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Robinson Ranch Sand Mine and Reclamation Project (CUP #06-008)

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Robinson Ranch Sand Mine and Reclamation Project (CUP #06-008) Initial Study and Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration: Robinson Ranch Sand Mine and Reclamation Project (CUP #06-008) November 2009 Prepared for: Planning and Community Development Department Prepared by: Sacramento, California 10260 | JCS | 09 Initial Study and Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration: Robinson Ranch Sand Mine and Reclamation Project (CUP #06-008) Prepared for: County of Merced Planning and Community Development Department 2222 M Street Merced, CA 95340 Prepared by: PBS&J 1200 2nd Street Sacramento, CA 95814 November 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 1-1 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ......................................................................................................... 2-1 3. ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST ............................................................................................... 3-1 Section I: Background .............................................................................................................. 3-1 Section II: Environmental Factors Potentially Affected .............................................................. 3-2 Section III: Determination ........................................................................................................... 3-3 Section IV: Environmental Checklist .......................................................................................... 3-5 1. Aesthetics. ..................................................................................................................... 3-6 2. Agriculture Resources. ................................................................................................. 3-19 3. Air Quality. ................................................................................................................... 3-20 4. Biological Resources. .................................................................................................. 3-26 5. Cultural Resources. ..................................................................................................... 3-37 6. Geology and Soils. ....................................................................................................... 3-41 7. Greenhouse Gas Emissions. ....................................................................................... 3-43 8. Hazards and Hazardous Materials. .............................................................................. 3-45 9. Hydrology and Water Quality. ...................................................................................... 3-48 10. Land Use and Planning. ............................................................................................... 3-53 11. Mineral Resources. ...................................................................................................... 3-54 12. Noise. ........................................................................................................................... 3-55 13. Population and Housing. .............................................................................................. 3-60 14. Public Services. ........................................................................................................... 3-62 15. Recreation. .................................................................................................................. 3-63 16. Transportation/Traffic. .................................................................................................. 3-63 17. Utilities and Service Systems. ...................................................................................... 3-70 18. Mandatory Findings of Significance. ............................................................................ 3-72 Appendices APPENDIX A: USFWS List CNDDB Lists for the Winton and Yosemite Lakes Quads CNPS Lists for the Winton and Yosemite Lakes Quads APPENDIX B: CNDDB Sensitive Species Occurrences APPENDIX C: Plant and Wildlife Species Observed APPENDIX D: URBEMIS Air Emissions Modeling Results APPENDIX E: Robinson Ranch Sand Mine Reclamation Plan (December 2008) with Technical Appendices [INCLUDED AS COMPACT DISK. BOUND COPIES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST] Robinson Ranch Sand Mine Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration i P:\Projects - WP Only\+10000\8216 Robinson Ranch\DIS\!Front Matter and Intro.docx November 2009 Table of Contents LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Figures Figure 2.1 Regional Location .................................................................................................... 2-2 Figure 2.2 Vicinity Map ............................................................................................................. 2-3 Figure 2.3 Aerial Map ............................................................................................................... 2-4 Figure 2.4 Mining and Reclamation Activities ........................................................................... 2-7 Figure 2.5 Pre- and Post-Mining Site Topography .................................................................... 2-8 Figure 2.6 Revegetation Plan ................................................................................................. 2-16 Figure 3.1 View Locations......................................................................................................... 3-7 Figure 3.2 Viewpoint 2 .............................................................................................................. 3-8 Figure 3.3 Viewpoint 3 ............................................................................................................ 3-10 Figure 3.4 Viewpoint 4 ............................................................................................................ 3-11 Figure 3.5 Viewpoints 5 and 6 ................................................................................................ 3-12 Figure 3.6 Viewpoints 7 and 8 ................................................................................................ 3-13 Figure 3.7 Viewpoints 9 and 10 .............................................................................................. 3-14 Figure 3.8 Recommended Modification of Cut Slope Location as Described in Mitigation Measure AES-1 ..................................................................................................... 3-18 Figure 3.9 Truck Trip Distribution ............................................................................................ 3-67 Figure 3.10 Regional Mining Projects ....................................................................................... 3-75 Tables Table 2.1 Grazing Mix ............................................................................................................. 2-6 Table 2.2 Mining and Reclamation Phases ........................................................................... 2-15 Table 2.3 Erosion Control Mix ............................................................................................... 2-19 Table 2.4 Grassland Mix ........................................................................................................ 2-19 Table 2.5 Oaks ...................................................................................................................... 2-21 Table 2.6 Elderberries and Cottonwoods .............................................................................. 2-22 Table 2.7 Performance Standards ......................................................................................... 2-22 Table 3.1 Proposed Project Annual Emissions - Unmitigated................................................ 3-22 Table 3.2 Elderberry Mitigation .............................................................................................. 3-33 Table 3.3 Typical Noise Levels for Equipment Similar to Proposed Project Operations ........ 3-58 Table 3.4 Level of Service for Unsignalized Intersections ..................................................... 3-64 Table 3.5 Level of Service for Roadways .............................................................................. 3-65 Table 3.6 Intersection LOS – Existing Conditions .................................................................. 3-65 Table 3.7 Road Segment LOS – Existing Conditions ............................................................ 3-65 Table 3.8 Project Trip Generation .......................................................................................... 3-65 Table 3.9 Intersection LOS – Existing Plus Project Conditions .............................................. 3-66 Table 3.10 Road Segment LOS – Existing Plus Project Conditions ........................................ 3-66 Table 3.11 Trip Generation for Periods of Peak Production .................................................. 3-68 Robinson Ranch Sand Mine Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration ii P:\Projects - WP Only\+10000\8216 Robinson Ranch\DIS\!Front Matter and Intro.docx November 2009 1. INTRODUCTION This initial study was prepared pursuant to the State of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970 (as amended) (California Public Resources Code 21050 et seq.) and in accordance with the State Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA Guidelines). The County of Merced Department of Planning and Community Development (County) is the CEQA lead agency for this document. The project evaluated in this initial study is a proposed sand extraction operation (proposed project)
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