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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-208 4.8.5.11 Route Segment NNR-2 Visual Contrasts On the south end along this route segment, strong structure contrasts would be created as a result of the introduction of H-frame structures where no currently exist except in the area where the route segment crosses the Ellensburg-Moxee No.1 115 kV transmission line. The Ellensburg-Moxee No. 1 115 kV transmission line and the route segment also follows the JBLM YTC fire break road in this area. The fire break would be utilized for the route segment; therefore, weak landscape contrasts would result. Overall, strong Project contrasts would be created on the south end of the route segment. As the Ellensburg-Moxee No. 1 115 kV transmission line turns to the west near the water tower on JBLM YTC, the route segment would parallel this existing transmission line to the south end of the JBLM YTC Parade Field. Ellensburg-Moxee No. 1 has a similar H-frame configuration and scale. Weak structure contrasts would result along this portion of the route segment. From the south end of the Parade Field to Firing Center Road, the route segment would utilize single pole structures. Along Firing Center Road, single pole structures with distribution underbuild would be constructed. These sections would result in strong-moderate or moderate-weak structure contrasts (Configuration #3, Table 4.8-3). Because the route segment would follow Firing Center Road, no new roads would be constructed and landscape contrasts would not occur. Landscape contrast would be strong where existing vegetation would be removed adjacent to the Parade Field, resulting in moderate Project contrast along this portion of the route segment (MP 2.4 - 2.7). Along Firing Center Road, Project contrasts would typically be moderate, as shown in shown in Appendix C-4: KOP 15. Pulling and tensioning sites would also cause short-term landscape and structure contrasts. The presence of a helicopter during the stringing of the conductor wires would cause short-term structure contrasts. The temporary structure work areas, turn-around areas, and staging areas would cause low impacts due to the duration of landscape and structure contrasts. Scenic Quality Impacts and Development Character Impacts on scenic quality and development character created by Route Segment NNR-2 primarily relate to the compatibility with the non-military residential and JBLM YTC residential and industrial character area and scenery impacts on the undeveloped JBLM YTC areas crossed by the route segment. The existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV transmission line visually influences the residential and undeveloped scenic character causing low to moderate impacts on the southern and northern portions of this existing transmission line that is less developed. The route segment would generally be in character with most of the JBLM YTC cantonment area because the route segment would parallel existing transmission lines or would be in intensive use areas of the military training center (Appendix C-4: KOP 15 and Appendix C- 3). Sensitive Viewer Impacts Visual impacts on sensitive viewers would result from strong-moderate to moderate contrasts being seen from residences and travelers in the immediate foreground distance zone from Sage Trail Road, Temple Lane area, Shotgun Lane, and E. Pomona Road area, primarily. The route segment would generally be seen in the context of the JBLM YTC military facilities (e.g., Vagabond Army Heliport, lodging areas, administrative structures, Armed Forces Reserve Center), the existing Ellensburg-Moxee No. 1 115 kV transmission line, and other urban development in the cantonment area. However, topographical screening often block views of much of the cantonment area and a row of trees that soften views to the cantonment area would be removed from on the south of Firing Center Road along Shotgun Lane, increasing impacts in this area. The implementation of RDF VR-7, span matching with existing structures would reduce the impacts of the route segment in this location. Residences along Sage Trail Road would