Survey says? Top 10 public opinion take aways about the Spokane River

A public opinion poll conducted in May found that 89% of people in Kootenai, Spokane, Stevens and Lincoln counties believe “we owe it to future generations to protect the Spokane River.”

With a 4% margin of error, the survey was made possible by a Washington State Department of Ecology Public Participation Grant. Said the Forum’s Executive Director, Andy Dunau, “There’s a large, complex set of survey data available. For all of us working on various water quality and related issues, it gives really valuable insights to support effective public outreach efforts and engagement.”

• 89% of respondents in both states believe “we owe it to future generations to protect the Spokane River.” Not surprising, then, that two-thirds or respondents in both states also think it’s very important “that the Spokane River be protected and cleaned up.” This reflects both social and economic values. For instance, over 90% of respondents in both states agreed that “the Spokane River is an important part of the regional economy.” Affirming this commitment to the river, less than a quarter of respondents in both states believe the “Spokane River is fine just the way it is.”
• In both WA and ID, 80% of respondents reported that there were no Spokane River cleanup efforts being conducted.
• In both states, over 70% of respondents rate the water quality of the Spokane River as being average, pretty good or excellent. 54% in Idaho, as opposed to 38% in WA, agree with the statement that “Spokane River water quality has improved since the year 2000.” And half of respondents in both states agree that “by 2025 the water quality of the Spokane River will be significantly better.”
• Over 70% of respondents in both states agreed that water quality from the aquifer is excellent. Only 35% of WA residents, however, believe the aquifer is well protected from pollution; 55% in ID.
• 46% of WA and 66% of ID respondents believe there “is plenty of aquifer water available to meet drinking, industrial, and other needs into the future.” 77% in WA and Idaho believe we should develop water conservation programs.
• In both states, 56% of respondents believe the motivation for individuals or businesses to help protect water quality should be mandatory. 73% in WA and 65% in ID agree “we should ban products that pollute the river.” And over 60% in both states agree “agencies should restrict activities along and in the Spokane River to ensure water quality protection.”
• WA respondents’ visit the Spokane River, on average, 33 times a year; ID respondents 38 times a year. The most popular activity is to walk, run, or bike by the river, followed by picnicking/scenic view, swimming and fishing. WA folks pretty much stay in WA when visiting the river, ID folks stay in ID.
• Two-thirds in both states see the beaches as safe to use and the river safe to swim. Less than half in WA, and 65% in ID, think the fish are safe to eat. Over 90% of Washington respondents are fishing in Lake Spokane or the Lake Roosevelt arm of the Spokane River. 90% of ID respondents fish between Coeur d’Alene and the State Line.
• Most people receive their information about the Spokane River from television news, the Spokesman Review and the Coeur d’Alene Press. Over 80% of respondents in both states are interested in learning more about the challenges facing the Spokane River.
• In both states, conservation districts and state/local health agencies scored very well when asked their level of “trust and confidence in them managing restoration or clean-up efforts in the Spokane River.” In both states, there is less trust and confidence in EPA relative to others, with ID trust/confidence being significantly lower. WA respondents also have much higher trust/confidence in non-profit environmental groups than ID respondents. Lastly, there is positive trust/confidence, although it varies somewhat from state to state, in Scientists/Professors, Tribes, Environmental State Agencies, and Cities/Counties.

Click here for Kootenai County survey results.

Click here for Spokane/Stevens/Lincoln County survey results.

Click here if your group is interested in a presentation.

This product was funded through a grant from the Washington Department of Ecology. While these materials were reviewed for grant consistency, this does not necessarily constitute endorsement by the Department.