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silt to the river and result degradation of water quality. Additional information is necessary to determine possible impacts of the project to drainage patterns, surface water quality, and the Mokelumne river. 2a Excavation near the foot of the bluff may result in erosion of the bluffs slopes. Such erosion may impact adjacent residential and agricultural uses. 2b The removal of 2.5 million tons of material will cause a substantial alteration to the site. Potential impacts are noted in 1bcd. 2c There will not be a conversion of prime farmland as the reclamation plan for the site is agriculture. According to the reclamation plan provided by the applicant, topsoil will be removed and temporarily set aside, the aggregate material removed, then the topsoil replaced. The current agricultural activities will remain until excavation activities commence in those areas. 3a According to the Natural Bio-diversity Database, and discussion with the State Department of Fish and Game, the tiger salamander has been identified in the area. In addition, the proposed excavation is to occur within five feet of the riparian habitat. An on-site survey needs to be conducted to assess the site's biological resources, the potential effects of the project on these resources, and any required mitigation measures. Another potential issue involves the trapping of fish and other aquatic wildlife in the quarry site as floodwater into the quarry recedes and eventually dries. 4a The project may generate a significant amount of dust. Potential sources include the removal of topsoil and overburden, the extraction of material, loading and unloading, hauling, and processing material. In addition, the operation of excavators and haul trucks used in the excavation, the operation of the existing processing plant for an additional 12 years, and the additional traffic related to the continued operation of the processing plant, will add diesel and other particulates to the air. The release of these particulates into the air may exceed acceptable levels. 5b The project will result in an increase in noise levels and vibration from the excavators and haul trucks. The processing plant is existing and located approximately one-half mile from the site. There are four residential parcels adjacent and to the east of the site. The distance of the excavation at its closest point to these residences is a minimum 250 feet. This distance, and the fact these homes are located at the top of the bluff, should result in little or no impact from noise and vibration. The excavation will come within 25 feet of a County Park located to the north of the site. In discussions with the County Department of Parks and Recreation, concerns regarding noise and vibration were expressed and are expected to impact the park. No mitigation measures for these impacts have been identified. 6b The project will reduce the areas aggregate resources, however, this is not considered an adverse impact as the whole intent of preserving these resources is for their eventual extraction. This project will extract these resources.