainier and the route segment structures may impede views, depending on final placement. This would occur on the middle and eastern section of the route segment where it would intersect with Sage Trail Road and generally parallel it. Therefore, the new pole structures would create high impacts on residential viewers along this portion of the route segment. Impacts are the result of generally strong to strong/moderate structure contrasts seen in the immediate foreground. Structures could potentially obstruct views of Mount Rainier (at various locations along the route segment) and would affect views across the Selah Valley to the northwest. Mitigation Measure VR- 1 (see Table 4.8-2) would reduce impacts created as a result of view obstruction. Also, new conductors would be reflective for several years after installation, producing diffused reflection (glare) that would contrast with the daytime sky or landscape backdrop. KOP 1, located on the east of Sage Trail Road (see Appendix A - Project Maps-Visual Resources), illustrates views along Sage Trail Road where 3-pole