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CHAPTER 4 Environmental Analysis 4.1 Introduction to the Analysis The following sections(4.2 through 4.12) of this Draft Environmental Impact Report(EIR) ` provide a discussion of the existing setting,potential environmental impacts,and proposed mitigation measures.The potential effects of implementing the Proposed Project are identified, along with mitigation measures recommended to lessen or reduce identified impacts. In cases 6. where no mitigation is feasible, this fact is noted. 4.1 .1 Significance of Environmental Impacts Whenever possible and reasonable, significance criteria are established that serve as the bench mark for determining impacts. Significance criteria are identified for each environmental category to determine if the project will result in a significant environmental impact when evaluated against the environmental setting(baseline conditions). The significance criteria vary depending 6, on the environmental category. In general,effects can be either significant(above the threshold) or less than significant(below the threshold). 4.1 .2 Setting, Impacts, and Mitigation Measures ` Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15125, an EIR must include a description of the physical environmental conditions in the vicinity of the project,as they exist at the time the notice of preparation(NOP) is published. The environmental setting will normally constitute the baseline physical conditions by which a lead agency determines whether an impact is significant. The setting is presented from site,local,and/or regional perspectives, as appropriate to each environmental topic. According to the CEQA Guidelines,the effects of the project are defined as 11n changes to the environmental setting that are attributable to the project. In describing the relative significance of project impacts,each impact is identified to be potentially significant, significant,cumulatively significant, significant unavoidable, less than significant,or beneficial. The cumulative impact analysis in this EIR is based on the implementation of the proposed project as well as approved and anticipated development in the L region. A summary of cumulative impacts is provided in Chapter 6,Other Statutory Considerations. L V. RMC Pacific Vernalis Quarry Mining and Reclamation Project 4.1-1 ESA/203015 Draft Environmental Impact Report May 2006 r