Attachment 2 Draft Invitation Letter

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
ATLANTIC ECOLOGY DIVISION
27 TARZWELL DRIVE, NARRAGANSETT, RI 02882

[Date]
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New England’s coastal waters are vital for the area’s economy and quality of life. I am writing to ask for
your help in a study that we are conducting to better understand people’s opinions about coastal water
quality and how people use coastal areas for recreation. Your answers to this survey will be used to help
protect and improve the quality of coastal waters.
It is very important that someone in your household completes the survey, even if no one participates
in coastal recreation. Your insights are very important to us, and we encourage one adult (age 18 or
over) of your household to complete the survey.

Steps for taking the survey on the internet:
First enter this address into your
internet browser’s address bar:

http://www.NERecreationSurvey.com

Or, use the QR code with your
phone/tablet camera to link
directly to the survey:

«QR_code QR
Code»

Next, enter your Access Code: «Access_Code»
We hope that you will be able to take the survey on the internet. This is so we can summarize results
more quickly and get more accurate responses. It will also reduce costs of implementing the survey, and
some questions are easier to answer on the internet version. If you prefer a hard copy, a paper survey
will be sent to your home in a few weeks if you have not responded on the internet.
This survey is voluntary and your responses will be kept confidential and will only be used in
combination with answers from other households. If you have any questions about this survey now or
after you complete the survey, please contact me by email at NERecreationSurvey@abtassoc.com.
By taking a few minutes to answer the survey, you are adding greatly to our understanding of public
opinions and uses of coastal New England’s waters. I hope you enjoy completing this questionnaire and I
look forward to receiving your responses. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,

Marisa Mazzotta

Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov
Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 50% Postconsumer Content)

Commonly Asked Questions


How did you get my address?
Your address was randomly selected from addresses in New England. You and your
household represent many other households in New England.



Nobody in my household participates in coastal recreational activities. Should I still
complete the survey?
Yes. It is important for everyone selected to complete the survey. For the results of the
study to be accurate, we need basic information about all households who received the
survey, whether or not they participate in coastal recreation.



Why can’t you select another household instead of mine?
Your household was selected as part of a random sample of mailing addresses in your
county. Because the sample has already been selected, we can’t select another
household. For the results to be accurate, we need all households who receive this
invitation to answer the survey.



How much time will this survey take?
On average, the survey will take about 15 minutes to complete.



Who is sponsoring this survey?
This study is being conducted by the Office of Research and Development (ORD) of the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA’s Office of Research and Development
is the scientific research arm of EPA. This research is being conducted under two of
ORD’s six research programs: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources and Sustainable
and Healthy Communities. For more information, go to:
https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-research-and-development-ord



How will the information I provided be used?
This survey collects information about people’s opinions about water quality, and about
how people use coastal waters for recreation. This information will be used to help
local, state, and federal resource managers better manage coastal water quality for the
future.

Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov
Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 50% Postconsumer Content)