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Visual Impact Assessment Griffith Energy Storage Project 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING 4.1 Regional Character San Joaquin County is set within the greater San Joaquin Valley,with the Delta and large expanses of level,agricultural lands and urban development framed by the foothills of the Diablo Range to the west and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada to the east(San Joaquin County 2014).The foothills of the Diablo Range define the southwest corner of the county,and separate San Joaquin County from Alameda County to the west.Agricultural uses are the predominate land use in the unincorporated lands within the county. Urban development is concentrated in the seven incorporated cities of the county,especially Stockton and Tracy. 4.2 Local Setting The Project site consists of grazed non-native grassland,several hills,three residential uses,and agricultural buildings. In addition to the grasses,a few trees are found near the residential uses. Energy related uses are found adjacent to the Project site, including PG&E's Tesla Substation to the west and transmission towers and lines to the southwest and northwest of the Project site.A cluster of residential uses are found directly to the north of the Project site,on the other side of West Patterson Pass. Industrial uses located near the Project site are located on the western edge of Tracy, mostly on the eastern side of I-580.The terrain on the Project site and the immediate area ranges from relatively flat to hilly. 4.3 Scenic Routes According to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Scenic Highway System Lists,the segment of 1-580,south of the Interstate 205 (1-205) interchange to State Route 152, is an officially designated state scenic highway.This segment is located 1 mile to the northeast of the Project site. The segment of 1-580 west of the 1-205 interchange to the city of San Leandro is an eligible state scenic highway(Caltrans 2022).This segment is located approximately 2.2 miles to the north of the Project site.Corral Hollow Road, located 5 miles to the south of the Project site,is identified as a local scenic road (San Joaquin County 2014). 4.4 Scenic Vistas The foothills of the Diablo Range are identified as a key visual resource that adds contrast to the county's predominately flat terrain and views of the Diablo Range from 1-580 are identified as a major scenic vista. Other scenic vistas identified near the Project site include the viewing lands under agricultural production while driving on two-lane roads through rural portions of the county(San Joaquin County 2014).The Top of the World Scenic Lookout is located along Patterson Pass Road, approximately 4.3 miles to the west of the Project site. OTETRA TECH 19 August 2023