Northwest Ohio Wetlands Survey

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Northwest Ohio Wetlands Survey"

Gary Park
6 years ago
Views:

1 Please feel free to make any additional comments about your answers to the questions or about the survey itself. Comments: Northwest Ohio Wetlands Survey Thank you for your participation in this survey. Please place the survey in the return envelope included in the survey packet and mail it. Do not put your name anywhere on the survey or the return envelope. If for some reason the return envelope is missing, please send the survey to: Prof. Kevin Egan 4140-E University Hall, Mailstop A001 Department of Economics University of Toledo Toledo, OH Department of Economics Department of Environmental Sciences 20

2 14. Please check the appropriate boxes if you or someone in your household has held any of the following licenses during the past 3 years: Ohio fishing license Ohio hunting license Federal or Ohio Duck Stamp Your Opinion Matters! In order to make sound decisions concerning the future of wetland areas in Northwest Ohio, it is important to understand the benefits and costs associated with wetlands. The answers you give to the questions in this survey are very important in this process. Please try to answer each of the questions that follow. 15. How many acres of land do you own in northwest Ohio? Less than one acre More than one acre Please list your estimated total number of acres owned 16. Are there any wetlands on your land? No Yes what percent of your owned land do you estimate is wetlands? 17. Do you belong to any environmental organizations? No Yes Please list Even if you are not familiar with wetlands, please complete and return the questionnaire. It is important that we hear from everyone possible to get a fair representation of all views. The results of this survey will be used to inform policy makers concerning the possible restoration of wetlands in the area, and a final report summarizing the survey results will be freely available on the University of Toledo, Lake Erie Center website at:

Information on employment helps us better understand how time spent working affects an individual s or household s use of Northwest Ohio wetland areas since time spent at a recreational spot is time

We will never identify individuals or households with their responses. Please be as complete in your answers as possible. Thank you. 8. What is your current employment status?

How many weeks per year do you work? a) Of these weeks, how many are paid vacation? 10. How many hours per week do you typically work? 11.

work? fixed/scheduled hours free to choose I. What are wetlands? In general, wetlands consist of low-lying areas that are covered or saturated by water during at least a part of each year.

This results in specialized habitats where frogs, toads, and salamanders (Figure 5) breed and rare plants such as lady slippers (Figure 6) and trillium are found. Figure 1 http://theparagraph.

In fact, did you know that Northwest Ohio s wetlands include all of the following (mark all that were familiar to you): marshes (emergent vegetation in water three feet or less), forested wetlands

If you had the opportunity to work fewer hours and receive less income or work more hours and receive more income, would you change your weekly work hours? And, if so, by how much?

3 Information on employment helps us better understand how time spent working affects an individual s or household s use of Northwest Ohio wetland areas since time spent at a recreational spot is time that cannot be spent at work. Again, all of your answers are strictly confidential. The information will only be used to report comparisons among groups of people. We will never identify individuals or households with their responses. Please be as complete in your answers as possible. Thank you. 8. What is your current employment status? full time part time not currently employed (e.g., homemaker, temporarily unemployed, or disabled) (skip to question 14) self-employed student retired (skip to question 14) 9. How many weeks per year do you work? a) Of these weeks, how many are paid vacation? 10. How many hours per week do you typically work? 11. Are the number of hours you work per week scheduled for you (for example, your employer requires a 40 hour work week, or schedules hours in advance) or are you free to choose when and how long you work? fixed/scheduled hours free to choose I. What are wetlands? In general, wetlands consist of low-lying areas that are covered or saturated by water during at least a part of each year. 1 This page and following pages include pictures of Northwest Ohio wetlands. Wetlands may be wet (Figures 1 & 4) or dry (Figures 2 & 3) at various times throughout the year. This results in specialized habitats where frogs, toads, and salamanders (Figure 5) breed and rare plants such as lady slippers (Figure 6) and trillium are found. Figure In fact, did you know that Northwest Ohio s wetlands include all of the following (mark all that were familiar to you): marshes (emergent vegetation in water three feet or less), forested wetlands (mature woods with wet soils; Figures 1 & 2), wet meadows (wet grass areas in water less than six inches; Figure 3), 12. If you had the opportunity to work fewer hours and receive less income or work more hours and receive more income, would you change your weekly work hours? And, if so, by how much? Patrick Lawrence, Univ. of Toledo Figure 2 coastal wetlands (Along the coast of Lake Erie; Figure 4) No, I would not change my weekly work hours Yes, I would change to working fewer hours and receive less income freshwater estuarine wetlands (e.g., where Portage River enters Lake Erie) a) How many less hours would you work per week? Yes, I would change to working more hours and receive more income vernal (i.e., spring or temporary) pools, b) How many more hours would you work per week? 13. Are you paid an hourly wage or do you receive a salary? Patrick Lawrence, Univ. of Toledo Figure 3 and fens and bogs (mossy areas)? I am paid an hourly wage. Wage per hour is approximately: under $7.00 $11.00-$12.99 $17.00-$18.99 $23.00-$24.99 $7.01-$8.99 $13.00-$14.99 $19.00-$20.99 $25.00-$26.99 $9.00-$10.99 $15.00-$16.99 $21.00-$22.99 $27.00 or more I am paid a salary. Yearly salary is approximately: Under $10,000 $25,000-$29,999 $50,000-$59,999 $100,000-$124,999 $10,000-$14,999 $30,000-$34,999 $60,000-$74,999 $125,000-$149,999 $15,000-$19,999 $35,000-$39,999 $75,000-$99,999 $150,000 or more $20,000-$24,999 $40,000-$49,999 Nathan Torbick, Michigan State Univ. Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure This definition as well as much of the information in this survey is from the, Ohio Wetland Restoration and Mitigation Strategy Blueprint, Ohio Department of Natural Resources & Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, 1999; summarized on the Ohio DNR s website: ohiodnr.com/dnap/wetlands/tabid/998/default.aspx 18 3

Figure 7 maps the 23 counties in Northwest Ohio and shows the percent of the land area in each county that is classified as a wetland. The largest blocks of wetlands are publicly owned.

Wetlands include partially wet areas in the vicinity of lakes and rivers, but NOT the lakes or rivers themselves. Figure 7 Williams 6.4% Defiance 6.7% Fulton 6.5% Paulding 1.

0% Seneca 2.6% Marion 3.6% Crawford 1.3% Erie 8.3% Huron 1.7% X.

Northwest Ohio and attitudes towards changes in them. It will also help us to determine how representative our sample is of Northwest Ohio residents.

We will never identify individuals or households with their responses. Please be as complete in your answers as possible. Thank you. 1. What is your age? 2.

(Please check only one) some high school or less some college or trade/vocational school high school graduate college graduate advanced degree 4.

4 Figure 7 maps the 23 counties in Northwest Ohio and shows the percent of the land area in each county that is classified as a wetland. The largest blocks of wetlands are publicly owned. When you think about a wetland area also include wetlands on private land that are often smaller in size. Wetlands include partially wet areas in the vicinity of lakes and rivers, but NOT the lakes or rivers themselves. Figure 7 Williams 6.4% Defiance 6.7% Fulton 6.5% Paulding 1.1% Putnam Van Wert 2.9% Mercer 4.0% 0.2% Allen 4.4% Allen 4.4% Auglaize 1.4% Lucas 10.1% Henry 1.2% Wood 3.8% Hancock 3.3% Hardin 2.9% Logan 5.1% Ottawa 12.3% Sandusky 6.2% Wyandot 5.0% Seneca 2.6% Marion 3.6% Crawford 1.3% Erie 8.3% Huron 1.7% X. Demographic Information Information on you and other members of your household will help us better understand how household characteristics affect an individual s use of wetland areas in Northwest Ohio and attitudes towards changes in them. It will also help us to determine how representative our sample is of Northwest Ohio residents. All of your answers are strictly confidential. The information will only be used to report comparisons among groups of people. We will never identify individuals or households with their responses. Please be as complete in your answers as possible. Thank you. 1. What is your age? 2. You are: < male female 3. What is the highest level of schooling that you have completed? (Please check only one) some high school or less some college or trade/vocational school high school graduate college graduate advanced degree 4. How many children (18 or under) live in your household? 5. How many adults (including yourself) live in your household? 6. What was your total household income before taxes for Under $10,000 $25,000-$29,999 $50,000-$59,999 $100,000-$124,999 $10,000-$14,999 $30,000-$34,999 $60,000-$74,999 $125,000-$149,999 $15,000-$19,999 $35,000-$39,999 $75,000-$99,999 $150,000 or more $20,000-$24,999 $40,000-$49, How many of the adults you reported in question 5 contribute to your reported household income? Patrick Lawrence, Univ. of Toledo Figure 8 Todd Crail, Univ. of Toledo Figure 10 Figure

For question 20, if you voted yes go to question 21. If you voted no go to question 22. 21. As part of this referendum, is there an alternative wetland area for which you would rather vote yes?

5 For question 20, if you voted yes go to question 21. If you voted no go to question As part of this referendum, is there an alternative wetland area for which you would rather vote yes? Please list._ 22. As part of this referendum, is there an alternative wetland area for which you would vote yes? Please list._ II. Historical Wetlands in Northwest Ohio As was typical across much of the U.S., most of Northwest Ohio's wetlands were converted to farms, roadways, houses, and other development. Mining, fluctuating water levels and logging also impacted Northwest Ohio's wetlands. From the 1780's to the 1980's, Ohio wetland areas declined from about 5,000,000 acres to about 483,000 acres, a 90% decline. Northwest Ohio s original wetlands included: The Great Black Swamp, which was once 120 miles in length and an average of 40 miles in width (Figure 11). Approximately 5 percent remains. The Scioto and Hog Creek marshes of Hardin County, which once covered 25,000 acres or 39 square miles. The Lake Erie marshes, which in 1815, were two to ten miles wide and ninety miles long. Figure 11 Great Black Swamp Lake Erie Marshes Scioto Marsh Hog Creek Marsh 16 5

III. Benefits of Wetlands While much of the original wetlands are now productive farmland and development, in the last several decades, scientists, policy makers, and landowners have realized

When we speak of wetlands restoration we mean bringing back a historical ecosystem by restoring a former wetland area to its preexisting naturally functioning condition, or a condition as close to

Lake Erie coastal wetlands provide a wide variety of benefits to both the local and regional environment: Birds and other waterfowl.

6 III. Benefits of Wetlands While much of the original wetlands are now productive farmland and development, in the last several decades, scientists, policy makers, and landowners have realized wetlands provide numerous environmental benefits that were lost by these conversions and that there may be reasons to restore some of the lost areas to their wetland state. When we speak of wetlands restoration we mean bringing back a historical ecosystem by restoring a former wetland area to its preexisting naturally functioning condition, or a condition as close to that as possible. In this section, we want to focus your attention on the benefits from the Lake Erie coastal wetlands. Lake Erie coastal wetlands provide a wide variety of benefits to both the local and regional environment: Birds and other waterfowl. One of the benefits of coastal wetlands is nesting, resting, and feeding areas they provide for a variety of birds and other waterfowl. Fish and other wildlife. Restored wetlands provide improved spawning habitat for fish. Wetlands also serve as habitat for mammals, reptiles, and other wildlife. Water Quality. Wetlands filter impurities from water. Sediment settles out of runoff and dissolved contaminants bind to plant surfaces or are transformed, resulting in improved water quality. Wetlands also absorb excess nutrients, leading to fewer algal blooms in Lake Erie and clearer water. Recreation. One of the most obvious benefits provided by wetlands is the recreational opportunities they provide to hikers, bird watchers, anglers, and other wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts. Flood Control. When flood events occur, the restored wetlands will slow down and temporarily store flood waters. Stored flood waters are then slowly released in time. Biodiversity. About one-third of Northwest Ohio s endangered plant and animal species are dependent on wetlands. VII. Expected Trips 14. How many trips do you expect to take to Maumee Bay State Park this year (2008)? 15. For how many of these trips will you visit the MBSP beach? 16. For how many of these trips will you visit the MBSP wetland area? VIII. Additional Trips Summarizing the benefits of the proposed restored wetlands at MBSP: Reduction of high bacterial levels (i.e., likely zero or a small number of swimming advisories) Improved bird watching or other wildlife observation Improved spawning habitat for sport fish Increased numbers of endangered wildlife species and rare plants native to Ohio 17. How many additional trips would you take to Maumee Bay State Park this year (2008) if the restored wetlands were added, as described above? I expect to take the same number of trips. I expect to take additional trips. How many more? 18. For how many of these trips would you visit the MBSP beach? 19. For how many of these trips would you visit the MBSP wetland area, including the expansion? IX. Referendum for Wetlands Restoration In the next question, you will be asked how you would vote on a special ballot regarding the wetlands restoration at MBSP. While there is currently no such ballot initiative, please answer as if this was a real referendum and the only project available. Keep in mind you may be inclined to pay more money when payment is hypothetical than when you are actually expected to pay. Please consider the payment to be real, keeping in mind your budget and what you would have to give up to make this payment. 20. Would you vote yes on a referendum to restore wetlands on nearby public land at Maumee Bay State Park that would lead to the improvements summarized in the previous section? The proposed project would cost you $5 per year. Yes No a. How sure are you of this answer? LifeCycle/lifecycle.html (not sure at all) (certain) 6 15

7 VI. Wetland Restoration In this section, we want to focus your attention on the Lake Erie coastal wetlands at Maumee Bay State Park. Please do not go back to change your responses to earlier questions. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is considering the restoration of wetlands at Maumee Bay State Park (MBSP). MBSP currently contains 70 acres of wetlands with a boardwalk and viewing decks. Currently, policy makers are considering significantly increasing the restored wetlands at MBSP on public land. See figure 12 for a current partial aerial view of MBSP. Figure 12 shows the beach on Lake Erie and the inland lake and beach area. The MBSP coastal wetland area is to the left of this aerial photo. IV. Wetland Trips In this section, please tell us about visits you and/or your family have made to 1)publicly owned parks containing wetlands and then 2) trips to privately owned wetlands. If you in any way utilize these areas for hiking or other recreational activities (see the list below), please include these trips. 2. Please complete the following table. It is important that you report the number of trips you made to each public park to the best of your memory. If you did not visit a public park, you can simply leave that line blank. Note that the provided list of parks is NOT a complete listing. Please record any unlisted public parks with wetlands you visited in in the space provided at the end. Public Parks with Wetlands Please indicate the activities that you and/or your household typically engaged in while visiting these areas. (check all that apply) How much did the presence of the wetland in the park enhance your trip? (please circle one number below) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Digital Visual Library Figure 12 ALLEN COUNTY Kendrick Woods # Y/N X X X X AUGLAIZE/MERCER COUNTY Grand Lake St. Mary s State Park # Y/N X X X X CRAWFORD COUNTY In addition to the general benefits from coastal wetlands discussed in a previous section, the specific location of the restored wetlands at MBSP will be strategically located to provide an additional major benefit; the reduction of high (i.e., exceeding state standards) bacteria levels at MBSP beach. The large public beach at MBSP has been posted with the following swimming advisory for a total of 148 days from 1999 to 2004: Water Quality Advisory - Bacterial levels here currently exceed state standards. Children, the elderly and those in ill health are advised not to swim. The high bacterial levels in the water increase the risk of illness to people who swim in it. Symptoms may include: nausea, stomach cramps, sore throat, diarrhea, and/or eye, ear, skin, & respiratory infections. The restored wetlands will reduce the high bacteria levels recorded at the swimming beach and therefore significantly reduce, and possibly eliminate, the swimming advisories. Moreover, the water clarity around the swimming beach is expected to improve due to the reduced sediments and nutrients reaching Lake Erie. Carmean Woods State Nature Reserve # Y/N X X X X Heckert Nature Preserve # Y/N X X X X Lowe-Volk Park # Y/N X X X X Unger Park # Y/N X X X X DEFIANCE COUNTY Oxbow Lake State Area # Y/N X X X X ERIE COUNTY DuPont Marsh State Nature Reserve # Y/N X X X X East Sandusky Bay Preserve Metropark (Eagle Point) # Y/N X X X X Edison Woods Reserve # Y/N X X X X Erie Sand Barrens Nature Preserve # Y/N X X X X Hoffman Forest Reserve # Y/N X X X X Joseph Steinen Area # Y/N X X X X Kelley's Island State Park/North Pond State Nature Preserve # Y/N X X X X Old Woman Creek Nature Preserve # Y/N X X X X Pelton Park # Y/N X X X X 14 7

8 Public Parks with Wetlands Please indicate the activities that you How much did the and/or your household typically engaged presence of the wetland in while visiting these areas. (check all in the park enhance that apply) your trip? (please circle one number below) Pipe Creek State Area # Y/N X X X X Putnam Marsh Preserve # Y/N X X X X Resthaven Area # Y/N X X X X FULTON COUNTY Goll Woods Nature Preserve # Y/N X X X X HANCOCK COUNTY Blue Rock Nature Preserve # Y/N X X X X Oakwoods Nature Preserve # Y/N X X X X River bend Park # Y/N X X X X HARDIN COUNTY Lawrence Woods State Nature Preserve # Y/N X X X X HENRY COUNTY Independence Dam State Park # Y/N X X X X HURON COUNTY Augusta-Anne Olsen State Nature Preserve # Y/N X X X X LOGAN COUNTY McCracken Fen # Y/N X X X X Owens Fen # Y/N X X X X LUCAS COUNTY Cedar Point National Refuge # Y/N X X X X Farnsworth Metropark # Y/N X X X X Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve # Y/N X X X X Lou Campbell State Nature Preserve # Y/N X X X X Maumee Bay State Park # Y/N X X X X Metzger Marsh Area # Y/N X X X X Oak Openings Preserve Metropark # Y/N X X X X Pearson Metropark # Y/N X X X X Secor Metropark # Y/N X X X X Side Cut Metropark # Y/N X X X X Swan Creek Preserve Metropark # Y/N X X X X 10. There are a variety of programs currently being used to help protect existing wetlands. How do you feel about each of the following programs? Federal, state, or local public purchase of existing wetland areas from willing sellers, such as the Fish and Service, Ohio DNR, or county metroparks Private efforts to purchase existing wetland areas from willing sellers, such as The Nature Conservancy, The Black Swamp Conservancy, or Ducks Unlimited Federal protection of wetlands, with private landowners receiving voluntary payments for federal leasing of wetlands or long term easements, such as the Wetlands Reserve Program State and federal regulations prohibiting the further draining and conversion of wetlands to other uses Indifferent Don t Know 11. There are a variety of programs currently being used to help restore additional wetlands. How do you feel about each of the following programs? Federal, State, or local restoration of wetland areas on public land Federal, State, or local public purchase of prior wetland areas from willing sellers with subsequent restoration Private efforts to purchase prior wetland areas from willing sellers with subsequent restoration Indifferent Don t Know 12. To restore wetlands often costs money. How do you think wetland restoration efforts should be paid for? (Please check all that you think apply) voluntary donations increase fishing/hunting license fees redistribute state revenues federal taxes increase state taxes lottery revenues increase local taxes other: user fees don t know 13. Who do you think should be primarily responsible for restoring wetlands in Northwest Ohio? (Please check only one) federal government private conservation groups state government private landowners county government other: municipalities don t know 8 13

9 V. Wetland Preferences In this section, we would like to ask you some questions concerning your wetland preferences. Our goal is to better understand the general public s knowledge about and attitudes towards wetlands. 7. When you visit wetland areas in Northwest Ohio, generally how important is each of the following when deciding where to go? Accessibility Pets allowed Size of Wetland Area Lack of Congestion Variety of Public (not private) land ownership Likely Success Likely Success Bird Opportunities Flower and Other Plant Opportunities Water Quality Facilities (e.g., picnic areas, playgrounds, restrooms, etc.) Not Important Important 8. Do you support or oppose efforts to protect existing wetlands in Northwest Ohio? Important Very Important Public Parks with Wetlands Please indicate the activities that you and/or your household typically engaged in while visiting these areas. (check all that apply) How much did the presence of the wetland in the park enhance your trip? (please circle one number below) Wildwood Preserve Metropark # Y/N X X X X MARION COUNTY Big Island Area # Y/N X X X X Grand Lake St. Mary s State Park listed under Auglaize County MERCER COUNTY OTTAWA COUNTY Crane Creek State Park # Y/N X X X X East Harbor State Park # Y/N X X X X Little Portage River Area # Y/N X X X X Magee Marsh Area # Y/N X X X X Ottawa National Refuge # Y/N X X X X Toussaint Creek State Area # Y/N X X X X PAULDING COUNTY Black Swamp Nature Center # Y/N X X X X PUTNAM COUNTY Cascade Area # Y/N X X X X SANDUSKY COUNTY Blue Heron Reserve # Y/N X X X X Pickerel Creek State Area # Y/N X X X X Indifferent Don t Know SENECA COUNTY Forrest Nature Preserve # Y/N X X X X Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve # Y/N X X X X Silver Creek Area # Y/N X X X X Springville Marsh State Natural Area # Y/N X X X X 9. Do you support or oppose efforts to restore additional wetlands in Northwest Ohio? Indifferent Don t Know WILLIAMS COUNTY Beaver Creek # Y/N X X X X Lake La Su An Area # Y/N X X X X Mud Lake Bog Nature Preserve # Y/N X X X X WOOD COUNTY Baldwin Woods Preserve # Y/N X X X X Bradner Preserve # Y/N X X X X Cedar Creek Preserve # Y/N X X X X 12 9

10 Public Parks with Wetlands Please indicate the activities that you and/or your household typically engaged in while visiting these areas. (check all that apply) How much did the presence of the wetland in the park enhance your trip? (please circle one number below) Fuller Preserve # Y/N X X X X W.W. Knight Nature Preserve # Y/N X X X X WYANDOT COUNTY Killdeer Plains Area # Y/N X X X X 3. Please list any other public parks containing wetlands you visited in. _ 4. In the following table please list your number of trips to wetland areas on PRIVATE lands. If you have not visited any wetland areas on private lands, please skip this question and go to question five. County Please indicate the activities that you and/or your household typically engaged in while visiting these areas. (check all that apply) How much did the presence of the wetland on the private land enhance your trip? (please circle one number below) HANCOCK # Y/N X X X X HARDIN # Y/N X X X X HENRY # Y/N X X X X HURON # Y/N X X X X LOGAN # Y/N X X X X LUCAS # Y/N X X X X MARION # Y/N X X X X MERCER # Y/N X X X X OTTAWA # Y/N X X X X PAULDING # Y/N X X X X PUTNAM # Y/N X X X X SANDUSKY # Y/N X X X X SENECA # Y/N X X X X VAN WERT # Y/N X X X X WILLIAMS # Y/N X X X X WOOD # Y/N X X X X WYANDOT # Y/N X X X X County Please indicate the activities that you and/or your household typically engaged in while visiting these areas. (check all that apply) How much did the presence of the wetland on the private land enhance your trip? ALLEN # Y/N X X X X AUGLAIZE # Y/N X X X X CRAWFORD # Y/N X X X X DEFIANCE # Y/N X X X X ERIE # Y/N X X X X FULTON # Y/N X X X X 5. During your typical visit to a public park or a wetland on private land, how long do you stay? (Please check only one) Under 1 hour 2 to 4 hours the entire day 1 to 2 hours 4 to 8 hours more than one day 6. Of the trips you ve reported on the preceding pages, what percentage of these were: a) alone or only with members of your immediate household? % b) with friends or members of another household? % c) trips members of your household took but you did not? + % % 10 11

[] The Red Cedar River and its Streams (Fall 2001)

[] The Red Cedar River and its Streams (Fall 2001) This is an opportunity for you to provide information for local water resource planning. Your input will help planners make informed water quality decisions.