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Draft Environmental Impact Report Page IV.K-9 Forward Landfill Expansion mass to, the landfill hill that is currently permitted. The proposed lateral expansion would increase the disposal footprint from 354.5 to 551.8 acres, with much of this resulting from the conversion of existing agricultural landscapes to landfill hills. Most of the lateral expansion would be located on an agricultural parcel south and west of the existing permitted landfill, but also would include approximately 11 acres along the existing alignment of the South Branch of the South Fork of Littlejohn Creek,and approximately 10 acres in the northeast corner of the site. The maximum elevation of refuse fill in the expansion areas would be approximately 183 feet above mean sea level (MSL), lower than the permitted maximum height of 210 feet MSL for the existing Forward Landfill. Thus,the expansion would be visible as a lower extension of the existing Forward Landfill hill, which would be a substantial change from the appearance of the existing flat agricultural landscape of the main expansion area. The proposed expansion would increase the apparent bulk of the hill, which would dominate local views of the landfill area. After closure, the proposed expanded Forward Landfill would be vegetated open space. The top and side slopes of the final landfill would be hydroseeded with drought-tolerant grasses. This revegetation of the site would reduce visual impacts. However,the footprint and mass of the final landfill on the site would be substantially greater than those allowed under existing permits. The flat topography of the site vicinity allows unobstructed views of the landfill from Highway 99 (approximately one mile away), and other distant locations. Figures IV.K-2 through IV.K-5 include simulations of the proposed project, at its final grade, from the four viewpoints shown in Figure IV.K-1. Figure IV.K-2 simulates the project viewed from the northeast, Figure IV.K-3 is a simulation viewed from the southeast, Figure IV-K-4 is a simulation viewed from the southwest, and Figure IV.K-5 is a simulation viewed from the northwest. From all four viewpoints, the final grade of the project would be higher, more massive, and more prominent than the existing landfill conditions, with the degree of apparent additional mass and height varying with the viewpoint. The expanded landfill would be visually prominent over a greater area than the current landfills, and would substantially expand the visual intrusion of industrial uses into a predominantly agricultural area. This is a potentially significant impact. A 6-foot high chain link fence has been constructed at the perimeter of the property to limit public access. At the time this EIR was prepared, screening vegetation, including native shrubs and trees such as valley oak,was being planted along the Austin Road boundary of the site. This would, at maturity, partially or completely shield residents and motorists along Austin Road from views of landfill operations, including nighttime disposal operations, depending on the season(valley oaks lose their leaves in winter). In addition, the following procedures are proposed as part of the project: • Native or drought-tolerant trees, shrubs, and grasses will be used in landscaping to conform to the natural vegetation of the area. • Working faces of the landfill will be minimized to reduce their visibility. • To the extent feasible, the top and side slopes of the landfill will be seeded with a mixture of native grasses and wildflowers that would visually blend with plants at the project site. • Upon closure,the top and side slopes of the landfill will be planted with native grasses to the extent feasible. Implementation of these procedures would reduce the visual effects of the project;however,the