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4. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 4.12 VISUAL RESOURCES from the I-580 and I-5 corridors. These mining structures are visible on the eastern side of I-580 and 1-5 and do not interfere with views of the coastal range to the west. However,the facility does contrast with the region's otherwise agricultuml/open space character,and detracts from the views to the east. Sun Dry Products operates an agricultural operation along the southeastern boundary of the project site and overlapping the Stanislaus County border. Fifteen to twenty-foot tall stockpiles of compost and organic matter are arranged in rows. Dry piles are covered by white plastic sheeting held in place with rows of old tires. A large pile of additional tires and other trash is located just off the site at the edge of the Sun Dry property. Two major waterways, the Delta Mendota Canal and the California Aqueduct run roughly parallel to I-5804-5 between the highways and the project area. These are man-made, lined, open canals that transport agricultural water to various regional irrigation districts. A high-voltage(80-100 foot) electrical transmission line runs along the north side of Blewitt Road through the project area. VISUAL CHARACTER AND SIGNIFICANT FEATURES WITHIN THE PROJECT SITE The RMC Pacific Vernalis Quarry site consists of 688 acres of agricultural land and is consistent with the visual character of the region. Apricot and almond orchards occupy the majority of the site, with older,post-production trees located in the north east,and younger,active trees located to the south. The site includes two open areas, a quarter acre plot southeast of the intersection of Blewitt Road and South Costa Ranch Road(formerly Koster Road) and some fields in the interior. Apart from agricultural use, there is very little development within the project site. A single residence is located close to the center,along with several dirt roads (including an access road to ., the abandoned airstrip off site). Sets of low voltage(20-30 foot tall) power lines are located along South Costa Ranch Road,at the southern end of the quarter acre field, across the orchards at the southern portion of the site,and parallel to the eastern boundary of the site. Although these lines and poles are taller than the apricot and almond trees,the surrounding orchards screen them effectively. ►- The Hospital Creek bed runs along the airstrip access road and crosses the Delta Mendota Canal in a box culvert. The creek is rain fed, and contains water only when there is sufficient runoff from the Coastal Range. The stream bank consists of large blocks of stone, and several larger L trees grow along its path. Median elevations at the proposed site range from 159-211 feet above mean sea level. RMC Pacific Vemahs Quany Mi=g and Reclamauon Project 4.12-3 ESA/203015 Administrative Dmft EIR March 2004