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4. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS r 4.12 VISUAL RESOURCES The Proposed Project design minimizes the degree of visual impacts from the mining operation with the inclusion of vegetated berms along Blewitt Road and a portion of South Costa Ranch Road. The landscape berm will include a double row of trees and non-irrigated hydroseed mix that will serve to screen in part the plant facilities and act as a noise barrier. The trees that could be included along the landscape berm include: Eucalyptus microtheca,Pinus eldarica,Pinus roxburghii,Populus nigra Italica, Quercus robur Fastigiata, Coolibah Tree, Afghan Pine,Indian r Longleaf Pine,Lombardy Poplar,English Oak. The trees would be drip irrigated by an automatic and seasonally adjusted irrigation system providing 100 percent tree coverage. The non-irrigated hydroseed mix would include 80 percent Zorro Fescue and 20 percent Rose Clover.The hydroseed mix would be applied at 55 pounds per acre. All other setbacks(except for the re-aligned Hospital Creek)are proposed to be 25 feet. Finally, ` upon completion of mining activities the Project Site will be reclaimed to agricultural land. The proposed landscape berms would help to reduce the visual impact of the new mining operation. In addition,much of the quarry work will be performed up to 150 feet below grade in the r excavation pits, and will not be visible from the surface. Mitigation Measure: No mitigation is required. Impact 4.12.2: Implementation of the Proposed Project has the potential to conflict with adopted Plans and Policies relating to visual resources. This is a potentially significant impact. The Proposed Project has the potential to conflict with the State of California Department of Transportation Scenic Highway Program and San Joaquin County General Plan. The Project Area is located in the immediate vicinity of designated State and County scenic highways(1-580 and 1-5)and within the viewshed of I-5. Although the Proposed Project would not directly damage and scenic features located in the highway corridor, introduction of an additional industrial mining operation into this previously agricultural area may further degrade the landscape as viewed from I-5. In addition,construction and operation of this quarry has the potential to conflict with County policies designed to protect open spaces and preserve scenic roads. Therefore,a potentially significant impact may result. Mitigation Measures 4.12.2: Features tall enough to be seen above the visual screening (processing plant,conveyor towers,loading hoppers,etc.)shall be painted in such a way to minimize their visibility. These structures shall be painted in such a way to blend in with their surroundings. Significance after Mitigation: Less-than-significant. i RMC Pack Vemalis Quany Mining and Reclamation Project 4.12-13 ESA/203015 Administrarive Draft Eltc Mamh 2004