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4.Environmental Analysis '— agricultural to non-agricultural use. The FMMP maintains an inventory of state agricultural land and updates its"Important Farmland Series Maps"every two years (Department of Conservation, 2000). The FMMP is an informational service only and does not constitute state regulation of local land use decisions. Three categories of farmland Prime Farmland, Farmland of Statewide Importance, and Unique Farmland are considered valuable and any conversion of land within these categories is typically considered to be an adverse impact. Figure 4.3-1 presents a spatial illustration of all the agriculturally designated lands within the proposed mining area and Table 4.3-1 provides an acreage summary of each type. Table 4.3-3 provides farmland conversion statistics for the — counties of San Joaquin and Stanislaus from 1998 to 2000. Data provided for San Joaquin County indicates that approximately 3,746 acres of agricultural land were lost to non-agricultural use — during 2000. During the same year, inventories for Stanislaus County indicate that 2,181 acres of agriculturally classified land was converted to non-agricultural use(State of California,2002). 4.3.3 Impacts and Mitigation Measures Significance Criteria — The impact analysis presented below evaluates the potential for the project to adversely affect existing agricultural resources and/or operations. Based on guidance provided in Appendix G of — the CEQA Guidelines, in conjunction with the professional judgment of the County and its consultants,the project may result in a significant impact to agricultural resources if it would: • Convert significant areas of Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance, as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the FMMP of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use; • Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use,or a Williamson Act contract; • Involve other changes in the existing environment which,due to their location or nature,could result in conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural uses;or • Impair agricultural productivity or use of neighboring areas. RMC Pacific Vernalis Quarry Mining and Reclamation Project 4.3-8 ESA/203015 Draft Environmental Impact Report May 2006