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4 Environmental Analysis 4.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources 4.2.2 Regulatory Setting 4.2.2.1 Federal No federal regulations pertain to the Project. 4.2.2.2 State California Land Conservation Act of 1965 The California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act; Government Code § 51200 et seq.) prevents farmland from conversion to other uses by offering owners of agricultural land a property tax incentive to maintain their land in agricultural use. The Williamson Act is a state program implemented at the county level that allows agricultural landowners to voluntarily and contractually agree to retain land included in an agricultural preserve' in agricultural or open space uses for a period of at least 10 years and, in return, to pay reduced property taxes. The term of the contract automatically renews each year, such that unless it is specifically nonrenewed or canceled, the contract always has a 10-year-period horizon. The most common method for withdrawing from a Williamson Act contract is filing a notice of nonrenewal, which can be initiated by either the land use agency or the landowner. Under this process, the contract is ended after a 9-year nonrenewal period, during which taxes gradually increase every year. A Williamson Act contract cancellation is an option under the circumstances and conditions set forth in Government Code § 51280 et seq. In such cases, landowners may petition the board or council of their county or city for cancellation of the Williamson Act contract. The board or council may grant tentative cancellation only if it makes required statutory findings (Government Code§51282(a)),which are (1)that the cancellation is consistent with the purposes of the chapter, and (2) that the cancellation is in the public interest. California Government Code § 51238 states that, unless otherwise decided by a local board or council, the erection, construction, alteration, or maintenance of electric and communication facilities, as well as other facilities, are determined to be compatible uses within any agricultural preserve. Government Code § 51238 states that the board of supervisors may impose conditions on lands or land uses to be placed within preserves to permit and encourage compatible uses in conformity with Government Code § 51238.1. The board or council must consider comments from the director of the DOC before acting on a proposed cancellation if comments are provided. A cancellation becomes final and a Certificate of Cancellation is issued by the board or council upon the completion of all Conditions of Approval. The San Joaquin County portion of the Project site is included in Williamson Act Contract No. 770255.A Williamson Act Cancellation Petition has been prepared and has been filed for approval by the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors. The petition contains the basis for making the findings required for cancellation pursuant to Government Code § 51280 et seq. ' An agricultural preserve defines the boundary of an area within which a city or county would be willing to enter into Williamson Act contracts with landowners: The boundary is designated by resolution of the city council or board of supervisors with jurisdiction over the property.Agricultural preserves generally must be at least 100 acres in size. Griffith Battery Energy Storage Project 4.2-2 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023