1It is possible that cumulative effects on fossils would be reduced slightly as a result of the

2consolidation of solar facilities by reducing the number of different types of geological areas

8Cultural resources are subject to loss during construction of solar facilities and

9associated roads and transmission lines. Historic properties, including prehistoric and historic

10archaeological sites, structures, and features and traditional cultural properties, that have been

11listed in or are eligible for listing in the NRHP are of concern. Cultural resource surveys,

12evaluations, and any necessary mitigation of NRHP-eligible resources adversely affected by a

13project must be conducted prior to construction. Consultation with affected local Native

14American tribes regarding their knowledge of and/or concerns for cultural resources in a given

15project area must be implemented early and often throughout the project development process. In

16the event that cultural resources are unexpectedly encountered during construction activities,

17provisions should be in place to address the appropriate evaluation and treatment of such cultural

18resource discoveries. Areas rich in cultural resources would be avoided if possible. Cumulative

19effects on cultural resources from foreseeable development in the six-state region are expected to

20be small because of the relatively small fraction of total land disturbed. Solar energy

21development could be a major contributor to these impacts. However, for the most part, solar

22facilities could, and wherever possible would, be sited away from areas rich in cultural resources.

23Such areas would include individual properties (sites, structures, features, and traditional cultural

24properties) and districts listed in the NRHP, National Historic Landmarks, National Historic

25Trails, and prehistoric and historic sites possessing significant scientific, heritage, or educational

26values.

27

28Contributions to cumulative effects on cultural resources could be reduced overall from

29the elimination and modification of proposed SEZs since the issuance of the Draft Solar PEIS

30due to the general consolidation of solar facilities, which would tend to reduce the variety of

31types of areas that might be affected that contain cultural resources. In addition, reduced

32disturbance from linear facilities would be expected, while an increase in PV facilities would

33affect a larger surface area.

34

35

36 6.5.2.15 Native American Concerns

37

38Solar development areas lie on or near lands of current and historical interest to numerous

39Native American tribes. Solar energy facilities could be of concern to tribes because of an array

40of potential impacts. Foremost among these would be impacts on the landscape, which would be

41dramatically altered by solar facilities. Other resources of concern include trails, sacred sites, and

42burial sites, as well as traditionally collected plants and game. Water bodies and aquatic habitats

43are also of concern. Consultation with affected tribes is required prior to siting and construction

44of solar facilities. Mitigations of impacts would involve any and all mitigations otherwise

45identified for the affected resources. Cumulative impacts on Native American concerns from

46foreseeable development in the six-state region are currently unknown, because consultation is

7reduced overall from the elimination and modification of proposed SEZs since the issuance of

8the Draft Solar PEIS due to the general consolidation of solar facilities, which would tend to

9 reduce the number of facilities potentially lying on or near sensitive resources. Localized effects 10 would increase, however.

11

12

13 6.5.2.16 Socioeconomics

14

15On the basis of the RFDS projection of 24,000 MW of solar energy generation on BLM-

16administered land, the number of construction jobs created would range from approximately

177,700 to 84,000, and the number of permanent operations jobs would range from about 450 to

1810,000, depending on the mix of solar energy technologies employed. PV facilities require the

19fewest workers, and parabolic solar thermal trough technologies the most. The total income

20estimated to result from solar development under the RFDS varies by state. In California, the

21largest of the six states, total estimated construction income would be $2,544 million for build-

22out with PV technology and $28 billion for parabolic trough technology. Total operations annual

23income would be $750 million in California. Construction income would be realized over an

24assumed development period of 20 years (approximately through 2030), while operations income

25would be ongoing. These estimates would increase by about one-third when including an

26estimated additional 8,000 MW of solar generation on non-BLM lands in the study area.

27

28As a point of comparison, the gross domestic product of California in 2008 was

29$1,545 billion, so the new income related to permanent operations jobs from solar development

30in the state over the study period would be a small percentage of the state’s gross domestic

31product, roughly 0.05%. However, for all the states, the economic impact would occur in areas

32of low population, resulting in relatively larger local economic benefits. The relatively small

33operations workforce would not be expected to strain local services or cause significant social

34impacts in communities. During the build-out phase, however, large numbers of construction

35workers might cause temporary social disruption in small communities.

36

37Cumulative social impacts for all development would likely be minor, due to the slow

38pace of other types of development in the rural areas that would be utilized for solar and other

39renewable energy development. However, the overall cumulative economic activity related to

40general development in the study area would benefit the economies of any of the affected

41localities.

42

43Contributions to cumulative socioeconomic effects in some areas could be intensified

44somewhat overall due to the general consolidation of solar facilities resulting from the

45elimination and modification of proposed SEZs since the issuance of the Draft Solar PEIS. Other

46areas would be removed from effects, either positive or negative.