Survey Respondents

The Future of the Chesapeake Bay
What’s Your Opinion?
Your opinions are needed to inform policy decisions that affect water quality.
All responses will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by the law.
Please mail this completed survey back in the postage-paid return envelope
provided. Thank you for your help!

OMB Control Number 2090-0028
Expires 6/30/2015

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed
This survey asks you about two types of water bodies in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed — the
Chesapeake Bay itself and Lakes in the Watershed. Each has different characteristics and
potential water quality concerns.

The Watershed
Is shaded in light grey on
this map.
It includes about 4,200
freshwater lakes.
Water draining from lands
in the Watershed enters
rivers and streams and
eventually the Chesapeake
Bay.

The Chesapeake Bay
Is an estuary where freshwater mixes with
saltwater from the ocean. It is the largest
estuary in North America and the third
largest in the world.
As shown in dark grey on this map, the
Bay includes portions of the 50 rivers that
flow into it, for example:
The James River up to Richmond, VA
The Potomac River up to
Washington, DC
Please use this definition of the
Chesapeake Bay when answering
questions on this survey.

1. Before receiving this survey, had you heard of the Chesapeake Bay?

□ Yes

□ No

□ Don’t know

2. On average, how often do you see the following water bodies?
(Please check ONLY ONE box in each row.)
Never

Less than
once a month

More than
once a month

Don’t Know

Chesapeake Bay:

□

□

□

□

Watershed Lakes:

□

□

□

□

3. In the last five years, have you participated in recreational activities
(including swimming, boating, fishing, or viewing nature) at the…
(Please check ONLY ONE box in each row.)
Chesapeake Bay:

□ Yes

□ No

□ Don’t know

Watershed Lakes:

□ Yes

□ No

□ Don’t know

Did you know?
Pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed degrade the quality of the water and can
affect aquatic habitat and recreational activities. Two key pollutants are nutrients and
sediment.
Nutrients are essential for healthy aquatic habitats, but too much can lead to algae
that deprives fish of oxygen and plants of sunlight. Sources of nutrients include
fertilizers, livestock manure, and household wastewater.
Sediment is loose soil that settles to the bottom of water bodies. Too much sediment
makes the water murky and harms aquatic plants and fish. Paved surfaces and some
farming practices increase soil erosion, causing too much sediment to enter the
Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Lakes.
4. Before taking this survey, were you aware that too much nutrients or sediment
can degrade water quality?

□ Yes

□ No

□ Don’t know
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Conditions in the Chesapeake Bay
Nutrient and sediment pollution affects environmental outcomes in the Chesapeake Bay.
These conditions have been consistently measured by scientists since the early 1990’s.
Bay Water Clarity— measures how far one can see into the water
Average visibility was about 4.5 to 6 feet in the early 1990’s and is about 3 feet today.
Striped Bass (or Rockfish)— the most popular fish for recreational fishing in the Bay
After historic lows, the population was about 6 million fish in 1990 and is about 24
million today.
Blue Crab— symbol of the Chesapeake Bay and a popular shellfish for recreational fishing
The population was between 100 to 200 million in the early 1990’s and has been about
250 million in recent years.
Oysters — “filter feeders” that clean Bay waters, their shells also form reefs that provide
habitat for other aquatic life.
Historically much larger, the population was only about 3,300 tons by 1990 and remains
at this low level today.
State and local governments currently have pollution reduction programs in place to limit
nutrients and sediment flowing into the Chesapeake Bay.
But population growth and changes in how land is used within the watershed are
expected to cause conditions in the Bay to decline in the future.
Based on measurements by scientists studying the Chesapeake Bay, this table shows both the
conditions today and predicted conditions in 2025 under current programs.

Bay Water Clarity

Conditions Today

Conditions in 2025 under
current programs*

3 feet

1.5 feet

Average visibility

Striped Bass

(50% decrease from today)

24 million fish

Population

Blue Crab

(13% decrease from today)

250 million crabs

Population

Oysters

21 million fish

235 million crabs
(6% decrease from today)

3,300 tons

Population

2,800 tons
(15% decrease from today)

*Forecasts for the year 2025 are based on monitoring data from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Estuary
Models developed by the EPA and state and federal partners.

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Conditions in the Watershed Lakes
Nutrient pollution in lakes leads to excess algae growth which changes the appearance of the
water and the types of fish that live in it. Watershed Lakes fall into one of these categories:
Watershed Lakes with low algae
Have clear blue or brown water with 3 to 6 feet of visibility
Conditions favor game fish like bass and trout
Watershed Lakes with high algae
Have green water with 2 feet of visibility or less
Conditions favor bottom-feeding fish like carp and catfish
Can have an unpleasant odor on warm days

Pollution reduction programs already in place to limit nutrients and sediment flowing into the
Chesapeake Bay also help limit algae growth in Watershed Lakes.
But population growth and changes in how land is used within the watershed are
expected to result in fewer Watershed Lakes with low algae levels.
The table below shows the number of Watershed Lakes that have low algae levels today
and the predicted number in 2025 under current programs.

Number Today

Watershed Lakes with
low algae levels

2,900 lakes
out of 4,200 total

Number in 2025 under current
programs*
2,300 lakes
out of 4,200 total
(21% decrease from today)

*Forecasts for the year 2025 are based on measures from the Northeast Lakes Model developed by EPA’s Office
of Research and Development.

5. How do the predicted conditions for the Chesapeake Bay and the Watershed Lakes
in 2025 compare with what you had expected?

□ I had expected conditions in 2025 to be better than what is predicted.
□ I had expected conditions in 2025 to be worse than what is predicted.
□ I had expected conditions in 2025 to be about the same as what is predicted.
□ Don’t know
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Additional Pollution Reduction Programs for the Chesapeake
Bay Watershed
Additional pollution programs being considered by federal and state agencies would further limit
nutrients and sediment in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
These programs would be phased in over time and would be fully implemented by the year
2025.
Examples of programs include changing the way farmers dispose of livestock manure and farm
land to reduce runoff, paving fewer surfaces to slow stormwater runoff, and changing
equipment at wastewater treatment facilities to reduce spills and pollution releases.

What additional programs would do:
Improve some of the conditions in the Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Lakes. The
specific types of improvements will depend on the design of the program.
For example:
A pollution reduction program close to the Bay would improve water quality in the
Chesapeake Bay itself, but would not have much affect on the Watershed Lakes.
A program restoring oyster reefs would increase the number of oysters, but would have a
smaller effect on crab populations compared to programs focused on reducing nutrients
and sediment.
What additional programs would not do:
Affect lakes outside of the Watershed
Affect river and stream conditions in a noticeable way because the water is constantly
moving
Affect any other parts of the environment such as forests, plants, birds, and wildlife
Have a noticeable effect on the quality or price of the seafood you buy

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Paying for Additional Pollution Reduction Programs

Additional pollution reduction programs would result in higher costs for 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 home septic systems in the
Watershed. For renters, rent or utility bills would increase.
Higher prices for some agricultural products and other goods for households both inside
and outside the Watershed, including the area where you live. This is because of higher
costs for businesses inside the Watershed.

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

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

6. Do you currently pay any environmentally-related taxes or fees as part of your
water, electric or other utility bills?

□ Yes

□ No

□Don’t know

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Deciding Future Actions
Imagine that you were given the opportunity to vote on additional pollution reduction
programs. State and federal policy makers will use your votes and those from others to choose
the best program to improve water quality.

Important instructions
In the questions that follow, we ask your opinion about programs that have different impacts
on the Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Lakes. These programs will cost your household
different amounts.
You will be asked three questions. In each question you will vote for the option you like best
from three different alternatives:
OPTION A keeps all current actions but does not add new programs
OPTION B and OPTION C include additional programs to reduce pollution
Choosing OPTION A in each question would result in no new pollution reductions or costs to
your household.
OPTION B and OPTION C are different in each question, with different environmental outcomes
and costs to your household.

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

Other households are also being surveyed, so please only think of the costs to your own
household when deciding which program you would prefer.

Similar studies have shown that people sometimes respond differently in a survey than they
would in real life, often saying they would pay more than they really would. When voting we
urge you to respond as though costs to your household would really go up if the
program were implemented.

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An Example Question
In each question, you will be asked to vote on three options. (Mark one box at
the bottom of each question to indicate which option you prefer.)

Conditions in 2025
(% change compared to today)

Environmental Outcomes
from each option are listed
here. The percent changes
compared to today are also
shown in parentheses.

Environmental
Outcomes

Option A

Option B

Option C

Bay Water Clarity

1.5 feet
(50% decrease)

3 feet
(no change)

5 feet
(67% increase)

21 million fish
(13% decrease)

28 million fish
(17% increase)

24 million fish

Population
Blue Crab

235 million crabs

280 million crabs

312 million crab

Population

(6% decrease)

(12% increase)

(25% increase)

Oysters

2,800 tons
(15% decrease)

5,250 tons
(59% increase)

4,300 tons
(30% increase)

2,300 lakes

2,900 lakes

3,850 lakes

(21% decrease)

(no change)

(32% increase)

$180 every year

$60 every year

or $15 every month

or $5 every month

Option B

Option C

Average visibility
Striped Bass

Population
Watershed Lakes
Lakes with low algae
levels

Annual Cost to your
household is listed here.
Notice that higher costs do not
necessarily mean that all
environmental outcomes will
improve more.

Your Cost of Living
Permanent cost
increase for your
household

$0 every year

Your Vote

Option A

Please mark one of
the boxes to the right

X

To vote for Option A
mark this box

X

To vote for Option B
mark this box

(no change)

X

To vote for Option C
mark this box

When you vote on the next questions, please remember...
There will be three sets of voting questions. Consider each question separately.
Imagine that the options in that question are the only ones available to choose from.
Options in different questions should not be compared to each other.
Do not add up effects or costs across different questions.

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7. Please vote for one of the three options below. (Mark one box at the
bottom to indicate which option you would prefer.)

Conditions in 2025
(% change compared to today)
Environmental
Outcomes

Option A

Option B

Option C

Average visibility

1.5 feet
(50% decrease)

5 feet
(67% increase)

6 feet
(100% increase)

Striped Bass

21 million fish

30 million fish

30 million fish

Population

(13% decrease)

(25% increase)

(25% increase)

Blue Crab

235 million crabs

280 million crabs

312 million crabs

Population

(6% decrease)

(12% increase)

(25% increase)

Oysters

2,800 tons

4,300 tons

5,250 tons

Population

(15% decrease)

(30% increase)

(59% increase)

Watershed Lakes

Bay Water Clarity

Lakes with low algae
levels

2,300 lakes

3,300 lakes

3,300 lakes

(21% decrease)

(14% increase)

(14% increase)

Your Cost of
Living

$0 every year

$60 every year

$500 every year

or $5 every month

or $41.67 every
month

Option B

Option C

Permanent cost
increase for your
household
Option A

Your Vote
Please mark one of
the boxes to the
right

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8. Please vote for one of the three options below. (Mark one box at the
bottom to indicate which option you would prefer.)

Conditions in 2025
(% change compared to today)
Environmental
Outcomes

Option A

Option B

Option C

Average visibility

1.5 feet
(50% decrease)

3 feet
(no change)

5 feet
(67% increase)

Striped Bass

21 million fish

28 million fish

30 million fish

Population

(13% decrease)

(17% increase)

(25% increase)

Blue Crab

235 million crabs

250 million crabs

312 million crabs

Population

(6% decrease)

(no change)

(25% increase)

Oysters

2,800 tons

5,250 tons

5,250 tons

Population

(15% decrease)

(59% increase)

(59% increase)

Watershed Lakes

Bay Water Clarity

Lakes with low algae
levels

2,300 lakes

2,900 lakes

3,300 lakes

(21% decrease)

(no change)

(14% increase)

Your Cost of
Living

$0 every year

$180 every year $500 every year

Permanent cost
increase for your
household
Option A

Your Vote
Please mark one of
the boxes to the
right

10

or $15 every month

or $41.67 every
month

Option B

Option C

9. Please vote for one of the three options below. (Mark one box at the
bottom to indicate which option you would prefer.)

Conditions in 2025
(% change compared to today)
Environmental
Outcomes

Option A

Option B

Option C

Average visibility

1.5 feet
(50% decrease)

5 feet
(67% increase)

6 feet
(100% increase)

Striped Bass

21 million fish

30 million fish

28 million fish

Population

(13% decrease)

(25% increase)

(17% increase)

Blue Crab

Bay Water Clarity

235 million crabs
(6% decrease)

250 million crabs

312 million crabs

Population

Oysters

2,800 tons

4,300 tons

4,300 tons

Population

(15% decrease)

(30% increase)

(30% increase)

2,300 lakes

2,900 lakes

3,850 lakes

(21% decrease)

(no change)

(33% increase)

$0 every year

$40 every year

$250 every year

or $3.33 every
month

or $20.83 every
month

Option B

Option C

Watershed Lakes
Lakes with low algae
levels

Your Cost of
Living

(no change)

Permanent cost
increase for your
household
Option A

Your Vote
Please mark one of
the boxes to the
right

11

(20% increase)

Thinking about how you just voted...
10. Please rate how much you agree or disagree with the following statements.
(Please circle one number for each statement.)
Strongly
Disagree

Strongly
Agree

Don’t
Know

I voted as if I would actually face the
costs shown in the questions.

1

2

3

4

5

DK

I voted as if the programs would actually
achieve the results shown.

1

2

3

4

5

DK

I am confident in my answers.

1

2

3

4

5

DK

It is important to improve waters in the
Chesapeake Bay Watershed, no matter
how high the costs.

1

2

3

4

5

DK

I am against any government program
that imposes more regulations and
spending.

1

2

3

4

5

DK

I should not have to pay any amount for
programs to improve Bay Waters and
Watershed Lakes.

1

2

3

4

5

DK

It is often difficult for me to find time to
take surveys.

1

2

3

4

5

DK

11. How much do you agree or disagree that the following affected your vote?
(Please circle one number for each statement.)
Strongly
Disagree

Strongly
Agree

Don’t
Know

Changes in the quality or price of seafood

1

2

3

4

5

DK

Impacts on the economy and jobs

1

2

3

4

5

DK

Improving the environment for others

1

2

3

4

5

DK

Water quality improvements to lakes
outside the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

1

2

3

4

5

DK

Preserving the environment for future
generations

1

2

3

4

5

DK

Trips I may take to the Chesapeake Bay or
Watershed Lakes in the future

1

2

3

4

5

DK

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12. In the last 12 months, how many times did you visit an outdoor recreation site
on the Chesapeake Bay? (Please circle one number.)

0

1

2

3

4

If more than 4, write
in number of trips:

Don’t
Know

__________

□

13. If you did visit one or more sites on the Chesapeake Bay in the last 12 months,
which site did you visit most often? (Fill in as much information as you can)
13a. Name of site _____________________________________________________
13b. How long did it take you to drive there from your home?
_____ hours and _____ minutes
13c. What state is it in? __________________________________________
13d. What is the nearest town? __________________________________________
13e. What did you do on your visit(s) to that site? (Check all the activities you did on
your visits)

□ Fishing and/or crabbing
□ Boating, canoeing or kayaking
□ Hunting
□ Bird watching or wildlife viewing

□ Swimming
□ Camping
□ Hiking
□ Other_____________

14. In the last 12 months, how many times did you visit a lake, stream, or river in
the Chesapeake Bay Watershed? (Please circle one number.)

0

1

2

3

4

If more than 4, write
in number of trips:

Don’t
Know

__________

□

15. Many people are looking for ways to reduce their utility bills. If you were offered
a device that cost $50 and would reduce your electricity bill by $2 each month
for the next 10 years, would you purchase the device?

□ Yes

□ No

□ Don’t know
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Questions about you and your household
Finally, we would like to ask a few questions about you and your household.
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.
16. What is your sex?

□Male

□Female

17. What is your age? _____ years old
18. How many children under age 18 are living in your home? _____children
19. Have you or any member of your family ever worked in any of the following
industries or jobs?

□Agriculture
□Tour guide for fishing
□Commercial fishing
□Environmental non-profit group
□No one in my family ever worked in these industries

20. In 2012, what was your total pre-tax household income, including all earners in
your household?

□Under $25,000
□$25,000-$49,999
□$50,000-$74,999
□$75,000-$99,000

□$100,000-$149,999
□$150,000-$199,999
□$200,000 or more

21. Are you of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?

□ Yes

□ No

□ I prefer not to answer

22. What is your race? (You may select more than one.)

□ American Indian or Alaska Native
□ Black or African American
□ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

□ Asian
□ White
□ I prefer not to answer

23. What is the highest degree or level of school you have completed?

□ Less than high school
□ High school diploma or GED
□ Some college (1-4 years, no degree)

□ Associate’s Degree
Bachelor’s Degree

□ Graduate Degree

Thank you very much for your help.
Please mail this completed survey back to us in the postage-paid return envelope provided.

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Thanks again for completing this survey!
If you have any additional thoughts about any of the
topics covered or the survey itself, please share them.

If you have any questions please call XXX-XXX-XXXX
or email [email protected].

The public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is
estimated to average 18 minutes per response. Send comments on the Agency's
need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates, and any
suggested methods for minimizing respondent burden, including through the use
of automated collection techniques to the Director, Collection Strategies Division,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2822T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW,
Washington, D.C. 20460. Include the OMB control number in any
correspondence. Do not send the materials to this address.
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