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�%W Initial Study—LID Annexation has been classified by the CDMG as MRZ-2. A small,approximately 10-acre area in the eastern corner of the RID Area is classified as MRZ-2 by the CDMG. If 100-foot setbacks are provided for utilities,roads, and rail lines,the mineable area in this location is approximately 5 acres. This area is zoned by the City as Regional Commercial with opportunities for Resource Conservation- Extraction,Reclamation,and/or Recreation Commercial. The remainder of the River Islands project site is either not classified by the CDMG or is classified as MRZ-3 (potentially containing significant mineral resources).A portion of the PCP area is classified as MRZ-1 (does not contain or unlikely to contain significant mineral deposits). 2.10.1 Regulatory Background The Resource Management Element of the Lathrop General Plan outlines goals and policies associated with mineral resources. The following mineral resource policies relate to the proposed project: 1. Land classified by the State Department of Conservation as MRZ-2 as shown on Figure V-1 of the General Plan and as designated by the State Mining and Geology Board as shown on Figure V-2 of the General Plan,are urged for protection to assure their availability for mining under applicable provisions of State law and local ordinance. If determined practical and feasible,these lands are to be mined and reclaimed in accordance with the provisions of the California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975,as amended, prior to their being utilized for the various urban purposes depicted on the General Plan Diagram and described in the City General Plan. 2. While the depth of the known sand deposits of regional significance is considerable,the potential for mining to this depth is recognized only for the lands between the I-5/SR 120 merge and the Union Pacific Railroad. Lands classified MRZ-2 between the merge and the Southern Pacific Railroad may be mined to a much lesser depth,or not at all, because of the potential of this site location for Regional Commercial development. 3. Lands classified MRZ-2 as described above shall be zoned by the City with a combining "mineral resource open space zone"to identify the presence of known mineral deposits and which may restrict the encroachment of incompatible land uses in those areas for which mineral conservation is urged. As an alternative, such restriction may be included in any Specific Plan applicable to the affected property. 4. In consideration of mineral policy#2,above, lands classified MRZ-2,and designated, may be developed for urban use without first being mined only if compelling reasons can be stated by the City in writing in support of such action and upon fulfilling the requirements of Section 2562(d)and Section 2763 (a)of the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975,as amended.Action by the City shall consider the need to balance mineral values against alternative land uses, and the importance of these mineral deposits to the regional market demand for their use. California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act(SMARA) SMARA was enacted in 1975 by the State Legislature to regulate activities related to mineral resource extraction.The act requires the prevention of adverse environmental effects caused by mining,the reclamation of mined lands for alternative land uses,and the elimination of public health and safety hazards from the effects of mining activities. At the same time, SMARA encourages both the conservation and production of extractive mineral resources, requiring the State Geologist to identify and attach levels of significance to the state's varied extractive resource deposits. As stated above, in 1998 the City of Lathrop adopted its own SMARA ordinance,modeled after the state's SMARA guidelines. The 50