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1 Introduction 1.7.1 Degradation of the Environment CEQA Guidelines Section 15065(a) requires a finding of significance if a project"has the potential to substantially degrade the quality of the environment." In practice, this is the same standard as a significant effect on the environment, which is defined in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15382, as "a substantial or potentially substantial adverse change in any of the physical conditions within the area affected by the project including land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, ambient noise, and objects of historic or aesthetic significance." This Draft EIR, in its entirety, addresses and discloses all potential environmental effects associated with construction and operation of the proposed plan, including direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts, in the resource areas listed above. As summarized in Table ES-1, this Draft EIR discloses all potential environmental impacts, the level of significance, and Project requirements that are otherwise required by law or are incorporated as part of the Project description. 1.7.2 Long-term Impacts CEQA Guidelines Section 15065(a)(2)states that a lead agency shall find that a project may have a significant effect on the environment where there is substantial evidence that the project has the potential to achieve short-term environmental goals to the disadvantage of long-term environmental goals. Chapter 4, Environmental Analysis, of this document addresses the short- term and irretrievable commitment of natural resources to ensure that the consumption is justified on a long-term basis. 1.7.3 Cumulative Impacts A cumulative impact analysis is only provided for those thresholds that result in a less than significant impact, potentially significant impact unless mitigated, or significant and unavoidable impact. A cumulative impact analysis is not provided for No Impact, which does not result in project-related impacts. CEQA Guidelines, Section 15065, states that a lead agency shall find that a project may have a significant effect on the environment where there is substantial evidence that the project has potential environmental effects that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable. As defined in CEQA Guidelines, Section 15065(a)(3), cumulatively considerable means "that the incremental effects of an individual project are significant when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects." Cumulative impacts are addressed for each of the environmental topics listed above and are provided in Chapter 4, Environmental Analysis, of this Draft EIR. 1.7.4 Impacts on Species CEQA Guidelines, Section 15065(a)(1), states that a lead agency shall find that a project may have a significant effect on the environment where there is substantial evidence that the project has the potential to: (1) substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species; (2) cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels; or (3) substantially reduce the number or restrict the range of an endangered, rare, or threatened species. Section 4.4, Biological Griffith Energy Storage Project 1-5 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023