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4 Environmental Analysis 4.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources The Public Interest and Use of Non-prime Farmland The DOC more often found that cancellations are in the public interest when the parcel(s) are not located on lands classified as Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance, as defined by the FMMP. The entirety of the Project site does not contain lands classified as Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance. The Project site and surrounding lands are designated as Farmland of Local Importance and Grazing Land. The Public Interest, Water Availability, and Site Constraints Water supplied to the County comes from two sources: groundwater and surface water. The County lies entirely within the San Joaquin River Basin, which is bounded topographically and geologically by the bedrock of the Diablo Range to the west and the Sierra Nevada to the east. The San Joaquin River flows in a southeast to northwest direction from the Sierra Nevada through the County. Water supply in the County is provided through multiple agencies and water projects, including federal, regional, and local water districts, special districts, and private systems. While all cities and most unincorporated areas in the County receive water through delivery systems operated and maintained by irrigation districts, water districts, and water conservation districts, some communities rely on groundwater from private wells (San Joaquin County 2016). The portion of the Project site that is subject to an existing Williamson Act contract (within San Joaquin County)is not located within an established water district or irrigation district in the County (San Joaquin County 2022b, 2022c). Accordingly, the San Joaquin County portion of the Project site does not contain irrigation infrastructure or an irrigation system connection to a water district or irrigation district. Thus, water supply would likely be secured via groundwater from a private well. Due to lack of irrigation water, the current use on the entire Project site is cattle ranching. Cancellation is more appropriate and consistent with Williamson Act objectives where the land in question has significant site-based constraints to viable agricultural operations. The approximately 106 acres being petitioned for cancellation under Contract No. 770255 within San Joaquin County are not irrigated and do not have irrigation system connections to a water district's or irrigation district's infrastructure. Thus, there is a lack of necessary infrastructure to deliver surface water to the Williamson Act—contracted, San Joaquin County portion of the Project site efficiently. Cancellation of the Existing Williamson Act Contract The proposed Project would not affect agricultural uses on adjacent or nearby properties under Williamson Act contracts or within agricultural zoning designations for the following reasons: oo The Project would not introduce a non-agricultural use that is sensitive to or incompatible with agricultural operations that would occur nearby. oo At the end of its operating life, infrastructure associated with the Project would be removed, which would allow the Project site to return to agricultural use. oo The Project site and surrounding lands do not contain lands classified as Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance. Griffith Battery Energy Storage Project 4.2-12 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023