ARCHIVED REPORTS_1993_1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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III. Environmental Setting,Impacts,and Mitigations B. Aesthetics Because the site is located in generally flat and undeveloped terrain,it is visually distinguishable from its surroundings primarily by the long,low mound formed by the active landfill. The site is not visually demarcated at its boundaries by terrain or vegetation features. The existing roadways that bound the eastern and western edges of the site are not prominent in views of the active landfill across the open agricultural fields that surround it. The channel of the existing creek is not visually prominent, although a few mature oak trees growing along the channel comprise the major vertical elements in views of the area and are visible at long distances. Landform Landform at the project site itself has been determined by its present land use. Prior to its development as a landfill in 1960,the project site was flat, which is still characteristic of the surrounding areas. Excluding the fill area,the degree of topographic relief in the project site vicinity ranges from approximately 25 feet above mean sea level(MSL)to approximately 40 feet MSL,or approximately 15 vertical feet. Topographic alterations due to landfill operations over the years have reduced the natural ground elevation approximately 16 feet,from about 30 feet MSL to about 14 feet MSL in the excavation areas on the southwest portion of the existing site. The active fill areas vary from about 35 feet MSL up to the permitted fill height of 90 feet MSL, resulting in heights as much as 55 feet above surrounding ground level. Thus,the active landfill extends the height range of naturally-occurring landscape features by a factor of approximately 3.7, creating a high degree of contrast that attracts the viewer's notice over long distances (up to 3 miles)throughout the surrounding area. Surface Waters The North Branch of the South Fork of Little Johns Creek meanders southwesterly through the project site and defines most of the existing landfill's boundaries to the east. The creek intersects Austin Road at an oblique angle,and only a small portion of the creek is visible from the road (ESA, 1993). During the wet seasons,the creek becomes an element of focal interest in the landscape where it is visible,due to its curvilinear surface reflecting the open sky and the riparian vegetation along its banks. However,the scenic value of the creek is ephemeral. During low run-off periods and dry seasons,the water level drops and the creek progressively acquires the appearance of a parched gully.The project site is located in a region established as prime agricultural land in the San Joaquin County General Plan. Land uses adjacent to this site reflect the designation in vineyards,grazing III.B.2