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CNAPTERFIVE Cumullatiue Impacts cumulative effects aze considered to be a significant impact due to the large azea of relatively undisturbed land surrounding the sites that will still provide for sufficient grazing; and hunting opportunities. The various gas pipelines that aze scattered across the cumulative caffects area (the azea shown on Figure 5-1) have little effect on grazing or hunting. The potential for oil and gas development does not appeaz to be at a level that there would be concerns about the cumulative effects to irrigated agriculture, hunting, grazing, or other mineral development. 5.13 VISUAL RESOURCES The cumulative effect of other existing or proposed projects is starting to have an effect on the overall chazacter of the landscape in some of the areas between the Piceance and Parachute Sites. Although still located in a mostly natural appearing landscape, the White River 1`fahcolite and the proposed Yankee Gulch projects would combine to create an industrial appeazanc;e in sections of the plateau above Piceance Creek. The numerous pipeline crossings and facilities associated with pipelines (e.g. meter stations) along the Piceance Creek Road aze becoming more noticeable, as aze the numerous pipelines and other industrial facilities in the Parachute Valley. 5.14 SOCIOECONOMICS During the 1980s and 1990s, Rio Blanco and Garfield counties experienced cumulative economic impacts associated with mining, oil shale development, natural gas exploration, and construction of gas pipelines. Because of the growth in the oil shale industry in ttie 1970s and early 1980s (and the subsequent slowdown), the infrastructures of some project area communities were over-built. That excess capability in such areas as potable water, wastewater treatment and fire protection would be sufficient to accommodate the Yankee Gulch workforce. The population growth in recent years has also resulted in some negative socioea~nomic effects. For example, Garfield County school enrollments aze currently neaz capacity, and some schools may have to be expanded or children bussed to other districts in the next few yea~•s. Industrial development in the project area has also resulted in a limited housing supply. Adverse cumulative social impacts could be experienced by some residents who feel that continuing energy development has disrupted the local quality of life. In addition, some may perceive a loss of privacy. Others in the region may feel threatened by a loss of control associated with large, federally approved projects. 5.15 TRANSPORTATION Because past industrial development in the project azea has been geographically dispersed, cumulative level of service (LOS) traffic effects have generally not been significant. However, some cumulative traffic impacts have occurred with the creation of secondary and unpaved roads, necessary for oil and gas distribution systems. 5-8 1