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. 

OMB Control No. 2090-0028 

Approval expires 6/30/2015

NOTES: 1) Page num. sequenced so 

that prints correctly double-sided. 2) 

This is version 1 of 9 survey versions 

varying 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 

important for authorities to hear from all perspectives, so please 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 

Arizona.

Question 14: What year were you born? 19__ __

Question 15: Are you male or female? O Male O Female

Question 16: What 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 those 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 White

O African American O Other ________________

Question 23: What category comes closest to your total household income for 2012?

O Less than $10,000 O $80,000 to $99,999 

O $10,000 to $19,999 O $100,000 to $149,999

O $20,000 to $39,999 O $150,000 to $199,999

O $40,000 to $59,999 O $200,000 to $249,999

O $60,000 to $79,999 O $250,000 or more

We need the following questions to ensure votes from all groups 

have been fairly represented in this survey. 

23

The Santa Cruz 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 

Mexico. 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

thousands 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 

levels 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 

first this was just a method of disposing of the treated wastewater. It was then found 

that the water is helping to provide 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 about how to best manage the water. 

TREATED WASTEWATER IN 

THE SANTA CRUZ RIVER

3

Santa Cruz River Activity 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 the 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 

forest along the river. The flow starts in 

NW Tucson near Prince Rd and I-10 and 

flows past Marana.

SOUTH

Treated wastewater now supports 

about 19 miles of flow, and about 490

acres of forest along the river. The flow 

starts in southern Rio Rico and flows 

past Tubac.

0 5 10 20 Miles

±

22

Question 13: Rate the importance of different recreational activities for 

your household along the Santa Cruz River or along its riverbanks
4 21

 About 10% of the treated wastewater evaporates or is consumed by plants and 

animals. 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 football field without the endzones. 

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE WATER?

10%

 90%

Evaporation, 

Plant Use, & 

Animal Use 

To Groundwater

Question 12: 

 In the last 12 months, what is the estimated total number of separate riverrelated 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 were within a 2 hour drive of your home?

 _____________ trips in the last 12 months.

 How many of those trips were within your city or community?

 _____________ trips in the last 12 months.

 How many of those trips involved any portion of the Santa Cruz 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, how often 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 Activity Number of times in the last 12 months

Walking ________ times

Biking ________ times

Partial Body Contact with 

Water (wading) ________ times

Full Body Contact with 

Water (submersion) ________ times

Birdwatching ________ times

Horseback Riding ________ times

Off Road Vehicle Use ________ times

Going to a river to see a 

large flow or flood ________ times

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 Cruz 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

Within 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 in 

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 in 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 ANSWER THAT 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 Other reasons: ____________________________________ 

Question 10: If you voted for an option containing “Full Body Contact” in Q2 to 

Q5, why?

CHOOSE ONE ANSWER THAT FITS BEST

O NEVER CHOSE an option that included “Full Body Contact”

O My household is interested in recreational contact 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 Other 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 

is 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: Within the next 10 years, the extent of river flow and the wet river 

ecosystem would be reduced from current 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 costs.

 

 .

 
18

Question 6: Before reading this survey were you aware of the location of any 

part of the Santa Cruz River?

O Yes 

O No

Question 7: Before reading this survey were you aware that the Santa Cruz 

River has water all-year in the two places shown on page 3? 

CHOOSE ONE ANSWER THAT 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 ANSWER THAT 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 With Water Flow North Downstream of Water 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

$30

Increase in 

Annual Taxes

$60

Increase 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?

8 17

Summary of North Flow and Forest Possibilities

Summary 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

$40

Increase in 

Annual Taxes

$50

Increase 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 opportunity 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 CONTACT: During stormflows, the water quality is not 

considered safe for any type of human contact. However, during lowflow times the water in the North and South is currently considered 

safe for wading. Water 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 increase 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

$40

Increase in 

Annual Taxes

$20

Increase 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

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

$40

Increase 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

10 15

Question 3. Given a choice between Option A, Option B, or Expected Future

for the Santa Cruz River, how would you vote?

If you prefer

Option A,

check here

If you prefer

Option B,

check here

If you 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

$40

Increase 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

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 your 

household. For each, use “1” for the least important, and “5” for the most important.

HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE 

IMPORTANCE OF THESE EFFECTS?

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

 Each question 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 $60 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. Choose this if other options are not worth it to your household.

12 13

AS YOU VOTE, REMEMBER THESE 

IMPORTANT DETAILS