APPENDIX G

SUPPLEMENTAL VIEWSHED MAPS

August 11, 2017

Matthew McGarry
Director Environmental Services
Town of Colonie
Department of Public Works
1319 Loudon Road
Cohoes, New York 12047

RE: Colonie Landfill Area 7 Development

Dear Mr. McGarry:

The attached figures supplement information in Section 3.1 of the Visual Resource Assessment (VRA)
contained in Appendix F of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Colonie Landfill Area 7
Development.
Figures A and B
To more fully assess the degree of visual change, a revised viewshed analysis was conducted extending the
study area to a distance of 5 miles from the proposed Area 7 Development high point. Viewshed maps were
also modified to identify the geographic area where the currently permitted landfill will be visible at
completion for direct comparison with the affected area resulting from proposed Area 7 Development.

Figure A, shows the bare earth viewshed, and supplements VRA Figure 2 (Appendix F of the DEIS). Figure B
shows a land cover viewshed map, and supplements VRA Figure 3 (Appendix F of the DEIS).

To more fully assess the degree of visual change, supplemental Figures A and B extend the study area to a
distance of 5 miles from the proposed Area 7 Development high point. These viewshed maps were also
modified to identify the geographic area where the existing landfill (as it existed when the VRA was
completed in April 2016 and the currently permitted landfill (upon completion) are/will become visible for
direct comparison with the affected area resulting from proposed Area 7 Development. This additional
information directly correlates with the photographic simulations illustrating the existing condition (April
2016), the simulated condition of the currently permitted landfill and the simulated condition of the
proposed Area 7 Development provided in Appendix A of the VRA.

SARATOGA SPRINGS | NEW YORK CITY | SYRACUSE

Four Congress Park Center, 21 Congress Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
T 518 587 2550 F 518 587 2564 www.saratogaassociates.com
Matthew McGarry
August 11, 2017
Page 2

Figures A and B further supplement the VRA by including the surface area of the Mohawk River, which was
not in VRA Figures 2 and 3. It should be noted that Figures 2 and 3 of the VRA are referenced as Figures 1
and 2 in the Table of Contents in the VRA and there is no figure that is labeled as ‘Figure 1’

VRA Figure 3 identified the geographic area expected to be substantially screened by intervening forest
vegetation. Supplemental Figure B more completely defines the affected area by including the screening
value of existing built structures as well as intervening forest vegetation.

Revised area calculations are provided for both the supplemental bare earth and land cover viewshed
conditions (Figures A and B). These calculations replace the information contained in VRA Table 1 –
Viewshed Summary.
Figure C1, C2 and C3
To further supplement the visual analysis a photograph was taken in the direction of the project site from
the public right-of-way in front of 84 Church Hill Road in the Town of Halfmoon. From this location there is a
partial view of the existing landfill between and existing residence and a detached garage. To illustrate the
degree and character of visual change from this location photo simulations were prepared illustrating the
visual character of the currently permitted landfill (upon completion and the proposed Area 7 development.
These photo simulations were prepared using the same methodology in the VRA (see VRA Appendix A) and
are attached as Figures C2 and C3.
This new information is provided to enhance the level of detail in the VRA. The supplemental information
does not change the conclusions of the original visual impact assessment prepared for this project set forth
in the VRA. The proposed Project represents a continuation of the existing visibility of Colonie Landfill
operations with limited areas of new visibility. In most areas, the effect of the proposed action on the
surrounding landscape is a change in the degree of exposure rather than a new or visually different impact.
Areas of new visibility are typically small geographic extensions of adjacent lands that are already affected
by views of the existing facility.

Sincerely,

Matthew W. Allen, RLA

Principal
SARATOGA ASSOCIATES
Landscape Architects, Architects, Engineers, and Planners, P.C.
E: mallen@saratogaassociates.com
P: 518-587-2550 ext. 2249

SARATOGA SPRINGS | NEW YORK CITY | SYRACUSE

Four Congress Park Center, 21 Congress Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
T 518 587 2550 F 518 587 2564 www.saratogaassociates.com
 The above photograph is intended to be viewed 18 inches from the reader’s eye when printed on 11”x17” paper.

EXISTING CONDITION FIGURE C1

Church Hill Road at #81 PROJECT VISUALIZATIONS
Visual Resource Assessment
Proposed Colonie Landfill Expansion Project
Town of Colonie, NY
 The above photograph is intended to be viewed 18 inches from the reader’s eye when printed on 11”x17” paper.

SIMULATED CONDITION - CURRENTLY PERMITTED LANDFILL FIGURE C2

Church Hill Road at #81 PROJECT VISUALIZATIONS
Visual Resource Assessment
Proposed Colonie Landfill Expansion Project
Town of Colonie, NY
 The above photograph is intended to be viewed 18 inches from the reader’s eye when printed on 11”x17” paper.

SIMULATED CONDITION - PROPOSED LANDFILL EXPANSION FIGURE C3

Church Hill Road at #81 PROJECT VISUALIZATIONS
Visual Resource Assessment
Proposed Colonie Landfill Expansion Project
Town of Colonie, NY