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IZ. DESCRIPTION OF THE EN 11RONMENTAL SETTING <br /> A. Biophysical t..ettinq <br /> 1. ezaography <br /> The terrain is dominated by knobby, grass--covered <br /> 1,3.1s which formed over thousands of gears as <br /> gl_aci.al-fluvial terraces. <br /> Larae mounds of mine tailings are present t the <br /> upper elevations, generally at +2801 to +?1101 (MSL) . <br /> The overall appearance in the area of the t-ai_?.i.ngs is <br /> very unsightly, as if the earth had bison out <br /> and piled randomly about the hilltops. Ar _ng the <br /> tailing mounds there are recesses where standing <br /> rainwater accumulates. It is apparent that no <br /> rehabilitation of the land was attempted dQring the <br /> previous gold mining operation. <br /> The project would alter topography by removing the <br /> taUings and levelling the hilltops ; as, sueh, the <br /> project has a potential to visibly improva tcpcgraphic <br /> conditions. <br /> F.en).ants of the earlier gold mining are evident in <br /> the rusted, inoperative dredging and procc­,si.ng <br /> egui_pment strewn about the project site. '�ii,s <br /> e'qui.p-cnt should either be reno7-ed S~c:i the premises <br /> or ropaired and utilized in con?uncticn with the <br /> proposed project F.ri.or to approval of further <br /> excavation. <br /> 2. Soils T nd Geolog-v <br /> As s'.-.cwn on Mlap 3, the predominant s^ l series is <br /> Reddi.ncj. Fedding Gravelly Loar.i. This soil has a <br /> USDA Capability Rating of Class IV. <br /> The two phases of the Redding soil. series which <br /> occupy this site have cebbly,/gxavelly s:?rfac�: textures, <br /> lc-? v- ter->hold .ng capncity, a-d rent Zo a <br /> 11ra?tati.cns. These Factors mai.e t' is soil unsui.tabl.e <br /> fc c�gricul.tural practices ether th`-I grazing. Tie <br /> S03-1- <br /> oi_? and Cainability Map Summary is contai.neel its. <br /> Ar, cndix A. <br /> The geologic map of San Joaquin County prepared by <br /> the State Division of Mines and Ge6l.ogy ie.enti.fi.e s <br /> two principal rock foundations in the project vicinity: <br /> the Valley Springs formation and the Mchrten formation. <br /> The V-Alley Springs formation is composed of fragmen'"al <br /> gl�ssy rhyolite tuff, pumice, and small of <br /> quartz conglomerate, forming nearby horizcntal beds. <br /> -7- <br />