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4 Environmental Analysis 4.7 Geology, Soils, and Paleontological Resources Construction and Operations The Project facilities and gen-tie are not located within an earthquake fault zone established by the State of California under Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act. The older Midway fault (last movement over 11,7000 years ago) crosses the Project site, but is not considered active. A couple of other older faults are mapped in the Project area, but the closest, the Alquist-Priolo fault zone (Greenville), is more than 5 miles to the west. Considering the distance to the nearest active fault and the low probability of fault movement on the older faults, ground rupture would not be anticipated at the Project site should the area experience an earthquake. Additionally, ground failure is not anticipated due to the distance to active faults. Liquefaction is not anticipated because soil and groundwater conditions at the Project site are not conducive to such activity. Finally, relief is limited on the Project site and there is no on-site evidence of mass earth movement, so landslides are considered unlikely. Therefore, impacts related to rupture along a known earthquake fault, strong seismic ground shaking, or seismic-related ground failure (such as liquefaction or landslide) would be less than significant and no mitigation measures would be required. Mitigation: None required. IMPACT 4.7-2: Would the project result in substantial soil erosion or loss of topsoil? (Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporated) Construction Although the proposed Project site includes moderate relief across the site, the facility layout is being targeted for the southern part of the site, and current design calls for a single terrace to minimize cut and fill at the site. Project construction would result in ground surface disturbance during site clearance, excavation, and grading that could create the potential for soil erosion and loss of topsoil. Currently, the topsoil in the Project area is used for low-intensity cattle pasture and is not a significant natural resource. The Project would be designed and constructed in accordance with state and local guidelines regarding erosion control and management. Mitigation Measure GEO-1 would require a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) as part of Project execution. The Construction General Permit was developed to ensure that stormwater is managed to protect water quality and must include erosion control measures for the construction period as well as the postconstruction period. The Construction General Permit requires preparation and implementation of a SWPPP that identifies BMPs to control stormwater from construction work sites and to prevent off-site transport of disturbed soils. The BMPs may include, but are not limited to, physical barriers to prevent erosion and sedimentation; limitations on work periods during storm events; protection of stockpiled materials; and other measures identified by a qualified SWPPP preparer that would substantially reduce or prevent erosion from occurring during construction. Mitigation Measure GEO-1 (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) would reduce impacts to less than significant. Operations The necessary, specific, and long-term erosion control design features to be included in the Project have not been finalized at this time. However, such features would be designed and Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.7-17 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675 Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023