ARCHIVED REPORTS_DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

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► create a new source of substantial light or glare that would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area. IMPACT ANALYSIS IMPACT Visual Resources—Impacts on a Scenic Vista. No views on or near the WQCF site or potential pumping 4.2-1 station sites would be considered a scenic vista. Therefore, development of the project would not alter or obscure views of a scenic vista. This impact would be less than significant. A scenic vista is generally considered a view of an area that has remarkable scenery or a resource that is indigenous to the area. The WQCF site,roadways for the pipeline alignments for the proposed collection system and recycled-water distribution system,and subdivisions where potential pumping station sites would be located do not include any aesthetic resources that would be considered a scenic vista because they consist primarily of existing WQCF structures and agricultural lands that are relatively common in other areas of the city and are not unique to the surrounding visual setting. Further,because on-site agricultural activities and WQCF structures have altered the natural landscape,the WQCF site does not provide views of the indigenous natural landscape. Although the current land uses provide views of an agricultural landscape that is representative of the region,the WQCF site does not contain resources that are exemplary of the agricultural history of the area(i.e.,historic structures or landmarks) (see Section 4.12, "Cultural Resources"). Potential pumping station sites would be one- quarter acre or less and located in developed areas of the city. In addition,pumping stations would be predominantly below grade. The proposed pipeline alignments,WQCF, and pumping station sites are generally flat and many are screened by orchard trees,vegetation, and residential and commercial development.Although some views of the distant Coast Ranges are available from the WQCF site,no areas that would qualify as a scenic vista are located near the project sites. Therefore,there is little opportunity for project activities to obscure views of scenic vistas that may be located outside the proposed pipeline alignments,WQCF, and pumping station sites. Because the project would not have a substantial adverse affect on a scenic vista,this would be a less-than-significant impact. IMPACT Visual Resources—Damage to Scenic Resources within a State Scenic Highway. No state scenic 4.2-2 highways are located within the vicinity of the project area. Therefore, implementation of the project would not result in damage to scenic resources along a state scenic highway. This impact would be less than significant. A scenic resource is generally a resource,landmark, or area that has been noted for its outstanding scenic qualities and is thereby protected because of those qualities. A scenic resource within a state scenic highway is a resource that is noted for its outstanding scenic qualities and is visible from a state-designated scenic highway. There are no scenic state-designated highways or eligible routes, or scenic roadways designated by the City of Manteca or San Joaquin County, in the immediate project area. The nearest state-designated scenic highway is a segment of I- 5 approximately 17 miles southwest of the project area;the designation is from the San Joaquin County line north to SR 205. Because of the large distance between this state-designated scenic highway segment and the project area,the WQCF and pumping station sites are not visible from this scenic highway segment. Therefore,the project would have a less-than-significant impact on scenic resources within a state-designated highway. IMPACT Visual Resources—Impacts on Existing Visual Character. Implementation of the proposed project would 4.2-3 result in an increase in the number of structures at the WQCF site and would result in the construction of pumping stations and a side-bank outfall structure. WQCF facilities would be similar in size and mass to existing structures and would appear to blend with existing facilities at the WQCF. Pumping station and side- bank outfall facilities would also be similar in size and mass to existing facilities and would appear to blend with existing residences and outfall structures. Therefore, the project would not substantially alter the existing visual character of the project area. This would be a less-than-significant impact. Manteca WQCF and Collection System Master Plans EIR EDAW City of Manteca 4.2-11 Visual Resources