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cumulative Impacts The cumulative impact assessment will be conducted pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 151.30. The cumulative impacts assessment will address each topic covered in the environmental analysis, and shall identify appropriate mitigation measures which may be employed by the project applicant andlor government agencies to lessen adverse environmental effects. The cumulative impact analysis shall be presented within each. topical analysis (e.g., traffic) and will be.summarized:in a separate chapter of the EIR. MBA will aid the County in identifying.a list of past, present and probable future projects, including recently approved or proposed projects (applications on file), within a defined area around the Projects. The boundaries of this area will be proposed by MBA and coordinated with County staff approval. The cumulative impact assessment will be based on reasonably anticipated potential development projects that may, in combination with the projects, create adverse environmental impacts. Projects will be identified in the initial work task and will be verified by County staff. Findings of recent court cases regarding the scope of cumulative impact discussions in EIRs will be used to ensure that this section addresses all pertinent issues. Effects Found Not to be Significant As part of our scope of work, MBA will describe any effects found not to be significant, in accordance with Section 15128 of the State CEQA Guidelines, by listing them with brief explanations of why they are not significant, or by referral to the Initial Study. Based on the County's RFP, and MBAs project experience in San Joaquin County, the following issues are expected to result in no significant impacts: . Population and Housing -the proposed project would not induce substantial population growth, and the mining excavations do not appear to • displace significant numbers of existing housing or people. • Recreation - the proposed project does not propose or require recreation facilities, and would not impact facilities. If during the preparation, circulation or in responses received from the NOP any of the above issues are found to result in potentially significant impacts that cannot be mitigated, these issues will require evaluation in the EIR. Alternatives The alternatives section will be prepared in accordance with Section 15126(d) of the CEQA Guidelines and will focus on alternatives capable of eliminating or reducing significant adverse environmental effects. In addition, this section will identify the "environmentally superior" alternative. If the environmentally superior alternative is determined to be the "no project" alternative, the EIR will identify the environmentally superior alternative among the other alternatives analyzed. Project alternatives to be evaluated will be determined in consultation with County staff. MBA will work with the County to develop up to three alternatives in sufficient detail to provide a basis for the comparative impact evaluation. These three alternatives may be in addition to the No Project alternative and may include an off-site alternative, modified mining footprint, or a reduced production alternative. The Administrative Draft EIR will include a discussion of the environmental impacts associated with each alternative and compare the impacts with those identified for the Project. In addition, a summary matrix that presents and contrasts the environmental effects of each alternative as compared to the proposed project will be prepared. During the course of environmental analysis, minor variations to the proposed project that could have the effect of reducing or eliminating environmental concerns may become apparent; these variations will be evaluated and documented.