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III. Environmental Setting, Impacts, and Mitigations B. Aesthetics During the rainy months,the vegetated areas of the project site provide considerable variety in color,texture and form:expanses of green grassland are dotted with the prominent yellow and purple inflorescence of wild mustard and thistle. As the season progresses into the drier months, most of the annual plants turn yellow or brown,blending with the mounds of excavated soil. Public Views of the Site Public views of the project site are typically dynamic view sequences from moving vehicles on adjacent roadways,and fixed views from a few scattered residences in the vicinity from a medium-range(one to three miles)to a short-range(up to one mile)distance(ESA, 1993). See Figure III.B.I for the locations from which the photographs were taken. Views of the project sites are shown in Figures III.B.2 through III.B.9. Medium-Range Viewpoints Medium-range views of the project site(views from vantage points between one and three miles away from the site) are primarily available from northbound lanes of SR 99 between French Camp Road and the midpoint up to Arch Road(see Figure III.B.2). From this road segment, panoramic views of the project site and the surrounding area are available. Dominant landscape features include wide expanses grassland interspersed with tracts of tilled land and vineyards in the foreground.The existing active landfill area appear as a thin,light-colored band on the distant horizon. Dynamic view sequences of the landfill are intermittently interrupted by rows of mature trees,including oak. A thick hedge of oleanders in the freeway median generally screens the project site away from view for motorists traveling southbound on SR 99. Motorists traveling south of the project site on French Camp Road are afforded views of open grassland and clumps of oak trees against a distant backdrop of the landfill site. From Arch Road north of the project site,the landfill facility is partly obstructed from view by intervening single- story family homes, small farming/animal husbandry structures,landscaping, and the buildings at the Northern California Youth Center. III.B.4