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4.Environmental Analysis — • Create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or — nighttime views in the area;and, • Conflict with relevant adopted visual resource plans or policies. The evaluation of aesthetic effects is ultimately a subjective analysis. There are no adopted standards or guidelines applicable to the project that will ultimately determine the scenic quality and value of the project site. However, in the absence of any applicable standards for determining — visual quality of the project site, the significance criteria for aesthetic impacts incorporates the scenic quality evaluation criteria in the BLM visual resource management rating system. — Impact 4.12.1: Implementation of the project has the potential to adversely impact scenic views of the Coastal Range Mountains and San Joaquin Valley.This is a less-than- significant impact. Construction and operation of an aggregate mining facility including possible solid fences to _ mitigate noise impacts at the proposed location is likely to further degrade the visual character of the surrounding area. According to the BLM's visual resource management criteria,the project site itself contains average or below-average visual resources. However,the site warrants an _ above-average rating for adjacent scenery—the nearby views of the Coastal Range foothills and San Joaquin Valley floor are dramatic and impressive. Views of this adjacent scenery are already negatively impacted by the DSS Engineering Contactors aggregate mining facility,located just — west of the project site. The project will be highly visible to at least six homes, five located along Blewitt Road — immediately east of the plant location, and one west of the mining area across the Delta-Mendota Canal. The new facilities will be particularly damaging to views of the Coastal Range from the homes located on Blewitt Road. The proposed plant will be located in the foreground of the — existing mountain views from these homes.Portions of the processing plant will reach approximately 100 feet above ground level and will be visible from the nearby homes and to travelers along local roads (Blewitt, Koster, Koster Road,Welty Road,Chrisman and Gaffery Roads and State Routes 132 and 33)and designated State and County Scenic Highway I-5. As a condition of approval for the project,a landscaping plan has been submitted to San Joaquin — County for approval. This plan must be consistent with County landscaping regulations as laid forth in Chapter 9-1020 of the San Joaquin County Development Title, including those standards for vegetation composition and water efficiency, earthen berms, erosion control and landscaping maintenance. The project design minimizes the degree of visual impacts from the mining operation with the inclusion of vegetated berms along Blewitt Road and a portion of Koster Road. The landscape berm will include a double row of trees and non-irrigated hydroseed mix that will serve to screen — in part the plant facilities and act as a noise barrier. The trees that could be included along the landscape berm include coolibah tree(Eucalyptus microtheca),afghan pine (Pinus eldarica), Indian longleaf pine(Pinus roxburghii),Lombardy poplar(Populus nigra Italica), and English oak(Quercus robur fastigiata). The trees would be drip-irrigated by an automatic and seasonally RMC Pacific Vernalis Quarry Mining and Redamation Project 4.12-12 ESA 1203015 Draft Environmental Impact Report May 2056