The Capital Regional District wants to know how you use Victoria’s harbours and waterways, and how, or if, you’d like to see them change in the future.
The public input will help the CRD with its Harbours Environmental Action Program, which is part of the regional plan, said Jody Watson, CRD harbours and watersheds co-ordinator.
A survey asks people how they use the harbours and how often, said Watson.
“Is it recreational paddling, is it walkways around the harbour that draw people to it, or is it that they have a business and work on the harbour?” she said. “It’s those sort of use questions, and then we ask what they value about the harbours.”
The CRD works in partnership with five federal departments and the provincial government on the water quality of Victoria Harbour, Gorge Waterway, Portage Inlet, Esquimalt Lagoon and Esquimalt Harbour.
Respondents can provide feedback on each of the five harbours, or only one or two. The natural environment may be an attraction, or walkways that allow them to walk along the shore, Watson said.
Researchers want to get a sense of the public’s opinions and understanding of waterfront issues.
The regional district recently developed a five-year plan for the harbours and waterways. The goal of the survey is to develop water-quality objectives, which involves public consultation.
“We want to find out how are people using the harbours, how often do they use the harbours and what kinds of things do they value about the harbours?” said Watson on Monday.
People are also being asked what they want the harbours to look like in the next 50 years, she said.
The information will be reviewed by the CRD and municipalities to develop a liquid waste-management plan.
The survey is available at crd.bc.ca/harboursurvey until Sept. 20, 2013. Paper copies are available at the CRD office, 625 Fisgard St.
