Our Picture of Health 1998:
Focusing on Community Health to the Year 2000CHAPTER 9: NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
Mesa County citizens understand the essential role that natural resources and the environment play in community health. Planning, development and ongoing management should be conducted in ways that preserve and enhance the natural environment.
Value
- Mesa County citizens fully appreciate the vital role that natural resources play in the health of the community and economy. Planning, development, and ongoing management should be paramount in the preservation and enhancement of the natural environment.
Goals
- A. Mesa County citizens value, appreciate and understand the complexity of the connection between human health and the overall balance of the natural environment.
- B. The preservation and restoration of critical habitats will be balanced with the use and development of renewable and nonrenewable resources.
- C. Open space and agricultural land are critical to maintaining the balance between Mesa County’s natural resources and socio-economic interests.
- D. Sound land-use planning protects air and water resources and respects geologic limitations to development. The Mesa County Master Land-Use Plan, along with municipal and community plans, guide zoning, development and growth as they affect Mesa County’s water, air and land.
- E. Recreational opportunities abound and are an important part of the quality of life and economic well-being of the community.
- F. Effective and on-going communication, awareness, and partnerships of public and private entities, and participation in land-use planning at the local, state, and federal levels ensure effective management, restoration, and development of the Mesa County natural resources in an environmentally conscientious manner.
Introduction
Many longtime residents and newcomers live in Mesa County because of its natural environment. To the east stands the Grand Mesa, one of the largest mesas in the world. Along the northern border of the Grand Valley stretch the Bookcliffs and the Colorado National Monument borders the south. The Gunnison and the Colorado rivers converge in the Grand Valley.
The climate in Mesa County is mild, and a bright sun and clear skies are the norm. Wildlife and plant life abound.
Citizens, business owners, service clubs, non profit organizations and legislators in Mesa County understand that the Natural Environment in Mesa County is connected with air, lands and water coming from and going to areas far outside the region.
They also understand that outdoor recreation is supported by habitat that is preserved and protected from negative impact of intrusions from residential and industrial development.
This chapter looks at four dimensions: land use, animals and wildlife, air quality and waste management.
Encompassed in land use are issues of open space, parks, agricultural lands and partnerships for preservation.
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