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5. ALTERNATIVES project. The potential for hydrology and water quality impacts under this alternative would he similar to those of the proposed project. The significant and unavoidable impact under Haul Route Option 2(mining of Hospital Creek)of the proposed project would remain under this alternative. Scenario 2: A reduction in the number of phases to be mined would result in less project water use. The continued agricultural cultivation of a portion of the project site could result in a less groundwater use than if those phases were to be mined. However,it is unlikely that eliminating two phases would significantly reduce the impacts to groundwater resources. The potential to alter groundwater flows,impact water quality,deplete groundwater levels, and contribute to local and regional groundwater overdraft would be similar to that of the proposed project. The potential for significant and unavoidable hydrology and water quality impacts associated with rerouting Hospital Creek would be reduced to a less-than-significant level with this scenario. If Phases V and VI, associated with disturbance of Hospital Creek, were to be eliminated,the impacts to the creek would be significantly reduced. There would be no potential mining of the creek bed or construction of a berm to redirect the creek into a constructed retention pond. Leaving the Phases V and VI areas as agricultural land would allow more runoff from those areas into the creek so that flows within the creek would not be impacted as greatly as that of the proposed project. The significant and unavoidable impact associated with the option of redirecting Hospital Creek and all flows of the creek into the active mining area would be eliminated. Leaving Phases V and VI as agricultural land would reduce the impacts to creek flows and streambed function. This could help to reduce the impacts of lowering the water table levels downstream of the project site and affecting surface water and groundwater. _ Biological Resources Scenario 1: A reduction in mining operations would not reduce the amount of land disturbed. Therefore, impacts to biological resources under this alternative would be similar to those of the proposed project. _ Scenario 2: A reduction in the number of phases that would be mined would reduce the amount of land disturbed and leave a portion of the land in active agricultural cultivation. The _ agricultural land that would remain would continue to provide habitat for biological resources. However,this would not reduce impacts to biological resources in the areas that would continue to be a part of the proposed project. Impacts under this alternative would be similar to those of the proposed project, with the exception of the California red-legged frog. By avoiding Hospital Creek(Haul Route Option 2 of the proposed project),the California red-legged frog would not be potentially impacted and Mitigation Measure 4.9.2b would not be necessary under this — alternative. RMC Pacific Vemalis Quany Mining and Reclamation Project 5-12 ESA/203015 Admians ave Dmfl Eat March 2004