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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-200 angle-guyed structures and single wood poles are proposed. A visual simulation of the Project from this KOP is shown in Appendix C-4 - KOP 1. Views of the route segment from residences located in the County Squires Mobile Manor are generally screened by vegetation, but some would view the route segment against the Yakima Ridge. From this location, the Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV transmission line is also within the foreground viewshed and low impacts on these residences are anticipated. Viewers using East Selah Road would have very brief views of the route segment in the immediate foreground. Views from both travelling directions are generally screened by buildings, vegetation, and topography. Route Segment 1a/NNR-1 would be seen in the visual context of the existing Pomona- Wanapum 230 kV transmission line, Pomona Heights Substation, and existing transmission lines located along East Selah Road. Impacts would be low on these viewers, also. Agency Management Compliance There are no federal or state lands crossed by this route segment. The route segment would comply with the visual standards identified in the Yakima County Comprehensive Plan. 4.8.5.2 Route Segment 1b Visual Contrasts Structure contrast would be strong along this entire route segment; no existing transmission line infrastructure or other substantial development, other than adjacent residential development, is located within this corridor. Route Segment 1b would generally follow the southern boundary of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Yakima Training Center (JBLM YTC) on federal land, and would utilize the existing fire break road following the property line. Because access for the route segment would be “Level 2” (use existing roads), typically, along most of the route segment and because the existing vegetation is Group 2 or 3 (shrubs and/or grassland), landscape contrast would be weak. Short portions of this route segment would deviate from the fire break road, and new access may be required (see MP 9.6-10.9) in an area of Group 3 or 4 vegetation (sagebrush/rabbitbrush/overstory trees), causing strong landscape contrasts. The strongest visual contrasts would occur in these areas where new road and structure installation would occur in steeper areas of Group 2 or 3 vegetation. Typically, Project contrasts would be strong-moderate, with some isolated areas of strong or moderate where vegetation, slope and road construction variables reduce or increase overall visual contrast. Scenic Quality Impacts and Development Character Scenic quality impacts would be moderate to low in the Class C Yakima Ridge landscape setting along this route segment. The route segment would be compatible with the existing development character where it crosses in the vicinity of the Ellensburg-Moxee #1 115 kV transmission line corridor (MP 0.2- 0.3). However, the vertical H-frame structures and linear features of the conductors (wires) would contrast with the simple rolling, undulating, and horizontally flowing lines of the landforms of Yakima Ridge. Moderate scenic quality impacts would occur along a portion of Route Segment 1b, but would otherwise be low. No high scenic quality impacts are expected as a result of Route Segment 1b. Sensitive Viewer Impacts Residences would be affected by the construction and operation of the route segment, because the H- frame structures and conductor wires would be seen in the immediate foreground and foreground of residences located on Sage Trail Road, Summerset Drive, and Bohoskey Drive (MP 0.0-0.2 and 5.8-6.2). Strong contrast would be seen in the middleground from residences located north of Mieras Road and along St. Hilaire Road (see KOP 2, Appendix C-3) where the route segment would be skylined (MP 6.5- 6.7) causing moderate residual impacts at this distance. Strong to strong-moderate Project contrasts would