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IV. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS The following pages provide a brief description of the physical environmental resources that exist within the area affected by the proposed project and an analysis of whether or not those resources will be potentially impacted by the proposed project. Preparation of this section follows guidance provided in DTSC's California Environmental Quality Act Initial Study Workbook. A list of references used to support the following discussion and analysis are contained in Attachment A and are referenced within each section below. Conservation measures that are included as part of the project(e.g., permit conditions)are described above in the Project Description section and are also discussed in each of the respective environmental resource sections. 1. Aesthetics Project activities likely to create an impact: ® Removal of top 18 to 24 inches of burned material, ash and visibly affected soil within gravel pit area e Removal of localized areas of deeper soil containing elevated concentrations of metals or pyrolytic oil. Description of Environmental Setting: The approximately 50-acre Site consists primarily of a below grade abandoned gravel pit. The project Site is set back approximately''/< mile from MacArthur Drive and is not viewable by local residences. The gravel pit was mined to a maximum depth of 90 feet below the natural grade; the average depth of the pit is estimated to be 50 feet. There are no surface outflows for rainwater. Remnants of burnt tires, ash, and pyrolytic oil are located throughout the Site in clearly identifiable burn areas. The former gravel pit project area is predominantly covered with ruderal grasses and patches of shrubs and is easily accessed via existing gravel roads. Analysis of Potential Impacts: Describe to what extent project activities would: a. Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista. No Impact.There are no scenic vistas in the vicinity of the project area (Tracy 1993 and SJCG 2000).The proposed project area is significantly below natural grade and does not affect the view of the surrounding industrial properties. b. Substantially damage scenic resources, including, but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings and historic buildings within a state scenic highway. No Impact. Project activities will not damage scenic resources. There are no trees, outcrops, or historic building within the proposed work areas at the project site (OHP 1995). According to the Caltrans Scenic Highway Program, Interstate 580 (1-580) is considered a state scenic highway for 0.7 from the Stanislaus County Line to 1-580 5