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The Honorable Board of Supervisors
               June 2, 2004
               Page 3





               receipt of oral testimony on January 23, 2001, April 24, 2001, November 27, 2001, and
               February 26, 2002, as well as the receipt of voluminous written testimony.


               Your Board is required to take the recommended actions under the Consent Decree by
               July 5, 2004.  The Project approval documents enclosed herein, including the proposed
               Project conditions, were exhibits to the Consent Decree, and are to be approved "as-is" under
               the terms of the Consent Decree.  The federal court has approved the specific steps called for
               in this board letter and has determined that this process is substantively and procedurally
               lawful under applicable federal and state laws.


               Implementation of Strategic Plan Goals

               The proposed actions promote the County's Strategic Plan goal of organizational effectiveness
               and fiscal responsibility.  They provide for the implementation of a federally-approved mining
               project in an area identified by the County General Plan as a state-recognized Regionally
               Significant Construction Aggregate Resource Area with the inclusion of numerous
               environmental mitigation measures and project conditions intended to reduce potential Project
               impacts while providing for settlement of significant litigation regarding the proposed Project.


               FISCAL IMPACT/FINANCING

               Approval of the recommendations will not result in direct additional net County costs.  The
               Project conditions require that Cemex pay certain costs to defray staff expenses in connection
               with inspection and other enforcement activities and provides for Cemex to fund other
               mitigation and Project-related measures.  No request for financing is being made.


               FACTS AND PROVISIONS/LEGAL REQUIREMENT

               Project Description and Chronology

               As indicated in more detail in the Project Findings (Exhibit D), Cemex's predecessor filed its
               application with the County in 1991  for a surface mining permit to conduct the proposed
               mining activities pursuant to Section 22.56.1240, et seq. of the County Code.  The Project site
               is located at 12101 Soledad Canyon Road within the Soledad Canyon Zoned District.  The
               zoning of the Project site is M-2 (Heavy Manufacturing).  A surface mining permit is required in
               this zone to conduct the proposed activities.  Approximately 45 acres of the subject property
               were previously mined for sand and gravel over the prior 30 years.  An abandoned surface
               mine remains on the Project site including an aggregate crushing mill, stockpile areas, and
               access roads.  The remainder of the site is predominantly undisturbed and vacant.  The


                      HOA.236756.1
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