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Loss of Agricultural Land. The proposed project would result in the loss of 24 acres of prime agricultural land. This loss is an unavoidable impact of the proposed project. Similarly, if the surrounding area were to be developed, the total loss of prime agricultural land would be 410 acres. This incremental loss of the prime agricultural land in the project area and surrounding area would represent an incremental decrease in the total amount of county land used for agriculture. This incremental loss would not be considered significant on a regional basis, although this increment and other incremental losses are contributing to cumulative loss of agricultural land at the regional, state and national levels. Consequently, these impacts in San Joaquin County would be considered cumulatively significant due to the importance of agriculture to the regional economy. However, production levels in this area are already being affected by varying degrees of urban encroachment and cultural and management constraints placed upon farm operators. See Section 3.4, Agriculture and Agricultural Economics, of this report for a more comprehensive analysis of the loss of agricultural land. Project's Relationship to General Plan Policies SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY GENERAL PLAN. The Traina Brothers proposal and the potential conversion of the remainder of the study area to Rural Residential are not consistent with either the general or specific policies of the Land Use/Circulation Element of the San Joaquin County General Plan described in the Existing Setting of this Section. The following statements clarify how the proposed and potential projects relate to the policies of the County General Plan. GENERAL POLICIES 1. Separation of Urban Centers. These projects do not preserve prime agricultural areas, therefore, they do not promote the separation of urban centers. 2. Rural Residential Development. Both the proposed and potential project will further disrupt the agricultural surroundings and resources. 3• Urban Growth. Although the study area is adjacent to a developed area (Valpico Rural Residential Area), development of the study area would further the "leapfrog" development which has already occurred in the area. 4. Provision of Basic Services. Development of the study area will not coincide with planned extensions of basic services. AGRICULTURAL POLICIES Agricultural Resources. Development of the study area will not preserve prime agricultural soils for agricultural use. 2. Intensive Agriculture. Development of the study area will eliminate orchards in prime agricultural soils where water is available. 3• Further Fragmentation of Agricultural Land. Since the study area is not currently designated for Rural Residential Development, development of the study area will further fragment agricultural land. 3.1-10