Duchesne County scheduled two administrative hearings for August 5, 2026, to review conditional use permits for the Horse 1 and Horse 2 oil and gas drilling and production sites. The hearings, which will take place at the Duchesne County Administration Building, follow a July 13, 2026, request for hearings by multiple parties regarding the proposed industrial developments.
Administrative Hearing Details
The hearings, which will be conducted during a single meeting session, are set to begin at 1:00 p.m. Mountain Time. According to the Duchesne County Community Development Department, the session will address the Horse 1 Pad first, followed immediately by the Horse 2 Pad hearing. Both proceedings will be held in the conference room of the Duchesne County Administration Building located at 734 North Center Street in Duchesne, Utah.
While the hearings are open to the public, participation is restricted to specific parties. According to a public notice issued by the Duchesne County Hearings Officer, participation is limited to the Hearings Officer, the land use applicant, and the owners or residents of properties located within 660 feet of the subject parcel who were sent a Notice of Intent on July 13, 2026.
This specific hearing for the Horse 2 Pad was requested after the county's land use authority expressed its intention to approve the permit on July 20, 2026. The county noted that the administrative hearing is intended for information purposes only and does not serve as an appeal of a land use decision.
Horse 2 Pad Proposal
The Horse 2 Pad application, submitted by WEM Operating, LLC, involves the development and operation of three specific oil wells on Parcel #00-0009-8164. The proposed wells are identified as Pinto 4-4-8-11-4H, Pinto 4-4-8-11-45H, and Pinto 4-4-8-11-6H. The site is located in the A-2.5 Agricultural zoning district, approximately two and a half miles east of Duchesne.
According to a findings report released by the Duchesne County Zoning Administrator on July 13, 2026, the proposed operation is permitted within the A-2.5 zoning district via an administrative conditional use permit. The application was officially submitted on July 8, 2026, and was deemed complete following a payment on July 9, 2026.
Mitigation and Compliance
The findings report outlines several commitments made by WEM Operating, LLC to mitigate the environmental and operational impacts of the drilling site. The applicant has agreed to limit surface disturbances, including potential damage to agricultural lands, irrigation systems, crops, or surface improvements, to only what is reasonably necessary and practical for mineral extraction.
To address visual impacts, the applicant has agreed to paint all equipment—including pumps, tanks, and separators—using standard environmental colors to blend with the surroundings. Furthermore, the company has committed to using shielded lighting fixtures to direct light toward the work area and reduce glare for nearby residential lands or roads.
Regarding noise and dust, the applicant has agreed to follow the Fugitive Dust Rule of the Utah Administrative Code. For noise mitigation, the applicant agreed to power motors with electricity when located within 660 feet of a primary or secondary dwelling or a building open to the public, provided the power company has the capacity. The findings report noted that the nearest residence is approximately 840 feet away to the south of the proposed wellheads.
Appeals Process
The administrative hearing process provides a framework for reviewing compliance with the Duchesne County Code. The Hearings Officer will review the Findings Report, the land use application's conditions for approval, and the report's conclusions during the session.
If the conditional use permit is approved following the hearing, a second Notice of Intent will be issued. Any party aggrieved by the decision following that second notice has the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Duchesne County Planning Commission after filing a complete land use application.
County Resources
The Duchesne County Community Development Department provides several resources for residents regarding land use, including a Base Flood Elevation Estimator Tool and information on recent zoning amendments. The county also maintains public records for planning commission meetings and various land use applications for public review.
