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4. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 4.3 AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES on local roadways. These impacts could result in reductions (over time)of agricultural productivity and negative economic. Without mitigation, these impacts would be considered potentially significant. However,through the implementation of mitigation measures prescribed in Sections 4.6(Air Quality) and 4.4 (Traffic and Circulation),these off-site impacts would be effectively reduced to a less-than-significant level. Mitigation Measure 4.33: Implement Mitigation Measure 4.6.1 to control the generation of fugitive dust during mining activities. Significance after Mitigation: Less-than-significant. Impact 43.4: Deep pit aggregate extraction will reduce the agricultural productivity of the project site. This would he a potentially significant impact. Agricultural productivity of the project site will be substantially reduced as a result of the proposed project, even after final reclamation of the mining pits. The combination of planting on newly introduced,shallow topsoil in conjunction with new micro-climatic constraints(including increased shading and potential frosting) would affect future cultivation of the site and associated .. revenues. Based on information contained in the reclamation plan,the applicant would stockpile approximately 523,200 cubic yards of topsoil for reclamation of the project site following mining. This quantity of topsoil represents a significant reduction of existing topsoil coverage is used without augmentation during reclamation. Given that current effective-rooting depths of the soil resource over the project site averages over five feet,this net reduction, in combination with the consolidated nature of the alluvial deposits at the proposed end depths, would have corresponding reductions in available rooting volume and subsurface drainage. This net reduction in total soil " depth(or: volume)following reclamation could significantly limit the types of crops (e.g.,deeper rooting crops, orchards,etc.)that may be grown on the project site in the future and is considered a potentially significant impact attributable to the Proposed Project. As previously noted in the setting discussion, soil resources within the project site have a LCC rating ranging from I to III with soils classified as I and II covering a majority of the project site. ` Based on these classifications, it may be concluded that on-site soil resources rank relatively high in terms of their suitability for agricultural cultivation(e.g.,effective rooting depth, soil texture, nutrient holding capacity, etc.). A review of the Soil Survey of San Joaquin County indicates that soil resources covering the project site,given ample irrigation supplies, are capable of producing up to 2,000 pounds of almonds per acre(lbs/ac)or 10 tons of alfalfa per acre(tons/ac). These yields are considered relatively high when compared to other naturally-occurring soil types within San Joaquin County. ion RMC Pack Vernalis Quarry Mining and Reclamation Project 4.3-11 PSA/203015 Administrative Draft ERR March 2004