Water identified as most important resource: But is BC Government willing to act?

 

 

VANCOUVER, BC – Watershed Watch Salmon Society is pointing to an opinion poll released by McAllister Opinion Research group which indentifies overwhelming public support for better protection of water, natural ecosystems and wild salmon. The McAllister poll interviewed 835 British Columbians from October 25 – 31, 2010, and found that:

  • 98% of British Columbians feel fresh water is crucial to the prosperity and quality of life in BC.
  • 87% rate overuse of water by commercial and industrial users as a major or moderate threat.
  • 88% are concerned about impacts of water shortages to streams, rivers and salmon habitat.
  • 94% favour ensuring that the protection of nature, wildlife and species like salmon are always top priority.
  • 72% say Nature should be the priority for managing water use during times of water scarcity—even if it slows economic growth.

“The water poll results reveal exceptional public support for better care and protection of aquatic habitats and fish,” said Dr. Craig Orr, Executive Director of Watershed Watch Salmon Society, one of the groups involved in organizing the poll.

“The needs of salmon for water were given a much higher priority than most other consumptive uses of water, especially diverting of our rivers for power. People are even willing to slow development and growth to protect water and salmon, and few are happy with the job government is doing,” Orr added.

To review the poll: http://www.watershed-watch.org/publications/files/BCWaterPollingSummary-Nov2010.pdf

 

About Craig Orr

Craig Orr has been a professional ecologist for more than 30 years and helps Watershed Watch in its efforts to conserve water and salmon habitat, and to minimize Craig orr (120p) - executive directorimpacts to wild salmon from mixed-stock interception fisheries, unsustainable aquaculture practices, and climate change.

Craig also currently serves as Chair of the Pacific Marine Conservation Caucus, Science Coordinator of the Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform, and as an environmental advisor to Kwikwetlem First Nation. He recently served as Associate Director of Simon Fraser University's Centre for Coastal Studies, Chair of BC Hydro's Bridge Coastal Restoration Program, Vice-Chair of the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, a member of the Vancouver Foundation's environment committee, and as a director of the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society.

 

Posted November 2010