New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Division of Environmental Permits, Region 4

1130 North W estcott Road, Schenectady, New York 12306-2014
Phone: (518) 357-2069 FAX: (518) 357-2460
Website: www.dec.ny.gov
Joe Martens
Commissioner

November 4, 2014

Paula A. Mahan, Supervisor

Town of Colonie
534 Loudon Road
Latham, NY 12110

Re:

Notice of Acceptance of DEIS Scope

Town of Colonie Landfill Area 7 Development
DEC Application #4-0126-00033/00001
Colonie (T), Albany County

Dear Supervisor Mahan:

In April of this year the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) received the towns
application for a Part 360 Solid Waste Management permit to authorize development of Area 7 of the
current landfill. The DEC then initiated Lead Agency Coordination under the State Environmental
Quality Review (SEQR) regulations and at the completion of the coordination process the DEC became
the SEQR Lead Agency.
During July of this year the DEC issued a SEQR Positive Declaration for the proposal, which
required that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) be prepared for this permit application.
On August 13 the DEC issued a draft scope of issues that are to be discussed in the DEIS and a
Notice was published in the Times Union and in the Environmental Notice Bulletin stating that the
scope was available for public review and comments. The DEC received comments on the draft scope
and the scope was then revised into a final version, a copy of which is enclosed.
This DEIS must be prepared based on this approved Scoping Outline, and a copy of the
Scope should be posted on the website that was developed for posting landfill application
related documents: http://www.townofcolonielandfill.com
It is anticipated that Waste Connections, Inc. will be submitting the DEIS along with the
detailed plans and specifications that are currently being prepared for the Part 360 Solid Waste
Permit application. Once those documents are received by the DEC and the Department has
had an opportunity to review them, the Department will provide the Town of Colonie, and
public in general, with notification that comments pertaining to the project and the DEIS may be
submitted to the Department for review and consideration.

-2-

Please feel free to contact me at 357-2446 or at andy.marcuccio@dec.ny.gov should you

have any comments or questions with regard to this notification.

Sincerely,

Angelo A. Marcuccio
Deputy Regional Permit Administrator

Enclosures: DEIS Scope

ec:

John Cunningham, Commissioner of Public Works, Town of Colonie

Matthew McGarry, Public Works Engineer, Town of Colonie
Curt Taylor, Cornerstone Environmental Group
Victoria Schmitt, NYSDEC Division of Materials Management, Region 4

STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW ACT

SCOPE
Town of Colonie Landfill, Proposed Area 7 Development
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

Name of Action: Proposed Area 7 Development

SEQR Status: Type 1

Lead Agency: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)

I.

DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT

Existing Town of Colonie Landfill Operations

The Town of Colonie owns and maintains permits for the operation of the Town of Colonie
Landfill Facility. The Town of Colonie Landfill is located between U.S. Route 9 and CohoesCrescent Road in the northeast portion of Albany County, New York. The facility is currently
operated by Capital Region Landfills, Inc. under contract with the Town of Colonie.
The landfill is permitted to accept a maximum of 820 tons of waste per operating day (tpd)
(based on a 25 operating day rolling average) provided that on an annual basis, no more than
255,840 tons per year are received and disposed of in the landfill. The wastes accepted at the
landfill generally consist of residential waste, commercial waste, industrial/institutional waste,
municipal solid waste, and other non-hazardous waste consisting of wastewater treatment
plant sludge, water treatment plant sludge, incinerator ash, construction and demolition (C&D)
debris, and non-hazardous contaminated soils. Of the approximately 253,000 tons of waste
accepted at the landfill in 2013, approximately 182,000 tons was municipal solid waste.
Consistent with the approved Solid Waste Management Plan and past practices, the landfill
operates as a regional, merchant solid waste management facility. In 2013, approximately
92% of the total 253,000 tons of waste disposed of at the landfill originated from within the
counties in the vicinity of the landfill: Albany (24%); Rensselaer (28%); Saratoga (35%); and
Washington (5%).
An Environmental Monitoring and Sampling Plan is implemented for the existing landfill areas
pursuant to which groundwater, surface water and leachate quality are monitored. A landfill
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gas collection system is operated to collect and control landfill gas generated from the
decomposition of landfilled wastes. Collected landfill gas is combusted in a landfill gas flare and
an electric generating facility as described herein. Landfill leachate collected from the existing
landfill areas is stored in on-site lagoons prior to discharging through municipal sewers to offsite treatment facilities.
Upon reaching permitted capacity, the landfill will be closed in accordance with permit
documents and applicable regulatory requirements. This closure will include capping the active
areas (presently Areas 5 and 6) with an engineered geosynthetic membrane liner to prevent
infiltration of precipitation into and through in-place wastes. Post-closure care will be provided
for a minimum 30-year period following landfill closure, and will include continued
environmental monitoring as well as cover maintenance and continued leachate and landfill gas
management. Financial assurance is required by permit to ensure that closure and post-closure
requirements are met through the 30-year post-closure period.
Project Background
The Town has proposed to undertake a Project involving the further development of its existing
solid waste management facility (the Proposed Area 7 Development) as identified in the
NYSDEC-approved Town of Colonie Solid Waste Management Plan (2007-2008 Solid Waste
Management Plan Update, December 2009). This Scoping Document has been prepared in
accordance with the regulations of the NYSDEC set forth at 6 NYCRR (Codes, Rules and
Regulations of the State of New York) Part 617, which implement the State Environmental
Quality Review (SEQR) Act. This Scoping Document outlines the topics and analyses of the
potential environmental impacts of the Towns proposed Project.
The Scoping Document will describe the Proposed Area 7 Development Project, identify any
potentially significant adverse impacts, describe the extent and quality of information needed
to address each impact, identify possible mitigation measures, and describe reasonable
alternatives to be considered. The scoping process allows the scope of the Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (DEIS) to be focused on the relevant environmental impacts to the
environmental conditions and resources that may be affected by the Project and to eliminate
irrelevant impacts or issues and to eliminate or de-emphasize non-significant impacts.
SEQR Act Status
SEQR establishes a process for the consideration of environmental factors in the planning
stages of discretionary actions that are directly undertaken, funded, or approved by local,
regional, and state agencies. SEQR requires an analysis of the range of potential significant
adverse environmental impacts of a proposed action and how those impacts can be avoided or
minimized.
November 3, 2014

The Town of Colonie completed Part 1 of a Full Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) for the
proposed project dated March 11, 2014 and the EAF was submitted to the NYSDEC. NYSDEC
distributed a SEQR Lead Agency Coordination letter dated April 30, 2014 indicating its desire to
act as Lead Agency.
Project Summary
The proposed Project will involve the development of Area 7 of the existing Town of Colonie
Landfill which operates under NYSDEC Solid Waste Management Permit #4-0126-00033/00001.
The landfill development, which will provide continued waste capacity beyond the currently
permitted life, is proposed to continue to function as outlined in the Town of Colonie Solid
Waste Management Plan.
In all, the area of Project activities is anticipated to comprise approximately 112 acres on an
approximately 200 acre site. The Project is a proposed horizontal and vertical landfill
development generally to the north and west of the active landfill operations of the existing
landfill and will increase the permitted height of the landfill to 517 feet above mean sea level
(msl). The preliminary area of proposed liner construction (subject to completion of
engineering report and the Part 360 application) is anticipated to be approximately 58 acres
(approximately 25 acres will be new waste footprint with the balance of new liner to be
constructed over existing Areas 1-4 waste footprint), with an additional approximately 16 acres
of vertical landfill development over the existing Areas 5 and 6. The Project will also involve the
removal of the existing leachate storage lagoons and replacement with tanks and will involve
the relocation of the facility entrance.

II.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION

An EAF was prepared to determine the potential significance of the Project impacts. Based on
this initial analysis, the following scope is provided for consideration.
A.
Topography, Geology & Soils
Existing Conditions: The Project site is an existing operating landfill. The majority of the
development area will be on historically disturbed areas or former landfill areas. The elevation
outside of the footprint of existing waste placement ranges from 190 to 330 feet above msl and
the existing permitted peak elevation within the waste placement footprint at closure is 430
feet above msl. The topography of the area surrounding the landfill can be described as rolling
hills within the Mohawk River valley. The bedrock underlying the site consists of shales and
graywackes of the Austin Glen Formation. Overlying bedrock are overburden glacial deposits
consisting of glaciolacustrine silts and clays and glacial till deposits. On the eastern edge of the
site alluvium deposits are present.
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Potential Impact: The Project includes the development of the landfill to a completed peak
elevation of 517 feet above msl as compared to a currently-permitted elevation of 430 feet
above msl. Erosion and sedimentation are potential impacts that can occur when ground is
disturbed for construction. This is particularly problematic when sediment-laden runoff from a
project site reaches aquatic resources such as streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands.
Anticipated Information Necessary to Address the Impact: The Federal Aviation Administration
will be contacted to conduct an aeronautical study to determine any hazard to air navigation. A
Site Investigation Report will be completed in support of the landfill design which will present
detailed information regarding the site geology. The substantive findings in the Site
Investigation Report will be summarized in the DEIS.
Initial Identification of Mitigation Measures: The DEIS will identify areas that are most
susceptible to erosion and stabilization issues and will describe anticipated measures to be
implemented during construction phases to minimize soil transport and deposition. A
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is in place for current facility operations and
construction. Prior to commencement of Area 7 construction activities, the SWPPP will be
modified to include erosion and sedimentation controls which will be implemented to prevent
erosion and sedimentation problems related to the construction and operation of the further
landfill development.
B.
Surface Water Resources
Existing Conditions: Surface water at the site generally flows directly or through perimeter
swales to eastern portions of the site and ultimately to the Mohawk River. In addition, surface
water from along Route 9 and west of Route 9 flow onto the northwest portion of the site
where it merges with site storm water and discharges as described above. Stormwater
discharges from the existing landfill are regulated by NYSDEC permit. Leachate storage lagoons
are present at the northeast portion of the site, but these do not discharge to surface water
(collected leachate is pumped to a sanitary sewer for off-site treatment).
Potential Impact: Construction activities have the potential to create impacts from erosion and
sedimentation. The Proposed Area 7 Development will provide additional stormwater
treatment capacity, which will improve the quality of stormwater discharges from the site.
Anticipated Information Necessary to Address the Impact: Hydrologic modeling will be
completed to evaluate stormwater flows during construction and from the operational and
constructed landfill. The modeling and resulting stormwater controls will be summarized in the
DEIS.

November 3, 2014

Initial Identification of Mitigation Measures: Erosion and sedimentation controls will be

implemented to prevent erosion and sedimentation impacts during and after construction.
Stormwater discharges from construction activities will be subject to the requirements of a
NYSDEC permit (MSGP for Industrial Stormwater Discharges). Additional stormwater treatment
capacity will be provided by the proposed Project, improving the quality of stormwater
discharges from the site. The removal of the existing leachate storage lagoons and replacement
with covered leachate storage facilities in the southeast portion of the site will reduce potential
impacts to surface water quality related to leachate storage.
C.
Groundwater Resources
Existing Conditions: The groundwater in the vicinity of the existing landfill has been impacted by
historical waste placement. Site-specific geology is not consistent with aquifer materials (i.e.,
consisting principally of low permeability silts and clays with limited alluvium deposits) and
there are no groundwater uses downgradient of the landfill. Groundwater flow across the site
is generally to the east. Leachate storage lagoons are present at the northeast portion of the
site, but these do not discharge to groundwater (collected leachate is pumped to a sanitary
sewer for off-site treatment).
Potential Impact: Landfill operations generate leachate from the exposure of waste (within
both active areas as well as closed cells) to rain and snowfall. This leachate has the potential to
leach into groundwater beneath the landfilled waste or due to accidental releases from the
leachate storage lagoons. The DEIS will evaluate methods to protect contamination of the
groundwater from the landfill operations.
Anticipated Information Necessary to Address the Impact: A Site Investigation Report will be
completed in support of the landfill design which will present detailed information regarding
the site hydrogeology.
Initial Identification of Mitigation Measures: The Proposed Area 7 Development will
incorporate baseliner systems meeting the requirements of NYSDECs current Part 360
regulations to mitigate potential impacts to groundwater quality. The removal of the existing
leachate storage lagoons and replacement with leachate storage tanks and secondary
containment in the southeast portion of the site will reduce potential impacts to groundwater
quality related to leachate storage.
D.
Terrestrial Resources
Existing Conditions: The Proposed Area 7 Development will be on an existing landfill site. The
majority of the footprint of the project overlies areas already developed as landfill. Other areas
November 3, 2014

proposed for development include existing solid waste facility buildings and pavement,
leachate storage lagoons, a sedimentation basin, mowed grass areas and a small area of
deciduous growth. Federal wetlands are located on the landfill property. NYSDEC-regulated
wetlands (a portion of the 27.6 acre TN-10) are located in the eastern portion of the landfill
property.
Potential Impact: A small wooded area located within the Proposed Area 7 Development area
would be eliminated by the Project. The ecological value of the small wooded area will be
evaluated in the DEIS.
The remaining areas proposed for development are already developed, largely as part of the
existing solid waste management facility.
The landfill property contains State and Federal wetland areas and the boundaries of the
wetland areas that may be impacted by the Proposed Area 7 Development will be fully
delineated and mapped.
Initial wetland mapping indicates that the proposed Area 7 Development will result in the filling
of approximately 2 acres of federal wetlands and that Project development activities will occur
in some portions of the buffer areas of the state-regulated wetlands.
Wetland impacts and work within buffer areas will be subject to USACE and NYSDEC review,
approval and permitting.
Anticipated Information Necessary to Address the Impact: Potential on-site mitigation areas
were determined not to be feasible due to prior development, existing wetland areas and land
constraints. After consultation with USACE and NYSDEC, off-site mitigation within the
watershed was determined to be necessary. The DEIS will contain information related to the
construction of a wetland mitigation project on Town of Colonie property along the Mohawk
River west of the landfill site. Wetland impacts and mitigation will be subject to USACE and
NYSDEC review, approval and permitting.
Initial Identification of Mitigation Measures: The wetland and buffer area impacts and the
mitigation project will be completed in accordance with permits issued by the USACE and
NYSDEC.
E.
Wildlife Resources
Existing Conditions: The Proposed Area 7 Development will be on an existing landfill site. The
majority of the footprint of the project overlies areas already developed as landfill and support
facilities with relatively low habitat value. This site is at the confluence of the Mohawk &
November 3, 2014

Hudson River which provides important habitat for a wide variety of birds. A bald eagle nesting
area is located west of Route 9 on the Mohawk River.
Potential Impact: A small wooded area located within the Proposed Area 7 Development area
would be eliminated by the Project. The remaining areas proposed for development are already
developed, largely as part of the existing solid waste management facility.
The ecological value of the wooded and open space areas of the landfill will be evaluated for
their habitat value and the potential impact that the development of these areas (e.g.,
conversion to landfill area followed by closure and return to open space) may have on bald
eagles, other threatened or endangered species, as well as bird and deer populations which
may be using these areas as part of their habitat.
Anticipated Information Necessary to Address the Impact: The DEIS will present a detailed
description of wildlife resources within the Proposed Area 7 Development Area and will include
an evaluation of the potential impact to the bald eagle. Potential impacts to wildlife related
to operational issues, such as use of the gas flares and use of rodenticides at and around the
landfill, and any landfill buildings, will also be evaluated.
The DEIS will also address any current or anticipated future issues related to deer populations
at the landfill.
Initial Identification of Mitigation Measures: The landfill facility currently implements a wildlife
hazard management plan to control nuisance birds that may be attracted to the landfill, and it
will continue to do so. Once the studies are completed, additional measures will be taken if
identified as being necessary.
F.
Land Use and Community Character
Existing Conditions: The existing Land Use is the Town of Colonie Landfill. Community character
can be described as highway commercial along U.S. Route 9 (west of the landfill), vacant along
Cohoes-Crescent Road (east of the landfill), and industrial (south of the landfill). Residential
uses are present southwest of the Landfill property and a new development (including both
commercial and residential uses) is under construction west of U.S. Route 9 from the southern
portions of the existing landfill. Beyond the Mohawk River to the north and east are the Towns
of Halfmoon and Waterford. These communities include industrial, commercial, recreational
and residential uses. The site lies near the National Heritage Corridor (Erie Canalway), the
National Scenic Byway (Mohawk Towpath Byway).
Potential Impact: The community impacts presented by landfills are primarily noise, odor, visual
impact, and truck traffic, although the Proposed Area 7 Development represents a general
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continuation of existing uses within the footprint of the existing landfill operations and there
are no plans to modify landfill operational parameters. Each of these potential operational
impacts is discussed in a separate section below and will be discussed in the DEIS. No other
impacts to Land Use and Community Character are anticipated related to the Proposed Area 7
Development.
Anticipated Information Necessary to Address the Impact: As described below, the DEIS will
present an evaluation of noise, odor, visual impact, and truck traffic related to the Proposed
Area 7 Development.
Initial Identification of Mitigation Measures: As described below, the DEIS will present an
evaluation of noise, odor, visual impact, and truck traffic related to the Proposed Area 7
Development.
G.
Visual Resource
Existing Conditions: The topography of the area surrounding the landfill would be described as
rolling hills in a river valley. The landfill is, therefore, consistent with the surrounding landscape.
The existing landfill is a significant component of the landscape as viewed from Route 9 and
from areas to the east of the site (across the Mohawk River in Saratoga County) and that has
been the case for several decades as the landfill has been developed.
Potential Impact: The Project includes the development of the landfill to a completed peak
elevation of 517 feet above msl as compared to a currently-permitted elevation of 430 feet
above msl. Potential visual impacts in areas in proximity to the landfill will be evaluated as
described below. The visual character of the Proposed Area 7 Development is anticipated to be
consistent with the character of the existing permitted landfill (i.e., vegetated and operational
areas upon a significant topographical feature within the Mohawk River valley).
Anticipated Information Necessary to Address the Impact: To document that the character of
surrounding views of the Proposed Area 7 Development will be consistent with the currently
permitted landfill development, the DEIS will present photo-enhancements from five
perspectives to illustrate the future view toward the landfill from the following locations:

Route 9, North of Crescent Bridge;

West of Route 9 South of the Crescent Bridge
West of Route 9 South of Arrowhead Drive
East of the Mohawk River near Towpath Lane in the Town of Waterford; and
East of the Mohawk River at Canal Park in the Town of Waterford

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The view from each perspective location will be enhanced to illustrate the currently permitted
landfill geometry at full development. A second enhancement will be prepared to illustrate the
Proposed Area 7 Development at full development for comparison. The two enhancements for
each perspective location will be compared and differences discussed.
Initial Identification of Mitigation Measures: Appropriate mitigation measures will be identified
to address both the short-term and long-term impacts to the visual character of the
surrounding area. The landfill operations will be designed to the extent practicable to minimize
impact on the immediate area (e.g., initial perimeter development to allow waste placement
activities to be screened from view for significant periods, maintenance and installation of
perimeter vegetation, etc.).
H.
Traffic
Existing Conditions: The existing entrance and exit to the landfill is on U.S. Route 9 and is not
signalized and there is a limited line of sight on U.S. Route 9. Currently, landfill-related traffic
includes residents of the Town of Colonie, landfill employees and contractors, and commercial
trucks transporting waste and materials to the landfill.
Potential Impact: The Proposed Area 7 Development does not include any change to existing
permitted design capacity and therefore, operational traffic (i.e., trip generation from waste
deliveries, operational soil and other materials deliveries, employees and contractors) is not
expected to change. However, as part of the Proposed Area 7 Development, the existing
landfill entrance will be relocated to Arrowhead Lane. Access to this new entrance will be from
the signalized intersection of U.S. Route 9 and Fonda Road through the Industrial Park onto
Green Mountain Drive to Arrowhead Lane. Landfill-related traffic will be directed to these
roads, which are not now used by landfill-related traffic. No additional traffic signals are
anticipated as part of the Project.
Anticipated Information Necessary to Address the Impact: A Traffic Impact Study will be
presented in the DEIS to evaluate the significance of the proposed entrance relocation.
Initial Identification of Mitigation Measures: Additional mitigation would be proposed if
required, based on the results of the Traffic Impact Study. The Project will include a queuing
area adjacent to Arrowhead Lane to prevent truck queuing on local roads.
I.
Air Quality
Existing Conditions: Emissions from the landfill are currently authorized under an Air Title V
permit issued by NYSDEC to the Town of Colonie. An active gas collection system is currently in
place, and the collected gases are used to generate energy and any excess gas is burned in a
November 3, 2014

flare. Measures are in place to control dust associated with landfill roads and operations.
Innovative Energy Systems, Inc. (IES) leases an area in the southeast portion of the landfill
property and operates the electrical generating station utilizing landfill gas to produce
electricity. The emissions from IES generator engines are authorized under a separate Air Title
V permit issued by NYSDEC to IES.
Potential Impact: The Proposed Area 7 Development will not increase landfill gas production
beyond the permitted capacity of the current control devices, therefore, no impact (i.e.,
increase in potential emissions) is anticipated. No changes to the flare or IES facility are being
proposed as part of the Project. At this time, no modification to the landfills current air permit
is anticipated for the Proposed Area 7 Development.
Anticipated Information Necessary to Address the Impact: The DEIS will present a projection of
landfill gas generation by the landfill including the Proposed Area 7 Development to confirm
that the existing control devices have adequate permitted capacity to manage the projected
quantity of landfill gas.
Initial Identification of Mitigation Measures: The landfill will continue to operate in compliance
with its air permit. IES will continue to operate under the requirements of its air permit.
J.
Odor Control
Existing Conditions: An active gas collection system is currently in place, and the collected gases
are used to generate energy and any excess gas is burned in a flare. The landfill currently
employs several odor control measures including an odor neutralizer in the vicinity of the
existing leachate lagoons, active collection and combustion of landfill gas, and focused
placement of landfill cover. Composting activities which had been the source of some prior
odor issues have recently ceased at the landfill site.
Under an emergency authorization, the landfill accepted debris resulting from Hurricane Sandy
in late 2012 and early 2013. The waste was placed in a relatively new area of the landfill which
was not required to have an active landfill gas collection system in place yet. Due to the nature
of the material (i.e., high moisture and high proportion of waste drywall) unexpectedly rapid
degradation began soon after placement and the resulting landfill gas was particularly odorous.
This resulted in off-site odors being identified in August 2013. Landfill gas collectors were
installed in this area and connected to the landfill gas collection system in September 2013.
The response was immediately effective in controlling odors from the Hurricane Sandy debris.
Maintenance of the active landfill gas collection system (including those added to respond to
the odors related to the Hurricane Sandy debris) to collect and treat landfill gas has proven to
be an effective odor control measure. In 2014 (through September) there have been five odor
November 3, 2014

10

complaints received. One was related to the leachate lagoons and was corrected within two
hours. The other four odor complaints were not detected upon investigation and were
therefore considered unconfirmed, transient conditions.
Potential Impact: The DEIS will present a summary of the landfills recent odor complaint
statistics and will review recent odor-related operational issues and responses (i.e., Hurricane
Sandy debris, compost odors, and leachate lagoon odors). Existing odor measures will be
continued throughout the operational period of the Proposed Area 7 Development and odors
are not expected to increase beyond those of current permitted activities. The Proposed Area
7 Development will include the replacement of the current open-air leachate lagoons with
covered tanks to prevent odors from leachate storage and the need for odor neutralizers in the
vicinity of the lagoons. The Project would result in working face operations (and potential odors
associated with them) occurring to the north and west of current operations at times putting
them approximately 1,000 feet closer to receptors to the north and approximately 500 feet
closer to receptors to the west (a minimum distance of 100 feet from waste placement
operations to the property line will be maintained).
Anticipated Information Necessary to Address the Impact: The DEIS will present a summary of
the landfills recent odor complaint statistics and will review recent odor-related operational
issues and responses (e.g., Hurricane Sandy debris, compost odors, leachate lagoon odors, etc.).
Initial Identification of Mitigation Measures: The landfill will continue to operate in compliance
with its air permit. The landfill will continue active landfill gas collection and control as well as
operational measures to control odor (e.g., active collection and combustion of landfill gas, and
focused placement of landfill cover.
K.
Noise
Existing Conditions: In the vicinity of the landfill, the noise environment is characterized by
traffic related noise along U.S. Route 9 and from within the industrial park south of the landfill
(e.g., trucking, warehousing and cement plant operations). The majority of noise produced at
the landfill comes from truck traffic traveling to and from the landfill and from engine, exhaust
and back-up alarms sounds associated with the heavy equipment (waste delivery vehicles,
dump trucks, loaders, dozers and compactors) used on the landfills working face.
Potential Impact: Noise sources will be consistent with current conditions. Trucks traveling to
the relocated entrance will travel on the same roads as existing truck traffic within the
industrial park. Projected operational sound levels associated with the Proposed Area 7
Development will be assessed for the nearest residential receptors, and these will be compared

November 3, 2014

11

to the existing noise levels. Noise impacts associated with the proposed new truck route will
also be assessed and evaluated for impacts to receptors along the route.
Anticipated Information Necessary to Address the Impact: Projected sound levels associated
with the Proposed Area 7 Development will be assessed for the nearest residential receptors,
and these will be compared to the existing noise levels in accordance with the Part 360
Regulations and the NYSDEC Program Policy Assessing and Mitigating Noise Impacts.
Ambient noise levels will be determined at locations surrounding the landfill, including one
location east of the Mohawk River from the landfill. Projected noise levels resulting from
ambient levels in conjunction with operations of the Proposed Area 7 Development during its
various development stages will be evaluated.
Initial Identification of Mitigation Measures: The landfill will continue to employ reasonable
measures (smart backup alarms, properly maintained mufflers, working within the perimeter
berms) to reduce noise impacts.
L.
Cultural Resources
Existing Conditions: Much of the project development will occur on areas that are already
impacted by waste placement or landfill development. A Phase IA Literature Search/Sensitivity
Assessment and Phase IB Archaeological Survey for the area of the Proposed Area 7
Development will be presented in the DEIS. The DEIS will present a summary of any
archaeologically and historically sensitive areas in the vicinity of the development area,
including those identified in the National Register of Historic Places.
Potential Impact: The DEIS will present a summary of any archaeologically and historically
sensitive areas in the vicinity of the development area. The Project will result in grading and
further waste placement in areas overlying the former location of the Erie Canal (which has
been previously filled as part of prior landfill site development activities) and the installation of
a drainage culvert in the vicinity of the former location of the Fonda Cemetery (which was
previously relocated as part of Route 9 construction).
Anticipated Information Necessary to Address the Impact: A Phase IA Literature
Search/Sensitivity Assessment and Phase IB Archaeological Survey for the area of the Proposed
Area 7 Development will be presented in the DEIS.
Initial Identification of Mitigation Measures: Any mitigation would be based on the results of
the A Phase IA Literature Search/Sensitivity Assessment and Phase IB Archaeological Survey.

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12

III.

REASONABLE ALTERNATIVES

The alternatives analysis section of the DEIS will discuss a reasonable range of alternatives to
the Proposed Area 7 Development that would achieve the same objective as the proposed
project. This analysis will include different site development alternatives, the use of alternative
waste management technologies, a no action alternative, and the siting of a new landfill
location within the region. A relative cost comparison of the alternatives, will be provided in the
DEIS. This alternatives analysis will include an evaluation of the need for the proposed landfill
development, including an analysis of its economic feasibility in comparison to other potentially
appropriate long-term disposal options. Consideration of both the adverse and beneficial
consequences for each alternative listed below will be discussed in the DEIS. The following
alternatives and their benefits and disadvantages will be considered and discussed.
A.
No-Action
The alternative of not further developing the current landfill will be deemed the no-action
alternative. The discussion of this alternative in the DEIS will include an examination of
potential economic effects that would result from the closure of the Town of Colonie Landfill
once the current designed disposal capacity is exhausted. Potential impacts of this alternative
related to the exportation of waste to other existing disposal locations, include increased fuel
consumption and an increase in air contaminant emissions.
B.
Alternative Technologies
The development of alternative waste management technologies will also be included in the
DEIS as a project alternative. Waste management alternatives such as Refuse Derived Fuel
technologies, pyrolysis, hydrolysis, biogasification, mixed waste composting, and waste-toenergy technologies will be described and their effectiveness and ease of implementation will
be discussed in the DEIS. Alternative waste disposal technologies, such as mass burn waste-toenergy technologies, would not eliminate the need for solid waste disposal capacity. A portion
of the waste stream would remain to be landfilled as bypass wastes or process residues. Many
of these alternative technologies are still in the development stages; regardless, the feasibility
and concerns associated with each technology will be examined in the DEIS.
C.
Alternative Development Scenarios
The current NYSDEC-approved Town of Colonie Solid Waste Management Plan (2007-2008 Solid
Waste Management Plan Update, December 2009) anticipated the design of Area 7 in 2014.
Therefore, alternative on-site development scenarios were developed and evaluated in the
early stages of the planning the Proposed Area 7 Development. Environmental, economic, and
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logistical considerations were analyzed for each alternative to determine the practicability and
feasibility of implementing each option. In addition to the Proposed Area 7 Development, the
other development alternatives that will be discussed in the DEIS include:

IV.

Eastern Development
Southern Development
Northern Development

OTHER DEIS COMPONENTS

A.

Executive Summary

B.

Cumulative Impacts

C.

Unavoidable Adverse Impacts that Cannot be Mitigated

D.

Growth-Inducing Impacts

E.

Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources

F.

References

G.

Appendices
Phase IA Literature Search/Sensitivity Assessment and Phase IB Archaeological Survey,
Curtin Archaeological Consulting, Inc.
Traffic Impact Study, SIMCO Engineering, P.C.
Visual Impact Assessment, Saratoga Associates, Landscape Architects, Architects,
Engineers, and Planners, P.C.
Wetland Delineation Report, Bagdon Environmental, a Division of Novus Engineering,
P.C.

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Bald Eagle Surveys Summary Report, Bagdon Environmental, a Division of Novus

Engineering, P.C.

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