DOE/EIS-0332; McNary-John Day Transmission Line Project Draft ...

BPA McNary-John Day Transmission Project
Draft EIS
February 2002
Vegetation/
Wildlife
those communities by nonnative plant species. Small segments of native plant
communities may be permanently lost as a result of these disturbances. In locations
where access roads, towers, and substation structures are built, future colonization and
development of those areas by native grassland or shrub-steppe communities would not
be likely.
Environmental Consequences—No Action Alternative
Under the No Action Alternative, vegetation in the project area would not be disturbed by
the proposed transmission line construction. The 68 acres of permanent vegetation
impacts and the 166 to 181 acres of temporary vegetation impacts would not occur. The
existing transmission line corridor would remain at its present width, with no additional
area that would likely become dominated by invasive species. Continued impacts
associated with operation and maintenance of the existing lines would remain.
Wildlife
Affected Environment
This section provides information regarding federally listed species, avian groups, game
species, other common wildlife species, and habitat types that are either known to occur
or may occur in the project vicinity. A complete list of common and scientific wildlife
names is located in Appendix D.
Habitat and Occurrence of Sensitive-Status Species
Sensitive-status species potentially occurring within the corridor and project vicinity are
listed in Table 3-17. Sensitive-status species include those that are
� federally listed as threatened or endangered,
� candidates for federal listing,
� considered species of concern by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
� listed as threatened or endangered by the state of Washington,
� candidates for listing in Washington State,
� Washington State priority species, and
� listed by the state of Oregon as threatened, endangered, or sensitive.
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