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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 <br />230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences <br /> PAGE 4-214 <br />Scenic Quality Impacts and Development Character <br />Strong-moderate contrasts would cause moderate scenic quality impacts outside of the visual influence <br />area of the existing transmission line. On the east side of the route segment where it crosses the existing <br />transmission line, the route segment would be compatible with the development character of the corridor. <br />Sensitive Viewer Impacts <br />This route segment would also be within the viewshed of residences in the Badger Pocket area. <br />Residential viewers currently see the existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV transmission line in the <br />foreground. The route segment is in a slightly superior position relative to the closest residences and <br />strong-moderate Project contrasts would be seen in the middleground. Therefore, moderate impacts on <br />residences would result from the route segment. <br />Agency Management Compliance <br />This route segment crosses land managed by JBLM YTC, who has no policies related to the management <br />of visual resources. <br />4.8.5.15 Route Segment NNR-6o/6u <br />Visual Contrasts <br />Overhead Design Option <br />As with NNR-4o and NNR-3, where Route Segment NNR-6o parallels the existing Pomona-Wanapum <br />230 kV transmission line, structure contrast for the route segment would be weak (Configuration #6, <br />Table 4.8-3). Similar terrain and vegetation are crossed, as well, resulting in typically weak landscape <br />contrasts. Some moderate landscape contrast would occur in steeper areas dominated by Group 3 <br />vegetation. Overall, Project contrasts would be weak or moderate-weak. <br />For the route segment, pulling and tensioning sites would also cause short-term landscape and structure <br />contrasts. The presence of a helicopter during the stringing of the transmission line conductor wires would <br />cause short-term structure contrasts, potentially disrupting views or scenic vistas (e.g., toward the <br />Cascade Mountains). The temporary structure work areas, turn-around areas, and staging areas would <br />cause low impacts due to the duration of landscape and structure contrasts. Impacts from light sources <br />would not occur because construction would be limited to daylight hours. The potential for glare from the <br />transmission line conductors would be reduced with the use of non-specular conductors (RDF VIS-6). <br />Underground Design Option <br />Structure contrasts created as a result of Route Segment NNR-6u would be limited to the presence of the <br />overhead to underground transition stations located at the beginning and end of the route segment. In <br />these areas, structure and landscape contrasts would be strong, resulting in strong Project contrasts. Along <br />the underground section of the route segment, contrasts would be the result of duct bank and access <br />grading in steep terrain, where underlying soils and geology would be exposed in potentially expansive <br />hillside cut areas. In these areas, sagebrush or rabbitbrush vegetation removal would also increase visual <br />contrasts. Steep terrain crossed by the route segment would increase moderate-weak as compared to the <br />Overhead Design Option. Overall, Route Segment NNR-6u would create weak to moderate-weak Project <br />contrasts.