LORI WEIGEL Public Opinion Strategies DAVE METZ Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates

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1 09364 LORI WEIGEL Public Opinion Strategies DAVE METZ Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates

2 METHODOLOGY Conducted by the bi-partisan team of Public Opinion Strategies (Republican) and Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates (Democratic). 800 voters throughout the nation, representative demographically of the electorate (margin of error of + 3.8%). 700 were reached via traditional land lines and 100 are those who exclusively or mostly use cell phones. Total of 500 additional voters in the West, excluding California (margin of error of %). SLIDE 2

3 METHODOLOGY Interviews conducted September 8-13, Comparisons are made to similarly-conducted national surveys in 2004, 2007, and Margin of error for sub-groups varies with their size, and is higher for smaller groups. The survey was informed by eight focus groups with various segments of swing voters conducted in July and August in Kansas City, Denver, Charlotte and Tampa. SLIDE 3

4 Voters continue to support funding conservation despite concern about the economy.

5 Every issue including conservation is predictably dwarfed by economic concerns. The economy and unemployment A lack of affordable health insurance coverage Too much government spending Government waste and mismanagement Pollution of rivers, lakes and streams The amount you pay in taxes The quality of public education Global warming Toxins and pesticides in our food and drinking water Pollution of oceans Traffic congestion Loss of habitat for fish and wildlife Loss of working farms and ranches % Extremely/Very Serious Problem 61% 60% 54% 49% 46% 43% 43% 42% 42% 39% 38% 38% 79% I am going to read you a list of issues, and I d like you to tell me how serious a problem you think each one is in your area. After I read each one, please tell me if you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, or not a serious problem in your area. SLIDE 5

6 Some issues that strike a chord in local polls are not viewed nationally as critical concerns. Loss of natural areas Air pollution and smog Loss of property rights Poorly-planned growth and development The quality of drinking water Inadequate water supplies Loss of coastal lands, wetlands and marshes Overfishing in oceans Uncontrollable wildfires that destroy property and forests Damage caused by oil and gas drilling in natural areas Lack of access to public lands A lack of neighborhood parks in your area Loss of scenic vistas I am going to read you a list of issues, and I d like you to tell me how serious a problem you think each one is in your area. After I read each one, please tell me if you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, or not a serious problem in your area. % Extremely/Very Serious Problem 34% 33% 33% 32% 28% 27% 25% 22% 20% 17% 16% 15% 13% SLIDE 6

7 By greater than a three-to-one margin, voters think that protecting the environment and supporting the economy are compatible. We can protect land and water and have a strong economy with good jobs for Americans at the same time, without having to choose one over the other. 76% Sometimes protections for land and water and a strong economy are in conflict and we must choose one over the other. 19% I'm going to read you a pair of statements, and please tell me which one comes closest to your own views, even if neither of the statements matches your views exactly. SLIDE 7

8 Three-in-five voters support federal land purchases, even if it requires increased taxes. Total Support 60% Total Oppose 36% Somewhat Support 29% Strongly Support 31% Somewhat Oppose 9% * Asked of Split Sample Size (N=410) In general, would you support or oppose programs through which the FEDERAL government would purchase land to protect water quality; natural areas; lakes, rivers or beaches; neighborhood parks; and wildlife habitat if it required a small increase in taxes? Strongly Oppose 27% Unsure 4% SLIDE 8

9 There is broad support across the country. By Region +25% +25% +22% +22% 60% 59% 60% 59% 35% 34% 38% 37% Northeast (22%) * Asked of Split Sample Size (N=410) Midwest (22%) Total Support In general, would you support or oppose programs through which the FEDERAL government would purchase land to protect water quality; natural areas; lakes, rivers or beaches; neighborhood parks; and wildlife habitat if it required a small increase in taxes? South (35%) Total Oppose West (21%) SLIDE 9

10 Most partisan sub-groups are also supportive. By Party and Ideology -6% +23% +8% +56% +54% 77% 74% 43% 49% 59% 36% 51% 43% 21% 20% Conservative/ Moderate/Liberal Independent Conservative/ Liberal Republican Republican (31%) Moderate Democrat Democrat (17%) (10%) (16%) (22%) * Asked of Split Sample Size (N=410) Total Support Total Oppose In general, would you support or oppose programs through which the FEDERAL government would purchase land to protect water quality; natural areas; lakes, rivers or beaches; neighborhood parks; and wildlife habitat if it required a small increase in taxes? SLIDE 10

11 A majority of voters are willing to pay significantly more in taxes to fund conservation. % Total Willing 100 dollars per year 59% 75 dollars per year 62% 50 dollars per year 67% 25 dollars per year 72% 10 dollars per year 76% Would you be willing to pay more in taxes to fund these types of programs to protect water quality; natural areas; lakes, rivers, or beaches; neighborhood parks; and wildlife habitat in your area? SLIDE 11

12 Of all conservation goals, water resonates most. To protect our drinking water supplies^ To protect our drinking water quality* To protect our quality of life^ To protect lakes, rivers and streams^ To act as natural filters for our air and help keep pollutants out of our drinking water, fish, and other foods* To protect oceans and the fish that live in them^ To protect beaches, bays and the coast* To protect working farms and ranches^ To help create jobs that protect and restore forests, fisheries, and working farms* To protect wetlands and other natural areas that help prevent flooding and storm surges from hurricanes* To help create jobs restoring the health of the environment* To provide opportunities for kids to learn about the environment* * Asked of Split Sample Size (N=390) ^ (N=410) To protect wildlife habitat* How important are each of the following as goals of this proposal to protect and restore land, water and wildlife? For each item I read, please tell me if you think that particular reason is very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all. Ranked by % Very Important 86% 81% 76% 73% 70% 70% 64% 64% 63% 63% 62% 62% 61% % Very Important % Total Important 95% 96% 92% 93% 92% 92% 90% 90% 90% 89% 88% 87% 91% SLIDE 12

13 While still important, these are second tier goals: To protect natural areas^ To protect the valuable benefits forests, wetlands, and other natural resources provide to people^ To preserve large, connected areas like entire forests, wetlands, mountain ranges, or wildlife habitats^ To help fight global warming by protecting forest lands* To encourage jobs in tourism and recreation by protecting beaches, forests, mountains, and other natural areas people visit^ To expand our national parks to help protect land, water and wildlife* To help create green jobs^ To protect historic and cultural sites* To reduce the impact climate change has on people, wildlife, and natural area^ To protect fish and wildlife habitat from rising sea levels^ To promote healthier lifestyles by providing safe, attractive places to exercise* To provide greater access to outdoor recreation for all Americans^ * Asked of Split Sample Size (N=390) ^ (N=410) To provide access for hunting and fishing* How important are each of the following as goals of this proposal to protect and restore land, water and wildlife? For each item I read, please tell me if you think that particular reason is very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all. Ranked by % Very Important 58% 90% 57% 90% 56% 88% 55% 78% 53% 88% 53% 85% 51% 78% 49% 91% 48% 75% 47% 74% 46% 78% 44% 84% 35% 73% % Very Important % Total Important SLIDE 13

14 Protecting the coast and quality of life registered as increasingly important compared to % Very Important To protect our quality of life^ 70% 76% +6% To protect beaches, bays and the coast* 58% 64% +6% To protect wildlife habitat* 56% +5% 61% 72% To protect lakes, rivers and streams^ +1% 58% To protect historic and cultural sites* 55% 49% -6% How important are each of the following as goals of this proposal to protect and restore land, water and wildlife? For each item I read, please tell me if you think that particular reason is very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all. 63% 64% To protect working farms and ranches^ +1% 84% 81% To protect our drinking water quality* -2% 64% 62% To provide opportunities for kids to learn about the environment* -2% To promote healthier lifestyles by providing safe, attractive places to exercise* 48% -2% * Asked of Split Sample Size (N=390) ^ (N=410) 46% 62% 73% To protect natural areas^ -4% SLIDE 14

15 LORI WEIGEL Public Opinion Strategies DAVE METZ Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates