Lake Sidney Lanier Boater Survey

Summer Boating Experience at Lake Lanier

BOAT RAMP SURVEY

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Survey

Lake Sidney Lanier is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) managed lake located in north-central Georgia. The Corps is the steward of the lands and waters around Lake Lanier and is responsible for providing the public with quality outdoor recreation experiences.

As such, the Corps is currently examining future management of recreation and natural resources at Lake Lanier. You are invited to participate in a short survey to better understand your experiences and preferences regarding Lake Lanier!

If you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact the Lake Lanier Project Management Office for more information at (770) 945-9531.

Thank you for helping with this important effort to understand people’s experiences and preferences for boating at Lake Lanier!

If you would like to learn more about the Lake Lanier Master Plan Update or review the results of this survey when they become available in 2019 please visit http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Lake-Sidney-Lanier/Master-Plan-Update/ or contact the Lake Lanier Project Management Office for more information at (770) 945-9531.

This study is being conducted by Tetra Tech, a contractor, on behalf of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

OMB CONTROL NUMBER: 0596-0236

OMB EXPIRATION DATE: 11/30/2020

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AGENCY DISCLOSURE NOTICE

The public reporting burden for this collection of information, 0596-0236, is estimated to average 10 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or burden reduction suggestions to the Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, at [email protected]. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: The Flood Control Act of 1944, as amended; 33 U.S.C. 652, Engineer Regulations 1130-2-550 Recreation Operations and Maintenance Policies and 1130-2-540 Environmental Stewardship Operations and Maintenance Policies

Principal Purpose: The information you provide will be combined with other visitor's information to understand opinions and preferences related to boating at Lake Lanier as part of a larger master planning effort.

Routine Use: No PII is collected as part of this survey. For more information on DOD routine uses, visit http://dpcld.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNsIndex/Blanket-Routine-Uses/

Disclosure: Participation in this survey is voluntary and there are no penalties for refusing to provide any information. If you do not provide a response, it may affect the completeness and accuracy of the statistical results

Lake Lanier Boater Survey 0596-0236

Date___/____/ ____/ Location _______________/ Survey No. __________/

Hello. My name is ________. I am working on behalf of the Corps of Engineers, and we are

conducting a recreation survey at Lake Lanier. You are invited to participate in a short survey to better understand your experiences and preferences regarding Lake Lanier! Could I take about 10 minutes of your time to ask you these questions? The survey is voluntary and anonymous.

Time _______ (military clock, 8:00 am=0800, 4:00 pm=1600, 8:00 pm=2000) ⌂ M ⌂ F

A. Boater Characteristics

1. Have you boated on this lake in the last 12 months? (Circle one) Yes No

IF YES, how many years have you been boating on this lake? _____ (If this is your first year answer 0.)

2. How many weekend and weekdays did you boat on this lake in the last 12 months?

Number of weekend days _____ Number of weekdays _____

3. How many are in your party today? _______

How many of those are less than 18 years of age? _____

4. How many days will you be visiting the lake on this visit? _____

5. How much time did you spend on the water today? _____

HAND BOAT TYPE CARD AND CHECK BOXES

6. What type of boat(s) did you use today?

( ) Runabout/Speedboat/Ski Boat ( ) Houseboat/Cabin Cruiser

( ) Fishing Boat/Bass Boat ( ) ”V” Hull Boat

( ) Pontoon Boat ( ) Flat bottom Boat/Jonboat
( ) Sailboat ( ) Personal Watercraft (Jet Ski™)

( ) Sailboard/Paddleboard ( ) Rowboat/Kayak/Canoe

( ) High Performance Boat (cigarette boat) ( ) Other _________________________

7. What is the length of the boat you used today? _____

8. What is the horsepower of that boat? _____

9. 

   HAND ACTIVITY CARD

   AND RECORD PERCENT

   Please estimate the amount of time that you spent today on the following activities. Percentages should sum to 100%

Fishing _____ % Swimming _____ %

Cruising _____ % Relaxing _____ %

Water-skiing _____ % Personal Watercraft (Jet Ski) _____ %

Other activity _____ % Can you describe other activity? ________________________

Now I would like to ask you some questions about where you go on the lake.

SHOW BOATER MAP OF THE LAKE AND TELL THEM “YOU ARE HERE.”

B. Favorite, Avoided and Unsafe Locations

10. Are there any favorite locations that you go to on this lake? (circle one) Yes No (skip to question 11)

Name of first location: _____________________________________________________

(Please circle the location on the map and mark F1)

Reason why: _______________________________________________________________

(Please be as specific as possible in your description)

Name of second location: _____________________________________________________

(Please circle the location on the map and mark F2)

Reason why: _______________________________________________________________

(Please be as specific as possible in your description)

Were either of these locations your primary destination today?

If yes, which one?_______

If no, what was your primary destination today?

(Please circle the location on the map and mark with PD)

11. Are there any locations on this lake that you deliberately avoid because of other boats/ watercraft? Yes No (skip to question 12)

Name of first location: _____________________________________________________

(Please circle the location on the map and mark A1)

Reason why: _______________________________________________________________

(Please be as specific as possible in your description)

Name of second location: _____________________________________________________

(Please circle the location on the map and mark A2)

Reason why: _______________________________________________________________

(Please be as specific as possible in your description)

12. Are there any locations on this lake where you feel unsafe because of other boats/ watercraft? Yes No (skip to question 13)

Name of first location: _____________________________________________________

(Please circle the location on the map and mark S1)

Reason why: _______________________________________________________________

(Please be as specific as possible in your description)

Name of second location: _____________________________________________________

(Please circle the location on the map and mark S2)

Reason why: _______________________________________________________________

(Please be as specific as possible in your description)

C. Management Questions

13. Is there a problem from too many boats on Lake Lanier? (Circle one)

Yes, there is a problem No, there is not a problem

If Yes, please indicate how serious of a problem there is from too many boats on Lake Lanier. (Circle one)

Minor problem

Moderate Problem

Major problem

HAND SAFETY CARD

AND CIRCLE ONE

14. How safe are boating conditions on Lake Lanier?

Not at all Safe

Slightly Safe

Somewhat Safe

Very Safe

Extremely Safe

Please describe any safety concerns you have: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HAND NOISE CARD

AND CIRCLE ONE

15. Has the noise from other boats reduced your enjoyment of Lake Lanier?

Not at all

Slightly

Somewhat

Quite a bit

Extremely

HAND HOW LIKELY CARD

AND CIRCLE ONE

16. How likely is it that the presence of too many boats would cause you to avoid your favorite parts of Lake Lanier?

Not at All Likely

Slightly Likely

Somewhat Likely

Quite Likely

Extremely Likely

17. How often did you see other boaters on the water today?

( ) Rarely

( ) Occasionally

( ) Often

( ) Very often

( ) Extremely often

18. How did the number of other boaters affect your enjoyment of the lake today?

( ) Added

( ) Neither added nor detracted

( ) Somewhat detracted

( ) Moderately detracted

( ) Extremely detracted

19. Did you feel crowded by the number of boaters on the lake today at the following locations?¹

Location	Not at all Crowded	Somewhat Crowded	Moderately Crowded	Extremely Crowded
At the boat ramp	1	2	3	4
On the water	1	2	3	4
At my primary destination	1	2	3	4

20. Have you noticed any positive or negative changes at the lake in the last five years?

Yes No (If YES, can you describe those changes?)

Positive changes __________________________________________________________

Negative changes _________________________________________________________

21. Do you have any other feedback or suggestions for improvements at Lake Lanier??

Now I would like to ask personal information to help us understand who was surveyed. I would like to remind you that this survey is voluntary and strictly confidential.

D. Basic Demographics

*** DO NOT ASK, PLEASE MARK ONE*** Gender? ( ) Female ( ) Male

22. What are the City, State, and Zip Code of your permanent residence?

City State Zip Code

Thank you AGAIN for helping with this important effort to understand people’s experiences and preferences for boating at Lake Lanier!

SURVEY RESULTS Will Be analyzed and made available in early 2019. Please take this cover sheet (OFFER the survey cover letter) if you are interested in keeping up with the project.

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