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4. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 4.12 VISUAL RESOURCES - The state laws governing the Scenic Highway Program are found in the Streets and Highways Code, Section 260 et seq. The State Scenic Highway System includes a list of highways that are either eligible for designation as scenic highways or have been so designated. These highways are identified in Section 263 of the Streets and Highways Code. A list of California's scenic — highways and map showing their locations may be obtained from Caltrans' Scenic Highway Coordinators. A highway may be designated scenic depending upon how much of the natural landscape can be seen by travelers,the scenic quality of the landscape,and the extent to which development intrudes upon the traveler's enjoyment of the view. When a city or county nominates an eligible — scenic highway for official designation,it must identify and define the scenic corridor of the highway. A scenic corridor is the land generally adjacent to and visible from the highway. A scenic corridor is identified using a motorist's line of vision. A reasonable boundary is selected when the view extends to the distant horizon. The corridor protection program does not preclude development, but seeks to encourage quality development that does not degrade the scenic value of the corridor. Jurisdictional boundaries of the nominating agency are also considered. The agency must also adopt ordinances to preserve the scenic quality of the corridor or document such regulations that already exist in various portions of local codes. These ordinances make up the — scenic corridor protection program. County roads can also become part of the Scenic Highway System. To receive official designation,the county must follow the same process required for official designation of State Scenic Highways. The minimum requirements for scenic corridor protection include: 1. Regulation of land use and density of development; 2. Detailed land and site planning; 3. Control of outdoor advertising(including a ban on billboards); — 4. Careful attention to and control of earthmoving and landscaping; and 5. Careful attention to design and appearance of structures and equipment. Citizen participation in developing these requirements is very important if the program is to have popular support. According to the Caltrans list of designated scenic highways under the California Scenic Highway Program,I-580 and I-5 in the vicinity of the Project site are officially designated State _ Scenic Highways(Department of Transportation, 2003). I-5 is designated as Scenic through both San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. 1-5 is located approximately 1 mile from the southwestern comer of the Proposed Project site. — SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY GENERAL PLAN The San Joaquin County General Plan includes objectives,policies, and implementation for protecting and guiding development impacting the County's scenic resources. Major visual resources located in the vicinity of the Project Area include the open space views of the San — RMC Pack Vemahs Quarry Mining and Reclamation Pm*t 4.12-10 PSA 1203015 Administrative Draft EIR March 2004