CORRESPONDENCE_2008-2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A. AES -1: VISUAL IMPACT TO SCENIC VIEWS Increasing the landfill height limit to an elevation of 320 ft MSL was the only change whose impact could not be mitigated to "below significant". However, the height of the landfill will not be raised immediately, thus this impact will not be immediate. Instead, the height of the landfill will gradually increase, with full height and impact apparent when landfill reaches the maximum permitted height, approximately the year 2040. Impact to scenic views is mitigated by planting screening vegetation along the northern property boundary, such that travelers along Harney Lane are screened from the view of the landfill (Draft EIR page 3.1-8). The County calculates that 14 -foot tall vegetation will screen the view from motorists on Harney Lane to the top of the landfill at maximum landfill elevation. Screening planting is to be by a licensed landscape architect (Draft EIR Page 3.1-9). Planting along the northern property boundary is constrained significantly by the presence of wetlands (vernal pools and vernal swales) at or near that boundary (Figure 2), as characterized in 2007 (Reference 3). To avoid environmental impacts greater than those that we are attempting to mitigate, a 100 -foot buffer distance is provided between wetland areas and landscaping construction. In addition, the wetland ecology in these areas is made possible by a durapan layer that lies between 6 and 36 inches below ground surface. This layer holds rainwater near the surface, causing seasonal ponding necessary to wetland ecology. Digging through this durapan near the wetlands could cause subsurface drainage from the durapan in the wetland areas, disrupting the wetland ecology. Therefore, plants and planting methods were selected that did not require the penetration of the durapan for planting. If the installation of postholes through the durapan is required, then they would be filled with concrete, thereby restoring the low permeability condition of the durapan. 2. Implementation Jones and Stokes, and their staff licensed landscape architect were engaged to prepare a landscaping plan for the NCRC&SL which would improve the overall appearance of the NCRC&SL and screen the view of travelers along Harney Lane as much as possible. Screening vegetation will be planted 30 feet from the existing fence line where such planting would not impact wetlands. In consultation with County staff and others, Jones and Stokes proposes to plant Toyon, Crimson Bottle brush, Xylosama, and Pineapple Guava along the northern perimeter where such planting would not interfere with the wetlands. These species are generally evergreen, providing screening in all seasons. Soil will be added where needed in the planting area to amend the soil Mitigation Monitoring Plan 2 North County Recycling Center and Landfill April 3, 2009 San Joaquin County Public Works/Solid Waste