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4.Environmental Analysis Although the majority of the project lands can ultimately be reclaimed to agricultural use,the pit sides would require the completion of 2:1 engineered-slopes along the perimeter of the mining area and would remain after the completion of mining. Although the soil would be reclaimed on the pit sides, the change in slope would impair the capacity of the soil. While cultivation of crops is not feasible on these steeper slopes,grazing may be possible. Grazing is an agricultural use which would be compatible with continued farming operations on adjacent lands. Under a worst- case scenario, it is estimated that the project would result in the permanent impairment of — approximately 140 acres of existing agricultural and. Of this total,it is estimated that approximately 113 acres would consist of Prime Farmland, 20.5 acres of Farmland of Statewide — Importance,and 6.3 acres of Farmland of Local Importance. Since the ultimate end use of the project site will be agriculture, no agricultural land will be — permanently converted, and the area will be reclaimed pursuant to SMARA standard for prime farmland, this impact is considered less than significant. Mitigation: No mitigation is required. Impact 4.3.2: The project would not conflict with the existing agricultural zoning of the subject properties nor with the provisions of an existing Williamson Act contract.This — would he a less-than-significant impact. A review of San Joaquin County's General Plan indicates that quarries are considered a permitted — use that can occur in the Agricultural zones.The batch plant and asphalt plant are considered accessory uses to the quant' and are not located on Williamson Act contract land. As shown in Table 4.3-2,a portion of the project site is currently under the provisions of the Williamson Act (Contract No. 77004;Preserve No. R-69-C1). Two of the four parcels(approximately three acres) under the existing contract are currently undergoing the non-renewal process and are projected to expire in 2005. These parcels (known as Parcel A) will be the site of the relocated residence. As — previously indicated,Chapter 9-1810 of the San Joaquin County Ordinance indicates that quarry operations are a compatible use under the Williamson Act, subject to a discretionary permit, provided that the subject land is rehabilitated for agricultural use[Section 9-1810.3(b)(1)(W)j. — Therefore, the project would not conflict with existing zoning or with the provisions of an existing Williamson Act contract, and the impact is considered less than significant. — Mitigation: No mitigation is required. Impact 4.3.3: Mining activities have the potential to result in offsite impacts to adjacent — agricultural lands.This would be a potentially significant impact. Active mining operations conducted during the life of the project have the potential to have a — long-term detrimental effect on adjacent agricultural operations. Off-site impacts could result RMC Pacific vemalis Duany Mining and Reclamation Project 4.3-10 ESA 1203015 Dreg Environmental Impact Report May 2006