Your opinions are needed to inform policy decisions that affect water quality. 

All responses will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by the law. 

Please mail this completed survey back in the postage-paid return envelope 

provided. Thank you for your help!

OMB Control Number 2090-0028

Expires 6/30/2015

The Future of the Chesapeake Bay 

What’s Your Opinion?
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed

The Watershed 

Is shaded in light grey on 

this map. 

It includes about 4,200 

freshwater lakes. 

Water draining from lands 

in the Watershed enters 

rivers and streams and 

eventually the Chesapeake 

Bay. 

This survey asks you about two types of water bodies in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed — the 

Chesapeake Bay itself and Lakes in the Watershed. Each has different characteristics and 

potential water quality concerns.

The Chesapeake Bay

Is an estuary where freshwater mixes with 

saltwater from the ocean. It is the largest 

estuary in North America and the third 

largest in the world.

As shown in dark grey on this map, the 

Bay includes portions of the 50 rivers that 

flow into it, for example: 

The James River up to Richmond, VA

The Potomac River up to 

Washington, DC

Please use this definition of the 

Chesapeake Bay when answering 

questions on this survey. 
2

2. On average, how often do you see the following water bodies? 

(Please check ONLY ONE box in each row.)

3. In the last five years, have you participated in recreational activities

(including swimming, boating, fishing, or viewing nature) at the... 

(Please check ONLY ONE box in each row.)

Did you know?

Pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed degrade the quality of the water and can 

affect aquatic habitat and recreational activities. Two key pollutants are nutrients and 

sediment.

Nutrients are essential for healthy aquatic habitats, but too much can lead to algae 

that deprives fish of oxygen and plants of sunlight. Sources of nutrients include 

fertilizers, livestock manure, and household wastewater.

Sediment is loose soil that settles to the bottom of water bodies. Too much sediment 

makes the water murky and harms aquatic plants and fish. Paved surfaces and some 

farming practices increase soil erosion, causing too much sediment to enter the 

Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Lakes.

4. Before taking this survey, were you aware that too much nutrients or sediment 

can degrade water quality?

 □ Yes □ No □ Don’t know

Chesapeake Bay: □ Yes □ No □ Don’t know

Watershed Lakes: □ Yes □ No □ Don’t know

Never Less than 

once a month

More than 

once a month Don’t Know

Chesapeake Bay: □ □ □ □

Watershed Lakes: □ □ □ □

1. Before receiving this survey, had you heard of the Chesapeake Bay?

□ Yes □ No □ Don’t know
3

Conditions in the Chesapeake Bay

Bay Water Clarity— measures how far one can see into the water

Average visibility was about 4.5 to 6 feet in the early 1990’s and is about 3 feet today.

Striped Bass (or Rockfish)— the most popular fish for recreational fishing in the Bay

After historic lows, the population was about 6 million fish in 1990 and is about 24 

million today.

Blue Crab— symbol of the Chesapeake Bay and a popular shellfish for recreational fishing 

The population was between 100 to 200 million in the early 1990’s and has been about 

250 million in recent years.

Oysters — “filter feeders” that clean Bay waters, their shells also form reefs that provide 

habitat for other aquatic life. 

Historically much larger, the population was only about 3,300 tons by 1990 and remains 

at this low level today.

Nutrient and sediment pollution affects environmental outcomes in the Chesapeake Bay. 

These conditions have been consistently measured by scientists since the early 1990’s.

State and local governments currently have pollution reduction programs in place to limit 

nutrients and sediment flowing into the Chesapeake Bay. 

But population growth and changes in how land is used within the watershed are 

expected to cause conditions in the Bay to decline in the future. 

Based on measurements by scientists studying the Chesapeake Bay, this table shows both the 

conditions today and predicted conditions in 2025 under current programs. 

Conditions Today Conditions in 2025 under 

current programs* 

Bay Water Clarity

Average visibility

3 feet 1.5 feet

(50% decrease from today)

Striped Bass

Population

24 million fish 21 million fish

(13% decrease from today)

Blue Crab

Population

250 million crabs 235 million crabs

(6% decrease from today)

Oysters

Population

3,300 tons 2,800 tons

(15% decrease from today)

*Forecasts for the year 2025 are based on monitoring data from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and Estuary 

Models developed by the EPA and state and federal partners.
4

Conditions in the Watershed Lakes

Nutrient pollution in lakes leads to excess algae growth which changes the appearance of the 

water and the types of fish that live in it. Watershed Lakes fall into one of these categories:

Pollution reduction programs already in place to limit nutrients and sediment flowing into the 

Chesapeake Bay also help limit algae growth in Watershed Lakes. 

But population growth and changes in how land is used within the watershed are 

expected to result in fewer Watershed Lakes with low algae levels. 

The table below shows the number of Watershed Lakes that have low algae levels today

and the predicted number in 2025 under current programs.

Number Today Number in 2025 under current 

programs*

Watershed Lakes with 

low algae levels

2,900 lakes 

out of 4,200 total

2,300 lakes 

out of 4,200 total

(21% decrease from today)

*Forecasts for the year 2025 are based on measures from the Northeast Lakes Model developed by EPA’s Office 

of Research and Development.

5. How do the predicted conditions for the Chesapeake Bay and the Watershed Lakes 

in 2025 compare with what you had expected? 

□ I had expected conditions in 2025 to be better than what is predicted.

□ I had expected conditions in 2025 to be worse than what is predicted.

□ I had expected conditions in 2025 to be about the same as what is predicted. 

□ Don’t know

Watershed Lakes with low algae 

Have clear blue or brown water with 3 to 6 feet of visibility

Conditions favor game fish like bass and trout

Watershed Lakes with high algae

Have green water with 2 feet of visibility or less 

Conditions favor bottom-feeding fish like carp and catfish 

Can have an unpleasant odor on warm days
5

Additional Pollution Reduction Programs for the Chesapeake 

Bay Watershed

What additional programs would do:

Improve some of the conditions in the Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Lakes. The 

specific types of improvements will depend on the design of the program. 

For example:

A pollution reduction program close to the Bay would improve water quality in the 

Chesapeake Bay itself, but would not have much affect on the Watershed Lakes. 

A program restoring oyster reefs would increase the number of oysters, but would have a 

smaller effect on crab populations compared to programs focused on reducing nutrients 

and sediment.

What additional programs would not do:

Affect lakes outside of the Watershed

Affect river and stream conditions in a noticeable way because the water is constantly 

moving

Affect any other parts of the environment such as forests, plants, birds, and wildlife 

Have a noticeable effect on the quality or price of the seafood you buy

Additional pollution programs being considered by federal and state agencies would further limit 

nutrients and sediment in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. 

These programs would be phased in over time and would be fully implemented by the year 

2025. 

Examples of programs include changing the way farmers dispose of livestock manure and farm 

land to reduce runoff, paving fewer surfaces to slow stormwater runoff, and changing 

equipment at wastewater treatment facilities to reduce spills and pollution releases. 
6

Paying for Additional Pollution Reduction Programs

Additional pollution reduction programs would result in higher costs for your household. 

Some of the basic things people spend money on would become more expensive. 

For example:

Higher water bills or increased maintenance costs for home septic systems in the 

Watershed. For renters, rent or utility bills would increase.

Higher prices for some agricultural products and other goods for households both inside 

and outside the Watershed, including the area where you live. This is because of higher 

costs for businesses inside the Watershed.

Any additional pollution reduction program, if implemented, would permanently increase the 

cost of living for your household. 

Paying the costs means you would have less money to spend on other things such as food, 

clothes, going on trips, education, and even towards resolving other environmental problems 

you care about. 

6. Do you currently pay any environmentally-related taxes or fees as part of your 

water, electric or other utility bills? 

□ Yes □ No □Don’t know
7

Deciding Future Actions

Imagine that you were given the opportunity to vote on additional pollution reduction 

programs. State and federal policy makers will use your votes and those from others to choose 

the best program to improve water quality. 

Important instructions

In the questions that follow, we ask your opinion about programs that have different impacts 

on the Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Lakes. These programs will cost your household 

different amounts. 

You will be asked three questions. In each question you will vote for the option you like best 

from three different alternatives:

OPTION A keeps all current actions but does not add new programs 

OPTION B and OPTION C include additional programs to reduce pollution 

Choosing OPTION A in each question would result in no new pollution reductions or costs to 

your household.

OPTION B and OPTION C are different in each question, with different environmental outcomes 

and costs to your household.

An Example Question is on the next page to show you what the questions will look like. 

Other households are also being surveyed, so please only think of the costs to your own 

household when deciding which program you would prefer. 

Similar studies have shown that people sometimes respond differently in a survey than they 

would in real life, often saying they would pay more than they really would. When voting we 

urge you to respond as though costs to your household would really go up if the 

program were implemented. 
8

To vote for Option A

mark this box

To vote for Option B 

mark this box

To vote for Option C 

mark this box

In each question, you will be asked to vote on three options. (Mark one box at 

the bottom of each question to indicate which option you prefer.)

Conditions in 2025 

(% change compared to today)

Environmental 

Outcomes Option A Option B Option C

Bay Water Clarity

Average visibility

1.5 feet

(50% decrease) 

3 feet

(no change) 

5 feet

(67% increase) 

Striped Bass

Population

21 million fish

(13% decrease) 

28 million fish

(17% increase) 

24 million fish

(no change) 

Blue Crab

Population

235 million crabs

(6% decrease)

280 million crabs

(12% increase)

312 million crab

(25% increase)

Oysters

Population

2,800 tons

(15% decrease)

5,250 tons

(59% increase) 

4,300 tons

(30% increase)

Watershed Lakes

Lakes with low algae 

levels

2,300 lakes

(21% decrease)

2,900 lakes

(no change)

3,850 lakes

(32% increase)

Your Cost of Living 

Permanent cost 

increase for your 

household 

$0 every year 

$180 every year

or $15 every month 

$60 every year

or $5 every month

Your Vote

Please mark one of 

the boxes to the right 

Option A Option B Option C

X X X

Environmental Outcomes 

from each option are listed 

here. The percent changes 

compared to today are also 

shown in parentheses. 

Annual Cost to your 

household is listed here. 

Notice that higher costs do not 

necessarily mean that all 

environmental outcomes will 

improve more. 

An Example Question

When you vote on the next questions, please remember...

There will be three sets of voting questions. Consider each question separately. 

Imagine that the options in that question are the only ones available to choose from.

Options in different questions should not be compared to each other.

Do not add up effects or costs across different questions. 
9

7. Please vote for one of the three options below. (Mark one box at the 

bottom to indicate which option you would prefer.)

Conditions in 2025 

(% change compared to today)

Environmental 

Outcomes Option A Option B Option C

Bay Water Clarity

Average visibility

1.5 feet

(50% decrease) 

5 feet

(67% increase) 

6 feet

(100% increase) 

Striped Bass

Population

21 million fish

(13% decrease) 

30 million fish

(25% increase)

30 million fish

(25% increase)

Blue Crab

Population

235 million crabs

(6% decrease)

280 million crabs

(12% increase)

312 million crabs

(25% increase) 

Oysters

Population

2,800 tons

(15% decrease)

4,300 tons

(30% increase)

5,250 tons

(59% increase)

Watershed Lakes

Lakes with low algae 

levels

2,300 lakes

(21% decrease)

3,300 lakes

(14% increase)

3,300 lakes

(14% increase)

Your Cost of 

Living 

Permanent cost 

increase for your 

household 

$0 every year $60 every year

or $5 every month 

$500 every year

or $41.67 every 

month

Your Vote

Please mark one of 

the boxes to the 

right 

Option A Option B Option C
10

8. Please vote for one of the three options below. (Mark one box at the 

bottom to indicate which option you would prefer.)

Conditions in 2025 

(% change compared to today)

Environmental 

Outcomes Option A Option B Option C

Bay Water Clarity

Average visibility

1.5 feet

(50% decrease) 

3 feet

(no change) 

5 feet

(67% increase) 

Striped Bass

Population

21 million fish

(13% decrease) 

28 million fish

(17% increase)

30 million fish

(25% increase)

Blue Crab

Population

235 million crabs

(6% decrease)

250 million crabs

(no change)

312 million crabs

(25% increase) 

Oysters

Population

2,800 tons

(15% decrease)

5,250 tons

(59% increase)

5,250 tons

(59% increase)

Watershed Lakes

Lakes with low algae 

levels

2,300 lakes

(21% decrease)

2,900 lakes

(no change)

3,300 lakes

(14% increase)

Your Cost of 

Living 

Permanent cost 

increase for your 

household 

$0 every year $180 every year

or $15 every month 

$500 every year

or $41.67 every 

month

Your Vote

Please mark one of 

the boxes to the 

right 

Option A Option B Option C
11

9. Please vote for one of the three options below. (Mark one box at the 

bottom to indicate which option you would prefer.)

Conditions in 2025 

(% change compared to today)

Environmental 

Outcomes Option A Option B Option C

Bay Water Clarity

Average visibility

1.5 feet

(50% decrease) 

5 feet

(67% increase) 

6 feet

(100% increase) 

Striped Bass

Population

21 million fish

(13% decrease) 

30 million fish

(25% increase) 

28 million fish

(17% increase) 

Blue Crab

Population

235 million crabs

(6% decrease)

250 million crabs

(no change) 

312 million crabs

(20% increase) 

Oysters

Population

2,800 tons

(15% decrease)

4,300 tons

(30% increase) 

4,300 tons

(30% increase)

Watershed Lakes

Lakes with low algae 

levels

2,300 lakes

(21% decrease)

2,900 lakes

(no change)

3,850 lakes

(33% increase)

Your Cost of 

Living 

Permanent cost 

increase for your 

household 

$0 every year $40 every year

or $3.33 every 

month 

$250 every year

or $20.83 every 

month

Your Vote

Please mark one of 

the boxes to the 

right 

Option A Option B Option C
12

Thinking about how you just voted...

11. How much do you agree or disagree that the following affected your vote? 

 (Please circle one number for each statement.) 

Strongly 

Disagree

Strongly 

Agree

Don’t 

Know

Changes in the quality or price of seafood 1 2 3 4 5 DK

Impacts on the economy and jobs 1 2 3 4 5 DK

Improving the environment for others 1 2 3 4 5 DK

Water quality improvements to lakes 

outside the Chesapeake Bay Watershed 1 2 3 4 5 DK

Preserving the environment for future 

generations 1 2 3 4 5 DK

Trips I may take to the Chesapeake Bay or 

Watershed Lakes in the future 1 2 3 4 5 DK

10. Please rate how much you agree or disagree with the following statements.

(Please circle one number for each statement.)

Strongly 

Disagree

Strongly 

Agree

Don’t 

Know

I voted as if I would actually face the 

costs shown in the questions. 1 2 3 4 5 DK

I voted as if the programs would actually 

achieve the results shown. 1 2 3 4 5 DK

I am confident in my answers. 1 2 3 4 5 DK

It is important to improve waters in the 

Chesapeake Bay Watershed, no matter 

how high the costs. 

1 2 3 4 5 DK

I am against any government program 

that imposes more regulations and 

spending. 

1 2 3 4 5 DK

I should not have to pay any amount for 

programs to improve Bay Waters and 

Watershed Lakes.

1 2 3 4 5 DK

It is often difficult for me to find time to 

take surveys. 1 2 3 4 5 DK
13

13. If you did visit one or more sites on the Chesapeake Bay in the last 12 months, 

which site did you visit most often? (Fill in as much information as you can)

13a. Name of site _____________________________________________________

13b. How long did it take you to drive there from your home? 

_____ hours and _____ minutes

13c. What state is it in? __________________________________________

13d. What is the nearest town? __________________________________________

13e. What did you do on your visit(s) to that site? (Check all the activities you did on 

your visits)

□ Fishing and/or crabbing □ Swimming

□ Boating, canoeing or kayaking □ Camping

□ Hunting □ Hiking

□ Bird watching or wildlife viewing □ Other_____________

15. Many people are looking for ways to reduce their utility bills. If you were offered 

a device that cost $50 and would reduce your electricity bill by $2 each month 

for the next 10 years, would you purchase the device? 

□ Yes □ No □ Don’t know

12. In the last 12 months, how many times did you visit an outdoor recreation site 

on the Chesapeake Bay? (Please circle one number.)

0 2 3 4

If more than 4, write 

in number of trips:

__________

Don’t

Know

□

1

14. In the last 12 months, how many times did you visit a lake, stream, or river in 

the Chesapeake Bay Watershed? (Please circle one number.) 

0 2 3 4

If more than 4, write 

in number of trips:

__________

Don’t

Know

□

1
14

Questions about you and your household

Finally, we would like to ask a few questions about you and your household. 

Your answers will not be saved or stored in a way that can be associated with your name or 

address. You will not be contacted about your responses or this survey. 

16. What is your sex? 

□Male □Female

17. What is your age? _____ years old

18. How many children under age 18 are living in your home? _____children

19. Have you or any member of your family ever worked in any of the following 

industries or jobs?

□Agriculture □Tour guide for fishing

□Commercial fishing □Environmental non-profit group

□No one in my family ever worked in these industries

20. In 2012, what was your total pre-tax household income, including all earners in 

your household?

□Under $25,000 □$100,000-$149,999

□$25,000-$49,999 □$150,000-$199,999

□$50,000-$74,999 □$200,000 or more

□$75,000-$99,000

21. Are you of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?

□ Yes □ No □ I prefer not to answer

22. What is your race? (You may select more than one.)

□ American Indian or Alaska Native □ Asian

□ Black or African American □ White

□ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander □ I prefer not to answer

23. What is the highest degree or level of school you have completed?

□ Less than high school □ Associate’s Degree

□ High school diploma or GED Bachelor’s Degree 

□ Some college (1-4 years, no degree) □ Graduate Degree

Thank you very much for your help.

Please mail this completed survey back to us in the postage-paid return envelope provided. 
15

Thanks again for completing this survey!

If you have any additional thoughts about any of the 

topics covered or the survey itself, please share them. 

If you have any questions please call XXX-XXX-XXXX 

or email chesapeake-survey@abt.com. 

The public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is 

estimated to average 18 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 materials to this address.