Developed Agricultural Land May Become 'The Next L.A.'

"San Joaquin paves over more high-quality farmland than any other California county, says a new report - 14,888 acres from 1990 to 2004, an area half Stockton's size."

"'The fears of those who worry that the San Joaquin could become the next L.A. appear to be justified,' warns 'Paving Paradise' by the American Farmland Trust."

"'Unless,' the report adds, 'the state's premier agricultural region grows 'smarter' than in the recent past.'"

"We can dispense with the 'next L.A.' idea. This region won't have the beaches, Hollywood, the glitz, the defense industry, Philip Marlowe, even the porn industry."

"It'll just be an unbroken, low-density metroplex stretching up Highway 99, a sort of infinite Fresno."