Dam Owners' Survey - NOAA Database Update

Survey of Dam Owners

2011 and
2012

OMB Control No. 0648-xxxx
Expires: xx/xx/xxxx
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10
minutes per response for those owning no more than two dams and 1 hour for those
owning three or more dams, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and
reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden
estimate or any other suggestions for reducing this burden to Tara Trinko, NOAA
Maine Field Station, 17 Godfrey Dr. Suite 1, Orono, ME 04463.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law, no person is required to respond to,
nor shall any person be subjected to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of
information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that
collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

SURVEY OF DAM OWNERS --- NOAA DATABASE UPDATE
INTERVIEWER READ THE INTRODUCTION
Hello. May I please speak with [INSERT RESPONDENT’S NAME]? My name is
[INTERVIEWER’S FIRST NAME]. I’m calling from Kleinschmidt Associates in Pittsfield,
Maine, on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—often referred to as
NOAA. You are receiving this call because we have identified you as the owner of one or more
dams in the State of Maine. Previous to this call, you should have received a letter in the mail
explaining the purpose our contacting you. Did you receive this letter?
IF YES 

CONTINUE

IF NO 

May I send you a letter describing the NOAA dam owner survey and
contact you again after you have had time to review it?
1

YES

Confirm address and reschedule call

2

NO

THANK RESPONDENT FOR TIME AND
DISCONTINUE INTERVIEW

As the letter stated, the purpose of this call is to conduct a brief survey of dam owners in Maine.
Throughout much of Maine, Atlantic salmon and their habitats are protected by the Federal
Endangered Species Act. The information from this survey will help NOAA understand issues
important to dam owners and help identify dam owners interested in participating in programs to
help Atlantic salmon recovery efforts. Your participation is voluntary. Would you be willing to
answer a few quick questions, which will take about 7 minutes?
IF NO OBJECTION  CONTINUE
IF OBJECTION 

May I schedule an appointment to call you back at a more convenient
time? (Circle one number)
1

Yes

RESCHEDULE. RECORD ON CONTACT SHEET

2

No

THANK RESPONDENT FOR TIME AND
DISCONTINUE INTERVIEW

1.

The first few questions have to do with updating NOAA’s list of dam owners. According
to our records, you are the contact person for the [INSERT NAME(S)] dam(s) on the
[INSERT WATER NAME(S)]. Is that correct? (Circle one number)
1

Yes to all dams listed

2

Yes to one of two dams listed 
Do you know who the contact person
is for the [INSERT NAME] dam? (Circle one number)

1

Yes

RECORD INFORMATION ON CONTACT SHEET.
CONTINUE INTERVIEW.

2
3

4
2.

No

No Do you know who the contact person is? (Circle one number)
1

Yes

RECORD INFORMATION ON CONTACT
SHEET. THANK RESPONDENT FOR
TIME AND DISCONTINUE INTERVIEW

2

No

THANK RESPONDENT FOR TIME AND
DISCONTINUE INTERVIEW

REFUSAL

Our records also show the dam is (dams are) owned by you. Is that correct? (Circle one
number)
1

Yes

2

No Do you know who the new owner is? (Fill in the blank)

3

1

Yes

__________________________________

2

No

3

REFUSAL

REFUSAL

IF RESPONDENT IS CONTACT PERSON FOR OR OWNS ONE DAM SAY:
Now I’m going to ask a few questions about how the [DAM 1] is used today.
IF RESPONDENT IS CONTACT PERSON FOR OR OWNS TWO DAMS, SAY:
Now I’m going to ask you two sets of questions. First I will ask about [DAM 1], and then
I will ask about [DAM 2].
3.

Is the [DAM 1] currently used….(Circle one number for each category)
Yes

No

Don’t
Know

REFUSAL

to generate electricity?

1

2

3

4

to restrict some kinds of fish from swimming
around it?

1

2

3

4

to provide habitat for waterfowl or wildlife?

1

2

3

4

Yes

No

Don’t
Know

REFUSAL

for flood control?

1

2

3

4

Is the dam currently used to support a water supply
for irrigation?

1

2

3

4

Is it currently used to support a water supply for
fire control?

1

2

3

4

Is it currently used to support a public water supply
such as for a town or a water district or water
company?

1

2

3

4

Does the presence of the dam provide recreation
opportunities above or below it (such as boating,
fishing, swimming)

1

2

3

4

Are there any other ways the dam is currently
used? Please identify,
________________________

1

2

3

4

4.

Do [YOU/OWNER] plan to modify the [DAM 1] or use it differently in the future?
(Circle one number)
1

Yes

What do you plan? (Fill in the blank)
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

5.

2

No

3

Don’t know

4

REFUSAL

Now I will read a list of statements concerning topics related to dam ownership. Please
tell me if you agree or disagree with each statement, as it pertains to the [DAM 1]. (Circle
one number for each category. Repeat response categories as necessary.)

The costs of operating and maintaining the
dam are significant to me.
I understand state and federal regulations
associated with the dam.
Public safety at this dam is not of concern
to me.
The dam is in great shape; I am not at all
concerned about it failing.

Agree
1

Disagree
2

REFUSAL

1

2

3

1

2

3

1

2

3

3

I am concerned about flooding upstream of
the dam.
I am concerned about the liability of
owning the dam.
6.

1

2

3

1

2

3

Are there nearby individuals or special interest groups, such as lake associations or
watershed associations, who you feel have a special interest in the [DAM 1]? (Circle one
number)
1

Yes

Who is that? (Record the names of up to five individuals and/or
organizations)
1. ____________________________
2. ____________________________
3. ____________________________
4. ____________________________
5. ____________________________

2

No

3

Don’t know

4

REFUSAL

IF ONE DAM  SKIP TO Q11.
IF TWO DAMS  CONTINUE.
7.

Now I’m going to ask a few questions about how the [DAM 2] is used today. (Circle one
number for each category) Is the dam currently used….
Yes

No

Don’t
Know

REFUSAL

to generate electricity?

1

2

3

4

to restrict some kinds of fish from swimming
around it?

1

2

3

4

to provide habitat for waterfowl or wildlife?

1

2

3

4

for flood control?

1

2

3

4

Is the dam currently used to support a water supply
for irrigation?

1

2

3

4

Is it currently used to support a water supply for

1

2

3

4

Yes

No

Don’t
Know

REFUSAL

Is it currently used to support a public water supply
such as for a town or a water district or water
company?

1

2

3

4

Does the presence of the dam provide recreation
opportunities above or below it (such as boating,
fishing, swimming)

1

2

3

4

Are there any other ways the dam is currently
used? Please identify,
________________________

1

2

3

4

fire control?

8.

Do [YOU/OWNER] plan to modify the [DAM 2] or use it differently in the future?
(Circle one number)
1

Yes

What do you plan? (Fill in the blank)
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________

9.

2

No

3

Don’t know

4

REFUSAL

Now I will read a list of statements concerning topics related to dam ownership. Please
tell me if you agree or disagree with each statement, as it pertains to the [DAM 2]. (Circle
one number for each category. Repeat response categories as necessary.)
Agree

Disagree

REFUSAL

The costs of operating and maintaining the
dam are significant to me.

1

2

3

I understand state and federal regulations
associated with the dam.

1

2

3

Public safety at this dam is not of concern
to me.

1

2

3

The dam is in great shape; I am not at all
concerned about it failing.

1

2

3

I am concerned about flooding upstream of
the dam.

1

2

3

I am concerned about the liability of
owning the dam.

10.

Yes

REFUSAL

1

2

3

Who is that? (Record the names of up to five individuals and/or
organizations)

2

No

3

Don’t know

4

REFUSAL

1.

____________________________

2.

____________________________

3.

____________________________

4.

____________________________

5.

____________________________

In some circumstances, funding is available for dam removal or fish passage
improvements around dams. Would you be interested in talking with someone from
NOAA…? (Read each statement below and circle one number for each option)

About Atlantic salmon
Endangered Species Act
Programs
Creating passage around
the dam for Atlantic
salmon and other kind of
fish
Selling the dam or
transferring ownership
About removing the dam
12.

Disagree

Are there nearby individuals or special interest groups, such as lake associations or
watershed associations, who you feel have a special interest in the [DAM 2]? (Circle one
number)
1

11.

Agree

Yes

Maybe

No

REFUSAL

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

NOAA is in the process of preparing a General Conservation Plan that will help balance
conservation of important habitat for Atlantic salmon with existing land use and they are
looking for your help in developing it. Would you like to receive additional information
about this opportunity? (Circle one number)

13.

1

Yes

2

No

3

REFUSAL

Those are all the questions that I have. Do you have any comments about the issues
discussed in this survey? (Circle one number)
1

Yes

2

No

Record comments:

Thank you very much for your time and have a wonderful day.
Interviewer comments: