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6. OTHER STATUTORY CONSIDERATIONS is uncertainty as to the magnitude of these impacts. If Mining Plan Option 2 is identified as the _ preferred approach to mining adjacent to Hospital Creek, then the impacts to hydrology would be significant and unavoidable. AIR QUALITY The total NOx emissions from the quarry operations are considered to be significant. These results are largely due to operation of the haul truck operations, with additional contributions from the on-site equipment(especially the onsite haul trucks,excavators,and loaders). While several emission reducing measures are currently available,the extent that quantification of these — reductions can be conducted at this time is uncertain. The Proposed Project proposes to operate using new equipment,both onsite non-road equipment and haul trucks. This provides the best available operating efficiency for this equipment. Currently,additional retrofits would be cost prohibitive to reduce NOx emissions below acceptable emission standards. Particulate filters and catalysts and the use of ultra low sulfur fuels does not greatly reduce NOx emissions. Therefore, the NOx emissions from operations are a significant and unavoidable impact of the Proposed Project. 6.4 SIGNIFICANT IRREVERSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES WHICH WOULD RESULT FROM THE PROPOSED PROJECT SHOULD IT BE IMPLEMENTED 6.4.1 INTRODUCTION The CEQA Section 21100(b)(2)and CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.2(b)require that any significant effect on the environment that would be irreversible if the project is implemented must be identified. Significant irreversible environmental changes include the Proposed Project's direct and indirect effects that will commit nonrenewable resources to uses that future generations would most likely be unable to reverse. 6.4.2 SIGNIFICANT IRREVERSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES The primary irreversible changes that would occur as a result of the Proposed Project include: • Implementation of the project would require the irreversible commitment of natural resources, the mining and processing of aggregates that would decrease the availability of aggregate resources in the future. • Implementation of the project would contribute to the conversion of prime farmland and farmland of statewide importance land to non-agricultural uses within the County over a 26 to 60 year period. When reclaimed to agricultural uses, the types of crops that could be grown would be limited due to the loss in productivity of the soil and the loss of direct sunlight during winter and early spring months. RMC Pacific Vemahs(Nagy Mining and Rmlamauon Project 6-16 FSA 1203015 Admitustrauve Draft EIR Mash 2004