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6. OTHER STATUTORY CONSIDERATIONS BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES _ Cumulative impacts would be associated with increased disturbance to potential special-status species due to increased noise, loss of agricultural land and potential habitat, increased traffic along roadways which could potentially increase mortality of wildlife. The potential for wetlands exists on the project site,and several special status species have been identified for the project area. The special status species include the San Joaquin kit fox, California red-legged frog,Burrowing owl,raptors, and showy madia habitat. Mitigation measures have been provided for the Proposed Project that would reduce potential impacts to _ wetlands and special status species. Other projects in the area would be required to avoid impacts to special-status species and/or mitigate to the satisfaction of the CDFG and USFWS for the potential loss of habitat. By complying with the mitigation measures provided in Section 4.9 and _ by participating in the San Joaquin Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan,the impacts of the Proposed Project would be reduced and therefore would not contribute cumulatively to the loss of biological resources. Cumulative impacts to biological resources are less-than-significant. CULTURAL RESOURCES _ Based on existing information from literature searches and field examination,no historical resources were identified on the project site. Mitigation measures have been developed to provide for any buried resources that might be uncovered during project construction and mining activities. The cumulative effect of the anticipated impacts on known and potential archaeological sites would be less-than-significant. VISUAL RESOURCES _ Construction and operation of an aggregate mining facility at the proposed location is likely to further degrade the visual character of the surrounding area. The Proposed Project will be highly visible to at least four homes, three located on the Northern side of Blewitt Road immediately east of the plant location, and one west of the mining area across the Delta Mendota Canal. The new facilities will be particularly damaging to views of the Coastal Range from the homes located on Blewitt Road. The proposed plant will be located in the foreground of the existing mountain views from these homes. Portions of the processing plant will reach approximately 100 feet above ground level and will be visible from the nearby homes and to travelers along local _ roads(Blewitt, Koster, South Costa Ranch Road,Chrisman and Gaffery Roads and State Routes 132 and 33)and designated State and County Scenic Highway I-5. The Applicant has submitted a landscaping plan to be approved by San Joaquin County that would provide a separation and — screening between the roadways,adjacent residential housing and the Proposed Project. Even with the implementation of the landscaping plan,the Proposed Project would result in a significant and unavoidable change in the existing visual character of the project site and — contribution to the overall loss of agricultural land and its visual character in the region. RMC Pacific Vemahs Quarry Mining and Reclamation Project 6-14 ESA 1203015 Ad� Draft IDt Mamh 2004