Energy Master Plan
The Mesa County Mineral and Energy Resources Master Plan was adopted in 2011 by the Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners. The purpose of the Plan is to ensure that mineral and energy resources in Mesa County can be developed in a way that minimizes potential negative impacts to local quality of life. In addition to being the County's "Energy Master Plan" the Plan applies to all mineral and energy resources ("Resources" in the document) and updates and replaces the 1985 Mineral Extraction Policies.
Mineral and energy resources provide an excellent opportunity for economic growth within Mesa County in terms of jobs, capital investments, and secondary (spin-off) industries. It is understandable that the development of these resources will also influence existing community infrastructure in terms of transportation, the environment, noise, view sheds, air, soils, wildlife, and watersheds. The Master Plan is a policy document directing Resource development to appropriate locations and describing measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts on sensitive areas and to the community.
Related documents and helpful information
Energy Master Plan - Suggested Mitigation Measures
Policies - Evaporative Pond Facility
Energy Master Plan - Resource Inventory and Policy Structure Gap Analysis
1978 Mineral Resources Survey of Mesa County: A Model Study by Stephen D. Schwochow
For more information regarding Conditional Use Permits, energy industry support services standards, temporary employee housing and allowed uses please view the Mesa County 2020 Land Development Code.