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4 Environmental Analysis 4.5 Cultural Resources 4.5 _CULTURAL RESOURCES This section identifies and evaluates issues related to cultural resources in the context of the Griffith Energy Storage Project(Project). It includes the physical and regulatory setting, the criteria used to evaluate the significance of potential impacts, the methods used in evaluating these impacts, and the results of the impact assessment. San Joaquin County (County) did not receive scoping comments related to cultural resources. Analysis pertaining to tribal cultural resources is addressed in Section 4.16, Tribal Cultural Resources. This analysis is based on the Cultural Resources Phase I Investigation for the Griffith Energy Project, Alameda and San Joaquin County, California technical report (Farrell and Kitchel 2022) prepared by Tetra Tech, which covered the 106-acre BESS land parcel; and the Kola Battery Energy Storage System, Alameda County, California, Cultural Resource Assessment technical report by Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. (Jacobs), which covered the gen-tie corridor and the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) tie-in (Price et al. 2022). In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Tetra Tech and Jacobs conducted cultural resource studies to determine whether the Project will result in a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological or historical resource (Sections 21083 and 21084 et seq. of the California Public Resources Code [PRC]; under the California Code of Regulations [CCR], Title 14, Chapter 11.5, Section 15064.5). The study was also conducted in accordance with Alameda County General Plan (2000) and San Joaquin County General Plan (2016) regarding cultural resources. The cultural resource reports detail the results of the records search, California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) sacred lands file (SLF) search, cultural resource field survey, and resource evaluations for the proposed Project. Due to the culturally sensitive nature of the information in the document, the technical reports are not included as an appendix to this analysis (pursuant to CCR Section 15120(d)). The results of the studies are provided in this section. The preparers of this Draft EIR independently reviewed the reports and other materials prepared by or on behalf of the Applicant and determined them to be suitable for reliance (in combination with other materials included in the formal record) in the preparation of this Draft EIR. As described in Section 4.16, Tribal Cultural Resources, San Joaquin County, as the lead agency, invited the following Native American Tribes to consult on the Project(as specified by PRC Section 21080.31 and as amended by Assembly Bill 52): Buena Vista Rancheria, California Tribal TANF Partnership, California Valley Miwok Tribe, North Valley Yokuts Tribe, and United Auburn Indian Community. As responsible agency, Alameda County does not formally consult with tribes as part of the CEQA process. 4.5.1 Existing Conditions 4.5.1.1 Regional and Local Setting The Project is situated on the rolling foothills (alluvial fans and terraces ecoregion) along the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley, adjacent to the Diablo Range of the Coast Range Physiographic Province. This series of low-relief Coast Range Mountains aligns predominately northwest to southeast and separates the Central Valley from the San Francisco Bay Area. Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.5-1 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023