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6. 0 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES 6. 1 NO PROJECT If this Conditional Use Permit application is denied, the quarrying operation would continue only to its limit of 67. 1 acres of permitted excavation, or until July 1, 1992, whichever is sooner. As minable reserves remain, there could be continued pressures for quarry development. No significant unmitigatable adverse environmental impacts or adverse changes have been identified in this report that would be avoided or mitigated by this alternative. 6. 2 ALTERNATIVE DESIGN: SMALLER SCALE OPERATION In this alternative, a Conditional Use Permit for a smaller-scale operation would be applied for. The principle effects of this alternative would be a reduction in the duration of the project, and a reduction in the total volume of material to be processed. Somewhat fewer surface acres of the lease holding would be disrupted by quarrying. However, quarrying operations would occur anyway in the areas of highest quality reserves. Any potentially significant environmental effects identified in this report would also occur with the smaller-scale operation. As minable reserves remain, there could be continued pressures for quarry development. No significant unmitigatable adverse environmental effects would be avoided or mitigated by this alternative. 6. 3 ALTERNATIVE DESIGN: 1 1/2 : 1 OR 1: 1 RATIO PIT SLOPE WALLS An alternative design would involve the excavation of the open pit with 1 1/2 : 1 or 1: 1 ratio pit slope walls. This alternative would allow the processing of those additional aggregate reserves that would otherwise be left in-situ in the pit walls for long-term slope stability as required by County ordinance. Excavation of this material would require a variance from the County Planning Department, and would be addressed by the Reclamation Plan. A Slope Stability Report would be required. Final pit slope walls would have to be restored to a 2 : 1 ratio. Should excavation of this reserve material later be deemed necessary or economical, the above issues will be addressed at that time. 6. 4 ALTERNATIVE LOCATION Quarrying operations first began at this site in 1981. The El Rancho Rock and Sand, Inc. Quarry is currently mining rock and sand at the site, and processing it through the existing on-site processing plant facility, under valid excavation permit EP 81-9. As this application is for an extension of quarrying activities into the remainder of the existing lease holding, alternative 6.4 30 CONDOR