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irrigation related to agriculture. Following the <br />installation of streets (approximately 3000' of 60' <br />wide and 50' wide right-of-way), 4.10 acres of farm <br />land will be paved and thereby removed from culti- <br />vation. The walnut trees will remain, but the <br />installation of lawns and walkways and driveways will <br />affect soil utilization. While garden beds allow <br />rain water percolation, sodden lawn surfaces will <br />provide for a larger increment of runoff. A large <br />amount of soil will also be removed from production of <br />food by the houses that will be built upon the site. <br />Total land coverage amounts to about 1.5 acres <br />exclusive of driveways and fences, tool sheds and <br />chicken coops, or swimming pools. <br />The Uniform Building Code requires adequate site <br />preparation in areas with plastic soils with high <br />shrink -swell characteristics (Sec. 2904 UBC 1973 <br />Edition) in conjunction with the Uniform Building <br />Code and the State Subdivision Map Act, the local <br />Subdivision Ordinance Section 9.075 requires a <br />preliminary soil report. If this report indicates <br />"Critically expansive soils or other soil problems <br />which, if not corrected, would lead to structural <br />defects, the subdivider shall provide for and sub- <br />mit the findings of a soil investigation of each lot <br />in the subdivision." The determination of the need <br />for a lot -by -lot soil analysis is made by the <br />Building Inspector. Any appeal of a decision <br />requiring a soils report would be made before the <br />Planning Commission. <br />The present subdivision is proposed on Capay Clay <br />Loam and Landlow Adobe Clay (See Section on Soils, <br />P.3). Portions of the site may be subject to <br />expansive action. <br />2. Water is affected by the addition of 43 homesites. <br />While it is true that more water is pumped from the <br />groundwater for irrigation, it is also true that <br />more water percolates into the ground in agricultural <br />sites. Drainage for the proposed subdivision is <br />channelled into a drainage system that is emptied <br />by pump into the drainage swale shown on the Plot <br />Plan of the subdivision. Since water runs off of all <br />housing and pavement, it is likely to pick up some <br />oils, detergents, insecticides and other contaminants. <br />For the present, Walnut Acres proposes to use a <br />containment basin with the subdivision. Eventually, <br />a drainage system planned for Cherryland Avenue <br />could be connected to drain this subdivision. When <br />that occurs, contaminants would be washed into the <br />Calaveras River and ultimately into the Sacramento -San <br />Joaquin Delta. Until the drainage system planned is <br />-23- <br />