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San Joaquin County Environmental Checklist valley was purchased or taken in large parcels similar in size to the Mexican land grants and was put to agricultural uses as well. Agriculture Between 1848 and 1870,agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley was typified by small-scale agricultural and ranching ventures,largely to meet the demands of, first,miners,then a growing permanent population in the region. By the 1860s, the valley was dotted with ranches,cultivated fields,fenced pastures,and vineyards. Produce at this time included grapes,hay,wheat,barley,sheep,and other livestock(Tinkham 1923). Grain production began to decline in the valley circa 1900. By that time, production of grain had increased to meet the growing worldwide demand,and prices rose accordingly. Cereal producers in other parts of the world,especially Russia,began to compete with the San Joaquin Valley for prominence in the world market. The world market in cereals was saturated by the 1890s,which drove prices down and encouraged San Joaquin Valley farmers to diversify crops (Jelinek 1982). By 1922,potatoes,grapes,and barley superseded wheat in local agriculture. Land holdings became smaller and agriculture generally more diversified. Agriculture also shared prominence now with growing industrial production and manufacturing(Tinkham 1923). Today,much of the San Joaquin Valley is under irrigation,and the combination of long,warm growing seasons with abundant water,supplied by irrigation and the California Aqueduct,permit almost any crop to be grown in the region. Agriculture remains specialized,concentrating on tree fruits, irrigated field crops (such as early vegetables and alfalfa),nuts,dairy products,and beef and other livestock production(McCorckle and Nuckton 1983). Existing Conditions Efforts to identify cultural resources in the landfill facility consisted of conducting an archival search,a literature review of the landfill facility, and consultation with the Native American Heritage Commission(NAHC)and interested Native American representatives. Information obtained from the literature review is presented in the prehistoric,ethnographic, and historic context summaries above. No cultural resources were identified in the landfill facility as a result of the cultural resources background research or Native American consultation. Due to the nature of the proposed project and the ongoing use and development of the landfill facility,an intensive pedestrian survey of the landfill facility was not deemed necessary. Notice of Preparation for the June 2006 North County Recycling Center and Sanitary Landfill 2_34 Permit Revision AS 06307.06