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6. OTHER STATUTORY CONSIDERATIONS r r, Cumulative conditions analysis indicates that the intersection of Bird Road and SR 132 is experiencing poor levels of service and requires improvements. Caltrans has approved a Project Study Report for an interchange to replace the existing intersection. The Proposed Project would r he required to contribute an equitable share of the cost of the interchange. The proposed interchange is expected to mitigate the cumulative impacts to the intersection. r - Cumulative conditions analysis indicates that the intersection of Koster Road and SR 132 will operate at unacceptable levels of service on the northbound and southbound approaches. This intersection is also expected to be unsafe during foggy conditions. The project traffic would consist of eastbound right turn,northbound right tum, and westbound left turn movements. The analysis does not indicate that significant delays would be experienced by these taming movements. The poor levels of service are primarily the result of the difficulty that would be ~ experienced by vehicles attempting to turn left or proceed through across both directions of SR 132. r LOSS OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES Much of the lands in the vicinity of the Proposed Project are considered highly productive r farmland. A majority of the project site is classified as prime farmland, and portions as farmland of statewide importance and farmland of local importance. Four of the project site parcels are under Williamson Act Contracts, with two of the parcels under non-renewal status. Mining operations are permitted on agricultural properties within the County subject to permitting. Mined and reclaimed sites are generally reused for agricultural or open space once mining ceases. The reclamation of the project site would be completed in phases and would result in an ultimate end use of agricultural land and open space. r Cumulative development would reduce agricultural production, primarily due to the removal of existing orchards. The soils that would be removed, stockpiled and used for reclamation of the site most likely will not be as viable as the original soils and the agricultural crops that could be r grown would be limited. Therefore, impacts to agricultural resource of the project would be significant and add incrementally to the significant and unavoidable cumulative loss of viable soils for agricultural production in the area. AIR QUALITY Cumulative air quality impacts were evaluated both on a local and regional basis. The Project Area is located in the geographic boundary between the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys, a sub-region within the SJVAB. The SJVAB is currently designated as severe non-attainment for ~ national and state ozone and serious non-attainment for PM10 standards(CARB, 2002). The SJVAB is highly susceptible to pollutant accumulation over time. Frequent transport of pollutants into the SJVAB from upwind sources contributes to poor air quality. CO levels are projected to be significantly lower in the future due to emission control technology r improvements in the automobile fleet,attrition of older,high-polluting vehicles,and improved RMC Pacific Venmhs Quany Mining and Reclamation Project 6-9 FSA 1203015 Administrafiw Draft OR March 2004