Voters’ Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule
Voters’ Attitudes
Regarding the
Clean Water Rule
Key findings from a nationwide telephone survey
among 800 likely 2016 general election voters
(Margin of error = ±3.5 percentage points)
conducted May 4 – 7, 2015
for
Overview
2
A
l
o
t
5
%
Voters support the Clean Water Rule by an overwhelming
margin after hearing a brief description of it. Support for
the rule
crosses party lines
, and voters who already were
familiar with the rule break decisively in its favor.
Support for the rule is rooted in the personal concern that
many voters have about water pollution, and in the belief
held by a large majority that the federal government
should be doing
more
to protect the nation’s waters from
pollution.
Considerations about the impact on drinking water and
children/ grandchildren are the most important to voters in
deciding the merits of the Clean Water Rule.
(continued)
Overview
(continued)
3
A
l
o
t
5
%
Support for the Clean Water Rule remains strong even
after voters hear a point-counterpoint debate from both
sides of the issue.
Voters express notably more trust in the EPA and US Army
Corps of Engineers than in Congress to make the right
decision on protecting the nation’s smaller waterways.
The bottom line is that voters do not want Congress to
block the Clean Water Rule, and a majority of voters say
they would feel less favorable toward a senator who votes
against the Clean Water Rule.
Water pollution is an important issue and a personal
concern for many.
4
Water pollution is a very or fairly important priority
The issue of water pollution is a very or fairly big concern to me personally
V
e
r
y
b
i
g
c
o
n
c
e
r
n
3
6
%
8
4
%
6
1
%
V
e
r
y
i
m
p
o
r
t
a
n
t
p
r
i
o
r
i
t
y
6
4
%
Lakes and rivers
Drinking water supply
Streams/wetlands feeding into larger water sources
Majorities think that the federal government
should be doing more to protect the nation’s
streams and wetlands from pollution.
5
Proportions saying that the federal government should be doing more to
protect these water sources from pollution:
Demo-
crats
77%
75%
77%
Inde-
pendents
63%
62%
61%
Repub-
licans
46%
44%
45%
Among those who feel they know enough about
the Clean Water Rule to express an opinion about
it, support outnumbers opposition by four to one.
6
Initial Support for the Clean Water Rule
F
a
v
o
r
O
p
p
o
s
e
D
o
n
’
t
k
n
o
w
e
n
o
u
g
h
t
o
s
a
y
3
2
%
Democrats
Independents
Republicans
Favor
44%
33%
17%
S
t
r
o
n
g
l
y
f
a
v
o
r
2
1
%
Oppose
1%
10%
16%
DK enough
to say
55%
57%
67%
Voters overwhelmingly are supportive of the Clean
Water Rule when given a basic description of it.
7
S
t
r
o
n
g
l
y
f
a
v
o
r
5
0
%
8
0
%
F
a
v
o
r
O
p
p
o
s
e
N
o
t
s
u
r
e
The Clean Water Rule proposed by the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers clarifies which
waters are and are not protected under the Clean Water Act. Specifically, the rule would
restore pollution protections that used to exist for streams and wetlands that feed into
bigger lakes and rivers and ultimately end up in our drinking water supply.
With this background in mind, do you favor or oppose the Clean Water Rule?
Democrats
Independents
Republicans
City
Suburbs
Small town
Rural
Men
Women
Whites
African Americans
Hispanics
T
o
t
a
l
f
a
v
o
r
94%
75%
68%
80%
84%
85%
69%
77%
82%
78%
83%
82%
S
t
r
o
n
g
l
y
f
a
v
o
r
65%
49%
34%
55%
49%
57%
39%
45%
54%
48%
56%
53%
O
p
p
o
s
e
4%
15%
24%
14%
12%
10%
23%
18%
11%
15%
14%
9%
Voters have greater trust in the Army Corps and the
EPA than in Congress to make the right decision on
protecting the nation’s smaller waterways from
pollution.
8
Generally speaking, how much do you trust the following to make the
right decision on how to best protect our nation's smaller waterways from
pollution?
Army Corps
of Engineers
EPA
Congress
7
2
%
6
2
%
2
5
%
Voters trust the government agencies more than
Congress to make the best decisions to protect
smaller waterways.
9
In each pair, whom do you trust more to have the right approach on how
to best protect our nation's smaller waterways from pollution?
EPA vs. Congress
EPA and Army Corps of Engineers
vs. Congress
Majorities of voters across party lines think that
Congress should allow the Clean Water Rule to go
forward rather than block it.
10
Congress is considering whether to block the Clean Water Rule proposed
by the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers: Which approach do you think
Congress should take?
Congress should allow the Clean Water Rule to go forward
and closely monitor how the rule is being implemented
Congress should block the Clean Water Rule and prevent it
from being implemented
Democrats
Independents
Republicans
Strongly favor Clean Water Rule
Somewhat favor Clean Water Rule
Oppose Clean Water Rule
A
l
l
o
w
C
l
e
a
n
W
a
t
e
r
R
u
l
e
94%
78%
66%
96%
85%
28%
B
l
o
c
k
C
l
e
a
n
W
a
t
e
r
R
u
l
e
3%
12%
21%
2%
5%
60%
Additionally, nearly seven in 10 voters say they
would feel LESS favorable toward their US senator
if he/she voted to block the rule.
11
M
u
c
h
m
o
r
e
6
%
1
7
%
W
o
u
l
d
f
e
e
l
m
o
r
e
f
a
v
o
r
a
b
l
e
If your US senator voted to BLOCK the Clean Water Rule from going into effect,
how would this affect your feelings toward him/her?
Democrats
Independents
Republicans
M
o
r
e
f
a
v
o
r
a
b
l
e
10%
11%
29%
W
o
u
l
d
f
e
e
l
l
e
s
s
f
a
v
o
r
a
b
l
e
N
o
e
f
f
e
c
t
o
n
m
y
f
e
e
l
i
n
g
s
M
u
c
h
l
e
s
s
f
a
v
o
r
a
b
l
e
3
8
%
6
9
%
T
o
t
a
l
l
e
s
s
f
a
v
o
r
a
b
l
e
81%
71%
55%
M
u
c
h
l
e
s
s
f
a
v
o
r
a
b
l
e
51%
38%
24%
The potential impact on the nation’s drinking water
supply and on future generations are the electorate’s
top priorities when evaluating the Clean Water Rule.
12
Which two of these considerations do you think should be the most important
in deciding whether or not the Clean Water Rule should be implemented?
Impact on our drinking water
supply
Impact on our children and
grandchildren
Impact on wildlife and natural
habitats
Impact on agriculture and farming
Impact on jobs and the economy
Impact on landowners’ property
rights
A
l
l
v
o
t
e
r
s
5
4
%
5
2
%
26%
24%
15%
15%
S
t
r
o
n
g
l
y
f
a
v
o
r
6
4
%
6
2
%
28%
20%
12%
5%
S
o
m
e
w
h
a
t
f
a
v
o
r
5
2
%
4
9
%
29%
28%
15%
16%
O
p
p
o
s
e
3
2
%
3
3
%
11%
3
0
%
26%
5
1
%
B
y
s
u
p
p
o
r
t
f
o
r
C
l
e
a
n
W
a
t
e
r
R
u
l
e
Support for the Clean Water Rule holds when voters
are presented with core arguments from both sides.
13
OPPONENTS: (same in both pairs) The Clean Water Rule would immensely expand the authority of the EPA
and Army Corps of Engineers to dictate land-use decisions and farming practices in or near smaller bodies of
water. Congress should block this rule because it is goes too far in imposing unnecessary restrictions that will
hold back our economy and threaten jobs by having a negative impact on farmers, homebuilders, and other job
creators.
S
U
P
P
O
R
T
E
R
S
:
T
h
e
C
l
e
a
n
W
a
t
e
r
R
u
l
e
i
s
n
e
e
d
e
d
t
o
p
r
o
t
e
c
t
t
h
e
s
t
r
e
a
m
s
a
n
d
w
e
t
l
a
n
d
s
t
h
a
t
f
e
e
d
i
n
t
o
t
h
e
d
r
i
n
k
i
n
g
w
a
t
e
r
s
u
p
p
l
i
e
s
o
f
o
n
e
i
n
t
h
r
e
e
A
m
e
r
i
c
a
n
s
.
I
t
w
i
l
l
h
e
l
p
p
r
o
t
e
c
t
t
h
e
m
o
r
e
t
h
a
n
6
0
%
o
f
t
h
e
n
a
t
i
o
n
'
s
s
t
r
e
a
m
s
a
n
d
2
0
m
i
l
l
i
o
n
a
c
r
e
s
o
f
w
e
t
l
a
n
d
s
c
u
r
r
e
n
t
l
y
v
u
l
n
e
r
a
b
l
e
t
o
p
o
l
l
u
t
i
o
n
a
n
d
d
e
s
t
r
u
c
-
t
i
v
e
d
e
v
e
l
o
p
m
e
n
t
.
C
o
n
g
r
e
s
s
s
h
o
u
l
d
a
l
l
o
w
t
h
e
r
u
l
e
t
o
b
e
i
m
p
l
e
m
e
n
t
e
d
b
e
c
a
u
s
e
c
l
e
a
n
w
a
t
e
r
i
s
c
r
i
t
i
c
a
l
f
o
r
t
h
e
h
e
a
l
t
h
o
f
o
u
r
f
a
m
i
l
i
e
s
,
t
h
e
h
e
a
l
t
h
o
f
o
u
r
e
n
v
i
r
o
n
m
e
n
t
a
n
d
w
i
l
d
l
i
f
e
,
a
n
d
t
h
e
h
e
a
l
t
h
o
f
o
u
r
e
c
o
n
o
m
y
f
r
o
m
m
a
n
u
f
a
c
t
u
r
i
n
g
a
n
d
f
a
r
m
i
n
g
t
o
f
i
s
h
i
n
g
,
s
w
i
m
m
i
n
g
,
a
n
d
o
t
h
e
r
k
i
n
d
s
o
f
r
e
c
r
e
a
t
i
o
n
.
S
U
P
P
O
R
T
E
R
S
:
T
h
e
C
l
e
a
n
W
a
t
e
r
R
u
l
e
i
s
n
e
e
d
e
d
t
o
r
e
i
n
s
t
a
t
e
p
r
o
t
e
c
-
t
i
o
n
s
f
o
r
t
h
e
s
t
r
e
a
m
s
a
n
d
w
e
t
l
a
n
d
s
t
h
a
t
f
e
e
d
i
n
t
o
t
h
e
d
r
i
n
k
i
n
g
w
a
t
e
r
s
u
p
p
l
i
e
s
o
f
o
n
e
i
n
t
h
r
e
e
A
m
e
r
i
c
a
n
s
.
T
h
e
C
l
e
a
n
W
a
t
e
r
A
c
t
w
a
s
a
d
o
p
t
e
d
i
n
1
9
7
2
a
n
d
i
t
w
o
r
k
e
d
w
e
l
l
u
n
t
i
l
c
o
u
r
t
d
e
c
i
s
i
o
n
s
a
n
d
d
e
c
i
s
i
o
n
s
b
y
f
o
r
m
e
r
a
d
m
i
n
i
s
t
r
a
t
i
o
n
s
c
r
e
a
t
e
d
c
o
n
f
u
s
i
o
n
a
n
d
l
e
g
a
l
l
o
o
p
h
o
l
e
s
,
l
e
a
v
i
n
g
t
h
e
s
e
s
m
a
l
l
e
r
w
a
t
e
r
w
a
y
s
v
u
l
n
e
r
-
a
b
l
e
t
o
p
o
l
l
u
t
i
o
n
.
T
h
e
s
e
s
u
p
p
o
r
t
e
r
s
s
a
y
t
h
a
t
C
o
n
g
r
e
s
s
s
h
o
u
l
d
a
l
l
o
w
t
h
e
r
u
l
e
t
o
b
e
i
m
p
l
e
m
e
n
t
e
d
t
o
e
n
s
u
r
e
t
h
a
t
t
h
e
s
e
s
m
a
l
l
e
r
w
a
t
e
r
w
a
y
s
t
h
a
t
f
e
e
d
i
n
t
o
o
u
r
d
r
i
n
k
i
n
g
w
a
t
e
r
s
u
p
p
l
y
a
r
e
p
r
o
t
e
c
t
e
d
f
r
o
m
p
o
l
l
u
t
i
o
n
a
n
d
d
e
s
t
r
u
c
t
i
v
e
d
e
v
e
l
o
p
m
e
n
t
.
Focusing on the debate as related to farmers does
not change the dynamic: the large majority side
with supporters of the rule.
14
O
P
P
O
N
E
N
T
S
:
S
o
m
e
f
a
r
m
i
n
g
a
n
d
a
g
r
i
c
u
l
t
u
r
e
g
r
o
u
p
s
,
i
n
c
l
u
d
i
n
g
t
h
e
F
a
r
m
B
u
r
e
a
u
,
o
p
p
o
s
e
t
h
e
r
u
l
e
b
e
c
a
u
s
e
t
h
e
y
s
a
y
t
h
a
t
i
t
w
o
u
l
d
g
i
v
e
t
h
e
E
P
A
a
n
d
t
h
e
A
r
m
y
C
o
r
p
s
o
f
E
n
g
i
n
e
e
r
s
t
h
e
p
o
w
e
r
t
o
r
e
g
u
l
a
t
e
n
o
r
m
a
l
f
a
r
m
i
n
g
a
c
t
i
v
i
t
i
e
s
s
u
c
h
a
s
b
u
i
l
d
i
n
g
f
e
n
c
e
s
,
d
i
g
g
i
n
g
d
i
t
c
h
e
s
,
a
n
d
a
p
p
l
y
i
n
g
f
e
r
t
i
l
i
z
e
r
s
o
r
p
e
s
t
i
c
i
d
e
s
.
C
o
n
g
r
e
s
s
s
h
o
u
l
d
b
l
o
c
k
t
h
i
s
r
u
l
e
b
e
c
a
u
s
e
t
h
e
s
e
r
e
g
u
l
a
t
i
o
n
s
w
o
u
l
d
m
a
k
e
i
t
h
a
r
d
e
r
t
o
f
a
r
m
,
m
a
k
i
n
g
f
a
r
m
i
n
g
m
o
r
e
c
o
s
t
l
y
a
n
d
l
e
a
d
i
n
g
t
o
h
i
g
h
e
r
f
o
o
d
p
r
i
c
e
s
a
t
a
t
i
m
e
w
h
e
n
A
m
e
r
i
c
a
n
f
a
r
m
e
r
s
a
n
d
f
a
m
i
l
i
e
s
a
r
e
a
l
r
e
a
d
y
s
t
r
u
g
g
l
i
n
g
t
o
m
a
k
e
e
n
d
s
m
e
e
t
.
S
U
P
P
O
R
T
E
R
S
:
T
h
e
C
l
e
a
n
W
a
t
e
r
R
u
l
e
i
s
n
e
e
d
e
d
t
o
p
r
o
t
e
c
t
t
h
e
s
t
r
e
a
m
s
a
n
d
w
e
t
l
a
n
d
s
f
r
o
m
p
o
l
l
u
t
i
o
n
a
n
d
d
e
s
t
r
u
c
t
i
v
e
d
e
v
e
l
o
p
m
e
n
t
,
a
n
d
i
t
w
i
l
l
N
O
T
g
e
t
i
n
t
h
e
w
a
y
o
f
f
a
r
m
i
n
g
.
F
a
r
m
e
r
s
,
r
a
n
c
h
e
r
s
,
a
n
d
f
o
r
e
s
t
e
r
s
w
h
o
a
r
e
c
o
n
d
u
c
t
i
n
g
e
v
e
r
y
d
a
y
a
c
t
i
v
i
t
i
e
s
s
u
c
h
a
s
p
l
o
w
i
n
g
,
t
i
l
l
i
n
g
,
p
l
a
n
t
i
n
g
,
h
a
r
v
e
s
t
i
n
g
,
a
n
d
b
u
i
l
d
i
n
g
a
n
d
m
a
i
n
t
a
i
n
i
n
g
r
o
a
d
s
,
p
o
n
d
s
,
a
n
d
d
i
t
c
h
e
s
h
a
v
e
a
l
w
a
y
s
b
e
e
n
a
l
l
o
w
e
d
t
o
d
o
t
h
e
s
e
t
h
i
n
g
s
u
n
d
e
r
t
h
e
C
l
e
a
n
W
a
t
e
r
A
c
t
,
a
n
d
t
h
i
s
r
u
l
e
w
i
l
l
n
o
t
c
h
a
n
g
e
t
h
a
t
.
T
h
e
s
e
s
u
p
p
o
r
t
e
r
s
,
i
n
c
l
u
d
i
n
g
t
h
e
R
o
c
k
y
M
o
u
n
t
a
i
n
F
a
r
m
e
r
s
U
n
i
o
n
a
n
d
t
h
e
O
h
i
o
F
a
r
m
e
r
s
U
n
i
o
n
,
s
a
y
t
h
a
t
t
h
e
r
u
l
e
o
f
f
e
r
s
g
r
e
a
t
e
r
c
l
a
r
i
t
y
f
o
r
f
a
r
m
e
r
s
,
s
o
C
o
n
g
r
e
s
s
s
h
o
u
l
d
a
l
l
o
w
t
h
e
r
u
l
e
t
o
b
e
i
m
p
l
e
m
e
n
t
e
d
b
e
c
a
u
s
e
c
l
e
a
n
w
a
t
e
r
i
s
n
o
t
o
n
l
y
i
m
p
o
r
t
a
n
t
f
o
r
f
a
m
i
l
i
e
s
a
n
d
c
o
m
m
u
n
i
t
i
e
s
b
u
t
f
o
r
t
h
e
c
o
n
t
i
n
u
e
d
s
u
c
c
e
s
s
o
f
o
u
r
n
a
t
i
o
n
'
s
f
a
r
m
s
.
With whom do you agree more?
There are several compelling arguments for the Clean
Water Rule, but protecting waterways for future
generations and protecting American’s drinking water
are particularly persuasive themes.
15
Proportions saying each is a very or fairly convincing reason Congress should
allow the Clean Water Rule to be implemented
O
u
r
f
a
m
i
l
i
e
s
d
e
p
e
n
d
o
n
c
l
e
a
n
w
a
t
e
r
.
B
y
r
e
s
t
o
r
i
n
g
p
r
o
t
e
c
t
i
o
n
s
t
o
s
t
r
e
a
m
s
a
n
d
w
e
t
l
a
n
d
s
,
t
h
e
C
l
e
a
n
W
a
t
e
r
R
u
l
e
w
i
l
l
a
g
a
i
n
p
r
o
t
e
c
t
t
h
e
w
a
t
e
r
w
a
y
s
o
u
r
c
h
i
l
d
r
e
n
a
n
d
g
r
a
n
d
c
h
i
l
d
r
e
n
u
s
e
t
o
d
r
i
n
k
,
s
w
i
m
,
a
n
d
p
l
a
y
i
n
.
T
h
e
C
l
e
a
n
W
a
t
e
r
A
c
t
c
u
r
r
e
n
t
l
y
p
r
o
t
e
c
t
s
l
a
r
g
e
s
o
u
r
c
e
s
o
f
w
a
t
e
r
s
u
c
h
a
s
l
a
k
e
s
a
n
d
r
i
v
e
r
s
f
r
o
m
p
o
l
l
u
t
i
o
n
,
b
u
t
s
t
r
e
a
m
s
a
n
d
w
e
t
l
a
n
d
s
t
h
a
t
f
e
e
d
i
n
t
o
t
h
o
s
e
l
a
r
g
e
r
b
o
d
i
e
s
o
f
w
a
t
e
r
n
o
l
o
n
g
e
r
e
n
j
o
y
t
h
e
s
a
m
e
l
e
v
e
l
o
f
p
r
o
t
e
c
t
i
o
n
.
T
h
i
s
r
u
l
e
w
o
u
l
d
r
e
s
t
o
r
e
t
h
e
s
a
f
e
g
u
a
r
d
s
f
o
r
s
m
a
l
l
e
r
w
a
t
e
r
w
a
y
s
t
h
a
t
f
i
l
t
e
r
o
u
t
p
o
l
l
u
t
i
o
n
a
n
d
f
e
e
d
i
n
t
o
d
r
i
n
k
i
n
g
w
a
t
e
r
s
u
p
p
l
i
e
s
.
O
u
r
e
c
o
n
o
m
y
d
e
p
e
n
d
s
o
n
c
l
e
a
n
w
a
t
e
r
,
a
n
d
m
a
n
y
b
u
s
i
n
e
s
s
g
r
o
u
p
s
h
a
v
e
s
a
i
d
t
h
a
t
p
r
o
t
e
c
t
i
n
g
t
h
e
s
e
s
m
a
l
l
e
r
w
a
t
e
r
w
a
y
s
i
s
v
i
t
a
l
t
o
m
a
i
n
t
a
i
n
i
n
g
o
u
r
e
c
o
n
o
m
y
.
M
a
n
u
f
a
c
t
u
r
i
n
g
,
f
a
r
m
i
n
g
,
r
a
n
c
h
i
n
g
,
e
n
e
r
g
y
,
t
o
u
r
i
s
m
,
a
n
d
r
e
c
r
e
a
t
i
o
n
s
e
c
t
o
r
s
a
l
l
n
e
e
d
c
l
e
a
n
w
a
t
e
r
f
o
r
t
h
e
i
r
b
u
s
i
n
e
s
s
e
s
,
a
n
d
t
o
s
u
p
p
o
r
t
n
e
w
j
o
b
s
.
8
0
%
(
4
9
%
v
e
r
y
)
8
0
%
(
4
2
%
v
e
r
y
)
8
0
%
(
4
1
%
v
e
r
y
)
(continued)
There are several compelling arguments for the Clean
Water Rule, but protecting waterways for future
generations and protecting American’s drinking water
are particularly persuasive themes.
16
Proportions saying each is a very or fairly convincing reason Congress should
allow the Clean Water Rule to be implemented
T
h
i
s
r
u
l
e
w
i
l
l
r
e
s
t
o
r
e
p
r
o
t
e
c
t
i
o
n
s
t
o
s
t
r
e
a
m
s
a
n
d
w
e
t
l
a
n
d
s
t
h
a
t
h
a
v
e
a
n
i
m
p
a
c
t
o
n
t
h
e
c
o
m
m
u
n
i
t
i
e
s
,
c
i
t
i
e
s
,
b
u
s
i
n
e
s
s
e
s
,
s
c
h
o
o
l
s
,
a
n
d
f
a
r
m
s
t
h
a
t
a
r
e
d
o
w
n
s
t
r
e
a
m
,
a
n
d
t
h
u
s
h
e
l
p
c
o
m
m
u
n
i
t
i
e
s
a
v
o
i
d
t
h
r
e
a
t
s
l
i
k
e
l
a
s
t
y
e
a
r
'
s
t
o
x
i
c
a
l
g
a
e
c
o
n
t
a
m
i
n
a
t
i
o
n
o
f
L
a
k
e
E
r
i
e
t
h
a
t
l
e
f
t
m
o
r
e
t
h
a
n
5
0
0
,
0
0
0
p
e
o
p
l
e
i
n
T
o
l
e
d
o
,
O
h
i
o
,
w
i
t
h
o
u
t
a
c
c
e
s
s
t
o
s
a
f
e
d
r
i
n
k
i
n
g
w
a
t
e
r
f
o
r
n
e
a
r
l
y
t
h
r
e
e
d
a
y
s
.
T
o
d
a
y
o
n
e
i
n
t
h
r
e
e
A
m
e
r
i
c
a
n
s
g
e
t
s
t
h
e
i
r
d
r
i
n
k
i
n
g
w
a
t
e
r
f
r
o
m
s
o
u
r
c
e
s
c
u
r
r
e
n
t
l
y
l
a
c
k
i
n
g
p
r
o
t
e
c
t
i
o
n
f
r
o
m
p
o
l
l
u
t
i
o
n
a
n
d
d
e
s
t
r
u
c
t
i
v
e
d
e
v
e
l
o
p
m
e
n
t
.
W
i
t
h
o
u
t
t
h
i
s
r
u
l
e
t
h
e
d
r
i
n
k
i
n
g
w
a
t
e
r
o
f
1
1
7
m
i
l
l
i
o
n
A
m
e
r
i
c
a
n
s
w
i
l
l
b
e
a
t
r
i
s
k
.
H
e
a
l
t
h
y
s
t
r
e
a
m
s
a
n
d
w
e
t
l
a
n
d
s
s
u
p
p
o
r
t
w
i
l
d
l
i
f
e
h
a
b
i
t
a
t
a
n
d
p
r
o
v
i
d
e
c
r
i
t
i
c
a
l
p
l
a
c
e
s
f
o
r
r
a
r
e
a
n
d
e
n
d
a
n
g
e
r
e
d
a
n
i
m
a
l
s
t
o
l
i
v
e
.
T
h
e
C
l
e
a
n
W
a
t
e
r
R
u
l
e
w
i
l
l
p
r
o
t
e
c
t
s
t
r
e
a
m
s
a
n
d
h
a
b
i
t
a
t
f
o
r
w
i
l
d
l
i
f
e
,
s
u
p
p
o
r
t
o
u
r
$
6
4
6
b
i
l
l
i
o
n
o
u
t
d
o
o
r
r
e
c
r
e
a
t
i
o
n
i
n
d
u
s
t
r
y
,
a
n
d
e
n
s
u
r
e
t
h
a
t
o
u
r
h
u
n
t
i
n
g
a
n
d
f
i
s
h
i
n
g
t
r
a
d
i
t
i
o
n
s
c
a
n
b
e
p
a
s
s
e
d
a
l
o
n
g
t
o
t
h
e
n
e
x
t
g
e
n
e
r
a
t
i
o
n
.
E
c
o
n
o
m
i
c
a
n
a
l
y
s
i
s
o
f
t
h
e
r
u
l
e
i
n
d
i
c
a
t
e
s
t
h
a
t
i
t
w
i
l
l
p
r
o
v
i
d
e
a
n
e
s
t
i
m
a
t
e
d
$
3
8
8
m
i
l
l
i
o
n
t
o
$
5
1
4
m
i
l
l
i
o
n
a
n
n
u
a
l
l
y
i
n
b
e
n
e
f
i
t
s
t
o
t
h
e
p
u
b
l
i
c
,
w
h
i
c
h
w
i
l
l
s
i
g
n
i
f
i
c
a
n
t
l
y
o
u
t
w
e
i
g
h
t
h
e
r
u
l
e
'
s
c
o
s
t
s
.
7
9
%
(
4
9
%
v
e
r
y
)
7
8
%
(
5
0
%
v
e
r
y
)
7
7
%
(
4
0
%
v
e
r
y
)
7
6
%
(
3
9
%
v
e
r
y
)
6
4
%
(
2
9
%
v
e
r
y
)
11574
Note: vertical expressions for subgroups
Photo: 2004 Kyle R Burton (Wikimedia Commons/CC Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 Unported)
Key findings from a nationwide survey among likely 2016 general election voters regarding their attitudes towards the Clean Water Rule. Voters overwhelmingly support the rule, prioritize concerns about water pollution, and believe in stronger federal protection for water sources. The survey also reveals bipartisan support and preferences for EPA and US Army Corps decisions over Congress.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule Key findings from a nationwide telephone survey among 800 likely 2016 general election voters (Margin of error = 3.5 percentage points) conducted May 4 7, 2015 for Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
Overview Voters support the Clean Water Rule by an overwhelming margin after hearing a brief description of it. Support for the rule crosses party lines, and voters who already were familiar with the rule break decisively in its favor. Support for the rule is rooted in the personal concern that many voters have about water pollution, and in the belief held by a large majority that the federal government should be doing more to protect the nation s waters from pollution. Considerations about the impact on drinking water and children/ grandchildren are the most important to voters in deciding the merits of the Clean Water Rule. A lot 5% (continued) 2 Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
Overview (continued) Support for the Clean Water Rule remains strong even after voters hear a point-counterpoint debate from both sides of the issue. Voters express notably more trust in the EPA and US Army Corps of Engineers than in Congress to make the right decision on protecting the nation s smaller waterways. The bottom line is that voters do not want Congress to block the Clean Water Rule, and a majority of voters say they would feel less favorable toward a senator who votes against the Clean Water Rule. A lot 5% 3 Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
Water pollution is an important issue and a personal concern for many. Water pollution is a very or fairly important priority 84% Very important priority 64% The issue of water pollution is a very or fairly big concern to me personally 61% Very big concern 36% Democrats Independents Republicans 92% 83% 75% Water pollution is a very/fairly important priority 69% 68% 48% Water pollution is a very/fairly big concern to me 4 Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
Majorities think that the federal government should be doing more to protect the nation s streams and wetlands from pollution. Proportions saying that the federal government should be doing more to protect these water sources from pollution: Demo- crats Inde- pendents Repub- licans Lakes and rivers 62% 77% 63% 46% Drinking water supply 75% 62% 44% 61% Streams/wetlands feeding into larger water sources 77% 61% 45% 61% 5 Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
Among those who feel they know enough about the Clean Water Rule to express an opinion about it, support outnumbers opposition by four to one. Initial Support for the Clean Water Rule 60% DK enough to say Favor Oppose 55% 44% 1% Democrats 32% 57% 33% 10% Independents 67% 17% 16% Republicans Strongly favor 21% 8% Favor Oppose Don t know enough to say 6 Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
Voters overwhelmingly are supportive of the Clean Water Rule when given a basic description of it. The Clean Water Rule proposed by the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers clarifies which waters are and are not protected under the Clean Water Act. Specifically, the rule would restore pollution protections that used to exist for streams and wetlands that feed into bigger lakes and rivers and ultimately end up in our drinking water supply. With this background in mind, do you favor or oppose the Clean Water Rule? Strongly favor Total favor 80% Oppose 94% 75% 68% 65% 49% 34% 4% 15% 24% Democrats Independents Republicans 80% 84% 85% 69% 55% 49% 57% 39% 14% 12% 10% 23% City Suburbs Small town Rural Strongly favor 50% 77% 82% 45% 54% 18% 11% Men Women 14% 78% 83% 82% 48% 56% 53% 15% 14% 9% Whites African Americans Hispanics 6% Favor Oppose Not sure 7 Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
Voters have greater trust in the Army Corps and the EPA than in Congress to make the right decision on protecting the nation s smaller waterways from pollution. Generally speaking, how much do you trust the following to make the right decision on how to best protect our nation's smaller waterways from pollution? Trust a lot Trust some Democrats Independents 67% Republicans 79% Army Corps of Engineers 72% 26% 68% Democrats Independents 55% Republicans 79% 62% 19% EPA 49% 25% Congress 4% 8 Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
Voters trust the government agencies more than Congress to make the best decisions to protect smaller waterways. In each pair, whom do you trust more to have the right approach on how to best protect our nation's smaller waterways from pollution? EPA vs. Congress EPA and Army Corps of Engineers vs. Congress Trust EPA/EPA and Corps of Engineers more Trust both/neither/not sure Trust Congress more 7% 9% 15% 78% 14% 77% 9 Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
Majorities of voters across party lines think that Congress should allow the Clean Water Rule to go forward rather than block it. Congress is considering whether to block the Clean Water Rule proposed by the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers: Which approach do you think Congress should take? Congress should allow the Clean Water Rule to go forward and closely monitor how the rule is being implemented 79% Congress should block the Clean Water Rule and prevent it from being implemented 12% Allow Clean Water Rule 94% 78% 66% 96% 85% 28% Block Clean Water Rule 3% 12% 21% 2% 5% 60% Democrats Independents Republicans Strongly favor Clean Water Rule Somewhat favor Clean Water Rule Oppose Clean Water Rule 10 Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
Additionally, nearly seven in 10 voters say they would feel LESS favorable toward their US senator if he/she voted to block the rule. If your US senator voted to BLOCK the Clean Water Rule from going into effect, how would this affect your feelings toward him/her? 69% Much less favorable 51% 38% 24% Total less favorable 81% 71% 55% More favorable 10% 11% 29% Democrats Independents Republicans Much less favorable 38% 17% 9% Much more 6% Would feel more favorable Would feel less favorable No effect on my feelings 11 Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
The potential impact on the nations drinking water supply and on future generations are the electorate s top priorities when evaluating the Clean Water Rule. Which two of these considerations do you think should be the most important in deciding whether or not the Clean Water Rule should be implemented? By support for Clean Water Rule Strongly favor Somewhat favor All Oppose voters 52% 64% 32% 54% Impact on our drinking water supply 49% 62% 33% 52% Impact on our children and grandchildren 28% 29% 11% 26% Impact on wildlife and natural habitats 20% 28% 30% 24% Impact on agriculture and farming 12% 15% 26% 15% Impact on jobs and the economy 5% 16% 51% 15% Impact on landowners property rights 12 Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
Support for the Clean Water Rule holds when voters are presented with core arguments from both sides. Agree more with opponents of Clean Water Rule Agree more with supporters of Clean Water Rule OPPONENTS: (same in both pairs) The Clean Water Rule would immensely expand the authority of the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to dictate land-use decisions and farming practices in or near smaller bodies of water. Congress should block this rule because it is goes too far in imposing unnecessary restrictions that will hold back our economy and threaten jobs by having a negative impact on farmers, homebuilders, and other job creators. SUPPORTERS: The Clean Water Rule is needed to protect the streams and wetlands that feed into the drinking water supplies of one in three Americans. It will help protect the more than 60% of the nation's streams and 20 million acres of wetlands vulnerable to pollution and destruc- tive development. Congress should allow the rule to be implemented because clean water is critical for thehealth of our families, the health of our environment and wildlife, and the health of our economy from manufacturing and farming to fishing, swimming, and other kinds of recreation. SUPPORTERS: The Clean Water Rule is needed to reinstate protec- tions for the streams and wetlands that feed into the drinking water supplies of one in three Americans. The Clean Water Act was adopted in 1972 and it worked well until court decisions and decisions by former administrations created confusion and legal loopholes, these smaller waterways vulner- able to pollution. These supporters say that Congress should allow the rule to be implemented to ensure that these smaller waterways that feed into our drinking water supply are protected from pollution and destructive development. 78% 74% currently leaving 21% 17% 13 Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
Focusing on the debate as related to farmers does not change the dynamic: the large majority side with supporters of the rule. With whom do you agree more? SUPPORTERS: The Clean Water Rule is needed to protect the streams and wetlands from pollution and destructive development, and it will NOT get in the way of farming. Farmers, ranchers, and foresters who are conducting everyday activities such as planting, harvesting, and building and maintaining roads, ponds, and ditches have always been allowed to do these things under the Clean Water Act, and this rule will not change that. These supporters, including Mountain Farmers Union and the Ohio Farmers Union, say that the rule offers greater clarity for farmers, so Congress should allow the rule to be implemented because clean water is not only important for communities but for the continued success of our nation's farms. OPPONENTS: Some farming and agriculture groups, including the Farm Bureau, oppose the rule because they say that it would give the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers the power to regulate normal farming activities such as building fences, digging ditches, and applying fertilizers or pesticides. Congress should block this rule because these regulations would make it harder to farm, making farming more costly and leading to higher food prices at a time when American farmers and families are already struggling to make ends meet. 74% plowing, tilling, the Rocky 22% families and 14 Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
There are several compelling arguments for the Clean Water Rule, but protecting waterways for future generations and protecting American s drinking water are particularly persuasive themes. Proportions saying each is a very or fairly convincing reason Congress should allow the Clean Water Rule to be implemented 80% (49% very) Our families depend on clean water. By restoring protections to streams and wetlands, the Clean Water Rule will again protect the waterways our children and grandchildren use to drink, swim, and play in. The Clean Water Act currently protects large sources of water such as lakes and rivers from pollution, but streams and wetlands that feed into those larger bodies of water no longer enjoy the same level of protection. This rule would restore the safeguards for smaller waterways that filter out pollution and feed into drinking water supplies. 80% (42% very) Our economy depends on clean water, and many business groups have said that protecting these smaller waterways is vital to maintaining our economy. Manufacturing, farming, ranching, energy, tourism, and recreation sectors all need clean water for their businesses, and to support new jobs. 80% (41% very) (continued) 15 Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
There are several compelling arguments for the Clean Water Rule, but protecting waterways for future generations and protecting American s drinking water are particularly persuasive themes. Proportions saying each is a very or fairly convincing reason Congress should allow the Clean Water Rule to be implemented This rule will restore protections to streams and wetlands that have an impact on the communities, cities, businesses, schools, and farms that are downstream, and thus help communities avoid threats like last year's toxic algae contamination of Lake Erie that left more than 500,000 people in Toledo, Ohio, without access to safe drinking water for nearly three days. 79% (49% very) Today one in three Americans gets their drinking water from sources currently lacking protection from pollution and destructive development. Without this rule the drinking water of 117 million Americans will be at risk. 78% (50% very) 77% (40% very) Healthy streams and wetlands support wildlife habitat and provide critical places for rare and endangered animals to live. The Clean Water Rule will protect streams and habitat for wildlife, support our $646 billion outdoor recreation industry, and ensure that our hunting and fishing traditions can be passed along to the next generation. 76% (39% very) 64% (29% very) Economic analysis of the rule indicates that it will provide an estimated $388 million to $514 million annually in benefits to the public, which will significantly outweigh the rule's costs. 16 Voters Attitudes Regarding the Clean Water Rule May 2015 Hart Research
