# Survey: Your Opinion Needed on an 

# Arizona River Issue

Photos showing the Santa Cruz River where there is flow, and where there is no flow. Open this survey to learn more and to submit your opinion on Santa Cruz River management. 

## Thank you **for your participation in this important survey!** Please write any comments you may have on this survey below. OM B Control No. 2090
- 0028 Approval expires 6/30/2015 

### NOTE **S :**  **1) Page num. sequenced so**  **that prints correctly**

**double -**  **sided. 2) This is version 1 of 9 survey versions**  **var ying Q2**  **- Q5 (see supp. statement**  **part b). 3) Final flow lengths & forest acreages (pg. 8) may** 

**change based on natural science modeling**  **updates.**2 

# THE SANTA CRUZ RIVER IN

**SOUTHERN ARIZONA**
This survey asks for your opinion on how to manage the Santa Cruz River. It is im portant for authorities to hear from all perspectives, so ple ase take the time to read the background and answer the questions. Your responses will help authorities select the best option. This survey is being sent to randomly selected households in southern Ariz ona. **Question 14**  **:** Wh at year wer e you born? 19__ __ **Question 15 :**  Are you male or female? O Male O Female **Question 16 :**  Wh at is the highest level of education that you have completed? O Less than high school O One or more years of college O High school or equivalent O Bachelor’s Degree O High school + technical school O Graduate Degree **Question 17 :**  How many people live in your household? _________ **Question 18 :**  How many of th ose people are 18 or older? __________ **Question 19 :**  Are you and/or your spouse currently employed? O Yes O No **Question 20 :**  How many years have you lived in Arizona? _________ **Question 21 :**  Does anyone in your household belong to an environmental

organization (

such as Sierra Club, or National Audubon Society ) ? O Yes O No **Question 22 :**  From the following options, do you consider yourself to be: O American Indian O Latino/Hispanic O Asian O W hite O African American O Other

________________ **Question 23 :**  Wh at category comes closest to your total household income for 2012? O Less than $1 0,000 O $80,000 to $9 9,999 O $10,000 to $1 9,999 O $100,000 to $149,999 O $20,000 to $3 9,999 O $150,000 to $199,999 O $40,000 to $5 9,999 O $20 0,000 to $249,999 O $60,000 to $79,999 O $2 50,000 or more 

## We need the following questions **to ensure votes from all groups**

**have been fairly**

**represented in this surve y.** 

23 The Santa Cr uz River is in southern Arizona

. It flows north through several communities such as Rio Rico, Tubac, Amado, Green Valley, Sahuarita, Tucson, and Marana. It also flows through Tumacácori National Park near the border with Me xico

. The Santa Cruz joins the Gila River south of Phoenix which then joins the Colorado River at Yuma. People have lived in the Santa Cruz valley for thousan ds of years, and water was found in the Santa Cruz River in some places all
- year. Pumping groundwater over the last 80 to 100 years lowered groundwater level s and dried up many of the wet areas along the river.Since the 1950’s, treated wastewater has been released into the Santa Cruz River in two places, in the North near Tucson, and in the South near the border with Mexico. At fi rst this was just a method of disposing of the treated wastewater. It was then found that the water is helping to provid e wet river ecosystems, and associated plants and animals that are scarce in southern Arizona. The treatment is currently being upgraded to provide water of higher quality and to eliminate odor. Having wastewater of higher quality raises new questions abou t how to best manage the water. 

# TREATED WASTEWATER IN **THE SANTA CRUZ RIVER**

3 **Santa Cruz River A ctivity**  **Not Somewhat Very Important Important Important**  

### Walking **1 2 3 4 5 Biking**  **1 2 3 4 5 Safe Partial Body** 

**Contact with Water (wading)**  **1 2 3 4 5 Safe Full Body** 

**Contact with Water (submersion)**  **1 2 3 4 5 Birdwatching**  **1 2 3 4 5 Horseback Riding**  **1 2 3 4 5**
**Off Road Vehicle Use 1 2 3 4 5**  **Going to th e river to see**  **a large flow or flood 1 2 3 4 5**  **Boating or Tubing 1 2 3 4 5**  **Picnicking 1 2 3 4**  **5 Other_________________** 

**____ __________________**  **1 2 3 4 5 NORTH**  Treated wastewater now supports about 23 miles of flow, and about 160 acres of f or est along the river. The flow starts in NW Tucson near Prince Rd and I
- 10 and flows past Marana.

**SOUTH** Treated w astewater now supports about 19 miles of flow, and about 490 a cres of forest along the river. The flow starts in southern Rio Rico and flows past Tubac.

0 10 20 5 Miles 

# ±

22 **Question 13:** Rate the importance of different recreational activities for your household along the Santa Cruz River or along its riverbanks4 21  About 10 % of the treated wastewater evaporates or is consumed by plants and animal s. The remaining 90% is not lost to the watershed, but becomes groundwater.

 Of the 10 % consumed, most of it is used by trees. An acre of forest along the river requires about as much water as 44 people per year. An acre is almost the same size as a footb all field without the endzones. 

# WHAT HAPPENS TO THE WATER?

**10 %** 

**90 %**  **Evaporation, Plant Use, &**  **An imal Use** 

**To Groundwater Question 12:** 

 In the last 12 months, what is the estimated total number of separate river
related recreational trips members of your household have taken? For example, a trip that combined picknicking and birdwatching activities would count as a single trip. _____________ total trips in the last 12 months.

 How many of those trips we re within a 2 hour drive of your home? _____________ trips in the last 12 months.

 How many of those trips we re within your city or community? _____________ trips in the last 12 months.

 How many of those trips involve d any portion of the Santa C ruz River ? _____________ trips in the last 12 months.

 If there were any trips to the Santa Cruz River , what was the main recreational activity ? If this doesn’t apply, just leave this blank. _______________________________________ was the main activity.5 **Question 11:** In the last 12 months, h ow ofte n have members of your household engaged in these recreation activities in any river, stream , canal, dry wash, or arroyo, or along its banks?
**River -**  **Related A ctivity**  **Number of times in the last 12 months** 

### Walking **________ times Biking**  **________ times Partial Body** 

**Contact with Water (wading)**  **________ times Full Body** 

**Contact w ith**  **Water (submersion) ________ times**  **Birdwatching ________ times**  **Horseback Riding ________ times** 
**Off Road Vehicle Use ________ times**  **Going to a river to see a large flow or flood**  **________ ti mes**  **Boating or Tubing ________ times**  **Picnicking ________ times**  **Other_________________**

**____ __________________**  **________ times** 

# WHAT DOES THE WATER MEAN **FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?**

20  The constant release of treated wastewater supports a wet river ecosystem that used to be more common in southern Arizona.

 If a river does not have water year
- round there is still an ecosystem, just not a wet river ecosystem.

 The wet river ecosystem along the Santa C ruz River includes cottonwood and willow trees, tall shade trees dependent on moist soil. This is one of the rarest forest types in southern Arizona.

 In the desert, wet river ecosystems contain a large concentration of plant and animal species. Along the wet areas of the Santa Cruz River, there is a variety of birds and small mammals, and minnow
- sized fish have been found.

 The San Pedro River near Sierra Vista and the Gila River near Safford are examples of other wet river ecosystems in southern Arizona. The ecosystems in those locations rely on natural water flow rather than release of treated wastewater.

# YOU WILL BE ASKED TO VOTE ON THE

**FOLLOWING OPTIONS**

Wi thin the next 10 years, river flows are predicted to be cut back due to increasing demands for water resources in southern Arizona. This survey will help managers know whether people would be willing to pay to keep various amounts of treated wastewater i n the river instead. These funds would be used as compensation for not selling the water. Note that all options, including the no
- cost option, maintain at least some wastewater in the river and include the recent wastewater treatment upgrades that increase water quality and eliminate odor. This survey will also help managers know whether people would be willing to pay for additional water quality measures that would allow full body contact recreation in the treated wastewater.

6  Note that i n the South, treated wastewater results in 4 to 5 times more forest

per mile of flow. This is because adding treated wastewater in the South allows tree roots to reach the groundwater which is relatively close to the surface there. Trees in the South also tend to grow larger overall.  Refer to the photos on the next page to compare typical scenes of the North and South. Photos are also shown downstream of where water flows currently end. **Question 9:** If you voted for an option with more Flow & Forest than “Expected Future”, in Q2 to Q5, why? **CHOOSE ONE A NSWER THA**  **T FITS BEST** O NEVER CHOSE more Flow & Forest than Expected Future. O Prefer visible flow in the river O Prefer more vegetation along the river O Prefer both more flow and more vegetation along the river O I was forced to choose Flow & Forest in order to get Full Body Contact O O ther reasons: _________________ ___________________
**Question 10:** If you voted for an option containing “Full Body Contact” in Q2 to Q5, why? **CHOOSE ONE A NSWER THA**  **T FITS BEST** O NEVER CHOSE an option that included “Full Body Contact” O My household is interested in recreational contac t with the treated water O I want other people to be able to recreationally contact the treated water O I was forced to choose Full Body Contact in order to get more Flow & Forest O O ther reasons: ____________________________________  **FLOW & FOREST**  : People can vote to maintain more miles of river flow and cottonwood and willow forest acres in the North and the South. This is in contrast to the Expected Future which cuts back flows and forest acreage. As stated on pg.3, the current condition i s 23 flow miles and 160 forest acres in the North, and 19 flow miles and 490 forest acres in the South. Choosing Flow & Forest more than the Expected Future would mean an increase in taxes as compensation for not selling the water for off
- river purposes.

.

19  **EXPECTED FUTURE** : Wi thin the next 10 years, the extent of river flow and the wet river ecosystem would be reduced from cu rrent condition to 12 flow miles and 45 forest acres in the North, and 10 miles and 250 forest acres in the South. There would still be trees, plants, birds, mammals, and minnow
- sized fish in the North and South. This option does not require new taxpayer c osts.

.18 **Question 6** : Bef ore reading this survey were you aware of the location of any part of the Santa Cruz River? O Yes O No

**Question 7** : Bef ore reading this survey w ere you aware that the Santa Cruz River has water all
- year in the two places shown on page 3 ? **CHOOSE ONE A NSWER THA**  **T FITS BEST** O Aware of the water in the North O Aware of the water in the South O Aware of the water in both the North and the South O Not aware of the water in the North or the South

**Question 8** : If you ever voted for “Expected Future” in Q2 to Q5, why? **CHOOSE ONE A NSWER THA**  **T FITS BEST** O NEVER CHOSE “Expected Future” O No ability to pay O Other options were not worth it to my household O Prefer to make a donation than to increase taxes O Don’t think the other options are realistic O Other

_____________________ _ __
7 

## North Downstream of Water Flow North With Wa ter Flow

South With Water Flow South Downstream of Water Flow  Photos show the changes that could happen in the North and South if a part of the river no longer receives treated wastewater.**Location & Effect Option**  **A Option**  **B Expected Future**  

## North **Flow & Forest**  

# 23 flow miles



# 160 forest acres 

# 23 flow miles



# 160 forest acres 

# 12 flow miles



# 45 forest acres 

## North **Full Body Contact** 

# No Yes No

**South Flow & Forest**  

# 10 flow miles



# 250 forest acres 

# 17 flow miles



# 95 forest acres 

# 10 flow miles



# 250 forest acres 

## South **Full Body Contact** 

# No Yes No **$ Cost to your**  **Household per Year** 

# $ **3 0**  Increase in Annual Taxes 

# $ **6 0**  I ncrease in Annual Taxes 

# $0 Increase in Annual Taxes **HOW WOULD YOU VOTE?**  **(CHOOSE ONE ONLY)**  

### I vote for

**Option A**  I vote for

**Option B**  I prefer

**Expected Future** 

## Question **5**
**.** Given a choice between **Option A**  **, Option B**  , or **Expected Future** for the Santa Cruz River , how would you vote?

17 8 

## Summar **y of North**  **Flow and Forest Possibilities** 

**Summar y of**  **South Flow**  **and Forest Possibilities Location & Effect**  **Option A**  **Option B**  **Expected Future** 

## North **Flow & Forest** 

# 12 flow miles



# 45 forest acres 

# 17 flow miles



# 95 forest acres 

# 12 flow miles



# 45 forest acres 

## North **Full Body Contact** 

# No Yes No

**South Flow & Forest**  

# 19 flow miles



# 490 forest acres 

# 10 flow miles



# 250 forest acres 

# 10 flow miles



# 250 forest acres 

## South **Full Body Contact** 

# Yes Yes No **$ Cost to your**  **Household per Year** 

# $ **4 0**  Increase in Annual Taxes 

# $ **5 0**  I ncrease in Annual Taxes 

# $0 Increase in Annual Taxes **HOW WOULD YOU VOTE?**  **(CHOOSE ONE ONLY)**  

### I vote for

**Option A**  I vote for

**Option B**  I prefer

**Expected Future**

16 9 

### This concludes the description of the options. Different options for “Flow and Forest” and “Full Body Contact” are possible for the North and South. You will have an opportuni ty to vote on different options, including “Expected Future”. 

## Question **4**
**.** Given a choice between **Option A**  **, Option B**  , or **Expected Future** for the Santa Cruz River , how would you vote?

 **FULL BODY CONTA CT**  : During stormflows, the water quality is not considered safe for any type of human contact. However, during low
flow times the water in the North and South is currently considered saf e for wading. Wa ter quality could be improved to be considered safe for full body contact such as submersion during low
- flow times. This would require further measures to control bacteria, which would mean an incr ease in taxes to pay for these measures.**Location & Effect Option**  **A Option**  **B Expected Future**  

## North **Flow & Forest** 

# 17 flow miles



# 95 forest acres 

# 12 flow miles



# 45 forest acres 

# 12 flow miles



# 45 forest acres 

## North **Full Body Contact** 

# Yes No No

**South Flow & Forest**  

# 15 flow miles



# 385 forest acres 

# 10 flow miles



# 250 forest acres 

# 10 flow miles



# 250 forest acres 

## South **Full Body Contact** 

# Yes Yes No **$ Cost to your**  **Household per Year** 

# $ **4 0**  Increase in Annual Taxes 

# $ **20** I ncrease in Annual Taxes 

# $0 Increase in Annual Taxes **HOW WOULD YOU VOTE?**  **(CHOOSE ONE ONLY)**  

### I vote for

**Option A**  I vote for

**Option B**  I prefe r

**Expected Future Location &**  **Effect Option**  **A Option**  **B Expected Future**  

## North **Flow & Forest** 

# 23 flow miles



# 160 forest acres 

# 12 flow miles



# 45 forest acres 

# 12 flow miles



# 45 forest acres 

## North **Full Body Contact** 

# Yes No No

**South Flow & Forest**  

# 19 flow miles



# 490 forest acres 

# 19 flow miles



# 490 forest acres 

# 10 flow miles



# 250 forest acres 

## South **Full Body Contact** 

# Yes No No **$ Cost to your**  **Household per Year** 

# $ **60** Increase in Annual Taxes 

# $ **4 0**  I ncrease in Annual Taxes 

# $0 Increase in Annual Taxes **HOW WOULD YOU VOTE?**  **(CHOOSE ONE ONLY)**  

### I vote for

**Option A**  I vote for

**Option B**  I prefer

**Expected Future** 

# EXAMPLE VOTE **questions will look like the sample below** 

15 10 

## Question **3**
**.** Given a choice between **Option A**  **, Option B**  , or **Expected Future** for the Santa Cruz River , how would you vote?

**If y ou prefer**  **Option A ,**  **check here If y**  **ou prefer Option B**  **, check here**  **If y ou prefer** 

**Expected Future ,**  **check here Location & Effect**  **Option A**  **Option B**  **Expected Future**  

## North **Flow & Forest** 

# 23 flow miles



# 160 forest acres 

# 12 flow miles



# 45 forest acres 

# 12 flow miles



# 45 forest acres 

## North **Full Body Contact** 

# Yes No No

**South Flow & Forest**  

# 19 flow miles



# 490 forest acres 

# 19 flow miles



# 490 forest acres 

# 10 flow miles



# 250 forest acres 

## South **Full Body Contact** 

# Yes No No **$ Cost to your**  **Household per Year** 

# $ **60** Increase in Annual Taxes 

# $ **4 0**  I ncrease in Annual Taxes 

# $0 Increase in Annual Taxes **HOW WOULD YOU VOTE?**  **(CHOOSE ONE ONLY)**  

### I vote for

**Option A**  I vote for

**Option B**  I prefe r

**Expected Future Location & Effect**  **Description** 

## North **Flow & Forest**  

## Approximate Miles of year
- round flow; &

Approximate Acres of cottonwood/willow forest along the river , tall shade trees dependent on wet soils. 

## North **Full Body**

**Contact** 

## Yes it is safe for full body contact at low
- flow times, or

No , it is only safe for wading at low
- flow times.


## South **Flow & Forest**  

## Approximate Miles of year
- round flow; &

Approximate Acres of cottonwood/willow forest along the river , tall shade trees dependent on wet soils. 

## South **Full Body**

**Contact** 

## Yes it is safe for full body contact at low
- flow times, or

No , it is only safe for wading at low
- flow times. 

# $ **Cost to your**  **Household per Year** 

## How much the option will cost your household in

unavoidable taxes per year. These taxes would not increase or decrease over time.

14 11 

# THIS SURVEY IS SIMILAR TO **A PUBLIC VOTE**

The questions starting on the next page ask you how you would vote for different options for the Santa Cruz River. Effects of each Option will be described with the following information: 

## Question **2**
**.** Given a choice between **Option A**  **, Option B**  , or **Expected Future** for the Santa Cruz River , how would you vote?**Location & Effect Not Somewhat Very**  **Important Important Important** 

## North **Flow & Forest**  **1 2 3 4 5** 

## North **Full Body**

**Contact 1 2 3 4 5**  

## South **Flow & Forest**  **1 2 3 4 5** 

## South **Full Body**

**Contact 1 2 3 4 5**  

# $ **Cost to your Household per Year**  

### 1 2 3 4 5 

## Question 1. Rate each of the following in terms of their importance to you r household . For each, use “1” for the least important, and “5 ” f or the most important. 

# HOW WOULD YOU RATE **THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE EFFECTS?** 

 There are 4 voting questions, each on a different page.

 Each questio n describes alternative choices to help us better understand your household’s opinion

.
 Review each question carefully. Your votes are important and will help determine the best option for the Santa Cruz River

.
 Costs to your household will range from $0 to $ 6 0 per year , depending on the option . All funds are legally guaranteed to be used for the designated purpose
.
 The “ Expected Future ” option shows the expected future at no added cost

. Choo se this if other options are not worth it to your household.

12 13 

# AS YOU VOTE, REMEMBER THESE **IMPORTANT DETAILS**