Vantage to Pomona FEIS Index 34 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-258 4.11.4.1 Route Segment 1a/NNR-1 Route Segment 1a/NNR-1 is 2.4 miles long. Within one mile of the route segment there has been very limited cultural resource survey and the few surveys that have been done have revealed a low density of cultural resources except on land close to the Yakima River. Most of the land along the route segment is privately owned and some is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). Along the Yakima River, large, complex prehistoric archaeological sites have been recorded. Farther from the river, prehistoric archaeological sites are typically lithic scatters (i.e., concentrations of stone flakes or tools on the ground surface) and often occur near ephemeral drainages. No historic-period archaeological sites or architectural resources are recorded within one mile of Route Segment 1a/NNR-1, but unrecorded historic resources, if they exist, would be most likely to occur near roads. Physical Impacts The total amount of land within 75 feet of the route segment centerline is 44 acres. Short-term and long- term ground disturbance along this route segment would total 12.8 acres. None of the land within 75 feet of the centerline of Route Segment 1a/NNR-1 has been surveyed for cultural resources. This route segment crosses a portion of one recorded prehistoric archaeological site, although the boundaries of this site are not well defined. Because of the generally low density of prehistoric archaeological sites in nearby areas, physical impacts are anticipated to be low with a somewhat higher probability of encountering sites near drainages. No architectural resources have been identified within 75 feet of the route segment centerline. No TCPs have been reported within 75 feet of the route segment centerline. Overall, the potential for physical impacts to archaeological resources along Route Segment 1a/NNR-1 is moderate. There are no identifiable physical impacts to architectural resources. The potential for physical impacts to TCPs along Route Segment 1a/NNR-1 is anticipated to be low. Visual Impacts None of the land within 250 feet of the centerline of Route Segment 1a/NNR-1 had been previously surveyed for cultural resources prior to the completion of this FEIS. There is one previously recorded cultural resource, an unevaluated prehistoric archaeological site, within 250 feet of the route segment centerline. Archaeological sites are typically not sensitive to visual impacts. This particular site is very large and contains features that may be visually sensitive, although it is unknown where these features are in relation to the route segment. Undiscovered archaeological sites, should they exist, would probably not be visually sensitive and there are no documented architectural resources in the Project study area. Also, the presence of the existing Pomona-Wanapum 230 kV transmission line, Pomona Heights to Union Gap 230 kV transmission line, and Pomona Heights Substation would likely have already compromised integrity of setting for visually sensitive resources identified in the future. No TCPs have been identified within 250 feet of the centerline of Route Segment 1a/NNR-1, but there is a previously documented TCP approximately three miles away. Overall, visual impacts to cultural resources are anticipated to be low to moderate, depending on the location of visually sensitive features in relation to the route segment centerline. Native American Concerns The YNCRP has identified a TCP located approximately three miles from the centerline of Route Segment 1a/NNR-1. No TCPs have been reported within 250 feet of the centerline. The integrity of the visual setting has been compromised by residential development near the City of Selah, Interstate (I) 82,