Vantage to Pomona FEIS Index 34 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-213 inhabitants in this location. The implementation of RDFs, such as the rehabilitation of vegetation following construction would minimize the visual impacts on I-82 travelers at this crossing. The route segment would also be viewed from residence located within Badger Pocket on the east end of the route segment (Appendix C-3: KOP 19). Weak and moderate Project contrasts would be viewed from this area as the route segment parallels and then crosses behind the existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV transmission line in the middleground and background. Impacts on residences would be low to moderate. Underground Design Option Because primary viewers of this route segment are limited to I-82 travelers and that Route Segment NNR- 4u would require the installation of two 5-acre overhead to underground transition stations that would create stronger structure and landscape contrasts than the Overhead Design Option, higher impacts are expected in this section of the route segment (MP 1.0-1.4). Along most of the rest of the route segment, because it crosses slightly sloping terrain (greater than 8%), landscape contrasts would be largely screened by the heavy sagebrush vegetation as viewed by most travelers, although landscape contrasts may be moderate. Therefore, beyond the overhead to underground transition stations, impacts would be lower compared to the Overhead Design Option for this route segment. From the Badger Pocket residential area, the overhead to underground transition station located on the extreme east end of the route segment would cause strong to strong-moderate contrasts and be seen in the middleground or background. Viewed behind the existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV transmission line, the landscape and structure contrasts near the end of the line created by the presence of a five-acre transition station that substantially deviates from the existing infrastructure would cause higher impacts than the Overhead Design Option for the route segment in this location. Agency Management Compliance Overhead Design Option Route Segment NNR-4o would be consistent with the visual standards identified in the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan. Underground Design Option The Route Segment NNR-4u would be consistent with the visual standards identified in the Kittitas County Comprehensive Plan. 4.8.5.14 Route Segment NNR-5 Visual Contrasts Route segment NNR-5 is a short segment that deviates from the existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV transmission line. Therefore, structure contrasts would be strong along most of the route segment except in the areas near the existing transmission line on the east end. Because the line follows a portion of the existing fire break road and is adjacent to other roads on JBLM YTC in an area of relatively flat terrain, landscape contrast would be weak. Overall, Project contrast would be strong-moderate. Pulling and tensioning sites would also cause short-term landscape and structure contrasts. The presence of a helicopter during the stringing of the transmission line conductor wires would cause short-term structure contrasts, potentially disrupting views or scenic vistas (e.g., toward the Cascade Mountains). The temporary structure work areas, turn-around areas, and staging areas would cause low impacts due to the duration of landscape and structure contrasts. Impacts from light sources would not occur because construction would be limited to daylight hours. The potential for glare from the transmission line conductors would be reduced with the use of non-specular conductors (RDF VIS-6).