

Cover
Chesapeake Bay Stated Preference Survey
Input Version
Declining Baseline
May 22, 2012



 

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About this survey
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In this survey we will describe the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and ask some questions about your experiences.  We will then describe possible plans for changing (or not changing) how the Chesapeake Bay Watershed is managed.  We will describe how these plans could affect the Watershed and your household and ask whether you would vote for different plans.  Finally we will ask some questions about your opinions on different topics covered in the survey and some information about your household.
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Your answers will help inform policymakers.  All information and responses will be kept confidential.  Background information in this survey was provided by the National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and other state and federal offices.

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed, shown in green, is home to 17 million people and covers parts of six states and Washington DC. 

The Watershed includes over 100,000 small rivers and streams, 150 major rivers, and thousands of lakes.  Water that falls on the land within the watershed drains into these rivers, and eventually enters the Chesapeake Bay.  
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed includes two types of water bodies:
The freshwater lakes and rivers of the Watershed support wildlife and provide recreational opportunities like swimming, boating, and fishing.
The Chesapeake Bay tidal waters include the Bay itself and parts of some rivers and streams that flow into the Bay.  Bay waters are salty and support different types of wildlife than the rest of the Watershed.  People also swim, boat, and fish in the tidal sections of the watershed.


1. Over the last five years have you done any of the following activities in lakes and rivers in the watershed, or in the Chesapeake Bay tidal waters?  

Lakes and rivers in the Watershed
Chesapeake Bay tidal waters
Swimming, water skiing, or jet skiing
□
□
Fishing
□
□
Boating, including sailing, motor boating and kayaking
□
□
Viewing nature, including bird watching
□
□
Biking or walking on trails along the water

□
□
Other _______________________
□
□


2. About how many times have you visited lakes and rivers in the watershed, or the Chesapeake Bay Tidal waters to do any these activities?  Please check one statement in each column that best describes your experience.  

Lakes and rivers in the Watershed
Chesapeake Bay tidal waters
I have never visited
□
□
I have not visited in the last 5 years
□
□
Once over the last 5 years
□
□
A few times over the last 5 years
□
□
About once a year
□
□
2 to 10 times a year
□
□
More than 10 times a year
□
□




Water Quality in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed degrade the quality of the water in lakes, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay, and can affect wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.  Two key pollutants are nutrients and sediments.

   *    Nutrients.  Nitrogen and phosphorous are naturally occurring substances that are essential for healthy ecosystems.  But too much can lead to algae that deprives fish and plants of oxygen. Excess nutrients come from fertilizers, livestock manure, and outflows from wastewater treatment plants.

   *    Sediment.   Loose soil that settles to the bottom of water bodies is also a natural part of the environment.  Too much sediment makes the water murky and harms aquatic plants and animals.  Paved surfaces and some farming practices have led to more soil erosion, causing more sediment to enter rivers and streams and flow into the Chesapeake Bay.

For the following questions, check the box next to your answer.

3. Before taking this survey, were you aware of the negative effects that too much sediment or nutrients can have on wildlife habitat or recreation opportunities?
       □	Yes
□	No

4. Have you previously heard of the sources of excess nutrients and sediments in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?  
       □	Yes
       □	No

       
Reducing nutrient and sediment pollution in the 
Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Changing the way land, storm water, and waste water are managed can improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.  As a result, wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities will improve in lakes, rivers and the Bay.


Practices to Improve Water Quality
   * Changing the way farmers dispose of livestock manure and till their land 
   * Installing better equipment at wastewater treatment facilities 
   * Restoring streams and wetlands and paving fewer surfaces to slow storm water runoff 
   * Restoring oyster reefs and bay grass beds to filter water and improve fish habitat

Water Quality Improvements
   * Clearer water because less nutrients and sediment enter the water 
   * More aquatic grasses will grow because clearer water allows more sunlight to reach them
   * Smaller, less frequent algae blooms 
   * More oxygen in the water because of reduced algae 

Ecosystem and Recreation Improvements
   * Cleaner and healthier aquatic environment 
   * More game fish and crabs for recreational fishermen
   * More enjoyable  boating and swimming 
   * More oysters and bay grass beds will provide habitat for a variety of fish and shellfish while also improving water quality

5. How do you think environmental conditions have changed in lakes and rivers closest to your home and in  -  -  - the Chesapeake Bay? (Please check one box in each column)   
   

Lakes and Rivers
Chesapeake Bay
Better than they were 10 years ago
□
□
About the same as they were 10 years ago
□
□
Worse than they were 10 years ago
□
□
Don't know
□
□



6. On a scale from 1 to 5, please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statements by circling a number.  


Strongly
Disagree

Neutral

Strongly Agree
Don't Know
 I am concerned about current pollution levels in lakes and rivers.
1
2
3
4
5
DK
 I am concerned about current pollution levels in the Chesapeake Bay.
1
2
3
4
5
DK
 Some decrease in environmental quality is inevitable as our economy grows.
1
2
3
4
5
DK

Environmental Quality in the Chesapeake Bay

Different areas of the Chesapeake Bay provide different types of wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities.  

State governments and federal agencies have been working with scientists to develop environmental goals for improving the quality of the Chesapeake Bay.


For the Chesapeake Bay, environmental goals are based on several measurements of environmental quality and aquatic life:

Dissolved Oxygen
   * Dissolved oxygen refers to oxygen in the water, something needed by all aquatic life
   * Dissolved oxygen goals were set for different areas of the Chesapeake Bay based on the types of aquatic life that live there


Water Clarity
   * Water clarity is measured by how far one can see into the water
   * Clearer water means more sunlight for underwater plants to grow
   * People who go swimming or boating may prefer clearer water


Aquatic Grasses 
   * Aquatic grasses provide food and habitat for other aquatic life 
   

7. Before taking this survey, had you read or heard about any environmental goals for dissolved oxygen, water clarity, or aquatic grasses? 
      □	Yes
      □	No

Environmental Quality in the Chesapeake Bay 
State and local governments already have some pollution reduction programs in place but some additional actions are being considered.  Scientists studying the Chesapeake Bay Watershed monitor its health and use models to predict water conditions in the future under different pollution reduction programs.  

The table here shows both current conditions and predicted conditions in 2025 for the Chesapeake Bay tidal waters if no further action is taken to reduce nutrients and sediment.



Current Conditions 
Conditions in 2025 with no further action*
 Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
 Percent of waters meeting DO goals
 
 Some plans being considered would achieve 100% in 2025

40 %
of the Bay areas
meet DO goals

33 %
of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals

 
 Water Clarity 
 How many feet you can see down into the water.
  

Average of visibility of
3 feet


Average visibility of
1.5 feet

50% Decrease
 Aquatic Grasses 
 Acres of underwater grasses on the Bay floor.
 
 Scientists recommend 185,000 acres be restored based on historic levels 
 
80,000 acres


56,000 acres

30% Decrease
All forecasts for the year 2025 are based on monitoring data from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Estuary Models developed by the Chesapeake Bay Program Office of the EPA in conjunction with state and federal partners.

Environmental Quality in Lakes

Scientists studying the effect of nutrient pollution on lakes categorize them by how much algae grows in the water.   

High amounts of algae:
   * Changes the color of the water and reduces visibility.  
   * Results in fewer game fish like bass and trout and more rough fish like carp and catfish.

Lake Condition
Water Color
Water Clarity
Most Common
Types of fish
1
Green
Less than 1 foot
Mostly rough fish 
2
Green
About 1 foot
Mostly rough fish 
3
Brown/Green
About 3 feet
Bass and rough fish 
4
Blue/Brown
About 5 feet
Mostly bass
5
Blue/Brown
About 8 feet
Mostly Bass and some walleye
6
Blue
About 15 feet
Bass, walleye, and trout
7
Blue
More than 20 feet
Bass, walleye, and trout



8. What condition do you think best describes the lakes closest to your home? (please circle one)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Don't Know

Lakes in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Some important things to note:

   * Meeting the goals for water quality in the Chesapeake Bay would also affect freshwater bodies of the watershed.  
   * Nutrients have a small effect on many rivers because the water is constantly moving.  
   * Reducing the amount of nutrients entering lakes will improve the appearance of the water and change the ecological conditions.  

The table below shows the current condition and conditions in 2025 that scientists predict for lakes in the part of the watershed in your state if no further actions are taken to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution.

The table shows the average condition for <state> lakes within the Watershed.  This is an average, so individual lakes near you could be higher or lower.  


Current Conditions
Conditions in 2025 with no additional actions*
Average Condition of <State> Lakes in the Watershed
3
Brown/Green Water
3 feet of visibility
Bass and rough fish
2
Green Water
1 foot of visibility
Mostly rough fish
All forecasts for the year 2025 are based on measures from the Northeast Lakes Model developed by the Office of Research and Development of the EPA.

Pollution Reduction Programs for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Federal and State Agencies are developing programs to meet the goals that have been set for water quality and wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay.  Any program would be phased in over time but would be fully implemented by the year 2025.



Progress toward each water quality goal will depend on the design of the program.
For example,
   # Pollution reduction practices close to the Bay will improve water quality in the Bay, but not in freshwater lakes farther out in the watershed.

   # Planting aquatic grasses will improve aquatic life habitat but will have a smaller effect on water clarity and dissolved oxygen than programs focused on reducing nutrients and sediment.




9. Before taking this survey, had you read or heard of programs to reduce excess nutrients and sediments in the Chesapeake Bay watershed?   
         □	  Yes
         □	  No

                   Paying for Pollution Reduction Programs 

The changes required under pollution reduction programs would result in higher costs for your household. 


Costs to Your Household
Some of the basic things people spend money on would become more expensive. For example:

   * Higher water bills or increased maintenance costs for septic systems for households in the Watershed. For renters, rent or utility bills would increase.

   * Higher prices for some agricultural products and other goods for households both outside and inside the Watershed, including the area where you live.  This is because of higher costs for businesses inside the Watershed.

A pollution reduction program, if implemented, would permanently increase the cost of living for your household.


Deciding Future Actions

Imagine that you were given the opportunity to vote on future pollution reduction programs.  

In the questions that follow, we will ask your opinion about different programs that provide different levels of environmental improvements, and cost your household different amounts.

You will be asked three questions.  In each question you will need to choose the program you like best from the following alternatives: 

   * The NO FURTHER ACTION option would have no additional pollution reductions or costs to your household.

   * The two programs labeled PROGRAM A and PROGRAM B differ in how much they reduce pollution and how much they cost your household.





An Example Question is on the next page to show you what the questions will look like.

An Example Question




Conditions in 2025
z
Current 
Conditions

No Further Action
.2
Program A
.2
Program B
 Chesapeake Bay and Tidal Waters
Dissolved Oxygen
40% of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals

33 %
of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals

50%
of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals
 

70%
of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals
 

Water Clarity
Average visibility of
3 feet

Average visibility of
1.5 feet

50% Decrease

Average visibility of
4 feet

33% increase

Average visibility of
3 feet

67% increase

Aquatic Grasses
Coverage is 
80,000 acres


56,000 acres

30% Decrease

100,000 acres

25% increase

150,000 acres

 50% increase
Lakes
Lake Condition

Average of 3 in 
your state

2
Green Water
1 foot of visibility
Mostly rough fish 

4
Blue/Brown Water
5 feet of visibility
Mostly Bass


3
Brown/Green Water
3 feet of visibility
Bass and rough fish

Permanent Increase in the Cost of Living for your Household

$0 per year

$36 per year
or $3 per month

$50 per year
or $4.16 per month

Your Vote
Please mark one of the boxes to the right


No Further Action



Program A



Program B
If you want Program A, mark this box 
If you do not want A or B, mark this box
If you want Program B, mark this box 


Please think carefully about how you would actually vote in these situations.  We urge you to respond as though costs for your household really would go up if the program were implemented.  Knowing how different people would vote on this program is very important for decision makers in state and federal governments.


Consider the Outcomes and the Costs

Please take time to consider both the benefits of the program and the costs to your household. Ask yourself if the program outcomes for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed are worth the additional cost to your household.  

Paying the costs means you would have less money to spend on other things such as food, clothes, going on trips, and even towards resolving other environmental problems you care about. 

 You would be making a commitment to pay the additional amount every year from now on.


Only you know what is best for you and your household, so please only think of your household when deciding whether to vote for NO FURTHER ACTION, PROGRAM A, or PROGRAM B.


10. Suppose you could choose from the following three options. Mark the box at the bottom to indicate which plan you would vote for.
   



Conditions in 2025
z
Current
Conditions

No Further Action
.2
Program A
.2
Program B
 Chesapeake Bay and Tidal Waters
Dissolved Oxygen
40% of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals


33 %
of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals


85%
of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals


100%
of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals


Water Clarity
Average visibility of
3 feet

Average visibility of
1.5 feet

50% Decrease

Average visibility of
5 feet

83% increase

Average visibility of
4 feet

50% increase

Aquatic Grasses
Current coverage is 80,000 acres

56,000 acres

30% Decrease

130,000 acres

25% increase

165,000 acres

50% increase
Lakes
Lake Condition

Average of 3 in 
<state>

2
Green Water
1 foot of visibility
Mostly rough fish 

5
Blue/Brown Water
8 feet of visibility
Bass and walleye


4
Blue/Brown Water
5 feet of visibility
Mostly bass


Permanent Increase in the Cost of Living for your Household

$0 per year

$250 per year
or $20.83 per month

$180 per year
or $15 per month

Your Vote
Please mark one of the boxes to the right


No Further Action


Program A


Program B


As you vote on the next questions please remember...

   * On the following pages you will see questions that present new sets of program options. These options require a different mix of management practices in different areas. 
   
   * Consider each question separately, imagining that the options are the only ones available to choose from. 

   * The next two questions cannot be compared to each other, or to the question you just answered. 
      
   * Do not add up effects or costs across different questions. 
      

11. Now suppose instead that a different set of options were available.  Please mark the box at the bottom to indicate which plan you would vote for.




Conditions in 2025
z
Current 
Conditions

No Further Action
.2
Program A
.2
Program B
 Chesapeake Bay Tidal Waters
Dissolved Oxygen
40% of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals


33 %
of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals


85%
of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals


40%
of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals


Water Clarity
Average visibility of
3 feet

Average visibility of
1.5 feet

50% Decrease

Average visibility of
4 feet

33% increase

Average visibility of
5 feet

No Change

Aquatic Grasses
Coverage is 
80,000 acres

56,000 acres

30% Decrease

130,000 acres

25% increase

80,000 acres

50% increase
Lakes
Lake Condition

Average of 3 in 
your state

2
Green Water
1 foot of visibility
Mostly rough fish

3
Brown/Green Water
3 feet of visibility
Bass and rough fish

4
Blue/Brown Water
5 feet of visibility
Mostly bass

Permanent Increase in the Cost of Living for your Household

$0 per year

$40 per year
or $3.33 per month

$60 per year
or $5 per month

Your Vote
Please mark one of the boxes to the right


No Further Action


Program A


Program B


12. Now suppose instead that a different set of options were available.  Please mark the box at the bottom to indicate which plan you would vote for.
   



Conditions in 2025
z
Current 
Conditions

No Further Action
.2
Program A
.2
Program B
 Chesapeake Bay and Tidal Waters
Dissolved Oxygen
40% of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals


33 %
of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals


100%
of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals


85%
of the Bay areas
will meet DO goals


Water Clarity
Average visibility of
3 feet

Average visibility of
1.5 feet

50% Decrease

Average visibility of
5 feet

83% increase

Average visibility of
4 feet

33% increase

Aquatic Grasses
Current coverage is 80,000 acres

56,000 acres

30% Decrease

130,000 acres

20% increase

165,000 acres

75% increase
Lakes
Lake Condition

Average of 3 in 
your state

2
Green Water
1 foot of visibility
Mostly rough fish

5
Blue/Brown Water
8 feet of visibility
Bass and walleye

4
Blue/Brown Water
5 feet of visibility
Mostly bass

Permanent Increase in the Cost of Living for your Household

$0 per year

$370 per year
or $30.83 per month

$180 per year
or $15 per month

Your Vote
Please mark one of the boxes to the right


No Further Action


Program A


Program B


13. For the choices you just made about programs, how much consideration did you give to improvements in lakes compared to the Chesapeake Bay tidal waters? (Please circle one.)

Considered Only the Lakes 


Considered Lakes and Bay Waters Equally 


Considered Only the Bay Waters
1
2
3
4
5
6
7



14. Using each of the numbers 1 through 5, rank the following in order of importance when you were choosing between programs.  (1 = Most Important, 5 = Least Important)

______ Dissolved oxygen  
______ Water clarity  
______ Aquatic grass coverage  
______ Lake category  
______ Cost of the program


16. Aside from costs, which of the following was most important in making your decision about which program to vote for? (Please choose one.)
   
      oo Recreation on the Bay
      oo Recreation in Lakes
      oo Preserving the environment for future generations
      oo Availability and/or price of seafood
      oo Value of property near the Bay
      oo Value of property near Lakes
      oo The possibility of visiting the Bay in the future
      oo The possibility of visiting Lakes in the future
      oo Other __________________

17. Thinking about how you voted among programs, please rate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.  (Circle the number that matches your answer.)


Strongly Disagree 


Neutral


Strongly Agree
  My choices would have been different if the economy in my area were better. 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  It is important to improve waters in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, no matter how high the costs. 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  I do not think I should have to contribute any amount to the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  I am concerned that the programs would hurt the economy.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  It was difficult to understand the descriptions of the programs.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  I believe the programs will improve the environment as described.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  Some of the programs cost too much compared to what they would deliver.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  The changes offered by the programs happen too far into the future for me to really care about.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  The survey provided me with the information I needed to make a choice between the options shown.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

 

18. If you voted for NO FURTHER ACTION in any of the choices you were given, please let us know how much you agree or disagree with the each of the following statements.  If not, skip to the next question. (Circle the number that matches your answer.)

Strongly Disagree 


Neutral

                                                                 Strongly Agree
  Nothing can be done to improve the quality of the Bay and freshwater lakes. 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  I would not vote for any program even if there were no costs to my household. 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  I voted for NO FURTHER ACTION because the costs were too high compared to the environmental improvements.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  I voted for NO FURTHER ACTION because I am against more government requirements and spending.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7


19. If you voted for Program A or Program B in any of the choices you were given, please let us know how much you agree or disagree with the each of the following statements.  If not, skip this question. (Circle the number that matches your answer.)

Strongly Disagree 

Neutral

                                                                 Strongly Agree
  I voted for a program because I thought it would also lead to better water quality closer to my home. 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  I voted for a program more for future generations than for myself. 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  I voted for the program because I may visit the Chesapeake Bay or lakes in the watershed in the next few years.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  I voted for a program because I believe it is our responsibility to preserve wildlife and habitat in the Bay and Lakes. 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
  I voted for a program so others could enjoy the Bay and lakes, rather than for myself.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Questions about you and your household

Finally, we would like to ask you a few questions about you and your household for statistical purposes.  The reports prepared for this study will summarize findings across all responses and will not associate responses with an individual.  Your answers will not be saved or stored in a way that can be associated with your name or address.  You will not be contacted about your responses or this survey.  
20. Are you male or female?
Male
Female
            
17. What is your age? 
_________ years old

18. What is your current marital status?
      Single, never married
      Married or living with a long-term partner
      Separated or divorced
      Widowed
          
17. How many children under age 18 are living at your home?
____________ children

18. What was your total pre-tax household income, including all earners in your household, in 2011?
      Under $25,000
      $25,000 - $34,999
      $35,000 - $49,999
      $50,000 - $74,999
      $75,000 - $99,999
      $100,000-$199,999
      $200,000 or more
          
17. What is the highest degree or level of school you have completed? 
      No high school diploma
      High school diploma or GED
      Some college credit or college degree
      Some graduate school or professional school credit or a graduate or professional degree
       
       
17. Which of the following best describes the home or apartment you live in?
      Owned by you or someone in your household with a mortgage or loan
      Owned by you or someone in your household without a mortgage or loan
      Rented
      Other: ____________________________________________________
       

17. Have you or any member of your family ever worked for any of the following industries or jobs? (Please fill in the box next to all that apply.)
      Agriculture
      Commercial fishing
      Tour guide for fishing
      No one in my family has worked in these industries
       


  

   Thank you very much for your help.


























        























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