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Visual qualities of adversely effected areas can be mitigated by: <br /> Minimizing cut and fill slopes. <br /> Roadway alignment following the existing groundline wherever possible. <br /> Landscape planting and natural revegetation on the cut and fill slopes. <br /> Maintain landscape planting and natural vegetation in the buffer area <br /> surrounding the quarry and the asphalt plant. <br /> 4.8 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources <br /> Expansion of quarry activities will result in the commitment of land to be mined and the loss <br /> through mining activities of existing geologic formations and mineral resources. The resources <br /> will be used in construction activities mainly located in Orange County. <br /> Construction of the proposed roadway relocation will result in the commitment of land, proposed <br /> right-of-way, economic resources, manpower, and materials in Orange County. <br /> The eventual development of a three billion gallon reservoir from the quarry pit will result in the <br /> realization of a critical segment of the area land use goals. <br /> Irretrievable resources are anticipated to be offset by the beneficial impacts experienced by the <br /> project. <br /> 4.9 Relationship Between Short-term Impacts and Long-term Benefits <br /> Loss of geological resources are expected to be minimal relative to the abundance of similar <br /> resources available in Orange County and by the eventual use of the quarry pit as a reservoir. <br /> The use of the geological resources would fill an immediate need in the construction industry, <br /> while the reservoir activity will aid in the realization of long-term water resource goals. <br /> Relocation of the roadway will provide long-term benefits by construction of the new roadway <br /> outside of the proposed reservoir area, thus reducing potential contamination of the proposed <br /> reservoir by any pollutants associated with roadway runoff. <br /> Construction activities such as use of heavy equipment, excavation, possible blasting at the <br /> quarry, dust, dirt, and temporary disruption of existing traffic patterns are expected to be among <br /> the most significant impacts experienced. Mitigation of noise, as well as dust and vegetation <br /> disposal measures can be initiated to minimize these effects. <br /> 4-11 <br />