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Draft Environmental Impact Report Page IV.K-7 Forward Landfill Expansion The structures described above are smaller, more discrete visual features than the two hills of the existing Forward and Austin Road Landfills, whose height and massing make them the most prominent visual features of the site. Existing vegetation at the existing landfill portion of the site is comprised mainly of weeds and grasses, including those used to revegetate inactive landfill slopes. During the rainy season, the vegetated areas of the site provide variety of color and form,as expanses of green grassland are interspersed with the yellow and purple of wild mustard and thistle. During the dry season, most of the annual plants turn yellow or brown,blending with the mounds of excavated soil. Other vegetation at the site includes landscaping at the existing Forward Landfill entrance facilities, screening vegetation(oleander bushes, native shrubs, and valley oaks) along the southern portion of the site's frontage on Austin Road, riparian vegetation along the North Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn Creek,and several clusters of mature oak trees located around the site periphery, including the eastern portion of the North Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohns Creek, the northern portion of the site boundary with Austin Road, and the western boundary of the site along Newcastle Road. The proposed main expansion area to the south and west of the existing landfill is flat,unlike the adjacent landfill hills, and has an agricultural visual character similar to the adjacent agricultural land farther south and west. The appearance and color of the proposed expansion area to the south and west varies with the seasons as crops grow and are harvested. ,r Views from the Site Views from the site to the west consist primarily of flat agricultural land in row crops,and views to the south consist primarily of flat agricultural land cultivated in row crops and orchards. Views to the east also consist of flat agricultural land with row crops,vineyards, and orchards, along with approximately a dozen residences scattered along Austin Road. The row crops and orchards vary in appearance as the season change. Views to the north consist of clusters of buildings and fences of the Northern California Youth Center and Northern California Women's Facility. Views of the Site Public views of the site are primarily from Austin Road,adjacent to the landfill site on the east, and from State Highway 99, which runs north-south approximately one mile west of the site. A short segment of Highway 99 southwest of the project site,consisting of an overpass spanning French Camp Road,is elevated, providing greater views of the landfill. r From vantage points along Austin Road to the north and south of the landfill, views toward the landfills are dominated by the two hills' overall mass and configuration(see Figures IV.K-2 through IV.K-5.) Along with the hills,travelers along Austin Road can see, for relatively brief intervals, smaller features such as the two entrance roads, oak trees and riparian vegetation along portion of Austin Road and the North Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohns Creek, the Forward Landfill entrance facilities,the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn Creek, and the transfer station/resource recovery buildings. From the more distant vantage point of Highway 99,views of the landfill are dominated by the r two hills,while the buildings and other specific features are less apparent. From this viewpoint, the raised bulk of the landfill is prominent in the relatively flat terrain which includes the proposed expansion area to the south and west of the existing landfill. The landfill hills are partially obscured in some views by intervening orchards. r