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Earthmetrics Report - page 6 in isolation from rural residential development pressures, i.e, those already present as well as those contemplated in the vicinity, the larger, encompassing study area (which also includes the Traina Bros parcel) reflects many resources characteristic of desireable prime agricultural areas. The topography is relatively level, sloping gradually from an Elevation of about 135' above sea level in the southwest corner of `ection 3 to nearly 95' above sea level in the northeast corner. Mediterranean -type climatic conditions of hot and dry summers, cool and mo',st wln+ers, and a long growing season are conducive to the production of a wide range of crops _ The average rainfall of 9 to 10 inches per year necessitates use of supplemental irrigation during the growing season. It is rearil; available from the Banta Carbona Irrigation District whose canal crosses the study area in a southeasterly direction from the SE corner of Fair Oaks Road. Soils are very deep, well drained ailuvial soils of only two types --El Solyo (formerly Brentwood) clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, and Stomar (formerly Rincon) clay loairi, 0 to 2 percent slopes Botn are prime agricultural sails, both are distributed widely throughout the Central Valley. The two units continue to be mapped as BR and P.M, respectively, in the mos` recent (and as yet to be published) USDA Soil Conservation Service soil survey for San Joaquin County. As can be seen on the accompanying preliminary USDA SCS soil survey map, the majority of the soil in Section 3 is mapped as R17 - Stomar clay loam, except for a large contagious block of BR - El Solyo clay loam centered on the Traina Bros. parcel ano the parcel immediately to the north and east across the Banta Carbona 1 D canal, and a smaller area in the southeastern corner of the section, east of the canal. Appendix E contains preliminary USDA. SCS narrative descriptions of the two soil types with specific discussions of their agricultural adaptabilities and limitations. The narratives also point to limitations of slow permeability, high shrink -swell, and low strength which affect. their capacity to accomodate high density homesite development. Inspection of the surrounding area reveals a wide diversity of crops being produced on nearby farming units. Areas to the north and east of the Valpico area contain larger areas of open crop land suitable to a variety of row and field crops. The Valpico area itself is more characteristic of the other orchard areas in the immediately vicinity and, in particular, to land use observed for several miles directly to the south, although operating 13.3-9