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4 Environmental Analysis
<br /> 4.11 Land Use and Planning
<br /> discourage energy facility development on Prime Farmland, respectively. Since the Project would
<br /> develop an energy storage facility for renewable energy sources that would not be placed on
<br /> Prime Farmland, the Project would be consistent with these General Plan Resources Element
<br /> policies. Further, the Project would balance the development with environmental protection
<br /> through implementation of the mitigation measures identified within this Draft EIR.
<br /> Other relevant policies of the Natural and Cultural Resources Element include Policies NCR-3.5,
<br /> NCR-6.5, NCR-6.6, NCR-7.1, NCR-7.2, and NCR-7.7. In accordance with Policy NCR-3.5 and
<br /> as discussed in Sections 4.7, Geology, Soils, and Paleontological Resources, and 4.10,
<br /> Hydrology and Water Quality, of this Draft EIR, the Project would implement Mitigation Measure
<br /> GEO-1, requiring the incorporation of BMPs contained in the Stormwater Pollution Prevention
<br /> Plan (SWPPP) to reduce potential impacts related to stormwater quality and runoff during
<br /> construction and eventual decommissioning. Additionally, no grading that may obstruct, impede,
<br /> or interfere with the natural flow of stormwaters would occur. The Project would include swales
<br /> and armored outlets to direct stormwater, as shown in the preliminary grading and site plan
<br /> provided as Figure 2-2 of Chapter 2, Project Description. Ultimately, as determined by this Draft
<br /> EIR, geology and soils, and hydrology and water quality impacts would be less than significant
<br /> with implementation of Mitigation Measure GEO-1.
<br /> In accordance with Policies NCR-6.5 and NCR-6.6, and as discussed in Sections 4.5, Cultural
<br /> Resources, and 4.16, Tribal Cultural Resources, of this Draft EIR, a Cultural Resource Phase I
<br /> Investigation has been prepared for the Project. Additionally, the County as initiated tribal
<br /> consultation in accordance with AB 52 requirements. As determined by this Draft EIR, impacts to
<br /> cultural resources and tribal cultural resources would be mitigated to below a level of significance
<br /> with implementation of Mitigation Measures CUL-1 (Cultural Resource Worker
<br /> Education/Training) and CUL-2 (Inadvertent Discovery of Archeological Resources During
<br /> Construction). Therefore, the Project would be consistent with these policies.
<br /> In accordance with Policy NCR-7.1, the Project would not impact scenic roadways. As discussed
<br /> in Section 4.1, Aesthetics, of this Draft EIR, Corral Hollow Road is identified as the closest local
<br /> scenic roadway to the Project site; however, the Project site is not visible from this roadway due
<br /> to terrain and distance. Further, it was determined that the Project would result in no impact to
<br /> state scenic highways.
<br /> As further discussed in Section 4.1, Aesthetics, and pursuant to Policy NCR-7.2, the Project
<br /> would be barely visible, if at all, from 1-580, and would not block views for the Diablo Range from
<br /> 1-580. Further, views of the Project from Patterson Pass Road and Midway Road would be limited
<br /> to a short distance due to the surrounding terrain. There are also no views of the Project from the
<br /> Top of World Scenic Lookout due to the terrain and distance. Ultimately, the Project would not
<br /> result in a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista.
<br /> Pursuant to Policy NCR-7.7, the Project would provide external safety lighting for both normal
<br /> and emergency conditions at the primary access points, which would be designed to provide the
<br /> minimum illumination needed to achieve safety and security and would be downward facing and
<br /> shielded to focus illumination in the immediate area and prevent night sky illumination and light
<br /> spillover. Lighting would also only switch on when personnel enter the area, either through motion
<br /> sensors or manual activation via a switch. All lighting associated with the Project would be subject
<br /> to County approval and compliance with San Joaquin County requirements. Impacts associated
<br /> with Project lighting were determined to be less than significant.
<br /> Griffith Battery Energy Storage Project 4.11-19 Tetra Tech/SCH 2022120675
<br /> Draft Environmental Impact Report August 2023
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