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4. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 4.12 VISUAL RESOURCES - SCENIC VISTAS, PUBLIC VIEWS,AND SENSITIVE RECEPTORS _ Travelers on 1-580,1-5, and local roads including(State Routes 132 and 33 and Koster, South Costa Ranch Road,Blewitt,Chrisman and Gaffery Roads)are offered uninterrupted views of the general project area,and of the Coastal Range. Although some development is visible, intervening orchards generally screen ground-level and interior facilities from view on the main roads. The Coastal Range viewshed,particularly south and west of the highways,constitutes a — significant scenic resource present in the background of the Project Site. ESA's site visit identified several sensitive receptors in the vicinity of the Proposed Project. In _ addition to travelers on I-580 and 1-5,these include drivers on secondary roads in the San Joaquin/Stanislaus County border area,and residents living near or adjacent to the project site. Six residences are located within 600 feet of the Proposed Project site. Five of these are located along Blewitt Road,near or adjacent to the project's northern boundary, and the proposed site for the aggregate processing plant. One residence is located west of the project site and the Delta Mendota Canal, south of the existing DSS mining operation.This residence will be moved to — another location on the site. The project site would be clearly visible from these remaining residences. For those homes — located on Blewitt Road, the Proposed Project,especially the plant, would interrupt views of the Coastal Range viewshed. The Proposed Project is not within the Coastal Range line-of-site for the westernmost residence. — Three key viewpoints of the Project Site and the associated Coastal Range viewshed were identified(see Figures 4.12-2,4.12-3, and 4.120. Key viewpoint A is the overpass of Blewitt — Road and I-5 looking south and east. This viewpoint demonstrates the Proposed Project site's general visibility from the I-5 corridor, and from secondary roads to the northwest. Key Viewpoint B is South Costa Ranch Road(formerly Koster Road)looking east. This viewpoint — demonstrates the plant location's visibility from local secondary roads. Key viewpoint C is the northeastern boundary of the project site looking south and west to the Coastal Range—the _ sightline experienced from the houses along Blewitt Road. PLANS AND POLICIES — Federal Bureau of Land Management— Visual Resource Management System The Bureau of Land Management(BLM)visual resource management rating system(Manual H 8410-1)(BLM, 2001)is a means to objectively evaluate the visual appeal of a tract of land. The — BLM visual resource inventory provides objective rating criteria for defining the distance zones, sensitivity levels,and scenic quality of the views that would be experienced by the sensitive observers. The BLM visual resource management rating system is being employed as a method of analysis for this project due to the abundance of open space lands in the Vernalis area and the proximity of the project site to the Coastal Range. RMC Pacify Vernalis Quarry Muting and Reclamation Project 4.12-4 PSA/203015 Administrative Draft Eau Mash 2004