ERA Water Monitoring Survey

Elk River Alliance (ERA) Community Water Monitoring Survey

As a part of ERA's Science and Stewardship program, the ERA has been conducting community-based water monitoring (CBWM) since 2011 using Streamkeepers, Sensitive Habitat Inventory Mapping (SHIM) and Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) protocols.

CBWM is an approach that is developed and enacted by citizens, rather than conventional scientists. Using this approach, citizens collect water quality data using established protocols. This method is becoming more commonplace due to funding and staffing limitations in government agencies. The goal of CBWM is to bridge the gap between community and decision-makers. It is also strengthens community water literacy and helps citizens to understand water quality impacts.

The goal of this survey is to ensure that the water data ERA has been collecting and evaluating is relevant to community. Please take 5-10 minutes to respond to share your opinions on how ERA should move forward with this important initiative.

Question Title

* 1. Have you heard about the Elk River Alliance (ERA)?

Yes, I’m familiar with the ERA and several of the program areas.

Yes, I’ve heard the name but am not sure what ERA does.

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* 2. Are you familiar with ERA's community-based water monitoring program?

Yes, I’ve volunteered to help with water monitoring.

Yes, I’m familiar with this program but have not been directly involved.

I've heard of ERA's water monitoring program but don’t know the details.

No, I've never heard of it.

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* 3. Are you familiar with the results from ERA's CBWM program? I.e. CBWM report, website resources, social media posts.

Yes, I've reviewed the results and they are meaningful to me.

Yes, I've reviewed the results and they are somewhat meaningful.

I have seen these materials and they are NOT meaningful to me.

Yes, I know about these materials but have not spent time reviewing them

No, but I am interested in reviewing these results.

No, and I am not interested.

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* 4. Are you concerned about water quality/aquatic health in the Elk Valley?

I think our water quality and aquatic health are excellent. I have no concerns.

I have some concerns related to water quality/aquatic health.

I am very concerned about water quality/aquatic health.

I’m not sure.

I haven’t thought about it…

Please share your concerns (if applicable)

Question Title

* 5. Who do you think should be responsible for monitoring water quality in the Elk River and tributaries? (Select all that apply)

Municipalities, i.e. City of Fernie, Districts of Sparwood & Elkford, RDEK

Provincial government, i.e. Interior Health, Ministry of Environment, Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO), etc.

Federal government, i.e. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Department Fisheries & Oceans, etc

Industry, i.e. mining & logging companies

The Elk River Alliance & other community groups

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 6. Which of the following governing bodies do you think should be using water quality data in decision-making?
(Select all that apply)

Municipal governments, i.e. City of Fernie, Districts of Sparwood & Elkford, RDEK, etc

Provincial government, i.e. Interior Health, Ministry of Environment, Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO), etc.

Federal government, i.e. Environment and Climate Change Canada, Department Fisheries & Oceans, etc

Industry, i.e. mining & logging companies

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. ERA has been conducting water monitoring on Lizard and Alexander Creeks since 2011/ 2012 (respectively). Having longterm baseline data is one of the benefits of community-based water monitoring. However, due to funding limitations, we cannot monitor all significant Elk River tributaries. Please select your top 3 priority streams.

Lizard Creek

Alexander Creek

Boivin Creek

Coal Creek

Fairy Creek

Cummings (Wilson) Creek

Line Creek

Morrissey Creek

Hosmer Creek

Question Title

* 8. ERA uses monitoring protocols for “wadeable streams” only. ERA cannot conduct full protocols on the Elk River itself. Tributary health is an important factor for overall watershed health, since these streams feed into the main stem and provide important habitat (i.e. spawning for fish).
Is it important for the ERA to take water samples from the Elk River anyway?

Yes, prioritize this over monitoring of tributaries

Yes, if funds are available after tributary monitoring

No.

If yes, please list your biggest concerns to measure (i.e. for metals, rec. water quality, turbidity, etc)

Question Title

* 9. Do you feel the ERA should also monitor other bodies of water in the Elk River watershed? For example, spring at Morrissey (side of highway), Maiden Lake, Sparwood Beaver Wetland, etc.  If so, please list which you think we should prioritize.

Yes (please specify)

Question Title

* 10. What is the best way for ERA to share water monitoring data with Elk Valley community? (Check all that apply)

Graphs and charts of results shared via social media

Community press releases

Water monitoring reports on ERA website

Raw data on website or in hardcopy at ERA office

Community information sessions where ERA presents analyzed results & fields community questions

Other (please specify)

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* 11. What questions do you have about water quality in the Elk Valley? What are you most curious or concerned about? Add any other comments here as well.

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* 12. Are you interested in volunteering to help with water monitoring or to receive more information about the ERA (including water monitoring reports)? If so, enter your e-mail below.

I would like to be contacted about upcoming volunteer opportunities with the ERA

I am already a volunteer and have helped with water monitoring in the past.

I am not available to volunteer but I would like to receive more information about ERA.

No, I’m not interested at the moment

E-mail address:

Question Title

* 1. Have you heard about the Elk River Alliance (ERA)?

Question Title

* 2. Are you familiar with ERA's community-based water monitoring program?

Question Title

* 3. Are you familiar with the results from ERA's CBWM program? I.e. CBWM report, website resources, social media posts.

Question Title

* 4. Are you concerned about water quality/aquatic health in the Elk Valley?

Question Title

* 5. Who do you think should be responsible for monitoring water quality in the Elk River and tributaries? (Select all that apply)

Question Title

* 6. Which of the following governing bodies do you think should be using water quality data in decision-making? (Select all that apply)

Question Title

Question Title

Question Title

* 9. Do you feel the ERA should also monitor other bodies of water in the Elk River watershed? For example, spring at Morrissey (side of highway), Maiden Lake, Sparwood Beaver Wetland, etc. If so, please list which you think we should prioritize.

Question Title

* 10. What is the best way for ERA to share water monitoring data with Elk Valley community? (Check all that apply)

Question Title

* 11. What questions do you have about water quality in the Elk Valley? What are you most curious or concerned about? Add any other comments here as well.

Question Title

* 12. Are you interested in volunteering to help with water monitoring or to receive more information about the ERA (including water monitoring reports)? If so, enter your e-mail below.

* 6. Which of the following governing bodies do you think should be using water quality data in decision-making?
(Select all that apply)

* 9. Do you feel the ERA should also monitor other bodies of water in the Elk River watershed? For example, spring at Morrissey (side of highway), Maiden Lake, Sparwood Beaver Wetland, etc.  If so, please list which you think we should prioritize.