#13362 data from a statewide survey of 500 registered voters in arizona, conducted october 3, 6-7,...

#13362

Data from a statewide survey of 500 registered voters in Arizona, conducted October 3, 6-7, 2013.

Environmental Defense FundA survey commissioned by the

Conducted by:

ARIZONA STATEWIDE – OCTOBER 2013 2

Public Opinion Strategies is pleased to present to the Environmental Defense Fund the key findings of a statewide telephone survey conducted in Arizona.

The survey was completed October 3, 6-7, 2013 among 500 likely voters and has a margin of error of ±4.38%.


A majority of voters now recognize the serious nature of Arizona’s water problems.

The issue is positioned just below “jobs” and above “state spending” and “crime.”


Issues (Extremely/Very Serious Problem) 2013The cost of health care 64%Illegal immigration 62%The quality of public schools 60%A lack of good paying jobs � 57%Having a reliable supply of water to meet the state's needs 50%Controlling state spending 47%Crime 43%Poorly planned growth and development 33%Environmental issues 29%The amount you pay in state taxes 26%

Water has arrived as a top tier issue in Arizona.

“I'm going to read you a list of issues that some people say are problems in Arizona. 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.”


Arizona leaders will find a receptive audience

when discussing water issues.


Combined Choice

Population growth 41%Drought 36%

Water is wasted by residential and commercial consumers 36%Poorly planned development 23%

Outdated and inconsistent laws governing water use 13%Climate change 11%

Water that is wasted by farms 6%Growing crops that are water intensive instead of water efficient 7%

Voters believe there are a range of reasonsresponsible for water shortages.

“What do you believe are the one or two reasons most responsible for diminishing water supplies...”


Voters understand the seriousness of water concerns.

“I am going to read you a series of statements. After I read each one, please tell me whether you think that statement is accurate or inaccurate.”

Total Accurate

Diminishing groundwater supplies are a serious problem throughout the state

of Arizona.


Voters are very concerned that what we do (or do not do) effects

future generations.


Water Concerns Mean

Future generations will not have enough water in rivers if we do not act responsibly. 7.8

We will create a financial burden for ourselves and future generations by mismanaging our water supplies today. 7.4

Arizona's groundwater supplies are being depleted at a faster rate than they are being replenished. 7.4

At least seven Arizona river systems may completely dry up in our lifetime. 7.0

Voters do not want to see the burden passed to future generations.

“Thinking some more about our state’s water supply ... Now, I am going to read you some different concerns that people have about the water supply here in Arizona. I would like you to rate each statement

using a 1 10 scale where one means that statement is not at all concerning to you personally and a ten ‐means that statement is one of the most concerning things you could learn about the state’s water supply.”


Respondents were read a list of 19 proposals that could be implemented to ensure an adequate future water supply

for Arizona.

For each proposal they were asked if they support or oppose that proposal.


Policies focused on incentives rather than regulations receive much stronger support.

Policies that are more policy-focused as opposed to funding-oriented are more strongly supported.

There is little support for higher taxes.

Arizonans do demonstrate significant support for policies that promote sustainability now, not just down the road.


Policies focused on incentives are more strongly supported than these focused on regulation.

Incentives (Strongly Support)

Creating incentives to encourage residential water conservation and efficiency.

71%

Creating incentives to encourage agricultural water conservation and efficiency.

66%

Regulations (Strongly Support)

Establishing new regulations that require greater water conservation.

53%

Prohibiting irrigation methods that waste water on farms. 45%

Prohibiting any new use of groundwater that will deplete supplies for future generations.

30%


Voters are also more receptive to policies that do not signal additional funding requirements.

No Additional Funding (Strongly Support)

Requiring cities to provide long term ‐water supplies in advance of any new development.

66%

Increasing water efficiency requirements on new developments. 66%

Additional Funding (Strongly Support)

Establishing a new state fund to help Arizona communities engage in long term water planning.‐ 50%

Using state funds for the construction of a new pipeline to import water from outside of Arizona. 35%

Using state funds for a program to treat salt water from the sea to increase available water supplies. 33%

Using state funds to help communities purchase or lease water from farmers who are willing to sell or lease their supplies.

32%

Using state funds to pay some or all of the cost of converting farms to more efficient irrigation. 28%


There is, however, less resistance to policies that tap new developments in an effort to fund revenue streams.

New Developments (Strongly Support)

Requiring cities to provide long term water ‐supplies in advance of any new development. 66%

Establishing a special fee on plans for new residential and commercial development to pay for new water supplies.

46%

Establishing a special fee on plans for new residential and commercial developments to pay for new water supplies and efficiency improvements.

46%


But, there is little appetite for what could be interpreted as more broad-based taxes.

Broad-based Taxes (Strongly Support)

Creating local water management districts with the authority to raise taxes and regulate water supplies.

17%

Increasing property taxes to fund new water supplies and conservation measures.

15%


Importantly, policies that put Arizona on the path to sustainability now test strongly as we move toward longer-term solutions. The top policy proposals allow Arizona to

move toward a sustainability model:Top Five Proposals (Strongly Support)

Creating incentives to encourage residential water conservation and efficiency. 71%

Creating incentives to encourage agricultural water conservation and efficiency. 66%

Requiring cities to provide long term water ‐supplies in advance of any new development. 66%

Increasing water efficiency requirements on new developments. 66%

Establishing new regulations that require greater water conservation. 53%

#13362 data from a statewide survey of 500 registered voters in arizona, conducted october 3, 6-7,...

Documents

arizona statewide

state of arizona

arizona leaders

statewide survey

statewide telephone

water issues

serious problem

water shortages