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E.3.2. Reduced Project Production Alternative Description Two scenarios are considered under the Reduced Project Alternative: • Scenario 1: The mining operation would consist of a reduction in the amount of extraction to 1.7 to 2.85 million tons per year of aggregate materials(sand and gravel), over the same number of years 20 to 60, for the same hours per day,using a smaller plant, for an overall resource tonnage reduction. • Scenario 2: This scenario would eliminate mining in Phases N and V, resulting in an overall reduction in the amount of land to be mined(195 acres). (Draft EIR,p. 5-9; Final EIR,p. 4-1 (discussion of revised phasing).) Basis for Selection This alternative is included in the EIR to provide a basis for comparing the impacts of a less intensive mining operation at the project site to those of the project. This alternative may reduce impacts in most areas, including potentially significant impacts to traffic, air quality,noise, and hydrology. (Draft EIR,p. 5-9.) Distinctive Environmental Characteristics The following summarizes potential impacts of the "Reduced Project Production" alternative and compares them to the impacts of the project. Land Use As under the project, mining activities would occur in various phases at the site. As discussed in Section 4.2, Land Use,this type of proposed use is generally compatible with the type and intensity of nearby agricultural land uses. Mining activities are also permitted uses under both the San Joaquin County General Agriculture land use designation and the Stanislaus County Agriculture land use designation. However, operation under either Scenario 1 or 2 has the potential to result in substantial incompatibilities related to air quality, noise, traffic, and visual resources. These incompatibilities would be considered significant if they were substantially different in character or scale compared to current ongoing agricultural activities. The potential nuisance-related impacts would be similar to those addressed in greater detail in the relevant sections of the EIR, and, where appropriate, mitigation measures to reduce these impacts to less-than-significant are provided. Scenario 1: A reduction in the mining operation would result in a reduction in the amount of haul trips per day and on an annual basis. This would also result in a reduction in noise and air quality related to decreased truck trips. This would reduce land use impacts as compared to the project but they would still be significant without mitigation. In addition, this alternative could result in the need to permit an additional mine in the region sooner as use of the on-site resource would be 47