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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-216 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). Scenic Quality Impacts and Development Character Scenic quality in the area of the Route Segment NNR-6u is influenced by the presence of the existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV transmission line and other existing transmission lines. Because Project contrasts are typically weak to moderate-weak, scenic quality impacts would be low to moderate. Sensitive Viewer Impacts Huntzinger Road travelers and John Wayne Pioneer Trail users would view weak Project contrasts in the immediate foreground and foreground. From the north, the route segment would be viewed behind the existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV, Wanapum-Wind Ridge 230 kV, Vantage-Schultz No.1 500 kV, and Schultz-Wautoma No.1 500 kV transmission lines from the John Wayne Pioneer Trail where the trail generally parallels the route segment. At the John Wayne Pioneer Trail crossing of Route Segment NNR-6u (Appendix C-3: KOP 21), low impacts are expected due to the existing transmission lines visual influence and weak contrasts. Ginkgo Petrified Forest NNL (Wanapum Recreation Area boat launch) is located in the in the seldom seen distance zone within the Project study area and views are typically screened by topography. Therefore low or no impacts on the NNL is expected from Route Segment NNR-7. Agency Management Compliance This route segment crosses land managed by JBLM YTC, who has no policies related to the management of visual resources. 4.8.5.17 Route Segment NNR-8 Visual Contrasts Structure contrasts are also weak for Route Segment NNR-8 because this route segment would parallel the existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV, Wanapum-Wind Ridge 230 kV, Vantage-Schultz No.1 500 kV, and Schultz-Wautoma No.1 500 kV transmission lines. Landscape contrasts are highest in areas of sagebrush and rabbitbrush where the existing road would require improvements. Also, the lattice structures needed to cross the Columbia River would be similar to the four existing Columbia River crossing structures, creating weak contrasts. Typically, Project contrast is weak or moderate-weak along the entire route segment. Scenic Quality Impacts and Development Character Scenic quality in the area of the route segment is influenced by the presence of the existing Pomona- Wanapum 230 kV transmission line and other transmission lines. Because Project contrasts are typically weak to moderate-weak, scenic quality impacts would be low and Route Segment NNR-8 would be in character with the existing development. WSDOT conducted a visual quality evaluation of SR-243 based on the FHWA’s Visual Impact Assessment for Highways methodology. Existing visual quality was rated as 1.5 (low) at the highway crossing. With the implementation of route segment in this location, the visual quality of the highway in the area of the highway would remain 1.5 (WSDOT 2014).