Water Uses in the Lower Arkansas River Basin: An Attitude Survey of the Regional Public, Irrigators, and Water Owners

Transcription

1 , PROJECT REPORT Water Uses in the Lower Arkansas River Basin: An Attitude Survey of the Regional Public, Irrigators, and Water Owners The Human Dimensions in Natural Resources Unit Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO Colorado Division of Wildlife 6060 Broadway St. Denver, CO Colorado Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman Street Denver, CO November 1992 HDNRU Report No. 3

2 Water Uses in the Lower Arkansas River Basin: An Attitude Survey of the Regional Public, Irrigators, and Water Owners By David Fulton Human Dimensions Research Assistant Human Dimensions Unit, CSU and Michael J. Manfred Human Dimensions Unit Leader Human Dimensions Unit, CSU in cooperation with Ronald Desilet Regional Wildlife Manager Colorado Division of Wildlife Jim Lipscomb Special Projects Manager Colorado Division of Wildlife Grady McNeill Senior Professional Engineer Colorado Division of Wildlife Steve Norris Assistant Director Department of Natural Resources Linda Sikorowski Human Dimensions Coordinator Colorado Division of Wildlife

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of this study was to determine attitudes toward water uses of the Lower Arkansas River. Three different publics were surveyed; residents of 6 counties in the Lower Arkansas River Basin, irrigators in the region and shareholders in the Amity Mutual Irrigation Company (Amity water owners). The survey was conducted to assist the Governor's Lower Arkansas River Commission develop a plan which would facilitate agricultural and recreational uses, and preservation of fish and wildlife at John Martin and Great Plains Reservoirs. Data were collected using a telephone survey which was conducted during October A total of 864 people were contacted representing three different groups; 452 of the general public, 323 irrigators and 89 water owners. All groups overwhelmingly agreed (95% public, 95% irrigators, 87% owners) that the most important use of water in the Lower Arkansas Basin River Basin is to sustain agricultural productivity in the region. However, a high proportion of those contacted (70% public, 60% irrigators, 68% owners) also agreed that some water now used for agriculture should be purchased from willing sellers for the preservation of fish and wildlife. Some people also believed that water should be purchased to increase recreational opportunities (47% public, 42% irrigators, 62% owners). Lower proportions of these groups (27% public, 29% irrigators, 42% owners) believed water should be sold to support the growth of cities. A majority of the public (55%) indicated that steps should be taken to ensure water is available for preservation of fish and wildlife even it requires local citizen to help pay for it. Irrigators (37%) and owners (43%) showed somewhat less agreement with that statement. Furthermore, while approximately 40% of the public and the owners agreed that the local public should help pay to ensure water is available for recreation, only 33% of the irrigators agreed with that statement. All people interviewed were read a list of pros and cons regarding the concept of providing water to preserve fish and wildlife and to enhance recreation at Great Plains Reservoirs. They were then asked whether they supported or opposed a plan to make 1

4 water available for GPR. This received strong support from the public (64%) and owners (68%). A lower proportion of irrigators (47%) indicated support for this plan. When asked specifically about whether or not they would contribute financial support to make water available for Great Plains Reservoirs, 37% of the public indicated "yes", 27% indicated they were unsure and 36% indicated "no". Irrigators indicated a willingness to cooperate in water conservation programs which would make water available for Great Plains Reservoirs. Approximately 6 in 10 of the irrigators indicated it was likely that they would participate in federally funded water conservation projects like lining ditches or using sprinkler irrigation provided through low cost loans, through cost share funds or through grant programs. Water owners also indicated some willingness to cooperate in making water available for Great Plains Reservoirs. A high proportion (64%) indicated they would be willing to negotiate the sale of water for Great Plains Reservoirs. 2

5 INTRODUCTION Within Colorado, water is an essential but limited resource, and there is considerable controversy over how the limited supply of water should be used. Although different water uses do not necessarily prohibit one another, there is competition to use water for agriculture, fish and wildlife preservation, recreation, city growth, and other purposes. This competition is particularly keen in the Lower Arkansas River Valley of southeastern Colorado. After meeting with local officials in May 1992, Governor Romer established the Lower Arkansas River Commission to lead efforts to address important regional water and recreation issues. Six counties, six state agencies and irrigators are represented on the Commission. Specific Commission goals relate to John Martin Reservoir, the Great Plains Reservoirs (GPR) and protection of agriculture. One of the Commission's goals is to provide for water in the GPR to enhance fish, wildlife and recreation. To help accomplish this goal, the Commission's water subcommittee members and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (CDNR) are interested in how to obtain local acceptance and participation in preserving wildlife resources and enhancing recreational opportunities at the GPR. Three separate groups are particularly important with respect to this management problem; the public in the Lower Arkansas River Basin, irrigators who currently use water in the six county area and shareholders in the Amity Mutual Irrigation Company, owner of the GPR. Working in cooperation with the CDNR, the Lower Arkansas River Commission subcommittee on water, and the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Human Dimensions in Natural Resources Unit (HDNRU) at Colorado State University conducted the study reported here. Its purpose was to gather information concerning the general public's, irrigators', and water owners' attitudes toward water use and their willingness to support the concept of providing water to the GPR. 3

6 STUDY OBJECTIVES Study objectives targeted three groups affected by water use in the Lower Arkansas River Basin: the general public residing in the counties of Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero and Prowers, individuals identified as irrigators in these six counties; and Amity water owners. Objectives included determining the following for each group: 1. Past recreational use of the Great Plains and John Martin Reservoirs. 2. General attitudes toward water uses on the Lower Arkansas River Basin. 3. General willingness to support the concept of acquiring water for the GPR with the purpose of preserving fish and wildlife and enhancing recreation opportunities. 4. General willingness to contribute financially to make water available to GPR. One possible source of water to use for the GPR could be obtained through water conservation practices. The adoption of these practices is, however, contingent upon water users, i.e. irrigators, acceptance of these proposals. Consequently, a fifth objective of this study was: 5. to determine irrigators' willingness to participate in voluntary conservation programs to make more water available for the GPR. Another possible approach for obtaining water for the GPR would be to purchase or rent it. Therefore, the final study objective was: 6. to determine Amity water owners' willingness to negotiate selling or renting their water rights for use in the GPR. 4

7 METHODS DATA COIJECTION INSTRUMENT Data for this study were collected using telephone interviews (see Appendix). The survey instrument was developed through the cooperative effort of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, the subcommittee on water for the Lower Arkansas River Commission, Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Human Dimensions in Natural Resources Unit at Colorado State University. The parties met to outline the management problem. Through this meeting the research problem was defined and instrument was developed. Several revisions of the instrument were drafted until agreement was reached by all parties on a final survey instrument. Prior to implementing the survey instrument, a pretest was conducted using a sample of the general public in the six county region of interest. Based on the results of the pretest, minor changes in wording were made. Three slightly different versions were used for each of the three targeted groups. All groups were asked the same core questions, but irrigators and Amity water owners were asked a few additional questions that did not pertain to the other two groups. First, all respondents were questioned about their past recreational use of the GPR and John Martin Reservoir. Respondents were asked whether they had visited the reservoirs and what recreation activities they had participated in if they had visited the reservoirs. Second, all respondents were asked about their attitudes toward different water uses in the Lower Arkansas River Basin. Interviewees were asked to respond to eight separate questions using a Likert response set consisting of "strongly agree", "moderately agree", "neither agree nor disagree", "moderately disagree", and "strongly disagree". Third, respondents were provided with a brief description of the concept of making water available to the GPR along with a list of potential negative and positive impacts of this action. They were then asked to what degree they supported or opposed a plan to make water available for GPR, whether they would contribute financial support to it, if so, how 5

8 much they would be willing to contribute. Amount of contribution was obtained using a close-ended question with the scale: "$ 5 or less per year", "$ 10 or less per year", "$ 20 or less per year", "$ 30 or less per year", "more than $ 30 per year". After this third set of questions, irrigators were asked three questions concerning the likelihood of their participating in water conservation projects to supply additional water to the GPR. Likewise, Amity water owners were asked how they use their water rights and whether or not they would be willing to negotiate the sale or lease of some of their water shares to make water available to the GPR. Finally, all the targeted groups were asked general demographic questions including gender, occupation, age, and length of residence in southeast Colorado. SAMPLING Three separate sampling frames were used to draw samples for each of the targeted population groups. Sampling for the general public and irrigators was conducted to ensure that samples were proportionally representative of the populations within the counties of interest. For the general public, 3000 randomly generated telephone numbers for Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero and Prowers were used to obtain a sample of 400 respondents. Individuals were randomly selected from the households after contact was made. Irrigators were systematically sampled from a list of 1900 individuals owning irrigated property in the six counties of interest to obtain a sample of 300. The sampling frame was a list of all recorded irrigators in the six counties provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. A census of Amity water owners was attempted with 89 of 145 individual water share owners interviewed. For the irrigators and water owners, specific individuals (i.e., the irrigators or water owners) were requested by name to participate in the survey. Corporations and partnerships were not interviewed for any of the groups due to the complexities of decision-making within such entities. 6

9 Data were collected October 14-October 29, Interviewing was conducted Sundays through Thursdays between 5:30 p.m.and 9:30 p.m. with all interviewing conducted from the Colorado State University Human Dimensions Survey Laboratory. Data entry occurred concurrently through the use of the Questionnaire Programming Language Data Collection Program (U.S.D.C. National Technical Information Service, 1990). DATA ANALYSIS Data from the interviews were analyzed using SPSSPC. Basic descriptive information about each variable was obtained by computing frequencies and percentages for each targeted group. During the study design, concern was expressed that support for the concept of making water available for the GPR may vary by county. Sample sizes from each county were too small to allow for independent analysis of each county. However, it was possible to determine if any differences exist between the six counties on the item assessing support for GPR. One-way analysis of variance was used in testing these differences. The six counties were divided into five groups. Baca, Bent, Otero, and Prowers were each treated as an independent group with Kiowa and Crowley (the two smallest counties in population) added together for the fifth group. RESULTS A total of 1375 households/individuals were contacted to participate in the study. Of the 805 general public households that were asked to participate, 452 completed the interview for a response rate of 56%. Of the 453 irrigators contacted, 323 (71%) agreed to participate in the study. A census of the 145 individuals owning water in the Amity., owners was attempted. A total of 117 Amity owners were contacted with 89 (76%) agreeing to complete the interview. During the time of the study, 28 (19%) of the water owners could not be reached. 7

10 RECREATIONAL USE OF RESERVOIRS In the past 12 months, the GPR were visited by a minority of all groups sampled (see Table 1). This includes 1/4 of the public, 1/3 of Amity owners and 1/5 of the irrigators. Of those who visited GPR, the majority (70% or >) for each group engaged in fishing. Picnicking was also a frequent activity of the general public. Other frequent activities (-50%) for all groups included viewing wildlife and boating, and, for the public and irrigators, camping was a frequent activity. Overall, hunting was the least frequently (25% or < for all groups) reported activity at the GPR. Participation was greater at John Martin Reservoir than at GPR. About 1/2 of the general public, close to 1/3 of the irrigators and over 1/4 of Amity owners reported visiting John Martin Reservoir during the past 12 months. Picnicking (80% public, 56% irrigators, 83% owners) and fishing (66% public, 57% irrigators, 54% owners) were the most frequently reported recreational activities at John Martin. Hunting was the least frequently reported for all groups (11% public, 14% irrigators, 4% owners). ATTITUDES TOWARD WATER USES The attitudes of each targeted group toward various water uses were measured through eight questions (see Table 2 and Figure 1). All the groups overwhelmingly agreed (95% public, 95% irrigators, 87% owners) that the most important use of water in the Lower Arkansas River Basin is to sustain the agricultural productivity of the region. However, a high proportion of those contacted (70% public, 60% irrigators, 68% owners) agreed that some water now used for agriculture should be purchased from willing sellers for the preservation of fish and wildlife in the region. Irrigators (33%) were more likely than the public (22%) or owners (24%) to disagree that this action should be taken. Significant proportions of all groups (47% public, 42% irrigators, 62% owners) also believed some agricultural water should be purchased to increase recreational 8

11 opportunities in the region. Again, irrigators were more likely than the public or water owners to disagree with purchasing water from agriculture. Similarly, 42% of the public, 38% of irrigators, 56% of owners agreed that water should be purchased for the purpose of developing a tourism industry in their region. Much lower proportions of all groups (27% public, 29% irrigators, 42% owners) believed that some water should be purchased from willing sellers to facilitate the growth of cities. Using water to preserve fish and wildlife was an important concern of the general public in the region. A majority of the public (54%) reported that steps should be taken to ensure water is available for fish and wildlife preservation, even if it requires local citizens to help pay for it. Somewhat lower proportions of both irrigators (37%) and owners (43%) agreed that such steps should be taken if local citizens were required to pay. Although a large majority of those contacted (73% public, 57% irrigators, 67% owners) indicated that providing recreational use of reservoirs should be a priority in their region, a much lower proportion (42% public, 33% irrigators, 40% owners) believed local citizens should have to pay to ensure water is available for recreation. SUPPORT FOR AND WILLINGNESS TO CONTRIBUTE TO GPR During the course of the interviews, respondents were informed of the concept of providing water for the GPR to preserve fish and wildlife and enhance recreation. A list of potential positive and negative consequences of this idea was read to all respondents. After being presented with this information, respondents were asked whether they supported or opposed a plan to make water available for the GPR (see Table 3 and Figure 2). A majority of the public (62%) and of Amity owners (68%) indicated that they would support such a plan. Although irrigators were not as supportive as the other groups, more irrigators would support (47%) than oppose (34%) such a plan. 9

12 Analysis of variance was used to test for differences on support for GPR by counties. Results indicate no statistically significant differences on this variable (F= 1.94; df = 4). Respondents were asked if they would be willing to contribute financial support to make water available to the GPR (see Table 3 and Figure 3). The public was widely divided on this question with 37% responding "yes", 27% reporting they were unsure and 36% responding "no". Majorities of both irrigators (59%) and Amity owners (52%) indicated that they would not be willing to contribute financial support for the GPR. For each group, those responding "yes" were asked how much they would be willing to contribute. Responses were almost evenly dispersed on a five-point scale ranging from "$ 5 or less per year" to "more than $ 30 per year" (see Table 3). IRRIGATORS' WILLINGNESS TO CONSERVE WATER Irrigators were asked about the likelihood that they would participate in federally funded water conservation programs in order to provide water to the GPR. A majority (-60%) reported it was likely that they would participate in conservation programs such as lining ditches or using sprinkler irrigation if funding were provided through low cost loans, cost share schemes, or grant programs (see Table 4 and Figure 4). Preference was shown for cost share and grant programs. WATER OWNERS' WILLINGNESS TO SELL OR RENT WATER The most likely source of water for the GPR is the Amity Mutual Irrigation Company. For this reason, Amity owners were asked about their water uses and their willingness to sell or rent their water rights. The vast majority (96%) of their water is used for cropland irrigation (see Table 5). A high proportion (64%) of the Amity owners indicated that they would be willing to negotiate the sale of some of their water to provide for water storage in the GPR (see Table 6). Of these, 46% reported they were 10

13 highly likely to negotiate selling. Only 30% would be unlikely to negotiate the sale of their water. A lower proportion (40%) would negotiate renting some of the water for the same purposes. DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLE Agriculture was the most frequent occupation for both irrigators (76%) and water owners (71%)(Table 7). In contrast, only 27% of the general public reported an agricultural occupation. There were also marked differences in the gender of the respondents among the groups. For the general public, males (43%) and females (57%) were represented much more evenly than for irrigators (82% male) or owners (68% male). The mean age (45.8 years) of the general public was also significantly (F = 20.87, p <.001) younger than either the irrigators (52.6 years) or the water owners (55.1 years). Most respondents from each group had lived in the six county area for more than 15 years (75% general public, 90% irrigators, 84% owners). literature Cited U.S.D.C. National Technical Information Service Questionnaire Programming Language Data Collection and Editing Program. U.S. General Accounting Office, Washington, D.C. 11

14 Table 1. Recreational Visits to Great Plains and John Martin Reservoirs. WATER PUBLIC (%) IRRIGATORS (%) OWNERS (%) CHISQ % Responding Yesa Visited Great Plains Reservoirs Hunted Viewed Wildlife Fished Picnicked ** Boated Camped Visited John Martin Reservoir *** Hunted Viewed Wildlife Fished Picnicked *** Boated Camped ** a Percentage reported for specific activities represents the percentage of visitors to the reservoirs that participated in that activity. * p <.05 ** p <.01 *** p <

15 Table 2. Attitudes Toward Water Uses in the Lower Arkansas River Basin By Group. Attitude Item Water Chi- Public (%) Irrigators (%) Owners (%) Square 1. The most important use of water in the Lower Arkansas River is to sustain agriculture productivity in your region. Strongly Agree *** Moderately Agree Neither Moderately Disagree Strongly Disagree Some water now used for agriculture should be purchased from willing sellers and used for the preservation of fish and wildlife in your region. Strongly Agree *** Moderately Agree Neither Moderately Disagree Strongly Disagree Providing recreational use of reservoirs for the public should be an important priority in your region. Strongly Agree *** Moderately agree Neither Moderately Disagree Strongly Disagree Steps should be taken to ensure water is available for fish and wildlife preservation in your region, even if it requires that local citizens help pay for it. Strongly Agree *** Moderately Agree Neither Moderately Disagree Strongly Disagree

16 Table 2. (cont.) Attitude Item Water Chi- Public (%) Irrigators (%) Owners(%) Square 5. Some water now used for agriculture should be purchased from willing sellers and used to increase recreation opportunities in your region. Strongly Agree * Moderately Agree Neither Moderately Disagree Strongly Disagree Some water now used for agriculture should be purchased from willing sellers and used to develop a tourism industry in your region. Strongly Agree *** Moderately Agree Neither Moderately Disagree Strongly Disagree Steps should be taken to ensure water is available for outdoor recreation in your region, even if requires that local citizens help pay for it. Strongly Agree ** Moderately Agree Neither Moderately Disagree Strongly Disagree Some water now used for agriculture should be purchased from willing sellers to support growth of cities. Strongly Agree ** Moderately agree Neither Moderately Disagree Strongly Disagree , * p <.05 ** p <.01 *** p <

17 Table 3. Support for and Willingness to Contribute to GPR by Group. Water Chi Attitude Item Public (%) Irrigators (%) Owners (%) Square Support water plans for GPR 34.02*** Strongly Support Moderately Support Neither Moderately Oppose Strongly Oppose Willing to contribute money to GPR 45.02*** Yes No Not Sure How much would you contribute to GPRa 22.02" $5 or less per year $10 or less per year $20 or less per year $30 or less per year More than $30 per year a Percentages of specific amounts of contributions relate to "yes" responses on willing to contribute money to GPR. ** p <.01 *** p <

18 Table 4. Irrigators' Likelihood of Participating in Conservation Programs. Funding Source Low Cost Loans (%) ASCS Cost Share (%) Federal Grants (%) Likelihood of participating Highly Likely Likely Not Sure Unlikely Highly Unlikely Table 5. Water Uses of Amity Owners. (%) Responding Yes Water used for: Croplands 96.4 Stock Water 9.5 Domestic 8.3 Industrial 0.0 Recreational Pond 3.6 Table 6. Owners' Likelihood of Renting or Selling Water Shares for GPR. Renting (%) Selling (%) Likelihood of renting or selling Highly Likely Likely Not Sure Unlikely Highly Unlikely

19 Table 7. Demographic Information for Respondents. WATER PUBLIC (%) IRRIGATORS (%) OWNERS (%) CHISQ Residence 46.97*** Less than 1 year to 5 years to 10 years to 15 years More than 15 years Gender *** Male Female Mean Agea F = 20.87*** Occupation ** Agriculture Professional Housewife Ag Sales Construction Retail Sales Industrial a Tests for differences between means were conducted using one-way analysis of variance. ** *** p <.01 p <

20 Figure 1. Attitudes Toward Water Uses On The Lower Arkansas River By Group. % Moderately or Strongly Agreeing III Public El Irrigators III Owners Pg. tvbst IV. Water fcr Mid. Rec. a Pricrity Pay fcr WM Water fcr Roc Tairism Dev. Pay fcr Rec. Water fcr Cities For complete wording of questions used here, see items 4-11 in the survey instrument. Attitude Items H CO

21 Figure 3. Willingness to Contribute Financial Support for GPR. % of Each Group Yes No Public 0 Irrigators Owners Unsure Willingness to Contribute GPR- Great Plains Reservoirs For complete wording of this question see item /3 in the survey instrument. Figure 2. Support and Opposition for a Plan To Provide Water for GPR. % of Each Group III Public O Irrigators Owners, Stgly. Sup. Mod. Sup. Neither Mod. Opp. Stgly. Opp. Support-Opposition Categories GPR - Great Plains Reservoirs For complete tvording of this question see item 12 in the survey instrument.

22 Figure 4. Irrigators' Likelihood of Figure 5. Water Owners' Likelihood of Renting Participating in Conservation Programs. % of Irrigators 50 Loans 0 Costshare 40- II Grants or Selling Water Shares for GPR. % of Water Owners Selling El Renting oh Flighty Likely Likely Not Sure Unlikely Highly Unlikely Likelihood of Participating For complete tvorrling of this questim see p. 8 of the survey instrument G=7 0 v v Highly Likely Likely s Not Sure Unlikely Highly Unlikely GPR- Great Plains Reservoirs. Likelihood of Participating For complete wording of this question see p. 7 of the survey instrument.

23 APPENDIX Example of the Telephone Survey Instrument Water Uses in the Lower Arkansas River Basin 21

24 WATER USES IN THE LOWER ARKANSAS RIVER BASIN (QUESTIONS COMMON TO ALL GROUPS) Hello, this is. I'm calling from Colorado State University. We are conducting a study for the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Lower Arkansas River Commission's subcommittee on water. The purpose of this study is to learn about opinions concerning water and recreation issues in the Lower Arkansas region. The survey takes only a few minutes, and your comments are important. Would you be willing to participate? (If yes, thank them and proceed to the following paragraph). Yes (THANK YOU) No -(I'm sorry to interrupt you, please have a good evening) First I need to verify that I have dialed the right number, is this (read the number from your control sheet)? YES NO (I'm sorry to interrupt you, please have a good evening) Is this a private residence? YES NO Before we begin the interview, I need to verify that you do live in the region of interest. Q1 In what county do you currently reside? BACA BENT CROWLEY KIOWA OTERO PRO WERS Other (I'm sorry to interrupt you, please have a good evening) A- 1

25 In the first couple of questions, we will ask about your recreational use of the Great Plains and John Martin reservoirs. Q2 The Great Plains Reservoirs include Lower Queens, Upper Queens, Nee Gronda, Nee So Pah, and Nee Noshe. Have you visited the Great Plains Reservoirs in the past 12 months for the purpose of recreation? NO (GOTO = Q3) YES In which of the following activities did you participate while you were there? (YES/NO) Hunting? Viewing Wildlife? Fishing? Picnicking? Boating? Camping? Any other? Q3 Have you visited John Martin Reservoir in the past 12 months for the purpose of recreation? NO (GOTO = OPINIONS) YES In which of the following activities did you participate while you were there? (YES/NO). Hunting? Viewing Wildlife? Fishing? Picnicking? Boating? Camping? Any other? A - 2

26 (OPINIONS) In the next few questions we ask your opinions about water use on the Lower Arkansas River. I will ask you whether you agree or disagree with several statements. You'll have the choice to answer each statement with the following answers:, STRONGLY AGREE MODERATELY AGREE NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE MODERATELY DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE Do you understand? (Explain again if necessary) Q4 Some water now used for agriculture should be purchased from willing sellers and used to increase recreation opportunities in your region. Do you... STRONGLY AGREE MODERATELY AGREE NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE MODERATELY DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE Q5 The most important use of water in the Lower Arkansas River is to sustain agriculture productivity in your region. Do you... STRONGLY AGREE MODERATELY AGREE NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE MODERATELY DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE Q6 Some water now used for agriculture should be purchased from willing sellers to support growth of cities. Do you... STRONGLY AGREE MODERATELY AGREE NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE MODERATELY DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE A - 3

27 Q7 Some water now used for agriculture should be purchased from willing sellers and used to develop a tourism industry in your region. Do you... STRONGLY AGREE MODERATELY AGREE NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE MODERATELY DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE Q8 Providing recreational use of reservoirs for the public should be an important priority in your region. Do you... STRONGLY AGREE MODERATELY AGREE NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE MODERATELY DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE Q9 Steps should be taken to ensure water is available for outdoor recreation in your region, even if it requires that local citizens help pay for it. Do you... STRONGLY AGREE MODERATELY AGREE NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE MODERATELY DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE Q10 Some water now used for agriculture should be purchased from willing sellers and used for the preservation of fish and wildlife in your region. Do you... STRONGLY AGREE MODERATELY AGREE NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE MODERATELY DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE A - 4

28 QII Steps should be taken to ensure water is available for fish and wildlife preservation in your region, even if it requires that local citizens help pay for it. Do you... STRONGLY AGREE MODERATELY AGREE NEITHER AGREE NOR DISAGREE MODERATELY DISAGREE STRONGLY DISAGREE Next, I want to provide you with some information about the Great Plains Reservoirs. The Lower Arkansas River Commission is currently considering ways to make water available to preserve fish and wildlife and to enhance recreation in the Great Plains Reservoirs. Some people oppose this idea because they believe: 1) it would take some agricultural lands out of production; 2) evaporation from the reservoirs wastes water; 3) it would require too much government involvement; 4) it could change current water use patterns. Other people support this idea because they believe: 1) it would provide for quality recreation for area residents; 2) it could attract other industries to the region; 3) it would increase the quality of life in the region; 4) it would provide important wildlife and fish habitat. Q12 To what degree would you support or oppose a plan to make water available to the Great Plains Reservoirs. Would you... STRONGLY SUPPORT MODERATELY SUPPORT NEITHER SUPPORT NOR OPPOSE MODERATELY OPPOSE STRONGLY OPPOSE Q13 To make water available to the Great Plains Reservoirs would require approval and financial support from federal, state, private and local sources. Would you be willing to contribute financial support for the reservoirs? YES (GOTO = Q13A) NO (SKIP 13A) NOT SURE (SKIP 13A) A - 5

29 Q13A How much would you be willing to contribute? $ 5 OR LESS PER YEAR $ 10 OR LESS PER YEAR $ 20 OR LESS PER YEAR $ 30 OR LESS PER YEAR MORE THAN $ 30 PER YEAR Finally, we have a few questions about you. Q14 Gender MALE FEMALE Q15 What is your occupation? AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL SALES CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONAL RETAIL SALES INDUSTRIAL HOUSEWIFE OTHER Q16 How long have you lived in Southeast Colorado? LESS THAN 1 YEAR 1 TO 5 YEARS 6 TO 10 YEARS 10 TO 15 YEARS MORE THAN 15 YEARS DO NOT LIVE THERE Q17 What is your age? That is the end of our questionnaire. Thank you for your time. A - 6

30 , WATER USES IN THE LOWER ARKANSAS RIVER BASIN ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR AMITY OWNERS 4,. (Individuals were requested to participate by name.) Are you a water owner? In the next few questions, we would like to learn about your feelings toward selling or renting water rights to make water available to the Great Plains Reservoirs. (OWNER--Q1) Currently, how are your water shares used? (YES/NO) CROPLAND IRRIGATION? STOCK WATER? DOMESTIC? INDUSTRIAL? RECREATIONAL POND? OTHER? NOT SURE (OWNER--Q2) Would you be willing to negotiate the sale of some of your water shares to provide for water storage in the Great Plains Reservoirs? HIGHLY LIKELY LIKELY NOT SURE UNLIKELY HIGHLY UNLIKELY (OWNER--Q3) Would you be willing to negotiate the renting or leasing of some of your water shares to provide for water storage in the Great Plains Reservoirs? HIGHLY LIKELY LIKELY NOT SURE UNLIKELY HIGHLY UNLIKELY k A- 7

31 WATER USES ON THE LOWER ARKANSAS RIVER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR IRRIGATORS (Individuals were requested to participate by name.) We also want to kow how you feel about water conservation. (IRRIGATE--Q1) How likely is it that you would participate in federally funded conservation projects like lining ditches or using sprinkler irrigation in order to provide water for Great Plains Reservoirs, if funding were provided by low cost/low interest loans? Would you say? HIGHLY LIKELY LIKELY NOT SURE UNLIKELY HIGHLY UNLIKELY (IRRIGATE--Q2) How likely is it that you would participate in federally funded conservation projects like lining ditches or using sprinkler irrigation in order to provide water for Great Plains Reservoirs, if funding were provided by Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service costshare funds? HIGHLY LIKELY LIKELY NOT SURE UNLIKELY HIGHLY UNLIKELY (IRRIGATE--Q3) How likely is it that you would participate in federally funded conservation projects like lining ditches or using sprinkler irrigation in order to provide water for Great Plains Reservoirs, if funding were provided by grants with no repayment? HIGHLY LIKELY LIKELY NOT SURE UNLIKELY HIGHLY UNLIKELY A - 8

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