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y 11. Environmental `scription - Briefly descZ ' the environment of site and surrounding area. Include existing area land use, soil, vegetation, ground water elevation, surface water characteristics, average annual rainfall and other factors pertaining to environmental impacts and their mitigation and _ reclamation: 1 % The current use of the land within the project area aside from sand and gravel extraction is agriculture (cattle' graz- ing) . This use is prevalent on the annual grassland, blue oak woodland, and lacustrine habitats. The entire property is zoned for agriculture (AG-80) and Williamson Land Act contracts are in force in all areas except a 100-foot wide corridor occupied by the aqueduct. Lands surrounding the project site are also subject to a cattle grazing type' of agricultural use. Some of the property immediately south of KRC Aggre ate Inc. has been developed into a chicken farming operation. Exhibit 2 is a topographic map of the project area. ,F` The annual grassland is characterized by the naturalized annual grass species such as ripgut grass, soft chess,, and wild barley which dominate the biomass and cover provided by this vegetation or habitat type. Blue oaks dot the annual grassland and increase in density where water stress has been decreased. These sites occur principally in the significant drainages occupying the landscape to the north and east of current quarry operations. Blue oak tree densities are sufficient in some locations to allow designation as blue oak woodland. Two drainages are the locations for two ofthe h three manmade impoundments, which contribute almost all of f the acreage in the lacustrine habitat type. The final habi- tat type, developed areas, consists of pit, plant, and asso- ciated areas, as well as some area formerly utilized by the ,. chicken farm. Soils in the project area have either formed in alluvium from granite or mixed rock sources, or it has formed in the sand- stone or siltstone parent material. Soil series of an alluv- ial nature include Hicksville, Montpellier, Pardee, Redding, and Rocklin. Those formed in parent material are Kaseberg and Pentz. These soils have a capability rating of IV or VI, rendering them unsuitable for cultivation unless, in the case of class IV soils, careful crop management is exercised. Topsoil depths range up to approximately 15 inches. All storm water is contained within the mine area and used in the processing of aggregates thereby reducing the amount of � ? ground water required to supplement process water. No sig- nificant effects to surface and ground water quality have resulted from the existing operation. There are no perennial streams within the area. Mining will not directly disturb any ephemeral streams. Mining operations occur approximately 200 feet above the ground water table. Annual precipitation is approximately 17 inches per year. t KRC Aggregate, Inc. t - 3 - April 1, 1994 t l