From the pages of
Sublette Examiner
Volume 2, Number 35 - November 27, 2002
brought to you online by Pinedale Online

Surveys indicate support for PDRs

by Cat Urbigkit

The Sublette County Purchase of Development Rights Working Group met Monday afternoon to review the results of the survey it had distributed to those attending recent PDR informational sessions.

Of the estimated 80 people who attended the three informational sessions held in Pinedale and Big Piney, 33 completed surveys were returned.

In terms of rating items based on the level of importance to the respondent's quality of life, the most important items, according to the respondents, were agriculture, clean air and water, and scenery.

The majority of respondents had strong feelings in support of using public funds to preserve open spaces, scenic values, historical/cultural sites and wildlife habitat on agricultural lands. Using a nominal scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being strongly supportive, the average was 4.39.

Ranches and ranchlands are important to Sublette County, according to the average of 4.84.

Respondents rated an average of 4.41 on the scale when answering if they supported the idea of conservation easements, indicating general support. A slightly higher number, 4.42 generally supported the idea of a PDR program. A similar number felt a PDR program would benefit the residents of the county.

Twenty-eight respondents indicated that Sublette County should create a PDR program, while only one respondent indicated Sublette County should not take such action.

Of the respondents, 18 indicated the county commissioners should make the decision whether or not to implement a PDR program, while 12 indicated it should go to a public vote in a special election.

Using the nominal scale, an average of 4.31 was registered in support of using tax dollars for the PDR program. Of those who suggested a dollar amount that Sublette County should spend on a PDR program, the average amount suggested was $3.38 million.

The next meeting of the PDR group is slated for Dec. 2 at 6 p.m., at the Sublette County Library in Pinedale.

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