Laserfiche WebLink
4 Environmental Analysis <br /> 4.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources <br /> 4.2.3 Thresholds of Significance <br /> A project would result in significant impacts to agriculture and forestry resources if it would: <br /> a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance <br /> (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and <br /> Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use; <br /> b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract, <br /> c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public <br /> Resources Code section 12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public Resource Code <br /> section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government <br /> Code section 51104(8)); <br /> d) Result in loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use; or <br /> e) Involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, <br /> could result in conversion of Farmland, to non-agricultural use or conversion of forest land <br /> to non-forest use? <br /> 4.2.4 Impact Analysis <br /> In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, <br /> lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment <br /> (LESA model (1997) prepared by the DOC as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on <br /> agriculture and farmland. In determining whether impacts to forest resources, including <br /> timberland, are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to information complied <br /> by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection regarding the State's inventory of <br /> forest land, including the Forest and Range Assessment Project and the Forest Legacy <br /> Assessment Project; and forest carbon measurement methodology provided in Forest Protocols <br /> adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). <br /> To assess potential impacts on agriculture and farmland, the County has considered and relied <br /> on the results of Project-specific LESA modeling (Appendix B), site-specific zoning, and mapping <br /> available pursuant to the FMMP of the California Resources Agency. To assess potential impacts <br /> on forest resources, the County considered site zoning, site-specific environmental <br /> characteristics, and applicable definitions set forth in state law. <br /> IMPACT 4.2-1: Would the project convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of <br /> Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland <br /> Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? <br /> (No Impact) <br /> CEQA recognizes that the conversion of Prime or Unique Farmland or Farmland of Statewide <br /> Importance can result in a significant impact on agricultural resources. In this case, the San <br /> Joaquin County portion of the Project site is designated as Grazing Land and Farmland of Local <br /> Importance by the DOC, and the gen-tie line corridor located in Alameda County is designated as <br /> Grazing Land and Other Land by the DOC. The existing PG&E Tesla Substation, where the <br /> Project's gen-tie line tie-in would be located, is classified as Urban and Built-up Land. No portion <br /> of the Project site is considered Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide <br /> Griffith Battery Energy Storage Project 4.2-9 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 <br /> Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023 <br />