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4 Environmental Analysis 4.5 Cultural Resources and any local consulting Native American representatives expressing interest in prehistoric or tribal resources. If an archaeological site does not qualify as a historical resource but meets the criteria for a unique archaeological resource as defined in Section 21083.2, then the site shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of Section 21083.2. If inadvertent discoveries are identified, all findings and treatments shall be documented in a cultural resources report that is submitted to San Joaquin County. 4.5.7 PG&E Tesla Substation Improvements To accommodate the Project, PG&E would be responsible for siting, design and construction of the gen-tie transmission line from the point of change of ownership (POCO) to their substation. Two options are available for the gen-tie line route from this point. The first option would be to connect via an aboveground line from the POCO to a point on the west side of the southwestern boundary of the substation. The second option is to enter the substation on the southwestern edge by way of a below ground line as shown in Figure 2-1 of Chapter 2, Project Description. Either ROW corridor is assumed to be up to 100 feet in width. Additionally, PG&E would upgrade the Tesla Substation, and the improvements would include the installation of a grounding system, disconnect switches, surge arresters, outdoor lighting and outlets, and fiber termination for the gen-tie line. The improvements made would be within the existing Tesla Substation footprint. Through the implementation of Mitigation Measures CULA and CUL-2, these improvements would not have a substantial adverse effect on any tribal or cultural resources, and no additional mitigation measures would be required. 4.5.8 Cumulative Impacts Cumulative impacts to historic properties consider the impact of the proposed Project in connection with past or related future projects. The CEQA Guidelines define a cumulative impact as two or more individual effects which, when considered together, are considerable, or which compound or increase other environmental impacts. When analyzing cumulative impacts to cultural resources, an assessment is made of impacts on individual resources as well as the inventory of cultural resources within the cumulative impact analysis area. The cumulative area for cultural resources is the Project area and the Altamont Hills area. This geographic scope of analysis is appropriate because the cultural resources within this area are expected to be similar to those that occur on the Project area due to their proximity and because the similar environments, Iandforms, and hydrology would result in similar land-use and resource types. The Project area and the surrounding area of the Altamont Hills are within an energy infrastructure corridor and the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area. The Project area is adjacent to the Tesla substation, and the general vicinity has been impacted visually by multiple large transmission line corridors: over 4,000 wind turbines of varying sizes and styles dot the hills, various roads, and the railroad alignment. Thus, implementation of the proposed Project is not anticipated to contribute to cumulative impacts to historical resources and would result in a less than significant impact. Development of the proposed Project, in combination with other cumulative projects in the area, has the potential to contribute to a cumulatively significant cultural resources impact due to the Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.5-19 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023