Sociocultural analysis for the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

In order to assess the potential or perceived sociocultural impact due to the construction and operation of the proposed Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in southeastern New Mexico, a discussion-type survey was conducted in August and September of 1979. During those two months four researchers conducted probing-type discussions with nearly 200 Carlsbad area residents. The results of those discussions were analyzed for inclusion in the WIPP Final Environmental Impact Statement. The impacts on sociocultural aspects perceived by the residents included both positive and negative impacts. The most frequently mentioned positive impacts were new jobs, increased activity in business sectors and the housing industry, and new residents to the area. Negative impacts included perceived inflation or price increases, strained services and community infrastructure, attraction of transient construction workers, safety and health risks, and unequal distribution of benefits and costs. 2 tables