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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-203 contrasts would remain strong/moderate to moderate, visual impacts would not substantially differ should the route segment utilize JBLM YTC access roads. Scenic Quality Impacts and Development Character Scenic quality impacts would be moderate to low in the undeveloped Class C landscape that is similar to the other routes located in the undeveloped Yakima Ridge area. Sensitive Viewer Impacts Sensitive viewers, which include residences and State Route (SR) 24 travelers (see Appendix C-3: KOP 4) would view moderate to strong Project contrasts in the background or seldom seen distance zone except on the far western end of the route segment, where high impacts on residences located at the east end of Postma Road and Deeringhoff Road would occur for a short distance. The implementation of mitigation measure VIS-2 between MP 0.0 and MP 0.4 would reduce the contrast created by the conductor wires and reduce high impacts to moderate and moderate impacts to low. Moderate impacts created as a result of strong or moderate/strong impacts seen in the background from residential viewers and SR-24 motorists would also occur from MP 11.5 to the east end of the route. Implementation of mitigation measure VIS-2 (non-specular conductors) would reduce these impacts to a low level. Agency Management Compliance BLM Interim VRM Class III lands are crossed at MP 4.0-4.2 and MP 12.4-12.9. Project contrasts would be strong because of structures contrasts and access road construction in 0 to 15 percent slope areas with Group 3 vegetation cover. The route segment would be compliant with the Interim Class III from residences north of SR-24, the nearest viewpoint, because strong to strong-moderate contrasts are seen in the background or seldom-seen distance zone. The route segment is in the seldom seen and background distance zone from the nearest KOP (KOP 4) causing low impacts. The route segment would also comply with the visual standards identified in the Yakima County Comprehensive Plan. 4.8.5.6 Route Segment 2c Visual Contrasts Structure contrasts for Route Segment 2c would vary depending on whether or not the route segment is paralleling the Union Gap-Midway 230 kV and Midway-Moxee 115 kV corridor or not and which structure type (single pole or H-frame) is proposed. Where the route segment parallels the existing transmission line corridor, structure contrasts would be either moderate/weak or weak (see Table 4.8-2 Structure Contrast: Configuration 4 or 5). This route segment crosses grassland/herbaceous vegetation and the clearing and grading associated with access road construction, work pad installation, and other construction activities would cause moderate to weak landscape contrasts. Scenic Quality Impacts and Development Character Scenic quality impacts would be moderate to low in the undeveloped Class C landscape that is similar to the other route segments located in the undeveloped Yakima Ridge area. As the route segment enters the Moxee Valley Agricultural Development Character Area (as described in Section 3.8.2.3), it would also follow the existing Union Gap-Midway 230 kV and Midway-Moxee 115 kV transmission line corridor. The route segment would be compatible with the existing character as it parallels these existing transmission lines. Sensitive Viewer Impacts Moderate impacts would occur on residences located north of SR-24 in the Moxee Valley viewing moderate Project contrasts in the immediate foreground for a short distance (0.4 mile). Background views