Citizen Opinions on Coastal Georgia Water Resources
Cites potential environmental consequences to marshlands, habitat
To substantiate positions on current issues and to improve understanding
of the opinions and priorities of the coastal public and its members,
the Center for a Sustainable Coast occasionally ask questions using
formal surveys. From April through December of 2005 a one-page
questionnaire was administered at public meetings and event. Following
is a summary of these responses.
It should be noted that the individuals who completed the survey were
already concerned (or at least curious) about such issues due to their
participation in a variety of environmental events where the survey was
conducted. Thus, survey results are not necessarily representative of
the views of the general public. Despite this, results reveal some
important insights about the perceptions and priorities held by a
significant segment of the coastal Georgia citizenry. This is
particularly noteworthy in that other surveys indicate that such
environmentally aware respondents are more politically active than
average, therefore more likely to express their concerns about public
issues by voting and in communicating with elected officials.
Furthermore, these results parallel those of national surveys (see box
below).
1. What is the single most important environmental issue that our
(coastal) region faces? - Water quality & supply
- Land development
-
Toxic waste sites
- Air quality
- Decline in fish & wildlife
Water quality and water supply was by far the issue of greatest concern
- nearly half of those surveyed thought this was the greatest challenge
to the region. Second place was given to land development, which about
one-fifth of the respondents felt was most important.
2. Do you think current air and water standards should be strengthened,
left the same or weakened?
By an overwhelming majority (nearly 83%) people thought that regulations
need to be strengthened. Several commented that existing standards must
be better enforced. This is in sharp contrast with several recent
actions taken at the federal level that have reversed the trend toward
stronger safeguards.
3. Do you think, compared with other states, Georgia's environmental
record is about average, better than average, or below average?
Only 13% of survey respondents said that Georgia's environmental record
is better than average. Some 45% thought the state was about average,
and over 30% said Georgia was below average or unacceptable.
4. Do you think, compared with other areas of Georgia, the coast's
environmental record is about average, better than average, or below
average?
This region's environment fared better than the state's according to the
opinions of those surveyed, but the majority thought the coast's
environmental record was no better than average (30% about average,
almost 25% below average, some 21% above average). This result may seem
to contradict appearances, when comparing Georgia's coastline with those
of other states. But keep in mind, those responding are more familiar
with environmental quality and enforcement issues than many members of
the general public. And further, historically Georgia's coast has been
less exposed to the pressures of urbanization than many other coastal
states, such as Florida, New Jersey, and California. Finally,
environmental quality is a mix of many factors, some of which are not
obvious to the casual observer. For instance, rapid decline of the blue
crab in Georgia (associated with numerous factors, including water
quality) belies the apparently pristine condition of our coast suggested
by serene marsh vistas.
5. Do you think more state funding should go towards developing energy
and water conservation, acquiring greenspace, and supporting
conservation technologies?
Almost two thirds of survey respondents strongly agreed with this
proposal (around 64%), and another 25% agreed with it. Combined, over
88% of people surveyed thought that more state funds should be allocated
to the above environmental programs. This contrasts greatly with
current state budgeted trends - which have brought a reduction in
funding for such items, except for greenspace, which is supported by
special funding sources not affected by state tax revenues. To get
needed funds appropriated, a significant educational effort must be made
to convince elected officials that it is in the public interest.
6. Do you think that polluters should pay for cleaning up their
contamination and other harm, like related public health problems?
There was no more strident response than the strong agreement with this
principle (71%). And adding those who simply agreed with it accounts
for over 90% of the survey population. While concurrence with this
proposition may seem obvious, there is an active proposal in Washington
(with a good chance to pass in Congress) that would eliminate the
³polluter pays² requirement from the EPA "Superfund" program (under
which most toxically contaminated sites are cleaned up). Here again, to
succeed in getting policy that reflects our views, we must aggressively
collaborate with like-minded organizations throughout the country to win
support of elected officials.
7. Do you think that the coastal economy depends on a clean and healthy
environment?
Again, over 90% agreed with the statement linking the economy to our
environment (55% strongly so). Yet, public policy, as demonstrated by
permitting decisions and environmental conditions, is in troubling
contradiction to this overwhelming opinion. We continue to witness the
use of water, release of pollutants (in air and water alike), and
development of land that is being permitted by state and local
government in the name of economic development without adequate
assessment of consequences. And too few permitting decisions include
any serious analysis of the impacts on existing nature-based business
such as tourism, commercial and recreational fishing, and seafood
processing. As a result, not only are officials taking unjustifiable
risks with our environment, but they are imposing unexamined threats on
existing jobs while trying to create new employment through development
projects.
8. Do you think that some coastal businesses are being hurt by
environmental problems?
Consistent with their other opinions, people responding to the survey
were overwhelmingly concerned about harm being imposed on our existing
businesses by declining environmental quality. Some 90% expressed
agreement, over half having strong agreement, with the premise.
Analysis outlined in the previous paragraph suggests that the challenge
ahead will require more compelling documentation of these threats to win
support for stronger environmental safeguards having economic benefits
as well.
Conclusions
(1) Measuring and interpreting public opinion needs to be continued, and
analysis of results should be widely circulated. The size and diversity
of demographic groups being sampled should be expanded to enhance the
credibility of analysis supporting responsible positions on
environmental policy.
(2) When opinions differ sharply with current trends, conditions, and
public policy, these contradictions must be given priority assessment.
Consistent with these priorities, well-substantiated arguments for
reforming policies should be documented and present to the public,
local, state, and federal elected officials. An effective media
campaign should be implemented in collaboration with other groups such
as the Georgia Water Coalition. (3) Survey methods should be refined and
targeted to measure and improve our ability to educate the public and to
learn more about how opinions are formed and their influence over
behavior. For instance, studies show that some individuals who express
strong concern about the environment do not make decisions as consumers,
workers, and voters that are consistent with these priorities.
Source: Center for a Sustainable Coast, 2002, 2003, 2004.
National Public Perception of Clean Water (Polling Data)
Protection for clean water consistently ranks among the very top environmental concerns of the public.
- More than half of the American population worries about pollution of
rivers, lakes and reservoirs a great deal (Gallup poll, conducted March 3-7,
2002).
- Water becoming more polluted is the top environmental concern of Americans (Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research and the Tarrance Group, conducted April 13-19, 2002).
- 71% of Americans are extremely concerned about clean water (League of
Conservation Voters, 2000).
- When deciding where to live, clean water ranked as the top priority above
crime rate, health care, and taxes (Money Magazine, April 2000).
- The Greenberg poll from Dec. 2002 shows that 76% of respondents believe that there should be stronger regulation of clean water (as opposed to 14% of respondents who believe their should be less)
- The Greenberg poll from Dec. 2002 finds that 68% of respondents say that they would have serious doubts about a Bush administration policy decision to weaken clean water laws (highest of all any environmental issue polled).
Source:
Eddie Scher Clean Water Network
Director 1200 New York Ave, NW
202/289-2395 Suite 400
fax 289-1060 Washington, DC 20005
escher@nrdc.org www.cwn.org |
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