SU0004094 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

4 3 Agricultural Resources V from dust obstructing sunlight and coating leaves in adjacent vineyards and air emissions from increased traffic on local roadways. These impacts could result in reductions (over time)of agricultural productivity. Without mitigation,these impacts would be considered potentially significant. However,through the implementation of mitigation measures prescribed in Sections 4.6(Air Quality) and 4.4(Traffic and Circulation),these off-site impacts would be effectively reduced to a less than significant level. Mitigation Measures Measure 4.3.3: Implement Mitigation Measure 4.6.1 to control the generation of fugitive dust during mining activities. Vineyards in the project and haul route vicinity would potentially be adversely affected by fugitive dust from project operations. A literature review has found that spider mite population increases in vineyards could be associated Ir with increased dust levels (Costello, 2004; Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission, 2002). Dust control measures incorporated at the project site and haul routes to reduce the total PM10 to below the CAAQS would also reduce project-related dust fallout on nearby ` vineyards. Impact Significance After Mitigation: Less than significant. Impact 4.3.4: Deep pit aggregate extraction will reduce the agricultural productivity of the project site. This would be a potentially significant impact. .. Agricultural productivity of the project site could be reduced as a result of the proposed project, even after final reclamation of the mining pits.The combination of planting on newly introduced, shallow topsoil in conjunction with new micro-climatic constraints(including increased shading and potential frosting) would affect future cultivation of the site. Based on information contained in the reclamation plan, the applicant would stockpile approximately 523,200 cubic yards of topsoil for reclamation of the project site following mining. This quantity of topsoil represents a significant reduction of existing topsoil coverage if used without augmentation during reclamation. Given that current effective rooting depths of the soil resource over the project site averages over five feet,this net reduction, in combination with the consolidated nature of the alluvial deposits at the proposed end depths, would have corresponding reductions in available rooting volume and subsurface drainage. This net reduction in total soil depth(or volume)following reclamation could significantly limit the types of crops(e.g., deeper rooting crops, orchards, etc.) that may be grown on the project site in the future and is considered ` a potentially significant impact attributable to the project. As previously noted in the setting discussion, soil resources within the project site have a LCC ` rating ranging from I to III with soils classified as I and lI covering a majority of the project site. Based on these classifications, it may be concluded that on-site soil resources rank relatively high in terms of their suitability for agricultural cultivation(e.g.,effective rooting depth, soil texture, r. nutrient holding capacity,etc.). A review of the Soil Survey of San Joaquin County indicates that soil resources covering the project site, given ample irrigation supplies,are capable of producing RMC Pacific Vernalis Quarry Mining and Reclamation Project 4.3-11 ESA/203015 Draft Environmental Impact Report May 2006 V