Research and information needs assessment to support sustainable watershed management in the Skeena, Omineca, Cariboo, and Kootenay/Boundary Natural Resource Regions, British Columbia

Summary: Watershed management issues are among the many challenges facing natural resource managers in British Columbia. The B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRO) conducted a research and information needs assessment survey to help identify specific knowledge gaps and develop strategic priorities for research to support sustainable water resource management in the Skeena, Omineca, Cariboo, and Kootenay/Boundary Natural Resource Regions of British Columbia. In total, 224 individuals who were familiar with surface water and/or groundwater issues in these regions completed all or portions of the survey and identified priority topics for research, monitoring, data collection, and policy development. The survey was conducted from May 19 to September 30, 2016. This report is the fourth in a series of regional assessments that have been conducted across British Columbia. The first regional assessment was completed in northeastern British Columbia in 2014, the second regional assessment was completed in the Thompson/Okanagan region in 2015, and the third regional assessment was completed in the South Coast and West Coast regions in 2016.More than 58% of the respondents identified online access to data, analysis results/products (e.g., interpreted data), and georeferenced data, as well as hydrometric monitoring data as a high priority. Written responses also highlighted the need for increased hydrometric monitoring of surface waters as being very important.In addition to this report, a database of data sources, information sources, and relevant research projects and publications from British Columbia and adjoining jurisdictions was compiled. The database is intended to provide a first stop for researchers and managers in locating key water resource information of regional relevance.