Document ID: EPA-HQ-ORD-2013-0282-0003
Agency: epa
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2013-05-08T04:00Z

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

NOTE THAT PAGE NUMBERS ARE OUT OF SEQUENCE ON THIS REVIEW DRAFT ELECTRONIC FILE SO THAT IT WILL PRINT CORRECTLY DOUBLE-SIDED
Photo sequence showing reduced water at a location on the Santa Cruz River. At this location, it changed from having year-round flow to being dry except during stormflows. Open this survey to learn more and to submit your opinion on Santa Cruz River management.

                                   Survey: 
                           Your Opinion Needed on an
                              Arizona River Issue
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                We need the following questions to ensure votes from all groups   have been fairly represented in this survey.                                                                  
Question 15: 	What year were you born?   19__ __
Question 16: 	Are you male or female?       O  Male	           O  Female
Question 17: 	How many years have you lived in Arizona? ______________
Question 18: 	Including yourself, how many people currently live at your  	 	residence? ______________
Question 19: 	How many of those people are 18 or older? ________________
Question 20: 	Does anyone in your household belong to an environmental 	organization (such as Sierra Club, or National Audubon Society)?                      
O  Yes	           O  No	
Question 21: 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 22: From the following income categories, please indicate the one that  	            		includes your estimated household income for 2012.
O  Less than $20,000  	O  $80,000 to $99,000	   
O  $20,000 to $39,999  	O  $100,000 to $149,999	
O  $40,000 to $59,999  	O  Above $150,000
O  $60,000 to $79,999  

d

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.

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.

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2
             THE SANTA CRUZ RIVER IN             SOUTHERN ARIZONA
   TREATED WASTEWATER IN                               THE SANTA CRUZ RIVER

                     
Question 14:  How much did the following factors affect your answers for 
Q 2 to Q6?  Check one box for each.
  
         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. 
 

d

 
                   Effect on my answers for questions 2 - 4

                                   Very Low
                                       
                                   Moderate
                                       
                                   Very High
.
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
Wanting more visible flow and or more forest
                                     1
                                      2
                                     3
                                      4
                                      5
Wanting to benefit river ecosystems
                                     1
                                      2
                                     3
                                      4
                                      5
Wanting to improve recreational opportunities
                                     1
                                      2
                                     3
                                      4
                                      5
Wanting to improve river conditions close to my home
                                     1
                                      2
                                     3
                                      4
                                      5
Wanting to pay my fair share for the environment
                                     1
                                      2
                                     3
                                      4
                                      5
Wanting to improve water quality
                                     1
                                      2
                                     3
                                      4
                                      5
Wanting to improve river conditions for future generations
                                     1
                                      2
                                     3
                                      4
                                      5
Wanting to minimize increases in taxes or costs to my household
                                     1
                                      2
                                     3
                                      4
                                      5
Other____________________________________________________
                                     1
                                      2
                                     3
                                      4
                                      5
 
 
 
3
                          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.

     

22
3
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.

                          WHAT HAPPENS TO THE WATER?

                                   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  
Flood Viewing
    1              2              3              4               5  
Picnicking
    1              2              3              4               5  
Other_______________________________________
   
    1              2              3              4               5  

Question 13: Rate the importance of different recreational activities for  
your household along the Santa Cruz River or along its riverbanks

   * About 10% of the treated wastewater evaporates or is consumed by plants and animals, the remaining 90% 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.     

                             

21
10%
                                       
Evaporation, Plant Use, & Animal Use 
4
To Groundwater
                                       
                                       
  90%
                                       
                                       

        WHAT DOES THE WATER MEAN                  FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

   * 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. 

                             

20
5
Question 12: 
   * How often do members of your household engage in recreation where rivers, streams, canals, dry washes, or arroyos are an important part of the experience?  Examples are a car trip to a river, or walking to a river. Just write "0" if there are no such trips and go to Q13.
	_____________ trips per year. 
	
   * How many of those trips are within a 2 hour drive of your home?
            _____________ trips per year.

   * How many of those trips are within your city or community?
            _____________ trips per year.

   * How many of those trips involve any portion of the Santa Cruz River?
	_____________ trips per year.

   > Note that there are less forest acres per mile of flow in the North than the South.

   > 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. 

   > 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.

   * 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. Again, 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 to pay for the water consumed by the larger wet river ecosystem. 

                     . 
                                                  

   > All options including the Expected Future include the new wastewater treatment upgrades that increase water quality and eliminate odor.

   * EXPECTED FUTURE:  In the future, river flows are expected to be cut back to reduce the amount of water used by the river ecosystem. This would reduce the extent of river flow and the wet river ecosystem 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.
                            

                     . 
                                                  

19
6
Question 10: If you voted for an option with more Flow & Forest than
"Expected Future", in Q2 to Q6, 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 11: If you voted for an option containing "Full Body Contact" in Q2 to 
Q6, 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 Flow & Forest
O  Other reasons: ____________________________________ 

              YOU WILL BE ASKED TO VOTE ON THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS

 
   > Photos show the changes that could happen in the North and South if a part of the river no longer receives treated wastewater.

                             North With Water Flow
                                       

                        North Downstream of Water Flow
                                       

                        South Downstream of Water Flow
                                       

                             South With Water Flow
                                       

7
Question 7:  Before reading this survey were you aware of the location of any part of the Santa Cruz River?
O  Yes                                
O  No

Question 8:  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 9:  If you ever voted for "Expected Future" in Q2 to Q6, 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________________________

QUESTION 6
 If you ever chose an option that kept river flow and habitat, why? Choose the reason that is the best match
O  NEVER CHOSE Options B or C
O  Prefer visible flow in the river
O  Prefer to have more forest
O  Prefer higher habitat value
O  Other________________________

18
     
   Question 6.  Given a choice between Expected Future, Option A, and Option B 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 low-flow 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 controls on bacteria, which would mean an increase in taxes to pay for these controls.
                                                         
                             Location & Effect
                                       
                                       
                               Expected Future
 
                                    Option A
                                    Option B
                                    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
                                      Yes
                                       

                                       
                                       
                                       
                                     South
                               Flow & Forest

                                10 flow miles 
                               250 forest acres 
                                       
                                        
                                 19 flow miles
                               490 forest acres
                                10 flow miles 
                               250 forest acres 
                                       
                                     South
                               Full Body Contact

                                      No
                                      Yes
                                      No
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       $
                        Cost to your Household per Year

                                      $0
                         Increase in      Annual Taxes
                                      $50
                                 Increase in 
                                 Annual Taxes
                                      $20
                                 Increase in 
                                 Annual Taxes
                              HOW WOULD YOU VOTE?
                               (CHOOSE ONE ONLY)
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for 
                                Expected Future
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for
                                   Option A
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for
                                   Option B
                                       
17
8
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".
8
 EXAMPLE VOTE                                  questions will look like the sample below

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

                             Location & Effect
                                       
                                       
                               Expected Future
 
                                    Option A
                                    Option B
                                    North 
                              Flow & Forest 

                                 12 flow miles
                               45 forest acres 
                                       
                                        
                                 23 flow miles
                               160 forest acres
                                 17 flow miles
                                95 forest acres
                                    North 
                               Full Body Contact

                                      No
                                      No
                                      Yes
                                       

                                       
                                       
                                       
                                     South
                               Flow & Forest

                                10 flow miles 
                               250 forest acres 
                                       
                                        
                                 15 flow miles
                               385 forest acres
                                 19 flow miles
                               490 forest acres
                                     South
                               Full Body Contact

                                      No
                                      Yes
                                      No
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       $
                        Cost to your Household per Year

                                      $0
                                                      

Increase in      Annual Taxes                                      $15
                                 Increase in 
                                 Annual Taxes
                                      $20
                                 Increase in 
                                 Annual Taxes
                              HOW WOULD YOU VOTE?
                               (CHOOSE ONE ONLY)
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for 
                                Expected Future
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for
                                   Option A
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for
                                   Option B
                                       
                             Location & Effect
                                       
                                       
                               Expected Future
 
                                    Option A
                                    Option B
                                    North 
                              Flow & Forest 

                                 12 flow miles
                               45 forest acres 
                                       
                                        
                                 23 flow miles
                               160 forest acres
                                 12 flow miles
                               45 forest acres 
                                       
                                    North 
                               Full Body Contact

                                      No
                                      No
                                      No
                                       

                                       
                                       
                                       
                                     South
                               Flow & Forest

                                10 flow miles 
                               250 forest acres 
                                       
                                        
                                10 flow miles 
                               250 forest acres 
                                       
                                 19 flow miles
                               490 forest acres
                                     South
                               Full Body Contact

                                      No
                                      No
                                      No
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       $
                        Cost to your Household per Year

                                      $0
                         Increase in      Annual Taxes
                                      $20
                                 Increase in 
                                 Annual Taxes
                                      $20
                                 Increase in 
                                 Annual Taxes
                  HOW WOULD YOU VOTE?       (CHOOSE ONE ONLY)
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for 
                                Expected Future
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for
                                   Option A
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for
                                   Option B
                                       
16
                                If you prefer 
                               Expected Future,
                                  check here
                                       

                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                If you prefer 
                                   Option A,
                                  check here
                                       

                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                If you prefer 
                                   Option B,
                                  check here
                                       

                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
9

                             Location & Effect
                                       
                                       
                               Expected Future
 
                                    Option A
                                    Option B
                                    North 
                              Flow & Forest 

                                 12 flow miles
                               45 forest acres 
                                       
                                        
                                 12 flow miles
                               45 forest acres 
                                       
                                        
                                 12 flow miles
                               45 forest acres 
                                       
                                        
                                    North 
                               Full Body Contact

                                      No
                                      No
                                      No
                                       

                                       
                                       
                                       
                                     South
                               Flow & Forest

                                10 flow miles 
                               250 forest acres 
                                       
                                        
                                 15 flow miles
                               385 forest acres
                                 19 flow miles
                               490 forest acres
                                     South
                               Full Body Contact

                                      No
                                      Yes
                                      No
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       $
                        Cost to your Household per Year

                                      $0
                         Increase in      Annual Taxes
                                      $10
                                 Increase in 
                                 Annual Taxes
                                      $5
                                 Increase in 
                                 Annual Taxes
                              HOW WOULD YOU VOTE?
                               (CHOOSE ONE ONLY)
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for 
                                Expected Future
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for
                                   Option A
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for
                                   Option B
                                       
                             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.
            THIS SURVEY IS SIMILAR TO                 A PUBLIC VOTE

15
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 4.  Given a choice between Expected Future, Option A, and Option B for the Santa Cruz River, how would you vote?
                                       
10

                             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 3.  Given a choice between Expected Future, Option A, and Option B for the Santa Cruz River, how would you vote?
                                       
              HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE EFFECTS?

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.

11
14
 

                             Location & Effect
                                       
                                       
                               Expected Future
 
                                    Option A
                                    Option B
                                    North 
                              Flow & Forest 

                                 12 flow miles
                               45 forest acres 
                                       
                                        
                                 17 flow miles
                                95 forest acres
                                 17 flow miles
                                95 forest acres
                                    North 
                               Full Body Contact

                                      No
                                      No
                                      Yes
                                       

                                       
                                       
                                       
                                     South
                               Flow & Forest

                                10 flow miles 
                               250 forest acres 
                                       
                                        
                                10 flow miles 
                               250 forest acres 
                                       
                                        
                                10 flow miles 
                               250 forest acres 
                                       
                                        
                                     South
                               Full Body Contact

                                      No
                                      No
                                      No
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       $
                        Cost to your Household per Year

                                      $0
                         Increase in      Annual Taxes
                                      $5
                                 Increase in 
                                 Annual Taxes
                                      $10
                                 Increase in 
                                 Annual Taxes
                              HOW WOULD YOU VOTE?
                               (CHOOSE ONE ONLY)
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for 
                                Expected Future
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for
                                   Option A
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for
                                   Option B
                                       

                             Location & Effect
                                       
                                       
                               Expected Future
 
                                    Option A
                                    Option B
                                    North 
                              Flow & Forest 

                                 12 flow miles
                               45 forest acres 
                                       
                                        
                                 17 flow miles
                                95 forest acres
                                 23 flow miles
                               160 forest acres
                                    North 
                               Full Body Contact

                                      No
                                      Yes
                                      No
                                       

                                       
                                       
                                       
                                     South
                               Flow & Forest

                                10 flow miles 
                               250 forest acres 
                                       
                                        
                                 15 flow miles
                               385 forest acres
                                 19 flow miles
                               490 forest acres
                                     South
                               Full Body Contact

                                      No
                                      Yes
                                      No
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       $
                        Cost to your Household per Year

                                      $0
                         Increase in      Annual Taxes
                                      $35
                                 Increase in 
                                 Annual Taxes
                                      $15
                                 Increase in 
                                 Annual Taxes
                              HOW WOULD YOU VOTE?
                               (CHOOSE ONE ONLY)
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for 
                                Expected Future
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for
                                   Option A
                                       
                                      
                                  I vote for
                                   Option B
                                       
   Question 2.  Given a choice between Expected Future, Option A, and Option B for the Santa Cruz River, how would you vote?
                                       
13
12
                 AS YOU VOTE, REMEMBER THESE IMPORTANT DETAILS

   +      There are 3 voting questions, each on a different page. 
     
   +      Each question describes a different tradeoff 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 $50 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.