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INITIAL STUDY FOR QX-90-1 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS : 1 . The siting of a quarry excavation adjacent to both the Mokelumne River and the town of Clements is expected to generate public comment regarding noise and air pollution, increased truck traffic - on public roadways, and the incom- patibility of the proposed use with existing and proposed commercial and residential uses in the area. Other com- ments are expected to address on-site erosion, siltation and hatchery protection on the Mokelumne River , loss of habitat , and flood control . Due to the fact that no public notice has yet been given on this project , no comments have actually been received as of the date of the preparation of this Initial Study. The above comments are based upon experience with similar quarry excavation projects and ana- lysis already completed on this project . ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS : & d . The removal of 2 . 4 million tons of mineral resources from the site will result in an alteration of runoff and drainage patterns on the site . The proposed reclamation plan states that the site will be recontoured for agri- cultural purposes following excavation. A ten-acre site at the- southeast corner of the site will be graded lower than surrounding elevations to use either as an irrigation recirculation pond or to contain "natural precipitation runoff for repercolation. " The ten-acre area has also been mentioned as a possible public park. In the event of a 100-year flood or unusually heavy precipitation, the Mokelumne River could be subjected to siltation and rechan- nelization from riverbank erosion. Such occurrences could result in the degradation of water quality and the altera- tion of downstream course and flow. Additional information regarding on-site drainage patterns and the effect of the project on the river is necessary. 2 . a. Excavation near the foot of the bluff on the south and east sides of the project area could result in erosion of the bluffs ' slopes . Such an occurrence could affect adjacent residential uses , as well as agricultural and commercial operations in and around Clements. 2 .b. The removal of 2 . 4 million tons of material from the site over a ten-year period represents a substantial land alteration. The impacts are noted above under Item No. 1 (c) . 2 . c . The project does not represent a conversion of prime agri- cultural land because the site ' s prime Vina fine sandy loam topsoil will be stockpiled and used to recontour the site for agricultural uses following excavation. Initial Study - 1 - (QX-90-1 )