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6.3 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
<br /> The following sections contain a discussion of the cumulative effects anticipated from implementation of the
<br /> proposed project,together with the related projects and regional development,for each of the environmental issue
<br /> areas evaluated in Chapter 4, "Environmental Setting, Impacts,and Mitigation Measures."The analysis conforms
<br /> with Section 15130(b)of the State CEQA Guidelines,which specifies that the"discussion of cumulative impacts
<br /> shall reflect the severity of the impacts and their likelihood of occurrence,but the discussion need not provide as
<br /> great a detail as is provided for the effects attributable to the project alone."
<br /> 6.3.1 LAND USE AND AGRICULTURE
<br /> The proposed project by its nature(i.e.,a new development project), following the specific provisions set forth in
<br /> the guiding MHMP document,would result in a conversion of existing lands.However,these conversions would
<br /> be consistent with the land use and zoning provided in the MHMP land use and zoning maps.Moreover,land uses
<br /> within the proposed project area and throughout the adjoining environs are governed by San Joaquin County's
<br /> (County's) General Plan, its policies, land use zoning,and specific ordinances.
<br /> Acknowledging that continued development will likely occur into the future,as more development(residential,
<br /> recreational,commercial, and industrial)proceeds,it is equally likely that as long as proposed land uses are
<br /> consistent with existing on-site and adjacent land use designations,no impact would occur with respect to
<br /> cumulative conditions.
<br /> Where future projects propose a change in designated land uses through amendments or variances to general plan
<br /> land use designations or zoning,it is arguable whether such changes would be cumulatively significant.Much would
<br /> depend on the extent,continuity,and nature(i.e.,quality)of the remaining or original land use.At a minimum,
<br /> where such changes are proposed,they would have to be addressed on a proj ect-by-proj ect basis and likely undergo
<br /> their own independent environmental assessment and review.Taken from a strict land use compatibility perspective,
<br /> proposed land uses,if compatible with existent plans and policies,would represent a less-than-significant
<br /> cumulative impact.
<br /> According to the most recent Agriculture Census for San Joaquin County,conducted in 1997, 3,862 farms occupy
<br /> approximately 809,000 acres of farmland in the county;this is approximately 90%of the county's 909,000-acre
<br /> total land area.The percentage of agricultural land has fluctuated,according to recent agriculture censuses,from
<br /> approximately 824,000 acres(91%)in 1987 to approximately 784,000 acres(86%)in 1992 and then back up
<br /> again in 1997 to the figures mentioned above.In 1997,total cropland in San Joaquin County was approximately
<br /> 559,000 acres,and in this area,approximately 519,000 acres were irrigated lands.The California Department of
<br /> Conservation(CDC)also estimates that in 1999,the County had approximately 548,000 acres of land under
<br /> y Williamson Act contracts(CDC 2001).
<br /> Among the agricultural lands in San Joaquin County,the CDC Division of Land Resource Protection estimates
<br /> `. that the county has 630,990 acres of Important Farmland, further classified as 423,158 acres of Prime Farmland,
<br /> 93,846 acres of Farmland of Statewide Importance, 57,977 acres of Unique Farmland,and 56,009 acres of
<br /> Farmland of Local Importance(CDC 2001).According to the CDC land conversion tables for San Joaquin
<br /> County,4,665 acres of Important Farmland were converted to other uses between 1992 and 2000. Lands classified
<br /> as Unique Farmland and Farmland of Local Importance actually increased during this period(likely attributable
<br /> more to designation of existing farmland as unique or important than to new farmland being put into production).
<br /> However, an overall loss of Important Farmland occurred as a result of conversions of Prime Farmland(12,845
<br /> acres)and Farmland of Statewide Importance(5,702 acres)to other uses.On average,these combined categories
<br /> lost approximately 2,300 acres per year over the 8-year period.The County reports 8,733 acres of farmland to be
<br /> slated for nonagricultural use in the near future;more than half of this is Prime Farmland.
<br /> College Park at Mountain House Specific Plan III Draft EIR EDAW
<br /> San Joaquin County 6-5 Cumulative Impacts
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