Residents
also believed that government should play a role in protecting the river.
Eighty-nine percent of participants agreed “government should enact
policies to protect natural resources for future generations.” One respondent
commented, “I would love to see local, state, and federal regulation
and oversight.” Many others, however, also assumed responsibility for
stewardship of the river, stating that “citizens,” and “the
public” were responsible for protecting water quality. When asked who
is responsible for water quality, one respondent summed up local sentiments
best, responding: “I am, with [the government’s] help.”
