ORD/AED Recreational Valuation Survey

United States
Environmental Protection
Agency

OMB Control Number 2080-0084
Expires 04/30/2021

New England Coastal Water Quality and Recreation Survey
This survey asks for your opinions on coastal water quality in
New England and how you use coastal areas for recreation.
Your answers to this survey will help inform decisions
to improve and protect coastal water quality.
We want to hear from everyone. Even if you do not
participate in coastal water recreation or visit coastal
New England, some questions will apply to you.
The survey should take you around 15 minutes to
complete. There are no wrong answers, but please read
each question carefully. Please return your completed
survey in the provided postage-paid envelope.
Thank you for your help!

Your response is important!
All responses will be kept confidential. Response to this survey is voluntary. Send comments on any aspect
of this survey to Recreation Survey, Atlantic Ecology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
27 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882.
EPA Form Number 6000-03 (April 2018)

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Section 1: Your Saltwater Recreation in
New England

(Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut)

1.1. Which saltwater activities have you participated in during the last 12 months in
New England? Please think only about activities on, in, or near the ocean, bays,
estuaries, salt ponds, and other salty or brackish tidal waters. (Select all that apply)
Activities on the shore, not in
the water (walking, dog walking,
sitting, sunbathing, games, beachcombing, picnicking, sandcastles,
kite flying, photography, etc.)

Jetskiing
Kayaking/canoeing/rowing
Kiteboarding/windsurfing
Motorboating
Paddleboarding
Sailing
Scuba diving
Shellfishing

Birding/wildlife viewing
Fishing
Hunting

Skimboarding
Snorkeling
Spearfishing
Surfing/boogie boarding
Swimming/body surfing
Tubing/waterskiing
Wading

Other saltwater activities, please list:
I did not participate in saltwater recreation in New England in the past 12 months.

!

If you checked any of the saltwater activities above or wrote in a saltwater
activity, please continue on to Question 1.2.
If you did NOT participate in saltwater recreation in the past 12 months,
please SKIP to Section 4, page 16.

1.2. In the last 12 months, how often did you participate in saltwater recreation in
New England? This means any activities on, in, or near coastal New England waters.
Consider any time when you spent a half hour or more.
(Fill in one number for each season – either times per week or per season.)
Summer
(June, July, Aug)

times per week

OR

per season

Fall
(Sept, Oct, Nov)

times per week

OR

per season

Winter
(Dec, Jan, Feb)

times per week

OR

per season

Spring
(March, April, May)

times per week

OR

per season

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Section 2: Your Most Recent Saltwater
Recreation in New England

This section asks about the last time you participated in saltwater recreation
in New England, on a single day OR as part of an overnight trip.

A single day means a day when you left from and returned to your primary or seasonal home
on the same day to participate in saltwater recreation activities for a half hour or more.
An overnight trip or vacation is any trip in New England that included saltwater recreation
when you stayed overnight somewhere that was not your primary or seasonal home.

2.1. Was the last time you participated in saltwater recreation in
New England part of a single day or overnight trip?
Single day → Continue to Section 2A below.
Overnight trip → Skip to Section 2B on Page 7.

!

Section 2A: Your Most Recent SINGLE DAY of Saltwater
Recreation in New England
(A day when you left from and returned to your home on the same day.)

2.2.A. When was the last time you participated in saltwater recreation in New England
on a single day?

a. Month:

J

b. Year:
c. Was it on a:

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

(YYYY)
Weekend/holiday OR

Weekday?

2.3.A. Where did you go?

Maine

New Hampshire

Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Connecticut

City or town:

(If you don’t know the city or town, give the approximate part of the state.)

Name of place:

(If possible, please be more specific than town. Examples: beach name, street name, marina
or park name.)

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2.4.A. Why did you choose that place? (Please describe)

2.5.A. How many times have you gone to that place in the last 12 months? (Select one)
1 time

2-5 times

6-15 times

16-30 times

31-50 times

More than 50 times

2.6.A. What type of transportation did you use to travel there? (Select all that apply)
Car/truck

Bicycle

Walked

Other?

Ferry

Private boat

Public transportation

2.7.A. How far did you travel (one way) from your home to get there?
Your best estimate is fine.

One way distance:

miles

Time it took to get there, one way (including traffic):

hours

minutes

2.8.A. How many people went with you (including yourself)?
adults

children (under 18)

2.9.A. How long did you spend there on that day?
hours

minutes

2.10.A. Did you, or someone you went with, use a parking pass for that place?
No

Yes → Cost of pass: $

Don’t know

.

Pass used how many times per year:

2.11.A. Did you pay a daily parking fee?
No

Yes → How much? $

.

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2.12.A. Which saltwater activities did you participate in on that day? (Select all that apply)
Activities on the shore, not in
the water (walking, dog walking,
sitting, sunbathing, games, beachcombing, picnicking, sandcastles,
kite flying, photography, etc.)

Jetskiing
Kayaking/canoeing/rowing
Kiteboarding/windsurfing
Motorboating
Paddleboarding
Sailing
Scuba diving
Shellfishing

Birding/wildlife viewing
Fishing
Hunting

Skimboarding
Snorkeling
Spearfishing
Surfing/boogie boarding
Swimming/body surfing
Tubing/waterskiing
Wading

Other saltwater activities, please list:

2.13.A. Which was your most important activity on that day? (Select one)
Activities on the shore, not in
the water (walking, dog walking,
sitting, sunbathing, games, beachcombing, picnicking, sandcastles,
kite flying, photography, etc.)

Jetskiing
Kayaking/canoeing/rowing
Kiteboarding/windsurfing
Motorboating
Paddleboarding
Sailing
Scuba diving
Shellfishing

Birding/wildlife viewing
Fishing
Hunting

Skimboarding
Snorkeling
Spearfishing
Surfing/boogie boarding
Swimming/body surfing
Tubing/waterskiing
Wading

Other saltwater activities, please list:

2.14.A. How much contact with the water did you have that day? (Select one)
Did not get wet at all

Got sprayed

Waded

Got most or all of my body wet

Water quality describes how clean or dirty the water is - specifically its quality for recreation
such as swimming, fishing or shellfishing, boating, and other activities. Water quality can affect
marine life, your health, and your enjoyment of recreation.

2.15.A. How do you think the water quality usually is, on average, at that place
(Question 2.2.A, page 2)? (Select a number)
Worst possible quality:
may have bad odor, oil,
raw sewage; unhealthy
for plant and animal life.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Best possible quality:
clear, safe for all activities,
never has closures, healthy
for plant and animal life.

2.16.A. How sure were you about your water quality rating in question 2.15.A?
Not very sure
Somewhat sure
Sure
Very sure

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2.17.A. How would you rate the usual condition of the water at that place, for the following
aspects of water quality? (Fill in one circle for each aspect)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8 9 10

Aspects

Worst
Quality

Seaweed

Wide
spread

None

Algae / scum

Wide
spread

Absent

Excessive

Absent

Murky

Clear

Mucky bottom
condition
Oil or gas sheen

Very
mucky
Common

Not at all
mucky
Rare

Smell / Odor

Bad odor

Fresh

Trash in water

Common

Rare

Bacteria
Clarity of the water

Best
Quality

Don't
Know

2.18.A. Overall, how would you rate the usual quality of the water (how clean or dirty
the water is) at that place for each of these activities? (Fill in one circle for each
row, even if you don't participate in all of these activities)
Activity

Poor

Okay

Good

Don’t Know
or Not Applicable

Canoeing/kayaking/paddleboarding
Eating fish caught in the water
Shellfishing
Fishing
Motorboating/sailing
Picnicking and other activities on the shore
Scenic beauty/enjoyment
Snorkeling/scuba diving
Swimming
Wading

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2.19.A. Thinking about the place you visited most recently for saltwater recreation
(Question 2.3.A, page 2), please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the
following statements. (Fill in one circle for each statement)
Strongly
Disagree

Strongly
Agree

Many important memories are tied to
that place.
The recreational activities that I pursue at
that place say a lot about who I am.
I have no particular love for that place compared
to other areas.
I get more satisfaction out of visiting that place
than any other recreation place.
That place means a lot to me.
I identify with the physical landscape of that place.
I feel happiest when I’m at that place.
I am very attached to that place.
That place provides value to me that I can’t obtain
elsewhere.

2.20.A. What is important to you about that place, if anything?

!

This is the end of Section 2 Part A about the last time you participated in
saltwater recreation on a single day. Please SKIP to Section 3 on Page 14.

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Section 2B: Your Most Recent OVERNIGHT TRIP that Included
Saltwater Recreation in New England

(An overnight trip or vacation is when you stayed overnight somewhere that was not your
permanent or seasonal home.)

2.2.B. When was the last time you took an overnight trip in New England that
included saltwater recreation?

a. What month: J

F

M

b. Year:

(YYYY)

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

2.3.B. Where did you stay overnight?

Maine

New Hampshire

Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Connecticut

City or town:

(If you don’t know the city or town, give the approximate part of the state.)

2.4.B. In the past 5 years, how many times have you gone on vacation or an overnight trip
to that place?

times
2.5.B. What type of transportation did you use to travel there? (Select all that apply)
Airplane

Ferry

Recreational vehicle or camper

Bicycle

Private boat

Tour bus

Car/truck

Public transportation

Other?

2.6.B. How far did you travel (one way) from your home to get to the place where you stayed
overnight (not including stops along the way such as shopping or sightseeing)?
Your best estimate is fine.
One way distance:

miles

Time it took to get there, one way (including traffic):

hours

minutes

2.7.B. How many people went with you (including yourself)?

adults

children (under 18)

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2.8.B. How many nights did you stay away from home on that trip?

nights

2.9.B. Where did you stay on that vacation or overnight trip? (Select all that apply)
Rental home or condo

Hotel/resort/bed & breakfast

Your second home or condo

Campsite

Friend or relative’s house or condo

Other?

2.10.B. What was the total cost for lodging for the trip?

$

.

2.11.B. How important was saltwater recreation as a reason for taking that trip?
The most important activity
One of the most important activities
One of several activities

A minor activity
Not an important activity

2.12.B. Which of these saltwater activities did you participate in on your overnight trip?
(Select all that apply)
Activities on the shore, not in
the water (walking, dog walking,
sitting, sunbathing, games, beachcombing, picnicking, sandcastles,
kite flying, photography, etc.)
Birding/wildlife viewing
Fishing
Hunting

Jetskiing
Kayaking/canoeing/rowing
Kiteboarding/windsurfing
Motorboating
Paddleboarding
Sailing
Scuba diving
Shellfishing

Skimboarding
Snorkeling
Spearfishing
Surfing/boogie boarding
Swimming/body surfing
Tubing/waterskiing
Wading

Other saltwater activities, please list:

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2.13.B. Which was your most important activity on that trip? (Select one)
Activities on the shore, not in
the water (walking, dog walking,
sitting, sunbathing, games, beachcombing, picnicking, sandcastles,
kite flying, photography, etc.)
Birding/wildlife viewing
Fishing
Hunting

Jetskiing
Kayaking/canoeing/rowing
Kiteboarding/windsurfing
Motorboating
Paddleboarding
Sailing
Scuba diving
Shellfishing

Skimboarding
Snorkeling
Spearfishing
Surfing/boogie boarding
Swimming/body surfing
Tubing/waterskiing
Wading

Other saltwater activities, please list:

2.14.B. How many days of that trip did you participate in your most important activity?

days
These next questions ask about a single time that you participated in your most important
activity during your overnight trip or vacation. Some of these questions may be similar
to questions you've already answered, but please answer all the questions.

2.15.B. Please recall only the LAST TIME that you did your most important activity from
Question 2.13.B, on that vacation or overnight trip. Where did you go for that
activity? (This may or may not be the same location where you stayed)
Maine

New Hampshire

Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Connecticut

City or town:

(If you don’t know the city or town, give the approximate part of the state.)
Name of place:

(If possible, be more specific than town. Examples: beach name, street name, marina or
park name.)

2.16.B. Why did you choose that place? (Please describe)

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2.17.B. In the past 12 months, how many times have you gone to the place
you listed previously (2.15.B)? (Select one)
1 time

2-5 time

6-15 times

31-50 times

More than 50 times

16-30 times

2.18.B. What type of transportation did you use to travel there from where you stayed
overnight? (Select all that apply)
Car/truck

Bicycle

Walked

Other?

Ferry

Private boat

Public transportation

2.19.B. How far did you travel (one way) from where you stayed overnight to get to

the place you listed above (2.15.B)? Your best estimate is fine.
One way distance:

miles

Time it took to get there that day (including traffic):

hours

minutes

2.20.B. How many people went with you to the place you listed above (2.15.B)

(including yourself)?

adults

children (under 18)

2.21.B. How long did you spend at that place on that day?

hours

minutes

2.22.B. Did you, or someone you went with, use a parking pass for that place?
No

Yes → Cost of pass: $

Don’t know

.

Pass used how many times per year:

2.23.B. Did you pay a daily parking fee?
No

Yes → How much? $

.

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2.24.B. How much contact with the water did you have that day? (Select one)
Did not get wet at all

Got sprayed

Waded

Got most or all of my body wet

Water quality describes how clean or dirty the water is - specifically its quality for recreation
such as swimming, fishing or shellfishing, boating, and other activities. Water quality can affect
marine life, your health, and your enjoyment of recreation.

2.25.B. How do you think the water quality usually is, on average, at that place
(Question 2.15.B, page 9)? (Select a number)
Worst possible quality:
may have bad odor, oil,
raw sewage; unhealthy
for plant and animal life.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9 10

Best possible quality:
clear, safe for all activities,
never has closures, healthy
for plant and animal life.

2.26.B. How sure were you about your water quality rating in question 2.25.B?
Not very sure

Somewhat sure

Sure

Very sure

2.27.B. How would you rate the usual condition of the water, at that place, for the
following aspects of water quality? (Fill in one circle for each aspect)
Aspects

Worst
Quality

Seaweed

Wide
spread

None

Algae / scum

Wide
spread

Absent

Excessive

Absent

Murky

Clear

Mucky bottom
condition
Oil or gas sheen

Very
mucky
Common

Not at all
mucky
Rare

Smell / Odor

Bad odor

Fresh

Trash in water

Common

Rare

Bacteria
Clarity of the water

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

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Best
Don't
9 10 Quality
Know

11

2.28.B. Overall, how would you rate the usual quality of the water, (how clean or dirty
the water is) at that place for each of these activities? (Fill in one circle for each row,
even if you don't participate in all of these activities)
Activity

Poor

Okay

Good

Don’t Know
or Not Applicable

Canoeing/kayaking/paddleboarding
Eating fish caught in the water
Shellfishing
Fishing
Motorboating/sailing
Picnicking and other activities on the shore
Scenic beauty/enjoyment
Snorkeling/scuba diving
Swimming
Wading

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2.29.B. Thinking about the place you visited most recently for saltwater recreation
(from Question 2.15.B, page 9), please indicate how much you agree or disagree
with the following statements. (Fill in one circle for each statement)
Strongly
Disagree

Strongly
Agree

Many important memories are tied to
that place.
The recreational activities that I pursue at
that place say a lot about who I am.
I have no particular love for that place compared
to other areas.
I get more satisfaction out of visiting that place
than any other recreation place.
That place means a lot to me.
I identify with the physical landscape of that place.
I feel happiest when I’m at that place.
I am very attached to that place.
That place provides value to me that I can’t obtain
elsewhere.

2.30.B. What is important to you about that place, if anything?

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Section 3: Other Places for Saltwater
Recreation
This section asks about other places you go
for saltwater recreation in New England.

3.1. Of the places you've visited for saltwater recreation in New England in the last 5 years,
which place had the WORST water quality?

Maine

New Hampshire

Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Connecticut

City or Town:

(If you don’t know the city or town, give the approximate part of the state.)
Name of place:

(If possible, be more specific than town. Examples: beach name, street name,
marina or park name.)

3.2. How many times have you gone to that place in the last 12 months? (Select one)
0 times

1 time

2-5 times

6-15 times

16-30 times

31-50 times

More than 50 times

3.3. How do you think the water quality usually is, on average, at that place?
(Select a number)
Worst possible quality:
may have bad odor, oil,
raw sewage; unhealthy
for plant and animal life.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9 10

Best possible quality:
clear, safe for all activities,
never has closures, healthy
for plant and animal life.

3.4. What about that place made you think it had the worst water quality?

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3.5. Of the places you've visited for saltwater recreation in New England in the last 5 years,
which place had the BEST water quality?

Maine

New Hampshire

Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Connecticut

City or Town:

(If you don’t know the city or town, give the approximate part of the state.)
Name of place:

(If possible, be more specific than town. Examples: beach name, street name,
marina or park name.)

3.6. How many times have you gone to that place in the last 12 months? (Select one)
0 times

1 time

2-5 times

6-15 times

16-30 times

31-50 times

More than 50 times

3.7. How do you think the water quality usually is, on average, at that place?
(Select a number)
Worst possible quality:
may have bad odor, oil,
raw sewage; unhealthy
for plant and animal life.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9 10

Best possible quality:
clear, safe for all activities,
never has closures, healthy
for plant and animal life.

3.8. What about that place made you think it had the best water quality?

3.9. What is the farthest you would travel on a single day (one way), leaving from and
returning to your home, for saltwater recreation?

One way distance:

One way time:

miles
hours

minutes

3.10. If a beach is closed for swimming because of bacterial pollution on a day
you are thinking of going, would you…? (Select one)

Still go

Not go to the beach at all

Go to a different beach

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Section 4: Your Opinions on Coastal
Water Quality in New England

Coastal water quality is specific to the ocean, bays,
estuaries, salt ponds, and other salty or brackish
tidal waters in New England. Water quality is used to
describe how clean or dirty the water is.

4.1. How concerned are you about the following coastal water quality issues in New
England? (Fill in one circle in each row)
Not at all
Concerned

Slightly
Moderately
Concerned Concerned

Very
Concerned

Don’t
Know

Beaches closed for swimming
Contaminated fish
Shellfish closures
Too much seaweed/algae
Fish dying from lack of oxygen
Loss of desirable fish/wildlife
Unpleasant odor in coastal areas
Reduced beauty of coastal areas
Reduced quality of water activities
Reduced water clarity

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Section 5: About Your Household

The following questions are a way to make sure that we
understand the values and opinions of all types of people
within New England.

All answers are strictly confidential and the information will only
be used to report comparisons among people. We will never
identify individuals or households with their responses.

5.1. What is the zip code of your primary home? Zip code:
5.2. If you work outside the home, what is the zip code or name of the town and state
where you work?

OR Name of town/city, state:

Zip code:

5.3. When you chose your primary home, how important was being close to saltwater
for recreation? (Select one)
Not at all important
Extremely important

A minor reason
The main reason

Somewhat important

5.4. How many people (including yourself) live in your household?
adults

children (under 18)

5.5. What is your gender?

Male

Female

5.6. What year were you born?

(YYYY)

5.7. Do you identify as Hispanic or Latino?

Yes

Other

No

I prefer not to answer

5.8. What race or races do you consider yourself to be? (Select one or more)
American Indian or Alaska Native

White

Black or African American

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

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Asian

17

5.9. What is the highest level of education you have completed? (Select one)
Some high school

Some college

4-year college degree

High school diploma/GED

Trade/technical training

Graduate degree

5.10. What is your current employment status? (Select one)
Employed full-time

Unemployed

Retired

Employed part-time

Full-time student

Disabled

Self-employed

Full-time homemaker

5.11. If you are currently employed, how many hours per week do you typically work?

hours per week

5.12. If you are currently employed, do you have the option of working additional hours
to increase your total income?

No Yes → What would your hourly wage be for the extra hours? $
/ hour
.
5.13. What was your household income (before taxes) in 2017?
$19,999 or less

$60,000 - $99,999

$20,000 - $39,999

$100,000 - $149,999

$40,000 - $59,999

$150,000 - $199,999

$200,000 or more

5.14. Do you own a second home on or near the New England coast?
No

Yes → What is the zip code or name of town & state where your second home is located?

Zip code:

OR Name of town/city, state:

5.15. How much time do you spend in your second home each year?
Seasonal (spend most or all of a season)

A week or more but less than a whole season

Weekends (spend many or most weekends) Occasional use

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Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your saltwater recreation and opinions
about water quality in coastal New England! If you have any additional thoughts and
comments about any of the topics or the survey itself, please share them here.

If you would like more information about how you can help improve
the water in your coastal region, please visit this website below.
http://www.epa.gov/learn-issues/learn-about-water
The public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 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 completed survey to
this address.
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed with vegetable-based ink on
paper that contains a minimum of
50% post-consumer fiber content
processed chlorine free

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