Specially Designated Areas

Includes a variety of areas that have received recognition or designation because they possess unique or important resource values. While these areas would not be available for development of solar energy resources, they could be located near solar development areas and could be affected by solar development. Examples of BLM-administered specially designated areas include components of the BLM National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS), areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs), special recreation management areas, and areas with wilderness values. These areas may have been designated by Congress or by the BLM. The majority of specially designated areas discussed in this PEIS are located on BLM-administered public lands; however, some specially designated areas managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Park Service, and states also are included in the analysis when they could be affected by solar development on public lands.