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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 4 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Environmental Consequences PAGE 4-262 Visual Impacts None of the land within 250 feet of the centerline of Route Segment 2c has been previously surveyed for cultural resources and there are no previously recorded cultural resources within this distance. Undiscovered archaeological sites, should they exist, would typically not be visually sensitive, but a prehistoric burial site 0.5 mile to the north and a site with talus pits 0.3 mile to the north could potentially be visually impacted by the presence of a new transmission line. One documented architectural resource, a stage stop with outbuildings, may also be visually sensitive, although an existing highway and the existing Midway-Moxee transmission line may have already substantially reduced the integrity of setting for this resource. Visual impacts are anticipated to be low because of the existing transmission lines, the highway and the relatively large amount of cultivated land. Native American Concerns The YNCRP has not identified any sites of special concern along Route Segment 2c (Lally and Camuso 2011). Therefore, impacts to sites of Native American concern are expected to be low. 4.11.4.7 Route Segment 2d Route Segment 2d is 7.0 miles long. This segment crosses Yakima Ridge, Cold Creek, and Umtanum Ridge and ends at the Columbia River. Terrain is rugged in places and drainages are deep. There has been limited cultural resource survey within one mile of the route segment centerline. Excluding sites across the Columbia River from where this route segment ends, only nine cultural resources have been previously recorded within a mile of the route segment centerline. These are mostly lithic scatters, but include one site 0.25 mile from the route segment centerline that is reported to contain burials. One historic resource, the Hanford Grade of the former Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, & Pacific (C, M, SP, & P) Railroad, is along the river. Physical Impacts Short-term and long-term ground disturbance along this route segment would total 41.9 acres. Within 75 feet of the centerline of Route Segment 2d, 3.0 percent of the land has been previously surveyed for cultural resources. Only one cultural resource, the Hanford Grade of the C, M, SP & P Railroad, has been previously recorded. There would be no physical impacts to architectural resources. If construction of a portion of the proposed transmission line along Route Segment 2d were to directly disturb the Hanford Grade, this would potentially be a high physical impact. For most of route segment, the terrain and proximity to the Columbia River suggests that there would be a moderate impact. Visual Impacts Approximately 3.0 percent of the land within 250 feet of the route segment centerline has been previously surveyed for cultural resources. The only resource identified is the Hanford Grade of the former C, M, SP, & P Railroad. Because of the grade’s condition, it is probably not sensitive to changes in visual setting. Burial sites near Route Segment 2d may be visually sensitive. Visual impacts are anticipated to be low for most of Route Segment 2d because undiscovered archaeological sites, should they exist, would probably not be visually sensitive. However, visual impacts on cultural resources on burial sites may be high. Native American Concerns The YNCRP has identified one resource of special concern in the northern portion of Route Segment 2d (Lally and Camuso 2011). A portion of this route segment would cross through a TCP. Therefore, the potential for impacts to the resource is expected to be high.