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4 Environmental Analysis 4.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources oo Cancellation is consistent with Williamson Act objectives because the land in question has significant site-based constraints to viable agricultural operations due to the lack of water accessibility. The Project site does not contain irrigation infrastructure or an irrigation system connection. oo No proximate lands unencumbered by Williamson Act contracts were identified as available and suitable for battery energy storage development. Therefore, if the County approves a Use Permit and cancels the Williamson Act contract, the Project would not result in any conflict with the agricultural zoning or any Williamson Act contracts. Further, the zoning of the land would remain agricultural. Even though agricultural uses would not occur with the proposed Project, when the battery energy storage facility ceases operations, agricultural zoning and the Project's Decommissioning Plan and financial assurances would promote the conversion of the Project site back to agricultural uses. Mitigation: Implementation of Mitigation Measure AGRA would require the Applicant to file a Petition for Cancellation of Contract for the Williamson Act contract on the San Joaquin County portion of the Project site. Approval of the Petition for Cancellation would be required prior to development of the Project; if the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors determines that cancellation of the contract is in the public benefit (per Government Code § 51282(a)), no conflict with Williamson Act contracted land or farmland conversion would occur, and impacts would be less than significant with approval. IMPACT 4.2-3: Would the project conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code section 12220(8)), timberland (as defined by Public Resource Code section 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code section 51104(8))? (No Impact) The entirety of the Project site does not contain any land defined as forest land (as defined by Public Resources Code § 12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code § 4526), or land zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code § 51104(g)), such that there would be no impact. Mitigation: None required. IMPACT 4.2-4: Would the project result in loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non- forest use? (No Impact) The entirety of the Project site is not forest land and has been historically used as grazing land. No loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use would occur, such that there would be no impact. Mitigation: None required. IMPACT 4.2-5: Would the project involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland, to non-agricultural use or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? (Less than Significant Impact) The LESA model is an approach for rating the relative quality of land resources based upon specific measurable features. The LESA model was first developed by the federal Natural Griffith Battery Energy Storage Project 4.2-13 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023