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5.Other Statutory Considerations — Land Use — Impact 6.1: Cumulative development would not be expected to result in an overall cumulative adverse land use impact since the County has designated mining as an — acceptable use on agricultural land.This would be a less-than-significant impact. As discussed in Section 4.2 of this EIR,the project would not conflict with existing and planned — land uses surrounding the site with the implementation of mitigation. The project will require the approval of a County Quarry Excavation Permit,the reclamation plan, and financial assurances for the project that must be in conformance with SMARA, the State Mining and Geology Board — regulations for surface mining and reclamation practice(CCR Title 14,Ch. S,Article 1, §3500 et seq.;Article 9 §3700 et seq.),San Joaquin County ordinances,and Stanislaus County ordinances. Other existing and proposed mining projects in the area are also required to obtain permits and be — consistent with County plans and policies as well as with SMARA, and must undergo CEQA review. Therefore,the project's effects on land use are not cumulatively considerable and cumulative development would not be expected to result in an overall significant cumulative — adverse land use impact since the County has designated mining as an acceptable use on agricultural land.Although there is now a significant concentration of mining in the Vernalis and Tracy areas,the location of these facilities is dictated exclusively by the location of the resource and marketplace. For these reasons, mining will most likely be limited to these areas. However, these projects would contribute to other types of adverse cumulative,community-wide and _ region-wide environmental impacts (i.e.,transportation, air quality,etc.). These cumulative impacts are identified below. Mitigation: No mitigation is required. Loss of Agricultural Productivity Impact 6.2: The project when combined with other large-scale mining operations in the area,would not add incrementally to the cumulative loss of agricultural production in the area This is a less-than-significant impact. — Much of the land in the vicinity of the project is considered highly productive farmland. A majority of the project site itself is classified as prime farmland, and other portions as farmland of — statewide importance and farmland of local importance. Four of the project site parcels are under Williamson Act Contracts. Two others were under non-renewal status at the time of the project application but the contract ended in 2005.Mining operations are allowable on agricultural — properties within the County subject to permitting. Quarry operations are considered a compatible use under the Williamson Act[Section 9-1810.3(b)(1)(W)], subject to a discretionary permit. Mined and reclaimed sites are generally reused for agricultural or open space once mining ceases. The reclamation of the project site would be completed in phases and would result in an ultimate end use of agricultural land and open space. All reclaimed slopes will be returned to land that can be used for agriculture. RMC Park Vernalis Ouany Mining antl Reclamatron Prgect 6-8 ESA/203015 Dreft Environmental Impact Report May 2006