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?
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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. 
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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.)

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
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5. 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

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
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6. What is your sex? 

□Male □Female

7. What is your age? _____ years old

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

9. 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

10. 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

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

□ Yes □ No □ I prefer not to answer

12. 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

13. 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

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. 

Thank you very much for your help.

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