SU0004094 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

5.Alternatives -- Land Use As under the project, mining activities would occur in various phases at the site. As discussed in Section 4.2, Land Use,this type of proposed use is generally compatible with the type and intensity of nearby agricultural land uses. Mining activities are also permitted uses under both the San Joaquin County General Agriculture land use designation and the Stanislaus County Agriculture land use designation. — However, operation under either Scenario 1 or 2 has the potential to result in substantial incompatibilities related to air quality, noise,traffic, and visual resources. These incompatibilities would be considered significant if they were substantially different in character or scale compared to current ongoing agricultural activities. The potential nuisance-related impacts would be similar to those addressed in greater detail in the relevant sections of the EIR, and, where appropriate, _ mitigation measures to reduce these impacts to less-than-significant are provided. Scenario 1: A reduction in the mining operation would result in a reduction in the amount of haul — trips per day and on an annual basis.This would also result in a reduction in noise and air quality related to decreased truck trips. This would reduce land use impacts as compared to the project but they would still be significant without mitigation. In addition,this alternative could result in the need to permit an additional mine in the region sooner as use of the on-site resource would be reduced. Scenario 2: A reduction in the number of phases to be mined would result in a reduction in the amount of agricultural land to be disturbed. A portion of the project site could remain in current active agricultural production. There would be fewer phases to be mined, which would result in a reduction in the number of years that mining would occur. However,depending on market conditions the maximum amount of 4.0 mty of product would be mined and processed during the life of this alternative. Due to the reduction in the phases to be mined, the lifespan of the mining — operations would be reduced to 15 to 36 years instead of the 25 to 60 years of the proposed project. If Phases V and VI were to be removed from the overall mining plan,the disturbance to _ Hospital Creek would be greatly reduced. This is discussed under Hydrology and Water Quality. Also,disturbances to residences nearest the southern project area would be reduced. However, land use conflicts would still be significant prior to mitigation. — Agricultural Resources Scenario 1: A reduction in the amount of material to be extracted from the proposed project site would not result in a reduction in the amount of prime farmland and farmland of statewide importance that would be taken out of short-term production. All of the proposed phases would _ continue to be mined under this Scenario. This scenario would result in similar impacts as the proposed project. Similar to the project, the land would be reclaimed for agricultural use after mining was completed in each phase. Mitigation identified for the project would be applicable — under this scenario. Scenario 2: A reduction in the number of phases to be mined would result in a reduction in the amount of prime farmland and farmland of statewide importance that would be taken out of RMC Pacific Vernalis Quarry Mining and Reclamation Project 5-10 ESA/203015 Draft Environmental Impact Report May 2006