VANCOUVER, BC – Watershed Watch
Salmon Society is pointing to an opinion poll released today 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.
Sadly, few respondents were aware of BC’s stalled
“Living Water Smart” program, or plans to reform BC’s
antiquated water law.
Water identified as most
important resource: But is Government willing to act?
“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
