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4 Environmental Analysis <br /> 4.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources <br /> 4.2.2.3 Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program <br /> The DOC's FMMP, administered by the Division of Land Resource Conservation, is responsible <br /> for mapping and monitoring important farmlands for most of the state's agricultural areas. The <br /> FMMP updates its farmland maps every 2 years based on information from local agencies. FMMP <br /> maps show five categories of agricultural lands and three categories of non-agricultural lands, <br /> which are described in the following subsections. The San Joaquin County portion of the Project <br /> site is classified as Grazing Land and Farmland of Local Importance. The gen-tie line corridor, <br /> located in Alameda County, is classified as Grazing Land and Other Land. The existing PG&E <br /> Tesla Substation, where Project's gen-tie line tie-in would be located, is classified as Urban and <br /> Built-up Land. <br /> Agricultural Lands <br /> Following are descriptions of the farmland mapping categories used by the FMMP. The minimum <br /> mapping unit for all agricultural land categories is 10 acres, except for Grazing Land, where the <br /> minimum mapping unit is 40 acres. <br /> Prime Farmland, Farmland of Statewide Importance, and Unique Farmland are the most suitable <br /> for agriculture and are considered especially important agricultural resources. They are often <br /> referred to collectively as "important farmland." Grazing Land may also qualify as important <br /> farmland where grazing is a key component of the local economy. <br /> Prime Farmland <br /> Prime Farmland is defined by the State as farmland with the best combination of physical and <br /> chemical features able to sustain long-term agricultural production. This land has the soil quality, <br /> growing season, and moisture supply needed to produce sustained high yields. Prime Farmland <br /> must have been used for irrigated agricultural production at some time during the 4 years prior to <br /> the mapping date (DOC 2022b). <br /> Farmland of Statewide Importance <br /> Farmland of Statewide Importance is defined as"irrigated land similar to Prime Farmland that has <br /> a good combination of physical and chemical characteristics for the production of agricultural <br /> crops." However, this land has minor shortcomings, such as steeper slopes or less ability to store <br /> soil moisture than Prime Farmland. For land to be designated as Farmland of Statewide <br /> Importance, it must have been used for production of irrigated crops at some time during the 4 <br /> years prior to the mapping date (DOC 2022b). <br /> Unique Farmland <br /> Unique Farmland is considered to consist of lower-quality soils, but, nonetheless, is used for <br /> production of the state's leading agricultural crops. Unique Farmland is usually irrigated, but may <br /> include non-irrigated orchards or vineyards in some climatic zones. To qualify for this designation, <br /> land must have been used for crops at some time during the 4 years prior to the mapping date <br /> (DOC 2022b). <br /> Griffith Battery Energy Storage Project 4.2-3 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 <br /> Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023 <br />