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Administrative Draft Environmental Impact Report Gill Medical Center Project Amador,Alameda, Contra Costa, and Sacramento Counties where cumulative agricultural resource impacts could occur.Although farmland conversion in the Central Valley declined following the 2007 economic downturn, American Farmland Trust (AFT) still projects that up to 300,000 acres of San Joaquin Valley farmland will be lost between 2010 and 2050 if current development patterns continue (AFT 2013). According to the 2035 General Plan Update EIR, cumulative agricultural impacts are partially mitigated by the multiple policies identified in the 2035 General Plan, as well as by other plans and policies within other jurisdictions of the Central Valley. However, even with implementation of applicable plans and General Plan policy, the 2035 General Plan EIR finds the following cumulative impacts to agriculture to be significant and unavoidable: conversion of almost 6,000 acres of important farmland, termination of Williamson Act contracts, development in areas currently zoned for agricultural use, and land use conflicts with existing agricultural uses. Based on the LESA model results presented above, the proposed Project results in a less than significant impact to Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance. Further, as discussed in Section 4.13 Land Use and Planning, because the Project is consistent with the Public Services-Essential use type, it is a conditionally permitted use within the General Agricultural AG-40 zone.The Project also includes an onsite 100-foot agricultural buffer that incorporates the existing Woodbridge Irrigation District (WID) canal along the Project site's northwestern boundary. The Project is not expected to directly or indirectly convert any other farmland to non-agricultural use. Irrespective of the above findings,the Project would still convert 33.11 acres of active agriculture on Farmland of Statewide Importance to medical use. As discussed in Draft EIR Section 4.13 Land Use and Planning, to mitigate for this conversion, consistent with the San Joaquin County Agricultural Mitigation Ordinance, Mitigation Measure 4.4-1 requires active agricultural use preservation at a 1:1 ratio through either the acquisition of easements or payment of in-lieu fees. As discussed above, the Project's cumulative agricultural impacts are partially mitigated by site design and implementation of Mitigation Measure 4.4-1. However, even with implementation of these measures, consistent with findings contained in the General Plan EIR, the Project would still result in a cumulatively considerable contribution to loss of lands zoned for agricultural use. New farmland cannot feasibly be made available as mitigation because it would require either conversion from an existing, developed use, or conversion from forest land, park land, or open space. Such uses are typically either occupied by existing businesses or residents or are also protected from conversion under state and local policies and regulations.Therefore, no additional feasible mitigation is available to further reduce the Project's contribution to this cumulative impact.The Project would result in a cumulatively considerable contribution to a significant and unavoidable loss of agricultural resources in the San Joaquin Valley area. Mitigation Measures None available. Agricultural and Forestry Resources 4.4-15 October 2021