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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 <br />230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences <br /> PAGE 4-211 <br />However, impacts for this Design Option would remain high for WSDOT Selah Cliffs Eastbound Rest <br />Area Overlook viewers, however, as compared to the Project as described in Chapter 2. Impacts on views <br />from the NAP trail located at the bottom of the canyon, however, would be lower because the conductors <br />would be elevated above the general viewing plane. The structure at the north rim of the canyon would <br />still be visible and would be skylined from some positions within the canyon, but would be less dominant <br />than if there was a structure in the bottom of the canyon. The Selah Cliffs NAP is not crossed by the <br />assumed centerline of this route segment for either Design Option. It is assumed there will be no aerial <br />easement across the NAP; however, final engineering in coordination with the affected landowner/land <br />managing agency will determine the location and extent of the ROW. <br />Impacts for this route segment would also occur on views from the Selah Butte Recreation Destination <br />Route and adjacent residences. Impacts on residents would be low because the route segment would be <br />viewed in the context of the existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV transmission line (weak structure <br />contrasts) in the middleground and background with the existing line being closer and more prominent <br />within the viewshed. Topography would screen the route segment except in the area of the Selah Cliffs <br />crossing. Therefore, impacts on residences viewing the route segment from this area would be low. From <br />the Selah Butte Recreation Destination Route, recreationists accessing the area would view moderate- <br />weak to weak contrasts of the route segment adjacent to the existing transmission line in the immediate <br />foreground and foreground. High impacts would also occur on travelers located on Burbank Creek Road. <br />These impacts would be reduced with the implementation of mitigation measure VR-2. <br />Impacts on views from the Selah Butte Watchable Wildflower Area would also occur. However, the <br />viewing orientation is generally toward Yakima Canyon and topography typically screens views of the <br />route segment. Because this is a dispersed recreation use area, views of the route segment may occur <br />depending on the viewer location within the area. Due to the distance, topographical screening, and <br />moderate to weak landscape and structure contrasts, impacts would be low. <br />The Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway, Umtanum Ridge Water Gap National Natural Landmark <br />(NNL; access road on the east side of SR-821), and associated recreation areas are located in the <br />middleground and background within the Project study area, but views are screened by topography. <br />Therefore, low or no impacts are anticipated on these NNLs and the byway from Route Segment NNR-3. <br />Agency Management Compliance <br />BLM Interim VRM Class III lands are crossed between MP 1.0 and MP 4.9. Project contrasts would be <br />weak to moderate-weak. Route Segment NNR-3 would be compliant with the Interim VRM Class III <br />from KOP 18 and the Selah Butte Recreation Destination Route, the nearest viewpoints, because weak <br />and weak-moderate contrasts would be seen in the immediate foreground and foreground distance zones. <br />From KOP 17 (Selah Creek Rest Area), moderate-weak and weak contrasts would be seen in the <br />middleground or background, respectively, and the route segment would be compliant with the Interim <br />VRM Class III from both KOPs. <br />The route segment would also be consistent with the visual standards identified in the Yakima County <br />Comprehensive Plan and Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan. <br />4.8.5.13 Route Segment NNR-4o/4u <br />Visual Contrasts <br />Overhead Design Option <br />Structure contrasts would be weak for Route Segment NNR-4o because the line follows Pacific Power’s <br />existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV transmission line (see Configuration #6, Table 4.8-3 Structure