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Insofar as the 'suitability of the project area soils for field crops is concerned, the land capability ratings indicate the existence of severe limitations which may make them unsuit- able for cultivation. This is the case with the class VI soils, as well as the class IV soils unless certain crops and/or careful { management are utilized. As might be surmised from the capabili- i ty ratings, none of these soils are prime agricultural soils. These limitations do not apply to the grazing use of the annual grassland. In a normal year, the soil map units produce from 2 ,000 - 3 , 200 pounds of forage where previous disturbance has not occurred. 4.7 Land Use The current general land use within the project area, with the exception of sand and gravel mining operations, is agricul- ture, specifically cattle grazing. Grazing occurs on an annual basis on various portions of the project area not involvedl,by mining. This use is compatible with the agricultural designation x of the county's General Plan and the AG-80 zoning classification. Former historical uses of the project area include limited mining and chicken farming. The mining took the form of placer r mining for precious metals as evidenced by placer tailings. More recent mining for surface gravels is testified to through the existence of trenches and structural remains such as metal water tanks and concrete footings. Both the placer and gravel mining * " ventures occurred in the major seasonal drainage in the NE4 of section 30. The chicken farm activity has been confined to the r use of a pond and strip of land in the 5W; of section 29 for the drying of chicken waste. These sites are no longer being used for this purpose. Investigation of aerial photographs dating back to 1963 give some insights into recent land use activities. ERM-Rocky Moun- tain, Inc. reviewed aerial photographs taken in the vicinity of the property in the years 1963, 1968, 1975 and 1989. Following ' is a summary of the aerial photograph review: 1963 A small shop building is present, but the larger shop has not yet been built. Egg farm buildings to the west' have not .yet been built. Reservoir is present, appearing of recent construction. Manure spreading area north and northeast of the shops seen in this photograph, but not as developed as in the 1968 photograph. 1968 This aerial photograph shows soil types, aqueduct and roads labeled on the photograph. Old egg farm buildings south of the property are visible. The reservoir that has been developed into settling ponds is visible, as y well as the building that serves as the shop south of the property. An area along the creek bottom labeled "IDT" - fi'� probably dredge tailings - may extend onto the northwest- ern corner. A creek in the northeastern section of, the subject property shows scarring - probably evidenceof a past roadway. The area northeast of the shop appears to have some manure spreading activity. j ICRC Aggregate, Inc. t ; - 6 - April 1, 1994