- Success Story -
This program is just one example of CSREES Extension programming that has positively impacted watershed management. Please check back periodically for other highlighted programs.
Priority Water Issues in the Pacific Northwest
Situation
Effective planning and long-term change in impaired watersheds
requires citizen participation in many stages of the process. Research
is needed to identify how to best facilitate stakeholder (i.e.,
individuals, community, watershed groups) involvement in watershed
issues.
Actions
The Pacific
Northwest Regional Water Quality Program conducted
a 50-question
survey
to
document public awareness, aptitudes, attitudes, and actions
toward water quality in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
Impacts
Survey results appear in a Journal of Extension article (Mahler
et al. 2004 ). Even
though differences were seen among states on some issues, it is
noteworthy that there is much commonality in water attitudes among
states within the Region. The survey results will be used to guide
water quality programming efforts over the next 4- to 5-year planning
period. Based on survey results, residents are receptive to additional
educational programming about drinking water and human health,
groundwater, and watershed management issues.
This survey is in the process of being adapted and issued in other CSREES Regions.