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4.3 Agricultural Resources
<br /> 4.3 Agricultural Resources
<br /> 4.3.1 Introduction
<br /> This section provides a description of local agricultural resources within the project vicinity and a
<br /> general overview of applicable State and County regulations.The impact analysis evaluates the
<br /> i` project's potential to adversely affect existing agricultural resources. Mitigation is identified,
<br /> where appropriate, to reduce the impacts.
<br /> 4.3.2 Setting
<br /> Regional Overview
<br /> In 2002, San Joaquin County was ranked seventh of the 58 Californian counties in production of
<br /> I" agricultural goods,earning $1.344 billion(State of California, 2003). This represents a roughly
<br /> 3.3 percent decrease in gross revenue from 2001. Milk and grapes were the top commodities in
<br /> San Joaquin County,producing$237,387,000 and$213,220,000,respectively in the 2002.
<br /> Tomatoes and almonds were the next two largest commodities generating$105,802,000 and
<br /> $89,840,000,respectively, for San Joaquin County(State of California, 2003). Other
<br /> commodities produced in the county include walnuts,cherries,apples,asparagus, and
<br /> ornamentals.
<br /> ` In 2002,Stanislaus County ranked sixth in California,just ahead of San Joaquin County,earning
<br /> $1.368 billion (State of California, 2003). This figure represents a 1.1 percent increase from the
<br /> previous year(State of California, 2003).Milk and almonds were the top commodities in
<br /> L Stanislaus County,producing$390,071,000 and$215,670,000 in 2002(State of California,
<br /> 2003).Other high-valued commodities produced in the county include chickens, walnuts,
<br /> peaches,alfalfa,and cattle.
<br /> Local Agricultural Resources
<br /> Farming in the northern San Joaquin Valley is highly industrialized, with most crops grown as
<br /> monocultures.I Tillage,planting,fertilization, pesticide application, pruning, and harvesting tend
<br /> to utilize large machinery including tractors,trucks, and/or aircraft. Most pesticide and/or
<br /> 6. herbicide applications for vegetable and field crops are done via crop dusting airplanes. Some of
<br /> the fruit and nut crops receive these treatments via tractor.
<br /> r. Much of the land in the vicinity of the project is considered highly productive farmland. Farming
<br /> operations in this area generally consist of medium to large-scale, inter-row cropping systems.
<br /> Crops cultivated in the immediate project area may include alfalfa, almonds,corn, wheat, pears,
<br /> and grapes on any given year. Areas further west of Interstate 5 are generally utilized for irrigated
<br /> and non-irrigated pasture for cattle grazing. At the time of ESA's initial site reconnaissance,
<br /> northern portions of the project site were not being actively farmed.Mature apricot orchards
<br /> r
<br /> I Defined as the cultivation of a single crop over a large land area(e.g.,40+acres).
<br /> W. RMC Pacific Vernalis Quarry Mining and Reclamation Project 4.3-1 ESA/203015
<br /> Draft Environmental Impact Report May 2006
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