River Management Survey

King County is conducting the following survey to better understand the opinions of its residents. The survey is strictly for research purposes and the answers will be completely anonymous. Survey data will be used by King County to improve river management and communication practices.

This survey should take about 10 minutes. Please take the survey only once. Duplicate entries will be disqualified.

Thank you in advance for your time!

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1. Are you a King County resident?

Are you a King County resident? Yes

2. How important to you personally are rivers in King County? By rivers, we mean the six major rivers in King County, which are the Snoqualmie, Tolt, Raging, Cedar, Green, and White rivers.

Please rate the importance of major rivers on a five-point scale, where 1 means “not at all important” and 5 means “extremely important.”

How important to you personally are rivers in King County? By rivers, we mean the six major rivers in King County, which are the Snoqualmie, Tolt, Raging, Cedar, Green, and White rivers. Please rate the importance of major rivers on a five-point scale, where 1 means “not at all important” and 5 means “extremely important.” 1 = Not at all important.

5 = Extremely important.

3. How important to you is it to be able to do each of the following activities on King County rivers?

Please use a five-point scale where 5 means “extremely important” and 1 means “not at all important.”

	1 = Not at all important.	2	3	4	5 = Extemely important.
Go rafting or tubing on rivers	*How important to you is it to be able to do each of the following activities on King County rivers? Please use a five-point scale where 5 means “extremely important” and 1 means “not at all important.” Go rafting or tubing on rivers 1 = Not at all important.	Go rafting or tubing on rivers 2	Go rafting or tubing on rivers 3	Go rafting or tubing on rivers 4	Go rafting or tubing on rivers 5 = Extemely important.
Enjoy river features, such as scenery or riverside attractions	Enjoy river features, such as scenery or riverside attractions 1 = Not at all important.	Enjoy river features, such as scenery or riverside attractions 2	Enjoy river features, such as scenery or riverside attractions 3	Enjoy river features, such as scenery or riverside attractions 4	Enjoy river features, such as scenery or riverside attractions 5 = Extemely important.
Swim in rivers	Swim in rivers 1 = Not at all important.	Swim in rivers 2	Swim in rivers 3	Swim in rivers 4	Swim in rivers 5 = Extemely important.
Walk, hike, run, or bicycle on trails by rivers	Walk, hike, run, or bicycle on trails by rivers 1 = Not at all important.	Walk, hike, run, or bicycle on trails by rivers 2	Walk, hike, run, or bicycle on trails by rivers 3	Walk, hike, run, or bicycle on trails by rivers 4	Walk, hike, run, or bicycle on trails by rivers 5 = Extemely important.
Fish in rivers	Fish in rivers 1 = Not at all important.	Fish in rivers 2	Fish in rivers 3	Fish in rivers 4	Fish in rivers 5 = Extemely important.
Go boating, canoeing, or kayaking	Go boating, canoeing, or kayaking 1 = Not at all important.	Go boating, canoeing, or kayaking 2	Go boating, canoeing, or kayaking 3	Go boating, canoeing, or kayaking 4	Go boating, canoeing, or kayaking 5 = Extemely important.

4. In a typical year, how often do you do the following activities in King County?

	Never	Once a year or less	2 to 4 times a year	5 – 10 times a year	More than 10 times a year	Don't know
Go rafting or tubing on rivers	*In a typical year, how often do you do the following activities in King County? Go rafting or tubing on rivers Never	Go rafting or tubing on rivers Once a year or less	Go rafting or tubing on rivers 2 to 4 times a year	Go rafting or tubing on rivers 5 – 10 times a year	Go rafting or tubing on rivers More than 10 times a year	Go rafting or tubing on rivers Don't know
Swim in rivers	Swim in rivers Never	Swim in rivers Once a year or less	Swim in rivers 2 to 4 times a year	Swim in rivers 5 – 10 times a year	Swim in rivers More than 10 times a year	Swim in rivers Don't know
Enjoy river features, such as scenery or riverside attractions	Enjoy river features, such as scenery or riverside attractions Never	Enjoy river features, such as scenery or riverside attractions Once a year or less	Enjoy river features, such as scenery or riverside attractions 2 to 4 times a year	Enjoy river features, such as scenery or riverside attractions 5 – 10 times a year	Enjoy river features, such as scenery or riverside attractions More than 10 times a year	Enjoy river features, such as scenery or riverside attractions Don't know
Go boating, canoeing, or kayaking on rivers	Go boating, canoeing, or kayaking on rivers Never	Go boating, canoeing, or kayaking on rivers Once a year or less	Go boating, canoeing, or kayaking on rivers 2 to 4 times a year	Go boating, canoeing, or kayaking on rivers 5 – 10 times a year	Go boating, canoeing, or kayaking on rivers More than 10 times a year	Go boating, canoeing, or kayaking on rivers Don't know
Fish in rivers	Fish in rivers Never	Fish in rivers Once a year or less	Fish in rivers 2 to 4 times a year	Fish in rivers 5 – 10 times a year	Fish in rivers More than 10 times a year	Fish in rivers Don't know
Walk, hike, run, or bicycle on trails by rivers	Walk, hike, run, or bicycle on trails by rivers Never	Walk, hike, run, or bicycle on trails by rivers Once a year or less	Walk, hike, run, or bicycle on trails by rivers 2 to 4 times a year	Walk, hike, run, or bicycle on trails by rivers 5 – 10 times a year	Walk, hike, run, or bicycle on trails by rivers More than 10 times a year	Walk, hike, run, or bicycle on trails by rivers Don't know

5. How often do you wear a life jacket when you are on the river in King County?

How often do you wear a life jacket when you are on the river in King County? Never

Some of the time

About half the time

More than half the time

Always or almost always

6. What keeps you from a wearing a life jacket more often?

What keeps you from a wearing a life jacket more often?

7. In your opinion, how big of a risk is each of the following on rivers in King County? Please use a five-point scale where 5 means “an extremely serious risk” and 1 means “no risk at all.”

	1 = No risk at all	2	3	4	5 = Extremely serious risk
Intoxication	*In your opinion, how big of a risk is each of the following on rivers in King County? Please use a five-point scale where 5 means “an extremely serious risk” and 1 means “no risk at all.” Intoxication 1 = No risk at all	Intoxication 2	Intoxication 3	Intoxication 4	Intoxication 5 = Extremely serious risk
Cold water	Cold water 1 = No risk at all	Cold water 2	Cold water 3	Cold water 4	Cold water 5 = Extremely serious risk
Fast water	Fast water 1 = No risk at all	Fast water 2	Fast water 3	Fast water 4	Fast water 5 = Extremely serious risk
Other people on the river	Other people on the river 1 = No risk at all	Other people on the river 2	Other people on the river 3	Other people on the river 4	Other people on the river 5 = Extremely serious risk
Rocks	Rocks 1 = No risk at all	Rocks 2	Rocks 3	Rocks 4	Rocks 5 = Extremely serious risk
Trees and wood	Trees and wood 1 = No risk at all	Trees and wood 2	Trees and wood 3	Trees and wood 4	Trees and wood 5 = Extremely serious risk

8. How familiar are you with the following efforts undertaken by King County.

Please use a five-point scale where 5 means “extremely familiar” and 1 means “not at all familiar.”

	1 = Not at all familiar	2	3	4	5 = Extremely familiar
Reduce flood risks to protect people and property	*How familiar are you with the following efforts undertaken by King County. Please use a five-point scale where 5 means “extremely familiar” and 1 means “not at all familiar.” Reduce flood risks to protect people and property 1 = Not at all familiar	Reduce flood risks to protect people and property 2	Reduce flood risks to protect people and property 3	Reduce flood risks to protect people and property 4	Reduce flood risks to protect people and property 5 = Extremely familiar
Protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers	Protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers 1 = Not at all familiar	Protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers 2	Protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers 3	Protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers 4	Protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers 5 = Extremely familiar
Keep rivers available for recreational activities	Keep rivers available for recreational activities 1 = Not at all familiar	Keep rivers available for recreational activities 2	Keep rivers available for recreational activities 3	Keep rivers available for recreational activities 4	Keep rivers available for recreational activities 5 = Extremely familiar

9. Please read the following statements about river uses and indicate whether you strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree or strongly disagree with each statement.

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree	Don't know
Protecting and restoring fish and wildlife habitat should be King County’s top priority in river management.	*Please read the following statements about river uses and indicate whether you strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree or strongly disagree with each statement. Protecting and restoring fish and wildlife habitat should be King County’s top priority in river management. Strongly disagree	Protecting and restoring fish and wildlife habitat should be King County’s top priority in river management. Disagree	Protecting and restoring fish and wildlife habitat should be King County’s top priority in river management. Neither agree nor disagree	Protecting and restoring fish and wildlife habitat should be King County’s top priority in river management. Agree	Protecting and restoring fish and wildlife habitat should be King County’s top priority in river management. Strongly agree	Protecting and restoring fish and wildlife habitat should be King County’s top priority in river management. Don't know
Keeping rivers available for recreational activities should be King County’s top priority in river management.	Keeping rivers available for recreational activities should be King County’s top priority in river management. Strongly disagree	Keeping rivers available for recreational activities should be King County’s top priority in river management. Disagree	Keeping rivers available for recreational activities should be King County’s top priority in river management. Neither agree nor disagree	Keeping rivers available for recreational activities should be King County’s top priority in river management. Agree	Keeping rivers available for recreational activities should be King County’s top priority in river management. Strongly agree	Keeping rivers available for recreational activities should be King County’s top priority in river management. Don't know
Reducing flood risks to protect people and property should be King County’s top priority in river management.	Reducing flood risks to protect people and property should be King County’s top priority in river management. Strongly disagree	Reducing flood risks to protect people and property should be King County’s top priority in river management. Disagree	Reducing flood risks to protect people and property should be King County’s top priority in river management. Neither agree nor disagree	Reducing flood risks to protect people and property should be King County’s top priority in river management. Agree	Reducing flood risks to protect people and property should be King County’s top priority in river management. Strongly agree	Reducing flood risks to protect people and property should be King County’s top priority in river management. Don't know

10. Please read the following statements about safety on rivers and indicate whether you strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree or strongly disagree.

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree	N/A
Being safe when engaged in recreational activities on rivers is an individual’s personal responsibility.	*Please read the following statements about safety on rivers and indicate whether you strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree or strongly disagree. Being safe when engaged in recreational activities on rivers is an individual’s personal responsibility. Strongly disagree	Being safe when engaged in recreational activities on rivers is an individual’s personal responsibility. Disagree	Being safe when engaged in recreational activities on rivers is an individual’s personal responsibility. Neither agree nor disagree	Being safe when engaged in recreational activities on rivers is an individual’s personal responsibility. Agree	Being safe when engaged in recreational activities on rivers is an individual’s personal responsibility. Strongly agree	Being safe when engaged in recreational activities on rivers is an individual’s personal responsibility. N/A
Individuals should be required by law to wear a life jacket when engaging in recreational activities on rivers.	Individuals should be required by law to wear a life jacket when engaging in recreational activities on rivers. Strongly disagree	Individuals should be required by law to wear a life jacket when engaging in recreational activities on rivers. Disagree	Individuals should be required by law to wear a life jacket when engaging in recreational activities on rivers. Neither agree nor disagree	Individuals should be required by law to wear a life jacket when engaging in recreational activities on rivers. Agree	Individuals should be required by law to wear a life jacket when engaging in recreational activities on rivers. Strongly agree	Individuals should be required by law to wear a life jacket when engaging in recreational activities on rivers. N/A

11. Next, please indicate whether you strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree or strongly disagree with each of the following statements.

	Strongly disagree	disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree	N/A
It is more important to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers than it is to keep rivers available for recreational activities.	*Next, please indicate whether you strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree or strongly disagree with each of the following statements. It is more important to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers than it is to keep rivers available for recreational activities. Strongly disagree	It is more important to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers than it is to keep rivers available for recreational activities. disagree	It is more important to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers than it is to keep rivers available for recreational activities. Neither agree nor disagree	It is more important to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers than it is to keep rivers available for recreational activities. Agree	It is more important to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers than it is to keep rivers available for recreational activities. Strongly agree	It is more important to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers than it is to keep rivers available for recreational activities. N/A
It is more important to reduce flood risks to protect people and property than it is to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers.	It is more important to reduce flood risks to protect people and property than it is to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers. Strongly disagree	It is more important to reduce flood risks to protect people and property than it is to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers. disagree	It is more important to reduce flood risks to protect people and property than it is to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers. Neither agree nor disagree	It is more important to reduce flood risks to protect people and property than it is to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers. Agree	It is more important to reduce flood risks to protect people and property than it is to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers. Strongly agree	It is more important to reduce flood risks to protect people and property than it is to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitat on King County rivers. N/A
It is more important to keep King County rivers available for recreational activities than it is to reduce flood risks to protect people and property.	It is more important to keep King County rivers available for recreational activities than it is to reduce flood risks to protect people and property. Strongly disagree	It is more important to keep King County rivers available for recreational activities than it is to reduce flood risks to protect people and property. disagree	It is more important to keep King County rivers available for recreational activities than it is to reduce flood risks to protect people and property. Neither agree nor disagree	It is more important to keep King County rivers available for recreational activities than it is to reduce flood risks to protect people and property. Agree	It is more important to keep King County rivers available for recreational activities than it is to reduce flood risks to protect people and property. Strongly agree	It is more important to keep King County rivers available for recreational activities than it is to reduce flood risks to protect people and property. N/A

12. Historically, the response to flooding has been to build and maintain structures such as dams and levees to control and contain rivers. More recently, the response to flooding has been to accommodate natural flooding when possible by removing homes from at-risk areas, moving levees further away from rivers, allowing trees that fall into rivers to remain, and restoring fish and wildlife habitat.

Before reading this statement, were you aware of this shift in management practices towards a more naturally functioning river?

Historically, the response to flooding has been to build and maintain structures such as dams and levees to control and contain rivers. More recently, the response to flooding has been to accommodate natural flooding when possible by removing homes from at-risk areas, moving levees further away from rivers, allowing trees that fall into rivers to remain, and restoring fish and wildlife habitat. Before reading this statement, were you aware of this shift in management practices towards a more naturally functioning river? Yes

13. Following is a list of actions that King County can take to restore fish and wildlife habitat and reduce flood risks to protect people and property.

Please indicate whether you strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree or strongly disagree with each of these actions.

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree	Strongly agree	N/A
Place logs in rivers and on river banks to prevent erosion	*Following is a list of actions that King County can take to restore fish and wildlife habitat and reduce flood risks to protect people and property. Please indicate whether you strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree or strongly disagree with each of these actions. Place logs in rivers and on river banks to prevent erosion Strongly Disagree	Place logs in rivers and on river banks to prevent erosion Disagree	Place logs in rivers and on river banks to prevent erosion Neither agree nor disagree	Place logs in rivers and on river banks to prevent erosion Agree	Place logs in rivers and on river banks to prevent erosion Strongly agree	Place logs in rivers and on river banks to prevent erosion N/A
Acquire property near rivers to move levees back and allow rivers more room to move	Acquire property near rivers to move levees back and allow rivers more room to move Strongly Disagree	Acquire property near rivers to move levees back and allow rivers more room to move Disagree	Acquire property near rivers to move levees back and allow rivers more room to move Neither agree nor disagree	Acquire property near rivers to move levees back and allow rivers more room to move Agree	Acquire property near rivers to move levees back and allow rivers more room to move Strongly agree	Acquire property near rivers to move levees back and allow rivers more room to move N/A
Purchase and remove homes near rivers in order to move people out of flood risk areas	Purchase and remove homes near rivers in order to move people out of flood risk areas Strongly Disagree	Purchase and remove homes near rivers in order to move people out of flood risk areas Disagree	Purchase and remove homes near rivers in order to move people out of flood risk areas Neither agree nor disagree	Purchase and remove homes near rivers in order to move people out of flood risk areas Agree	Purchase and remove homes near rivers in order to move people out of flood risk areas Strongly agree	Purchase and remove homes near rivers in order to move people out of flood risk areas N/A
Temporarily close portions of a river to recreational activities if hazardous conditions exist	Temporarily close portions of a river to recreational activities if hazardous conditions exist Strongly Disagree	Temporarily close portions of a river to recreational activities if hazardous conditions exist Disagree	Temporarily close portions of a river to recreational activities if hazardous conditions exist Neither agree nor disagree	Temporarily close portions of a river to recreational activities if hazardous conditions exist Agree	Temporarily close portions of a river to recreational activities if hazardous conditions exist Strongly agree	Temporarily close portions of a river to recreational activities if hazardous conditions exist N/A
Allow fallen trees to freely move and accumulate in rivers	Allow fallen trees to freely move and accumulate in rivers Strongly Disagree	Allow fallen trees to freely move and accumulate in rivers Disagree	Allow fallen trees to freely move and accumulate in rivers Neither agree nor disagree	Allow fallen trees to freely move and accumulate in rivers Agree	Allow fallen trees to freely move and accumulate in rivers Strongly agree	Allow fallen trees to freely move and accumulate in rivers N/A

14. How familiar are you with the 2011 King County ordinance that requires people to wear life jackets when they are on King County rivers?

How familiar are you with the 2011 King County ordinance that requires people to wear life jackets when they are on King County rivers? Not at all familiar with the ordinance (Skip to question #15.)

Not very familiar

Somewhat familiar

Very familiar

Extremely familiar with the ordinance

15. How did you learn about the ordinance? (Check all that apply).

How did you learn about the ordinance? (Check all that apply). News media (e.g., newspaper, online news source, television, radio)

Twitter

Facebook

Posted signage at the river

Directly from a King County Sheriff's Deputy

King County Web site

Friend or family member

Other (please specify)

These last questions are for data comparison purposes only. The survey is strictly for research purposes and the answers will be completely anonymous.

*
16. What is your home ZIP code, so we may compare responses from different areas of King County.

What is your home ZIP code, so we may compare responses from different areas of King County. ZIP:

17. How close do you live to a river in King County?

How close do you live to a river in King County? Less than a mile from a river

1 to 5 miles from a river

More than 5 miles from a river

18. Which river, would you say, is closest to your residence?

Which river, would you say, is closest to your residence? Cedar River

Green River

Raging River

Skykomish River

Snoqualmie River

Tolt River

White River

Other (please specify)

19. Would you say that you live in an area that is urban, suburban, or rural?

Would you say that you live in an area that is urban, suburban, or rural? Urban

Suburban

Rural

20. Do you live in an area of King County that is unincorporated, or do you live in a city or town that is incorporated?

Do you live in an area of King County that is unincorporated, or do you live in a city or town that is incorporated? Unincorporated area

Incorporated city

21. Which age range do you fall within?

Which age range do you fall within? 18 to 24

25 to 39

40 to 64

65 or older

22. Are you a male or a female?

Are you a male or a female? Male

Female

23. Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?

Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?

Thank you very much for your time and opinions. Your input will be very helpful to King County as it works to manage rivers in the best ways possible.

If you have any questions, please contact the King County River and Floodplain Management team at 206-296-8001.

For information about flooding in King County, go to: www.kingcounty.gov/flood.

For information about river safety in King County, go to: www.kingcounty.gov/riversafety.