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The off-site alternative is located within the same general viewing area as the project. The visual character of the area is similar to the project, predominantly rural and agricultural with some mining operations in the area. Mining operations at the off-site alternative has the potential to impact scenic views of the Coastal Range Mountains and San Joaquin Valley and to conflict with adopted Plans and Policies relating to visual resources. Visual resources impacts associated with this alternative would be similar to those associated with the project. Mitigation measures similar to those identified in Section 4.12 would be required. (Draft EIR, p. 5-19.) Findings: Based on the whole record, this Commission f nds that the Off-site Alternative would result in similar impacts as the project, some to a lesser extent and others to a greater extent than the project. With this alternative site being located closer to the market in Tracy, the traffic impacts could be reduced due to the shorter distance traveled to market areas. However, there are a greater number of residences near the off-site alternative so the impacts to sensitive receptors associated with noise and air qualityfrom the mining and aggregate processing would be increased over those of the project. Additionally, the Off-site Alternative would make this project economically infeasible for the project proponent because acquiring the land from six different owners would be difficult, and the applicant already owns and leases the project site, but does not own the Off-site Alternative location. Therefore the Commission finds the Off-site Alternative is infeasible, and is therefore rejected. F. PROJECT BENEFITS F.1. Mineral Resource Classification The project site is located within several Mineral Resource Zones ("MRZ"). Most notably, the majority of the site consists of mineral reserves classified as MRZ-2 and MRZ-3 by the State Geologist and is considered to be suitable for mining based on criteria for compatibility provided by the State Mining and Geology Board. The California Department of Conservation has concluded that the material found in portions of the project area meets the published standard for the highest quality aggregate, meeting the California Department of Transportation's specifications for use in Portland Cement Concrete ("PCC"). (DOC Open File Report 91-03, Mineral Land Classification of the South Tracy Site, San Joaquin County California for Portland Cement Concrete Aggregate, (199 1)p. iv; see also Susan L. Kohler,DOC, Updated Aggregate Availability in California, Map Sheet 52, (2006),p.16.) The eastern area of the project site has been classified as MRZ-3 (approximately 30% of the site), the southwest section has been classified as MRZ-2 (approximately 58% of the site),with the remaining portions of the site (approximately 12%)being classified as MRZ-1. The aggregate deposits on the Project site are of such quality that they qualify for use as PCC aggregate making it an important and valuable aggregate site for the County. (DOC Open File Report 91-03, supra at,pp. 13-14.) (Draft EIR, p. 4.7-4.) F.2. A Local Source Of Aggregate The project would utilize a known,high quality aggregate reserve helping San Joaquin County meet its 50-year demand as calculated by the Department of Conservation, California Geological 56