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5.2 Alternatives Evaluated in This EIR An off-site alternative location was chosen in the Tracy area based on the aggregate resource availability as shown in the Stockton-Lodi P-C Region(CGS, 1988). After reviewing the _ available resources and the availability of undeveloped land within those resource areas,a site consisting of 13 parcels of land and a total of 1452 acres was selected for an off-site alternative (Figure 5-1).Although the 13 parcels of land included in this alternative have six different property owners,it was chosen due to the availability of contiguous land of similar size and land use. There are no pending mining or development applications for these parcels.Although the size of the site is smaller than the project site of 688 acres, the amount of aggregate that could be mined would be similar to the project. Basis for Selection An off-site alternative was selected to assess whether certain sites outside of the Vernalis area are available for aggregate extraction that might be located closer to the San Joaquin County �. aggregate market in the Tracy area.The off-site alternative is located within MRZ-2 classification, Sector A-2(Special Report 160, 1988).The MRZ-2 classification is identified as "areas where adequate information indicates that significant mineral deposits are present, or where it is judged that a high likelihood for their presence exists.This zone shall be applied to known mineral deposits or where well-developed lines of reasoning,based upon economic- geologic principles and adequate data,demonstrate that the likelihood for occurrence of significant mineral deposits is high." The Sector A-2"contains approximately 68 percent PCC- grade aggregate and 32 percent clay and silt.... Most of the available aggregate resources in Sector A that are not currently permitted for mining are contained within Sector A-2." Distinctive Environmental Characteristics Land Use The off-site alternative is agricultural land that is designated under the San Joaquin County General Plan as General Agriculture,and zoned as AG-40,General Agriculture with a 40-acre minimum parcel size. The off-site alternative would also be required to comply with the agricultural land use and quarry and mining land use statues specified in the San Joaquin County Development Title. Surrounding land uses are similar to the proposed project, including agricultural land,rural residential,and other mining operations.No significant land use impacts were identified for the proposed project and it is unlikely that any would result from implementation of this alternative. Agricultural Resources All parcels included in this alternative are classified as Prime Farmland, with some of the parcels under Williamson Act Contract.The San Joaquin County's General Plan indicates that quarries are considered a permitted use that can occur in the Agricultural zones provided there are mineral resources.Chapter 9-1810 of the San Joaquin County Ordinance indicates that quarry operations are a permitted use under the Williamson Act,provided that the subject land is rehabilitated for RMC Pacific Vernalis Quarry Mining and Reclamation Project 5-15 ESA/203015 Draft Environmental Impact Report May 2006