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San Joaquin County Community Environmental Setting,Impacts,and Mitigation Measures Development Department Aesthetics and concrete)operations,all of which would occur at ground level. Although a significant amount of open space would remain in the area(to the south and east of the site),the Project would introduce vertical,human-made elements — associated with aggregate processing equipment. Excavation of aggregate materials(sand and gravel)would occur below surface level and are not anticipated to be visible from area roadways or residences. As site operations begin,bulldozers and other equipment, such as loaders, graders,trucks,and excavators,would be visible at the site. The landowners propose to actively farm the portions of the project site not currently under mining operations(see Figure 2-6 for staging plan). The staging of the Project(i.e.,excavation)has been — designed to accommodate the continued farming of the later stages of the Project concurrent with mining activities. The existing orchard would not be completely removed at the onset of the Project. The areas identified as later stages would — continue to be farmed while excavation takes place on other areas of the site. As operations progress to the later stages,the areas that have been mined to design depth would be concurrently reclaimed. The operator proposes to construct a perimeter berm by utilizing topsoil removed as part of initial site preparation and mining operations(Figure 2-7). The _ perimeter berms would be approximately 5 feet tall and would be landscaped to visually screen the site and soften views of the berms. Views from the ground level would be screened by the proposed perimeter berms however,the processing and production equipment and the materials stockpiles would be visible above the perimeter berms to vehicles along area roadways(SR 132, Koster Road, and Blewett Road)and area residences, specifically those residences located north of SR 132,the residence located east of the site entrance — along Koster Road,and the residence located south of Blewett Road,west of the intersection with Koster Road. The Project would result in visual changes to the character of the site as seen from surrounding residences and these residents would be the most affected by the change in views of the site. Specifically,quarry operations would introduce — several prominent new visual elements in the viewshed of adjacent residences whose occupants may be accustomed to viewing the site as an almond orchard. While a large amount of agricultural/open space would remain intact west and _ south of the site,the aesthetic nature of the site would be altered. Some viewers may consider this change to be aesthetically offensive,compared to the generally passive and familiar appearance the existing orchard at the project site. Roadway users would be less affected by the visual change due to the short intervals of time they would be in visual contact with the project site(at typical roadway speeds)and familiarity with similar mining operations within the general project region. The Project would result in a change in the aesthetic character of the project site. Several design elements have been incorporated into the project to reduce the — effects of the visual change. These design elements include construction of 5- foot-high perimeter berms and implementation of a landscaping plan to further screen views of the site and to soften the appearance of the perimeter berms. _ Once mature, this screening vegetation would help to minimize visual impacts DeSilva Gates Quarry Project — Draft Environmental Impact Report 3.A-10 J85 05105.05