The Sierra Fund

COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SURVEY

Please help us better understand how the unique environmental health issues of the Gold Country impact you by completing this 30 question survey. Surveys are anonymous and results will be shared in aggregate form.

Step 1 of 2

Informed Consent: The purpose of this survey is to better understand the unique environmental health impacts and priorities of residents of the Gold Country. This survey contributes to research being conducted by local non-profit The Sierra Fund as part of our Environmentally Healthy Communities Program. This survey is voluntary. Completing the online survey will take approximately 20 minutes. Your response will be confidential, and we do not collect identifying information such as your name, email address, or IP address.

There are no foreseeable risks associated with this survey. There may be public health benefits associated with this survey by helping to identify unique exposure pathways and community health priorities. If you have questions about this survey or associated research please contact Alex Keeble-Toll, M.A., M.Sc., alex.keeble-toll@sierrafund.org.

Clicking on the “Next” button below indicates that:

• You have read the above information.

• You voluntarily agree to complete the survey.

Thank You.

General Questions
Please select your answer from the dropdown menu. Leave question blank if you Decline to State.
1. How long have you lived in Nevada County?*
2. Do you rent or own your residence?*
3. Which local community do you reside in?*
4. Do you have children under the age of 18 years?*
5. What is your level of education?*
6. What is your (household) income level?*
Issue Specific Questions
7. Please rank the following environmental health issues 1-4 based on your level of concern.
1 = most concerned about, 4 = least concerned about, use each value only once
Mercury in Fish*
Please enter a number from 1 to 4.
Dusty Recreation and Heavy Metals*
Please enter a number from 1 to 4.
Water Quality and Access*
Please enter a number from 1 to 4.
Wildfire and Air Quality*
Please enter a number from 1 to 4.
MERCURY IN FISH
Please select your answer from the dropdown menu. Leave question blank if you Decline to State.
8. Do you fish at local water bodies?*
9. Do you eat the fish you catch at local waterbodies?*
10. Do your children (under 18 years) eat the fish you catch at local waterbodies?*
11. Which species of locally caught fish do you consume most often?*
DUSTY RECREATION AND HEAVY METALS
Please select your answers from the dropdown menu. Leave question blank if you Decline to State.
12. Are you aware that Nevada County’s geology has naturally occurring heavy metals and minerals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, asbestos etc.)?*
13. Are you aware of any old mines in your neighborhood?*
14. Do you feel that you would be able to identify an abandoned mine based on land features (tunnels, shafts, piles of tailing etc.)?*
15. Do you work locally, in dusty conditions (landscaping, forestry, construction etc.)?*
16. Do you use local trails for any of the following (select all that apply):
- Not Applicable
- Running/Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Horseback Riding
- Off-Highway Vehicles
WATER QUALITY AND ACCESS
17. Please rank the following water quality and water access issues 1-4 based on your level of concern.
1 = most concerned about, 4 = least concerned about, use each value only once
Less Water Available in the Future*
Please enter a number from 1 to 4.
Contamination of Drinking Water*
Please enter a number from 1 to 4.
Flooding During Major Storms*
Please enter a number from 1 to 4.
Increased Cost of Water*
Please enter a number from 1 to 4.
18. Where do you get your water? (Select up to two.)*
- City Water
- NID Treated Water
- NID Raw Water
- Small Water Provider
- Private Residential Well
- Purchased Water (Refill Stations, Bottled Water)
- Vendor Delivery
- Spring Water (Bitney Springs etc.)
- Decline to State
19. Is the plumbing in your residence pre-1986?*
20. Have you had your water tested for lead?*
21. Does the amount of water in your well vary from year to year (static water level)?*
22. Have you had your well tested in the last five years?*
WILDFIRE AND AIR QUALITY
Please select your answers from the dropdown menu. Leave question blank if you Decline to State.
23. Please rank the following wildfire and air quality issues 1-4 based on your level of concern.
1 = most concerned about, 4 = least concerned about, use each value only once
Health-Related Impacts (respiratory, heart, other)*
Please enter a number from 1 to 4.
Loss of Property*
Please enter a number from 1 to 4.
Ability to Evacuate Safely*
Please enter a number from 1 to 4.
Lack of Adequate Homeowners or Renters Insurance*
Please enter a number from 1 to 4.
24. Do you or a family member you live with have a respiratory-related condition?*
25. Do you check local air quality conditions during wildfire?*
26. Do you have the ability to recirculate or filter indoor air when outdoor air quality is poor?*
27. Do you have a job that requires you to work outdoors even if air quality is poor?*
28. Do you have a woodstove in your home that you use more than once a week during cool weather?*
29. Where do you get information about air quality and wildfire? (Select all that apply)*
- a. Local/Regional Television Station
- b. Local Newspaper
- c. YubaNet
- d. Social Media
- e. Air Resources Board
- f. Cal Fire
- g. Other
If you selected "g. Other" please describe:
30. Where do you get information about local environmental health issues? (Select all that apply)*
- a. Local/Regional Television Station
- b. Local Newspaper
- c. YubaNet
- d. Social Media
- e. Health Care Provider
- f. County Public Health Staff
- g. Other
If you selected "g. Other" please describe:
What is your age?*
Please take a moment to note any additional comments and concerns you may have about environmental health in Nevada County and/or the Sierra Nevada region.

COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SURVEY

Step 1 of 2

General Questions

Issue Specific Questions

MERCURY IN FISH

DUSTY RECREATION AND HEAVY METALS

WATER QUALITY AND ACCESS

WILDFIRE AND AIR QUALITY