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SIGNIFICANT E14VIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IDENTIFIED IN THE INITIAL STUDY. Groundwater: The applicant states that the quarry operations will require water for dust control, aggregate processing, concrete production and truck washing. This water will be supplied from on-site wells and pumps. The total recycled water requirement for the quarry is estimated to be approximately 1.5 million gallons per day. The estimated fresh water consumption by the quarry is expected to be approximately 380,000 gallons per day. The average groundwater level is located at the elevation of 75 feet above mean sea level (AMSL), or about 95 feet below the existing ground surface of the southern portion of the site, and between 70 and 83 feet in the northern portion. According to the applicant, aggregate reserves are found both above and below this elevation. Resource extraction will take place below the groundwater level. Dewatering of the active mine phase will be used to complete mineral excavation by moving water seeping into the active area into the South Pit once completed. The final reclamation plan also proposes a "potential water storage pond for agricultural use" (or to be backfilled with improved native overburden and soil). The storage pond will be approximately 90 feet deep with the top of the pond level with final elevation for the north pit. Resource extraction below the groundwater level may have a potentially significant impact on existing groundwater quality and quantity. Agriculture: The Department of Conservation classifies the project site as Prime Farmland. Prime topsoil will be removed and stockpiled at least fifteen (15)feet from areas under active mining or disturbance. The topsoil piles will be flagged for identification purposes and seeded with a mixture of grass seed and/or mulched to minimize erosion during the winter months, if necessary. The average topsoil replacement depth will be 18 inches. The site is currently planted in almond orchards. The applicant is proposing to reclaim the majority of the project site back to agriculture. However, the applicant has proposed that the northern portion of the project site potentially be reclaimed to a water storage pond for agricultural use. Although proposed for agricultural irrigation purposes, a potential water storage pond would be considered a cumulatively significant loss of agricultural land. The applicant states that the second option would be to reclaim the same area back to agriculture. If the area is backfilled with overburden and topsoil, the impact to agricultural land would be less than significant. PIant/Animal Life: A representative from the San Joaquin Council of Governments stated in a telephone conversation on March 19, 2004, that the project will result in the conversion of Multi- Species Open Space to Non Open Space and recommended participation in the San Joaquin Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan (SJMSHCP). Participation in the SJMSHCP will reduce potential loss of habitat impacts to less than significant. If the applicant decides to participate in the SJMSHCP, the mitigation fees ($862.00/acre) will be collected at the time of development of the proposed quarry. If the applicant chooses not to participate in the SJMSCHP, mitigation equal in kind will be required. The