Browsing by Subject "Taking Stock - Practices & Behaviors"
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Item Duluth Residential Stormwater Reduction Demonstration Project for Lake Superior Tributaries(2011-07-30) Kleist, Chris; Brady, Valerie; Johnson, Lucinda B; Schomberg, JesseWe used paired 2‐block street sections in the Amity Creek watershed (Duluth, MN) to demonstrate the effectiveness of homeowner BMPs to reduce residential stormwater flow to storm sewers in an older neighborhood in a cold climate on clay and bedrock geology. Runoff from each street was measured before and after installation of stormwater BMPs. In addition, the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of residents were measured before and after BMP installation. BMPs were installed on properties of willing residents of one street (“treatment”). Most residents (22 of 25 properties) willingly participated. 250 trees and shrubs were planted; 22 rain barrels were installed; 5 rain gardens, 12 rock‐sump storage basins, and 2 swales were constructed; and a stormwater ditch was re‐dug and had 5 ditch checks installed in it. The post‐project survey indicated an increase in understanding by treatment‐street residents of where stormwater flowed to and what it affected, and an increase in willingness to accept at least some responsibility for stormwater runoff. Residents who received BMPs were generally satisfied with them and would recommend them to others. Runoff reduction proved more difficult to quantify due to high and inconsistent runoff variability between the paired streets, very few pre‐BMP installation rain events, and loss of one control street due to re‐paving mid‐project. Capacity of installed BMPs is approximately 2.5% of the measured stormwater runoff. There is about a 20% greater reduction in runoff for the treatment street after BMPs were installed than for the control street for small to moderate storm events; while we would like to attribute this completely to our BMPs, we cannot prove that other factors weren’t also at work. Peak flows also appear to have been reduced for 1 inch and smaller rainstorms, but we were unable to accurately measure this reduction. The results are available on an existing stream education website and are used to educate neighborhood, city of Duluth, and regional residents on stormwater issues, individual responsibility, and BMP options.Item Economic Impact and Social Benefits Study of Coldwater Angling in Minnesota(2002) Gartner, William C; Love, Lisa L; Erkkila, Daniel; Fulton, David CThis study was conducted of anglers utilizing Minnesota’s northeast region cold-water fisheries in 2000-2001, and was based upon a staged mail-back questionnaire sent to anglers who had purchased a trout/salmon stamp from the Minnesota DNR. The purpose of this study was to investigate the economic and social benefits of coldwater angling participation in the state of Minnesota. Overall 10,297 questionnaires were mailed, and 3,029 returned for a response rate of 33%. Two null hypotheses guided this study: 1. There are no expenditure differences between the different types of coldwater angling investigated. 2. There are no experience differences between the different types of coldwater anglers. The survey looked at access points; bait used; species preferences; preference for fishing location; angler age, gender and education; trip distance; purpose of anglers’ trips; and numerous other behaviors and preferences. It also assessed the economic impact of anglers on local economies. The report notes that “fishing equipment was the largest expenditure in preparation for the trip ($12.57/person/day). Total expenditures at home were $33.90 per person per day. The largest expenses en route and onsite were lodging ($15.39/person/day), prepared food ($12.55/person/day), and gas ($12.70/person/day) totaling $71.31 per person daily. In sum, the typical coldwater angler spent $105.21/day. Overall, anglers were satisfied with their trip, and the quality, size and number of fish caught. The study concludes with the following findings: “There were many differences noted between the five different types of fishing investigated in this study. The differences were substantial, significant, and revealing. The evidence presented strongly argues for rejecting both of the null hypotheses used to guide this research. Therefore, we can state with a high degree of certainty that expenditure differences do exist for anglers between the different types of coldwater angling and that different experiences are sought by anglers engaging in different types of fishing. The research that allowed us to reject both null hypotheses also provides us with some interesting insights into other differences between anglers in the five different fishing types."Item The Lakeside Stormwater Reduction Project (LSRP): Evaluating the Impacts of a Paired Watershed Experiment on Local Residents(2011) Eckman, Karlyn; Brady, Valerie; Schomberg, JesseScientists, city utilities staff, and local environmental engineers teamed up with homeowners to determine the best ways to reduce stormwater runoff from the Lakeside residential neighborhood in Duluth. The Lakeside Stormwater Reduction Project (LSRP) used a paired-watershed approach to assess the results of diverse stormwater treatments in the Lakeside neighborhood of Duluth on stormwater runoff into Amity Creek. The project investigated various installations that reduce runoff and can be easily maintained by homeowners. The goal was to identify effective methods to reduce runoff contributing to problems in Amity Creek and the Lester River. To complement extensive biophysical monitoring, a knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) study was done in April 2008. The purpose was to obtain baseline human dimensions data; assess residents’ willingness to participate in the project; and to identify possible barriers to adoption. Baseline information and residents’ views about stormwater issues were obtained in April 2008. The first-round KAP data was used to refine project design, and to identify possible barriers to participation. The study was repeated with the same sample in September 2010 to evaluate outcomes and impacts. Comparison of the pre and post KAP data shows a significant increase in respondent knowledge about stormwater, a positive shift in attitudes, and strong evidence of adoption of stormwater practices as a result of project efforts. The project successfully increased awareness among residents about the impacts of stormwater on Amity Creek and the Lester River, and fostered adoption of stormwater management practices by homeowners, even in the control sample.