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50 IMPACT'OVERVIEW 5.1 SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS All significant impacts identified in the EIR can be mitigated to a level of insignificance with-th exeeptien providing the mitigation measures are implemented as recommended. A redesign of the development plan is necessary to mitigate the significant impacts on the biological resources. It should be noted that the professional opinions of the consulting archaeologists on the Draft EIR differ from those of the consulting archaeologists preparing the supplemental study. The Draft EIR archaeologists are of the opinion that the impairment of the scientific potential of the cultural resources cannot be mitigated by capping the site or excavating a portion of the affected area. Without redesigning the project as suggested in Section 4.9,significant impacts would occur to cultural resources. The supplemental study indicated that all impacts could be mitigated by modifying the development plan or protecting the sites by a cover of fill over wire netting. CEQA Guidelines 15151 state that disagreement among experts does not make for an inadequate EIR. Thus, the Planning Commission and/or Board of Supervisors must determine the appropriate mitigation based upon the evidence presented to them. 5.2 BENEFICIAL IMPACTS A unique foothill/riparian woodland habitat would be preserved as a natural area with limited access; restoration of the oak/buckeye savanna would occur enhancing the rodent productivity for natural predators; some portions of the cultural resources would remain undisturbed; poaching and vandalism activities would be eliminated;and cattle would be removed,then improving the foraging range for deer and eliminating the grazing impact on vernal pools. 5.3 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS CEQA requires that an EIR include a discussion of cumulative impacts when they are significant. As stated in Section 15130 of the State CEQA Guidelines, "the discussion of cumulative impacts shall reflect the severity of the impacts and their likelihood of occurrence,but the discussion need not provide as great a detail as is provided of the effects attributable to the project alone. The discussion shall be guided by the standards of practicality and reasonableness." There are no projects proposed in the immediate vicinity of the project site. Thus, the cumulative impacts analysis,particularly traffic,noise and air quality,look at cumulative impacts based upon County population projections to the year 2010 for the northwest area of San Joaquin County. 5-1