Survey open: Show us your priorities on key issues

(Columbia Basin) — People throughout the Basin have given Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) their input on the key social, economic and environmental issues in their region, and how to address them. Now the public—those who completed the first step, plus anyone else who wishes to join the process—is invited to help increase understanding of the region’s priorities. Visit cbt.org/engagement2013 by July 7, 2013.

“We had a terrific response for step one, with over 10,000 individual thoughts and ideas,” said Neil Muth, CBT President and CEO. “We got great, varied feedback on what the challenges and possible solutions are— now we're asking everyone, even if you weren't able to participate in the first part, to show us your priorities from the ideas that were generated in your part of the Basin.”

During the first step, Basin residents responded online to six open-ended questions. The second step now asks the public to review these thoughts and assign stars to the ideas they like best. Participant information remains confidential. Finally, CBT will share a final report with all participants.

“Over the coming months, we are renewing our social, economic and environmental strategic plans and we want to ensure we are considering a wide variety of opinions as we begin these and other planning efforts,” said Muth. “We value residents’ feedback as one of several inputs into these planning processes.”

CBT is piloting an online engagement tool called THOUGHTstream.

To show us your priorities, visit cbt.org/engagement2013. Input is welcome until 11 p.m. on July 7, 2013.

CBT supports efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about CBT programs and initiatives, visit cbt.org or call 1.800.505.8998.