SEQR

State Environmental Quality Review

POSITIVE DECLARATION
Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft EIS
Determination of Significance
[Corrected Version (for references to final height of landfill)]
NYSDEC Project Number: 4-0126-00033/00001

Date: August 28, 2014

This notice is issued pursuant to Part 617 of the implementing regulations pertaining to Article 8 (State
Environmental Quality Review Act) of the Environmental Conservation Law.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, as Lead Agency, has determined that
the proposed action described below may have a significant effect on the environment and that a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared.
Name of Action: Town of Colonie Landfill Part 360 Permit Modification (Area 7 Development)
Location:

1319 Loudon Road, Cohoes, NY (Town of Colonie, Albany County)

SEQR Status:

Type I

Description of Action:
The Town of Colonie proposes a horizontal and vertical expansion to the north and west of the active
landfill operations of the existing Town of Colonie Landfill. The proposed development area, to be
known as Area 7, will overlie portions of Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the existing landfill and a new
waste footprint will be developed over the current leachate storage lagoons to the east and west of the
existing landfill (including current locations of the transfer station, landfill offices and sedimentation
basin).
The entrance to the landfill will be relocated to Arrowhead Lane, to improve traffic safety.
Existing open leachate storage lagoons will be closed and new, covered storage tanks will be
constructed and stormwater treatment capacity will be increased.
A synthetic liner system will be installed in older sections of the landfill to reduce infiltration and
potential groundwater contamination and improve the efficiency of landfill gas collection.
Approximately 2 acres of federally-regulated wetlands and smaller portions of the buffer area of NYS
regulated Freshwater Wetland TN-10 will be impacted by the expansion (approximately 1.5 acres of
wetland will be filled along the northwestern project area and approximately 0.5 acres will be subject to
excavation and fill along the southern portion of the project area).
The proposed expansion would allow increased waste disposal capacity to approximately 10 million
cubic yards and add approximately 20 years to the life of the landfill.

Town of Colonie Landfill Part 360 Permit Modification

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Reasons Supporting this Determination:

Increased Disposal Capacity - As a result of the proposed modifications, the disposal capacity at the landfill
will increase by 10 million cubic yards, thereby increasing the length of time that the facility will be in
operation and the amount of materials that will be disposed there over the life of the facility. This
modification of the landfills operations should be evaluated in accordance with town and countys long term
solid waste management plans.
Ground Disturbance/Stormwater - The development will impact approximately 112 acres of the overall 200
acre site. Removal of native vegetation along with excavation and grading of soils can impact groundwater
recharge and contamination, stormwater runoff, soil erosion and sedimentation and remove valuable wildlife
habitat. The final configuration of the landfill will increase the topography of the site to an elevation (subject
to modification as the design is finalized) of approximately 517 feet above mean sea level (430 feet is the
existing permitted elevation). The change in elevation of the land can potentially affect stormwater runoff
form the property.
Groundwater can be impacted by leachate from the landfilling operation. Liner systems are typically
installed at landfill facilities to contain and collect leachate. The Colonie facility utilizes leachate storage
lagoons on the property to store leachate until such time as it can be transported to a treatment facility.
These lagoons will be decommissioned and replaced by closed storage tanks. The potential impacts to
groundwater from the current and expanded landfill operations must be addressed.
Wetland Impacts: Further site development would impact approximately 2 acres of federally-regulated
wetlands, and smaller portions of the buffer area of DEC-regulated Freshwater Wetland TN-10 will be
impacted by the expansion (approximately 1.5 acres of wetland will be filled along the northwestern project
area and approximately 0.5 acres will be subject to excavation and fill along the southern portion of the
project area).
Wildlife/Threatened-Endangered Species - A Bald Eagle has been observed in the vicinity of the landfill
area. Removal of groundcover may impact this threatened species, and other wildlife which may be utilizing
the site for habitat.
Land Use and Community Character - The impact of further development of the landfill site and what its
continued projected operation for an additional 20 years would have on the surrounding community.
Visual Impacts - The landfill is visible in various degrees from each direction. The final configuration of the
landfill will increase the topography of the site to an elevation (subject to modification as the design is
finalized) of approximately 517 feet above mean sea level (430 feet is the existing permitted elevation).
Vegetation which may currently screen operations will be removed. The impact of the removal of vegetation,
the change in height of the landfill and its final configuration will have on the viewsheds must be evaluated
for the period that the landfilling activities will be occurring, and once the landfill is closed. Visibility of the
equipment working the face of the landfill, and the change in the direction and elevation of the working face
over time should be evaluated as well.

Town of Colonie Landfill Part 360 Permit Modification

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Traffic Impacts: The entrance/exit for the landfill will be relocated from Route 9 to Arrowhead Lane. This
proposed change should be evaluated for impacts to traffic patterns, volume, flow, and pedestrian and
motorists safety.
Air Quality - Emissions from the landfill are currently authorized under a permit issued by NYSDEC. The
facility has an active gas collection system is currently in place, and the collected gases are piped to the
Innovative Energy Systems, Inc. facility which is adjacent to the landfill and burned to generate electricity.
Any excess gas is burned in a flare. The expansion of the facility may impact the generation of gas quantity
and quality and dust associated with landfill roads and operations as well as the ability of capacity of the
current control devices to control gas odors. Any necessary modifications to the current air permit should be
discussed.
Odor Control - The DEIS will need to evaluate the impact that the expanded landfill operations would have
on the current gas collection system and odor control measures such as placement of landfill cover as well as
the combustion of excess gas by flare. A discussion is needed of past odor complaints and of the corrective
measures that were taken to correct past odor problems and to prevent future off-site odor problems.
Noise Impacts: Operation of equipment (dump trucks, loaders, dozers and compactors) used to deliver
wastes to the facility and to spread and compact the wastes, create noise. Equipment will be working at
higher elevations over the life of the landfill, which may affect noise levels in the surrounding community. A
noise analysis, consistent with the Part 360 Regulations and the NYSDEC Program Policy is required to
determine the potential impact of the noise could have on the nearest residential receptors and the
surrounding community.
Cultural Resources - The project site is located within an area that may have archaeological and historically
sensitive resources. The potential impact to the resources which may be present should be evaluated in the
form of a Phase 1A Literature Search/Sensitivity Assessment and Phase 1B Archaeological Survey for the
area of the Proposed Area 7 Development.
For Further Information:
Contact Person:
Angelo A. Marcuccio, Deputy Regional Permit Administrator
Address:
1130 N. Westcott Road, Schenectady, NY 12306-2014
Telephone Number: (518) 357-2446
E-Mail:
andy.marcuccio@dec.ny.gov
Signature:
A Copy of this Notice Sent to:
Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233
Appropriate Regional Office of the Department of Environmental Conservation
Office of the Chief Executive Officer of the political subdivision where the action will be located
Applicant (if any)
Other involved agencies (if any)