The Cowichan Valley Regional District is looking for public input on stresses to the community’s watershed, water-security planning and the role people feel the district should play in the future of the Cowichan watershed.
When the CVRD asked residents for their top priorities in the 2016 community satisfaction survey, drinking water was named as the number-one issue facing the district.
In addition, 93 per cent of respondents supported the CVRD developing strategies regarding water security planning.
“We heard loud and clear from our residents they are concerned about our water resources,” said CVRD chairman Jon Lefebure.
“For a number of years, the Cowichan watershed has been stressed due to a variety of factors, including three consecutive years of summer droughts. Throughout February, we are asking the community for their input [on these issues].”
There are a number of ways residents can provide input.
PlaceSpeak, an online community engagement platform (see page 9), has a discussion board, poll and resources on the state of the watershed, and the CVRD website also contains information on challenges facing the Cowichan watershed.