Back in January, when finalizing a questionnaire to be published for county residents to give input on what level of regulations they would like to see on various land uses in their planning areas, consultants and planning staff both said around 800 responses out of a rural county population of roughly 13,000 would be statistically significant. 

Reaching 1,000 responses was the high hope. 

Turns out we far exceeded that. 

More than 1,800 people filled out a questionnaire, and more than 75% of those were from people living in the same planning area they provided comments on (meaning they’re rural county residents). 

That’s a phenomenal result, as Logan Simpson consultant Melissa Ruth mentioned during last week’s county commissioner update. 

It’s also good to see the support nearly all of those who took the survey gave for agriculture, which was what was expected. 

In fact, the support for agriculture was the area of most agreement the consultants found, as an overwhelming majority of respondents said there should be no, or at most minimal, regulations on agricultural uses of land. 

Now, private property rights should protect the uses regardless, but it helps to know most people still feel this way. After all, Powell is here because of the agricultural opportunities opened up by the canal system created along with Buffalo Bill Reservoir. 

The homesteading farmers built this area, and it’s nice to see people haven’t forgotten that.

Of course, there are areas of disagreement regarding other land uses, so it’s important for all rural county residents to stay involved as the regulation amendment process continues to ensure your views and concerns are heard. 

It’s heartening to see that, so far at least, there’s evidence that a lot of people are voicing their opinions and the county and consultants are listening.