This checklist will monitor how effective that technical assistance is. The checklist will be administered in l996 and biennually thereafter. The checklist must be supported and driven by local municipalities to be effective. The Local Government Advisory Committee of the Casco Bay Estuary Project will be responsible for implementation. Public Attitudes and Actions Survey Households and boaters play a major role in preventing pollution and protecting Casco Bay.
Boaters impact water quality by dumping waste, mishandling fuel, and damaging habitat.
Recognizing these issues, the Casco Bay Plan places major emphasis on educating the public and boaters and encouraging them to act in ways beneficial to the bay. A key issue is the extent to which attitudes and behaviors change over time as a result of these educational efforts designed especially for them. A major way to assess the status of and changes in household and boater attitudes and behavior is to conduct a survey periodically about pollution prevention activities. Although changes in attitudes and behavior are firststage outcomes, they lead to actual physical changes, such as reducing the amount of contaminants discharged into the bay, improved water quality, and, ultimately, the improved health of the bay. A statistical survey of households and boaters will do two things.