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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-206 Moderate and high sensitivity recreationists using the Columbia River corridor below Priest Rapids Dam, Priest Rapids Reservoir recreationists and John Wayne Pioneer Trail users would also view moderate to strong Project contrasts in the immediate foreground causing moderate to high visual impacts. The route segment would be viewed longitudinally as it follows the John Wayne Trail and would dominate the viewshed. The route segment would affect views from the John Wayne Trail Trailhead (see Appendix C- 3: KOP 12), dominating scenic views of the Columbia River corridor to the south. Motorists and recreationists using Huntzinger Road would also view the route segment in the immediate foreground along the road for about five miles (approximately MP 13.6-18.7), causing high or moderate impacts. Agency Management Compliance BLM Interim VRM Class III lands are crossed between MP 19.1 and MP 19.6. Project contrasts would be strong for a short distance (MP 19.1-19.3). The route segment would be in compliance with Interim VRM Class III from KOP 12 (John Wayne Pioneer Trail) because moderate-weak contrasts are seen in the immediate foreground to background distance zone and because the route segment would be seen in the middleground distance zone set against the existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV/Wanapum-Wind Ridge 230 kV/Schultz-Vantage 500 kV/Schultz Wautoma 500 kV transmission line corridor. The route segment would also comply with the visual standards identified in the Yakima County Comprehensive Plan and all applicable development regulations, the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan, and the Benton County Comprehensive Land Use Plan. 4.8.5.10 Route Segment 3c Visual Contrasts Structure contrast would typically be strong along this route segment. Where the route segment crosses the Midway-Vantage 230 kV/Shultz-Wautoma 500 kV corridor and parallels the Hanford-Vantage No. 1 500 kV corridor, structure contrasts would be moderate (see Table 4.8-2, Structure Configuration #8). Much of this route segment follows existing roads and portions of agricultural areas; therefore, landscape contrasts would be weak or none. Moderate and strong landscape contrasts occur in the Saddle Mountains Management Area and other areas where no roads occur, typically where the route segment does not follow existing transmission lines. Helicopter placement of transmission line structures between MP 20.0 and 20.6 would reduce landscape contrasts by eliminating the need for road construction and associated clearing and grading activities. Structure contrasts would be strongest where at the Columbia River crossing, 195-foot tall steel lattice structures would be constructed on the north and south sides of the river. The visual influence of the crossing structures would extend further than the typical single pole or H-frame Project wood structures, with immediate foreground views occurring within 0.75 mile of the structures (see distance zone discussion, Section 3.8.2.5). Scenic Quality Impacts and Development Character Scenic quality impacts along this route segment would be moderate to high in Class B landscapes along the Columbia River and high in Class A landscapes of the Saddle Mountains and Crab Creek area. The route segment would impact the scenic quality of the landscape by contrasting with the dominating river and lake shorelines, rocky talus slope toes and basalt cliffs of the Columbia River, and the rocky outcrops, erosional plumes, and rock formations of the Saddle Mountains. The route segment would traverse Agricultural Development Character Areas of the Wahluke Slope and would not be compatible in this landscape. The route segment would cross mixed Agricultural/Residential Development Character Areas and also would not be compatible with this existing character.