Rating of Water Quality

Overall, how would you rate the quality of the water in your area?

Poor Okay Good Don't Know 1. For canoeing / kayaking / other boating 2. For eating locally caught fish 3. For swimming 4. For picnicking and family activities 5. For fish habitat 6. For scenic beauty

7. Please enter your unique identifier-code here {included in mailing materials}. Doing so informs us that you have completed the survey. The information you provide below is confidential and will never be linked to your name, only to this code.

Your Water Resources

1. Of these activities, which is the most important to you? For canoeing / kayaking / other boating For eating locally caught fish For swimming For picnicking and family activities For fish habitat For scenic beauty

2. Do you know where the rain water goes when it runs off of your property? No Yes

3. If you answered 'Yes' above, where does your rain water drain to?

Your Opinions

Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with the statements below.

Strongly Disagree Disagree Neither Agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree 1. The way that I care for my lawn and yard can influence water quality in local streams and lakes. 2. It is my personal responsibility to help protect water quality. 3. It is important to protect water quality even if it slows economic development. 4. I would be willing to pay more to improve water quality (for example: though local taxes or fees) 5. I would be willing to change the way I care for my lawn and yard to improve water quality. 6. The quality of life in my community depends on good water quality in local streams, rivers and lakes. 7. Protecting water quality is important to my business.

Water Impairments

Below is a list of water pollutants and conditions that are generally present in water bodies to some extent. The pollutants and conditions become a problem when present in excessive amounts. In your opinion, how much of a problem are the following water impairments in your area?

Not a Problem Slight Problem Moderate Problem Severe Problem Don't Know 1. Sedimentation (dirt and soil) in the water 2. Bacteria and viruses in the water (such as E.coli / coliform) 3. Trash or debris in the water 4. Salt / TDS / Chlorides 5. Oil and grease. 6. Heavy metals 7. Algae in the water 8. Invasive aquatic plants and animals 9. Habitat alteration harming local fish 10. High water temperature 11. Pesticides 12. Nitrogen and phosphorus {typically from fertilizer runoff} 13. Flow alteration {ex culverts}

Sources of Water Pollution

The items listed below are sources of water quality pollution across the country. In your opinion, how much of a problem are the following sources in your area?

Not a Problem Slight Problem Moderate Problem Severe Problem Don't Know 1. Discharges from industry into streams and lakes 2. Drainage from mines 3. Soil erosion from construction sites 4. Soil erosion from shorelines and/or streambanks 5. Excessive use of lawn fertilizers and/or pesticides 6. Grass clippings and leaves entering storm drains 7. Improper disposal of used motor oil and/or antifreeze 8. Improperly maintained septic systems 9. Stormwater runoff from rooftops and/or parking lots 10. Stormwater runoff from streets and/or highways 11. Street salt and sand 12. Droppings from geese, ducks and other waterfowl 13. Waste material from pets 14. Littering/illegal dumping of trash 15. Timber harvesting/residue management 16. Forest management (e.g. pumped drainage, fertilization, pesticide application) 17. Road construction and maintenance for timber harvesting 18. Construction of highways, roads, bridges 19. Land development or redevelopment 20. Urban stormwater runoff 21. Surface mining 22. Subsurface mining 23. Mine tailings 24. Abandoned mine drainage 25. Sand/gravel mining 26. Channelization of streams 27. Dam construction 28. Upstream impoundment of water 29. Flow regulation/modification 30. Streambank or shoreline modification/destabilization 31. Drainage/filling of wetlands 32. Groundwater withdrawal 33. Atmospheric deposition 34. Yard maintenance

Additional Sources of Water Pollution

35. Are there other sources of water pollution that were not mentioned above?

Consequences of Poor Water Quality

Poor water quality can lead to a variety of consequences for communities. In your opinion, how much of a problem are the following issues in your area?

Not a Problem Slight Problem Moderate Problem Severe Problem Don't Know 1. Contaminated drinking water 2. Beach closures 3. Contaminated fish 4. Loss of desirable fish species 5. Reduced beauty of lakes or streams 6. Reduced opportunities for water recreation 7. Reduced quality of water recreation activities 8. Excessive aquatic plants or algae 9. Fish kills 10. Odor 11. Lower property values

Practices to Improve Water Quality

Please indicate which statement most accurately describes your level of experience with each practice listed below.

Not relevant for my property Never heard of it Somewhat familiar with it Know how to use it; not using it Currently use it 1. Following the manufacturer's instructions when fertilizing lawn or garden 2. Keep grass clippings and leaves out of the roads, ditches, and gutters 3. Follow pesticide application instructions for lawn and garden 4. Use phosphate free fertilizer 5. Regular servicing of septic system 6. Properly dispose of pet waste 7. Use rain barrels 8. Inspect septic system for size and condition 9. Establish grass cover for septic system 10. Not planting trees and shrubs over septic system 11. Use direct seeding to reduce erosion 12. Construct a sediment basin to reduce erosion 13. Use a field ditch for surface drainage to reduce erosion 14. Use main or lateral surface drainage to reduce erosion 15. Plant trees to reduce erosion 16. Use a grassed waterway to reduce erosion and soil loss 17. Use a water and sediment control basin to trap sediment below a critical area 18. Plant trees/shrubs 19. Restore native plant communities 20. Use direct seedling to plant trees and/or herbaceous cover 21. Implement stand improvement practices 22. Follow an approved forest management plan 23. Create wetland 24. Restore/enhance wetland 25. Restore natural channel 26. Stabilize natural channel 27. Plant vegetated riparian buffer 28. Plant forested riparian buffer 29. Plant herbaceous riparian buffer 30. Maintain riparian buffer 31. Improve stream corridor 32. Protect streambanks and/or shorelines with structures 33. Improve stream habitat 34. Improve upland wildlife habitat 35. Improve wetland for wildlife 36. Restore and/or manage declining habitats 37. Use vegetated filter strips 38. Use grass swales 39. Use infiltration device 40. Do weekly street sweeping 41. Use porous pavement 42. Use concrete grid pavement 43. Monitor well 44. Create and/or maintain snow fence

Specific Constraints of Practices

Vegetated Streambank/Shoreline Protection : Maintaining vegetation that grows along streams, rivers or lakes acts as a protective buffer between the land and the water to reduce runoff and sediments flowing into the water.

1. How familiar are you with this practice? Not relevant Never heard of it Somewhat familiar with it Know how to use it; not using it Currently use it

2. If the practice is not relevant, please explain why.

3. Are you willing to try this practice? Yes or already do Maybe No

How much do the following factors limit your ability to implement this practice?

Not at all A little Some A lot Don't Know 4. Don't know how to do it 5. Time required 6. Cost 7. The features of my property make it difficult 8. Insufficient proof of water quality benefit 9. Desire to keep things the way they are 10. Physical or health limitations 11. Hard to use with my farming system 12. Lack of equipment

Roof Runoff Management : Collecting runoff from roofs in a rain barrel or directing it a rain garden so it can infiltrate and not leave your property.

13. How familiar are you with this practice? Not relevant Never heard of it Somewhat familiar with it Know how to use it; not using it Currently use it

14. If the practice is not relevant, please explain why.

15. Are you willing to try this practice? Yes or already do Maybe No

How much do the following factors limit your ability to implement this practice?

Not at all A little Some A lot Don't Know 16. Don't know how to do it 17. Time required 18. Cost 19. The features of my property make it difficult 20. Insufficient proof of water quality benefit 21. Desire to keep things the way they are 22. Physical or health limitations 23. Hard to use with my farming system 24. Lack of equipment

Making Decisions for my Property

In general, how much does each issue limit your ability to change your management practices?

Not at all A little Some A lot Don't Know 1. Personal out-of-pocket expense 2. Lack of government funds for cost share 3. My own physical abilities 4. Not having access to the equipment that I need 5. Lack of available information about a practice 6. No one else I know is implementing the practice 7. Concerns about reduced yields 8. Approval of my neighbors 9. Don't want to participate in government programs 10. Requirements or restrictions of government programs 11. Possible interference with my flexibility to change land use practices as conditions warrant 12. Don't know where to get information and/or assistance about those practices 13. Environmental damage caused by practice 14. Legal restrictions on my property 15. I do not own the property 16. Concerns about resale value 17. Not being able to see a demonstration of the practice before I decide 18. The need to learn new skills or techniques 19. I do not own the mineral rights 20. Lack of knowledge about applicable laws

About Your Farm Operation

1. This year, how many acres of forest / woodland do you manage?  If none, please enter a zero.

Timber Operations

2. How many years have you been managing your forest for timber?

3. Did any family member own and operate your forested land before you did? No Yes

4. If you answered "yes" to the previous question, how many years has your land been in your family?

5. Five years from now, which statement will best describe your timber operations? It will be about the same as it is today It will be larger It will be smaller I do not know

6. Do you have a forest management plan for your property? No Yes

7. Who developed your forest management plan? My Conservation District-Department, University Extension, or NRCS office A private sector forester consultant I created my own plan I do not know Other

About You

1. What is your gender? Male Female

2. What is your age?

3. What is the highest grade in school you have completed? Some formal schooling High school diploma/GED Some college 2 year college degree 4 year college degree Post-graduate degree

4. What was your total household income last year? Less than $24,999 $25,000 to $49,999 $50,000 to $74,999 $75,000 to $99,999 $100,000 or more

5. Do you own or rent your home? Own Rent

6. How long have you lived at your current residence (years)?

7. Which of the following best describes where you live? In a town, village, or city In an isolated, rural, non-farm residence Rural subdivision or development On a farm

8. In addition to your residence, which of the following do you own or manage? (check all that apply) An agricultural operation Forested land Rural recreational property None of these

9. What is your ethnicity? African American American Indian Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander Hispanic/Latino White/Caucasian Multi-racial Other

10. Where are you likely to seek information about soil and water conservation issues? (Check all that apply) Newsletters/brochure/factsheet Internet Radio Workshops/demonstrations/meetings Conversations with others Trade publications/magazines None of the above

11. Do you regularly read a local newspaper? Yes No

12. Is this your primary residence? Yes No

Information Sources

People get information about water quality from a number of different sources. To what extent do you trust those listed below as a source of information about soil and water?

Not at all Slightly Moderately Very much Am not familiar 1. Local watershed project 2. Soil and Water Conservation District 3. Local government 4. Natural Resources Conservation Service 5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 6. University Extension 7. State agricultural agency 8. State environmental agency 9. Environmental groups 10. Local garden center 11. Lawn care company 12. Neighbors / friends 13. Other landowners / friends 14. State natural resources agency 15. County Health department

Septic Systems

1. Do you have a septic system? No Don't Know Yes

2. If you answered 'yes' to the previous question, in what year was it installed?

3. Within the last five years, have you had any of the following problems? (Check all that apply)- Slow drains Sewage backup in house Bad smells near tank or drain field Sewage on the surface Sewage flowing to ditch Frozen septic Other None Don't know

4. In the future, would you like a reminder from your local health department regarding inspection/maintenance of your septic system? Yes No Don't know

5. How would you know if your septic system was NOT working properly? (Check all that apply) Slow drains Sewage backup in house Bad smells Toilet backs up Wet spots in lawn Pumping tank monthly or more Straight pipe to ditch Frozen septic Don't know Other

6. Do you think a local government agency should handle inspection and maintenance of septic systems? Yes No Don't Know

Thank You

1. Please use the space below for any additional comments about this survey or water resources in your community.

2. Please enter the ID number that was included in the cover letter that you received.