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San Joaquin County Community Environmental Setting,Impacts,and Mitigation Measures _ Development Department Agricultural Resources,Land Use,and Planning Because the project site is identified as Prime Farmland a cursory land evaluation and site assessment(LESA)evaluation was conducted for the project site (Appendix M). The LESA model was created by the Department of _ Conservation as an instrument to rate the relative quality of land resources based on specific measurable features. Generally,the LESA model provides lead agencies with"an optional methodology to ensure that significant effects on the _ environment of agricultural land conversions are quantitatively and consistently considered in the environmental review process"(PRC 21095). The factors considered in a LESA include soil resource quality,project size,water resource availability, surrounding agricultural lands, and surrounding protected resource lands. The LESA model is a weighted numerical scoring system based on points assigned to each of those characteristics. The LESA Model Instruction Manual establishes scoring thresholds(a scoring system with ranked values between 0 and I O"e higher the number,the greater the significance of the resource) and indicates that,under general — circumstances, a project with a total LESA score in excess of 60 points is considered to have a significant effect. The cursory evaluation of the site based on the LESA model methodology(and making several assumptions regarding _ water availability)showed a conversion of Prime Farmland at the site would result in an estimated LESA score of approximately 80 points and would therefore be considered significant. _ Thresholds of Significance _ Based on the thresholds of significance identified in the initial study prepared by the County,the proposed Project would result in a significant impact on _ agricultural resources or land use if it would: ■ result in a conversion of Prime Farmland of more than 40 acres and not shown for development in the County General Plan; ■ result in a growth-inducing action by encouraging additional requests for related uses or set a significant land use precedent in the area; _ ■ adversely affect the existing housing stock or create a demand for additional housing(more than 50 units); ■ conflict with existing or planned land uses; ■ conflict with any adopted plans; ■ disrupt a natural or recreation area, affect access to waterways, or allow trespass onto surrounding land; or ■ affect the potential use,extraction, conservation, or depletion of a natural resource other than agricultural land. DeSilva Gates Quarry Project Draft Environmental Impact Report 3.B-8 J85 05105 05