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significant and unavoidable impacts.In addition,the project's incremental contribution to these impacts is a significant and unavoidable cumulative impact. 7.3 SIGNIFICANT IRREVERSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES 7.3.1 INTRODUCTION CEQA requires a discussion of significant irreversible environmental changes that could occur with the implementation of a project if it includes the adoption, amendment, or enactment of a plan,policy,or ordinance of — a public agency(State CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.2[c]). As described in the guidelines(Section 1512.2[c]): Uses of nonrenewable resources during the initial and continued phases of a project may be irreversible because a large commitment of such resources makes removal or nonuse thereafter unlikely. Primary impacts and,particularly, secondary impacts (such as highway improvements that provide access to a previously inaccessible area)generally commit future generations to similar uses.Also, irreversible damage can result from environmental accidents associated with the project. Irretrievable commitments of resources should be evaluated to assure that such current consumption is justified. Natural resources include minerals,energy,land,water, forests, and biota.Nonrenewable resources are those natural resources that cannot be replenished by natural means, including oil, natural gas, and iron ore.Renewable natural resources are those resources that can be replenished by natural means, including water,lumber, and soil. — The proposed project represents one portion of the MHMP,which was adopted by San Joaquin County in 1994. The MHMP and the proposed project are largely intended to create a new residential development along with commercial and industrial uses,parks, and educational facilities.The project involves the adoption of a specific plan and,therefore,is subject to the analysis requirements of Section 15126.2(c) of the State CEQA Guidelines as set forth above. 7.3.2 ANALYSIS OF SIGNIFICANT IRREVERSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES No known mineral resources are located in the College Park project site,nor have any mineral resources been mapped in the MHMP area.The County's General Plan includes a map of significant sand and gravel aggregate resources (based on information from the State Mining and Geology Board, California Department of Conservation) and a separate map of generalized aggregate extraction sites.Neither map identifies aggregate resources at or in the immediate vicinity of the MHMP area(San Joaquin County 1992). Therefore,the proposed project would not interfere with mineral resource extraction. Although the proposed project would use both renewable and nonrenewable resources for project construction (e.g., lumber, soil,metals,electricity, natural gas,diesel),this use would not measurably increase the overall rate of use of any natural resource in the region or result in the substantial depletion of nonrenewable resources. — The proposed project would convert approximately 815 acres of foraging and nesting habitat for special-status species to urban uses.However,the proposed project would be required to participate in the San Joaquin County _ Multi-Species Habitat and Open Space Conservation Plan(SJMSCP)by mitigation in this FIR(see Section 4.10, "Biological Resources").Participation in the SJMSCP would include payment of fees for the purchase and preservation of high-quality foraging and nesting habitat in other areas to offset the loss of such habitat associated with development of the proposed project. Therefore,the proposed project would not result in a significant loss of nonrenewable foraging and nesting habitat for special-status species. The proposed project would create a demand for water(a renewable resource).However,adequate water supplies exist to serve the proposed project(see Section 4.5, "Public Utilities"). EDAW College Park at Mountain House Specific Plan III Draft EIR Other CEQA-Required Sections 7-6 San Joaquin County