2020-10-01 Windsor Causeway Survey Report
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Windsor Causeway Survey Report September 2020 Table of Contents Methodology & Logistics 2 Awareness of Fish Passage Restriction 3 Restoring Free Passage of Fish – Support 4 Bridge – Support 4 Sipekne’katik First Nation Request 5 Highway Construction Plans 5 New Structure Design 6 Motivators 7 Lake Pisiquid 8 Results by Question 9 1 Background & Overview The following report presents the research findings from a survey conducted by Oraclepoll Research Ltd for Oceans North and the Mi’kmaw Conservation Group. It involved collecting telephone research among residents 18 years of age and older from Windsor Hants County, Nova Scotia on issues related to the Windsor Causeway. Methodology & Logistics Study Sample & Survey Method A total of N=300 interviews were completed among residents 18 years of age and older between the days of August 30th to September 5th, 2020. This survey was conducted by telephone with live operators using computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) and random digit dialing number selection (RDD). A dual-frame sample database was used that contained cellular and landline phone number contacts. No financial incentives were used, and respondents were assured of confidentiality and that the information they provided was for research purposes only. Oraclepoll adheres to strict privacy codes and no personal identifiers (in this case telephone numbers) will be shared with any outside party or will be reported. Logistics The data collection period was from August 30th to September 5th, 2020. Initial calls were made between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Subsequent call-backs of no- answers and busy numbers were made up to 5 times over the call period (from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with at least one weekend call) until contact was made. In addition, telephone interview appointments were attempted with those respondents unable to complete the survey at the time of contact. If no contact was made at a number after the fifth attempt, the number was discarded and a new one was used. Confidence The error rate (margin of error) for the total N=300 sample is ± 5.6%, 19/20 times. Some numbers presented in the tables and graphs of this report may not add up to 100% due to rounding. 2 Awareness of Fish Passage Restriction All N=300 respondents were first read the following descriptive statement about the Windsor Causeway after which they were asked if they were aware (previously) of the restrictions to fish passage on the Avon River as a result of the Causeway. “The Windsor Causeway across the Avon River was completed in 1970 without consideration for effective or efficient fish passage. Passage is required to allow fish that spend portions of their life cycle in saltwater to migrate through this barrier to spawn upstream in freshwater and then return back to the ocean. The existing causeway obstructs fish migration for species such as the at-risk Atlantic Salmon (Inner Bay of Fundy population). Note there are also more than sixty other barriers in West Hants that do not provide effective or efficient fish passage.” Q1. "Were you previously aware of the restriction to fish passage on the Avon River resulting from the construction and operation of the existing gated structure at the Windsor Causeway?" No 18% Yes 72% More than seven in ten or 72% said they were aware of aware of the restriction to fish passage on the Avon River resulting from the existing gated structure at the Windsor Causeway. While a majority of respondents across all demographic cohorts had awareness, a higher number of those 18-29 (80%), 30-39 (78%) and 40-49 (75%) were aware, as were those earning more or $75,000-$99,999 (75%) and $100,000+ (78%). More First Nations respondents were aware 92% (N=22 of N=24 interviewed), while there was a close distribution among males (74%) and females (71%). 3 Restoring Free Passage of Fish - Support Respondents were then asked if they support restoring the free passage of fish to the Avon River. Q2. “Do you support restoring the free passage of fish to the Avon River?” There is support among 77% of respondents for restoring the free passage of fish. Only 9% oppose the plan and 14% were unsure. Support was highest with those aged 18-29 (89%), 30-39 (83%) and 40-49 (82%), among First Nations residents (96%, N=23 of N=24) and more females (81%) in relation to Yes support males (72%). 77% Oppose 9% Unsure 14% Bridge - Support The next question asked respondents if they felt a portion of the Windsor Causeway should be replaced with a bridge. Q3. “Should a portion of the existing Windsor Causeway be replaced with a bridge to allow the free flow of the Avon River and the recovery and protection of at risk and other fish species?” Support for a bridge to replace a portion of the Windsor Causeway increased to 81%, while opposition dropped Yes support slightly to 8% as did the number of those unsure to 11%. 81% Oppose 8% Unsure 11% 4 Sipekne’katik First Nation Request Respondents were read a brief description of a Sipekne’katik First Nation request and were asked if they support it. Q4. “Sipekne’katik First Nation recently issued a statement requesting the immediate stop to fish blockage at the Windsor Causeway pending an Aboriginal rights review. Do you support Sipekne’katik First Nation in their request?” Yes 62% No 13% Unsure 25% Support for the initiative is 62%, while oppositon is a low 13%, but there are one-quarter of residents that are undecided. Highway Construction Plans A descriptive statement about the Highway 101 causeway construction plans as well as design options being called for was first read, afterward two questions were asked. “The Province of Nova Scotia is currently twinning Highway 101 and construction plans for the new causeway include replacing the existing structure with another gated structure. However, several other organizations including the commercial, recreational and indigenous fisheries are calling for a design that ensures efficient and effective fish passage for all species throughout the entire year.” Q5. “Is it acceptable for a replacement structure to restrict fish passage?” Yes 10% No 77% Unsure 13% More than three quarters of residents or 77% do not feel it is acceptable for a replacement structure to restrict fish passage, only 10% do, while 13% were unsure or had no opinion. Q6. “As part of the construction plans, do you support the restoration and habitat enhancement of the Avon River and ecosystem by continuing to allow saltwater upstream, which also enhances fish passage?” Yes 80% No 5%Unsure 14% There are eight in ten (80%) that said they support the restoration and habitat enhancement of the Avon River ecosystem by continuing to allow saltwater upstream. Few or 5% do not support this and 14% were undecided. 5 New Structure Design Two statements were read prior to asking each of Q7 and Q8 (below) about the importance of the new design. A five-point rating scale (1-not at all important to five very important) was used. “Although the infilling of the marsh along the causeway has been authorized, the final design for the waterway and fish passage has not yet been completed, nor received authorization from Fisheries and Oceans Canada.” Q7. “How important do you feel it is for Fisheries and Oceans Canada to approve a design that brings balance back to the ecosystem and ensures efficient and effective fish passage, year-round, for all species that use this ecosystem?” Not at all important 4% Not important 3% Neither important nor unimportant 13% Important 32% 78% Total Very important 46% Importance Unsure 2% “The proposed design for a new Avon River gate structure will continue to restrict fish passage and also calls for modifications which have the ability to further restrict fish passage by allowing doors and gates to be closed at will. Native fish species require an unrestricted natural water flow to achieve maximum passage.” Q8. “How important do you feel it is that the new structure be designed in a way that allows fish to pass unrestricted?” Not at all important 5% Not important 3% Neither important nor unimportant 11% Important 31% 75% Total Very important 44% Importance Unsure 6% There was solid support for both questions. Seventy-eight percent claimed it is important or very important for Fisheries and Oceans Canada to approve a design that brings balance back to the ecosystem and ensures efficient and effective fish passage, while 75% said it was important or very important that the new structure be designed in a way that allows fish to pass unrestricted. 6 Motivators Respondents were read a series of five statements and after each one were asked if they would make them more likely to support a design that allows for unrestricted year-round fish passage. “Would each of the following make you more likely to or encourage you to continue to support a design that allows for unrestricted year-round fish passage for all species?” Q9. “The design would contribute to the increased resilience of the Bay of Fundy as a whole” Yes 67% No 14% Unsure 19% Q10. “The design would rebuild fish populations and restore habitat for both fish and migratory birds, which could also contribute to Canada’s natural solutions to climate change.” Unsure 7% Yes 89% No 4% Q11. “These fish populations support recreational, commercial, and Indigenous fisheries and should be provided every opportunity to recover.” Yes 79% No 8% Unsure 13% Q12. “Some of these species are endangered or threatened, with habitat destruction being a significant factor in their population decline.” Unsure 10% Yes 73% No 17% The area that is most likely to encourage or support a design that allows for unrestricted year-round fish passage (response of yes), related to rebuilding and restoring habitats that can also contribute to a natural solution to climate change (89%).