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4.Environmental Analysis — roads. The Coastal Range viewshed,particularly south and west of the highways,constitutes a — significant scenic resource present in the background of the project site. ESA's site visit identified several sensitive receptors in the vicinity of the project. In addition to — travelers on I-580 and I-5,these include drivers on secondary roads in the San Joaquin/Stanislaus County border area, and residents living near or adjacent to the project site. Six residences are located within 600 feet of the project site. Five of these are located along Blewitt Road, near or adjacent to the project's northern boundary, and the proposed site for the aggregate processing plant. One residence is located west of the project site and the Delta-Mendota Canal, south of the existing DSS mining operation. This residence will be moved to another location on the site. The project site would be clearly visible from these remaining residences. For those homes located on Blewitt Road, the project, especially the plant, would interrupt views of the Coastal — Range viewshed. The project is not within the Coastal Range line-of-sight for the westernmost residence. Three key viewpoints of the project site and the associated Coastal Range viewshed were identified (see Figures 4.12-2,4.12-3, and 4.12-4). Key viewpoint A is the overpass of Blewitt — Road and I-5 looking south and east. This viewpoint demonstrates the project site's general visibility from the I-5 corridor, and from secondary roads to the northwest. Key Viewpoint B is Koster Road looking east. This viewpoint demonstrates the plant location's visibility from local — secondary roads. Key viewpoint C is the northeastern boundary of the project site looking south and west to the Coastal Range—the sightline experienced from the houses along Blewitt Road. Plans and Policies Federal — Bureau of Land Management—Visual Resource Management System The Bureau of Land Management(BLM)visual resource management rating system(Manual — H 8410-1)(BLM, 2001) is a means to objectively evaluate the visual appeal of a tract of land. The BLM visual resource inventory provides objective rating criteria for defining the distance zones, sensitivity levels, and scenic quality of the views that would be experienced by the sensitive observers. The BLM visual resource management rating system is being employed as a method of analysis for this project due to the abundance of open space lands in the Vemalis area and the proximity of the project site to the Coastal Range. — The Visual Resources Inventory delineates distance zones, a sensitivity level, and a scenic quality rating. The distance zone is often used to determine the sensitivity level and scenic quality. Three — distance zones are used in the BLM system: the Foreground-Middleground Zone, the Background Zone, and the Seldom-Seen Zone. The Foreground-Middleground Zone is the area _ that can be viewed for a distance of 3 to 5 miles, with the outer boundary defined at the point where the texture and form of individual plants on the landscape is no longer apparent. The Background Zone is the remaining area that can be seen up to 15 miles.The final zone is the — RMC Pacific Vernalis Quarry Mining and Reclamation Project 4.12-4 ESA/203015 Draft Environmental Impact Report May 2006