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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-218 Scenic Quality Impacts and Development Character Scenic quality impacts would be moderate to high due to the level of Project contrast. In lower scenic quality areas, moderate impacts would occur due to the level of change in the undeveloped landscape. Low impacts are expected where the route segment would require minimal new road construction in gently sloping areas dominated by annual or perennial grassland. WSDOT conducted a visual quality evaluation of the I-82 Crossing #3 based on the FHWA’s Visual Impact Assessment for Highways methodology. Existing visual quality was rated as 4.83 (high) at the highway crossing. With the implementation of the route segment at this location, the visual quality of the highway in the area of the highway would drop to 4.25 (moderately high). There would be some degradation of visual quality in the area of the transmission structures, but visual impacts would not reach a substantial level (WSDOT 2014). Sensitive Viewer Impacts Residences, I-82 travelers and Manastash Ridge Viewpoints would be impacted by the route segment. I-82 travelers would have very brief and limited views of the route segment as it crosses the highway near the Manastash Ridge westbound viewpoint due to the elevated position of the crossing and the topographic screening where the highway cuts through steep terrain at the crossing. However, more extended duration views would occur to the west of the highway where the route segment would parallel it to the south. Due to the distance from the highway, a minimum of approximately 0.5 mile, the Project contrasts would not be dominant in the viewshed. Therefore, impacts on I-82 travelers would be moderate. At the closest Manastash Ridge Viewpoint on westbound I-82, Route Segment MR-1 would be within the immediate foreground of viewers. The primary orientation of views from the rest area is toward the Kittitas Valley to the north. The route segment would cross the highway at the entrance to the rest area, away from the primary viewing orientation, with several structures being visible from the Manastash Ridge Viewpoint. The route segment would be screened by topography after it turns to the south and parallels the JBLM YTC boundary adjacent to Badger Pocket. The implementation of mitigation measure VR-2 would reduce the impacts of the route segment in this location. From the I-82 eastbound viewpoint, Route Segment MR-1 would be seen from a superior position and at a greater distance. More of the route segment would be seen as it follows the JBLM YTC boundary at Badger Pocket and strong or moderate contrasts would be seen in the middleground or background. As with the westbound viewpoint, viewing orientation is not in the direction of the route segment and impacts would be moderate to low. From the Badger Pocket residential and agricultural area, the route segment would be skylined and viewed against Manastash Ridge in an area that is undeveloped on JBLM. Strong or moderate-strong contrasts would be seen in the immediate foreground or foreground, respectively, from these high sensitivity areas causing high impacts along most of this portion of the route segment. The Umtanum Ridge Water Gap NNL (access road on the east side of SR-821) is located in the background within the Project area, and views are typically screened by topography. Therefore, there would be low or no impacts on the NNL. Agency Management Compliance This route segment crosses land managed by JBLM YTC, who has no policies related to the management of visual resources.