CHANGE IN COASTAL COMMUNITIES: PERSPECTIVES FROM DOWN EAST

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1 CHANGE IN COASTAL COMMUNITIES: PERSPECTIVES FROM DOWN EAST LISA M. CAMPBELL, NOËLLE BOUCQUEY, GABRIEL CUMMING, CARLA NORWOOD, ZOË MELETIS, JOSHUA STOLL SEPTEMBER, 2009 With the support of North Carolina Sea Grant, researchers at the Duke University Marine Lab have been studying community views of land use change and development in Down East, North Carolina. As part of this two-year effort, a random sample of Down East residents and landowners were surveyed in the summer and fall of The purpose of the survey was: 1. To document views of residents and landowners: what they value about Down East, their thoughts on change and development, their visions for the future of the area, and their attitudes toward various growth management strategies; 2. To make these data available to local stakeholders. We are pleased to provide an overview of survey results. We will be presenting and discussing these results at upcoming public meetings, where we will also be screening a short documentary film that captures the views and voices of local residents and landowners. We invite you to participate in one of these meetings: September 28, 2009, Atlantic Elementary School, 7:00-8:30pm October 1, 2009, Smyrna Elementary School, 7:00-8:30pm October 6, 2009, Harkers Island Elementary School, 7:00-8:30pm For further information: Lisa M. Campbell, Duke University Marine Lab coastalcommunities@duke.edu

2 SUMMARY OF SURVEY RESULTS: CHANGE IN COASTAL COMMUNITIES: PERSPECTIVES FROM DOWN EAST LISA M. CAMPBELL, NOËLLE BOUCQUEY, GABRIEL CUMMING, CARLA NORWOOD, ZOË MELETIS, JOSHUA STOLL Who was surveyed? We randomly selected 20% of Down East residents and/or landowners to receive our survey. Our sampling was by community; we surveyed in proportion to population size. We distributed surveys by mail (n = 965), or door to door (n = 266). Mailed surveys were used to: a) ensure that we included part-time and/or out-of-state landowners not currently living Down East; and b) increase the statistical reliability of our results; while in-person, door to door surveys were used to: a) target full-time residents currently living in Down East; b) establish a personal presence in Down East; and c) increase our overall response rate. How many people responded? Of our total sample, 629 residents and/or land owners in Down East s 13 communities completed the survey. The mail survey response rate was 50% (483 of 965) and the door to door survey response rate was 55% (146 of 266). Overall, the cumulative response rate was 51%. For the purpose of this summary, the results are combined and presented as cumulative values. Who responded? Participants included full-time residents (62%) of Down East as well as part-time and/or non-resident landowners (38%) from 16 states and 43 of North Carolina s 100 counties. Respondents family ties to Down East varied; 21% reported being first generation residents, 8% reported being second generation, and 52 % reported being third generation or greater (19% reported no family ties). The highest proportion of our survey respondents was from Harkers Island (21%) and the lowest proportion was from Cedar Island (2%) (Table 1). The majority of respondents were male (65% male vs. 35 % female). Most respondents were in the age range of years and most reported household income in the range of $50,000-75,000. Table 1. Proportion of overall responses by community Community Proportion of respondents Harkers Island 21% Otway 13% Atlantic 10% Marshallberg 10% Gloucester 7% Williston 7% Sea Level 7% Bettie 6% Davis 5% Smyrna 5% Straits 4% Stacy 3% Cedar Island 2% Campbell et al.,

3 Are there trends in land ownership Down East? In the last ten years, 48% of those surveyed purchased land Down East and 16% sold land. In the next ten years, 18% plan to purchase land, while 26% intend to sell land. For those who have bought land, retirement was the most frequently cited explanation, while those who sold land most frequently did so for the profit (Table 2 & 3). Table 2. Reasons respondents have or will buy land Down East Reason Retirement 25% Investment opportunity 21% Family 18% Land Availability 10% Affordable price 10% Other 10% Local Amenities 5% Employment opportunity 2% Table 3. Reasons respondents have or will sell land Down East Reason Profit by selling land 47% Taxes are too expensive 19% Retirement 18% No longer wish to live here 7% Closer to family living elsewhere 6% Unable to find steady work 3% How do people use land and water resources Down East? Down East is widely recognized for the beauty and richness of its natural environment. It is, in part, what attracts newcomers and retains locals. Results from our survey quantify the outdoor activities respondents participate in, both recreationally and commercially (Table 4). Nearly half of the respondents (42%) reported that their income was and/or is related to Down East s land and water resources. Table 4. Respondents' participation in land/water based activities Activity Recreational Boating 60% Recreational Fishing 56% Hunting 22% Commercial Fishing 16% Other Comm. Fishing related work 9% Boat Building 7% Commercial Boating 4% Campbell et al.,

4 What is the most important issue facing Down East? Survey participants were asked to identify the most important issue currently facing Down East from a list of 10 options. Maintaining environmental quality was identified most frequently as the first priority. Table 5 shows how respondents prioritized these issues. Table 5. Most important issue for Down East right now Issue Maintaining environmental quality 37% Creating employment 25% Loss of local culture 8% Public access to waterfront 7% Managing population 5% Changing appearance 5% Updating infrastructure 3% Too much residential 2% Other 2% Too little residential 1% What do people think about the pace of development Down East? Just over half of respondents (52%) believed the pace of real estate development Down East is too fast. Most respondents saw both positive and negative impacts of increased real estate development (52%), and of increased tourism (60%). Smaller percentages believed impacts of development (8%) or tourism (18%) will decrease their quality of life Down East. What do people think about land use change, development, and options for managing change Down East? Survey respondents were asked to rank a number of statements or policy options regarding land use, development, and change, on a scale of 1-5 from to Strongly Disagree. Tables 6-9 provide an overview of the statements given and the percentage of respondents who agreed or strongly agreed with them. Table 6. Things respondents value about Down East Agree / I appreciate the natural environment here 100% I am attracted to the beauty of the land and water here 99% I like being close to the water 99% I appreciate the cultural heritage here 99% I value the freedom to do what I want on my property 95% I am part of the community here 94% I feel connected to this area because my family has been here for a long time 78% Campbell et al.,

5 Table 7. Issues respondents believe Down East communities should focus on Agree/ Preserving the environment 100% Preserving culture/heritage 99% Supporting traditional industries like commercial fishing and boat building 98% Maintaining public access to waterfronts 97% Preserving the appearance (the way it looks) 96% Finding a compromise between conservation/preservation and development 92% Attracting new commercial development (businesses) 60% Attracting new residential development 41% Table 8. Respondents views of change, management, and the role of communities Agree / The public should have a role in developing guidelines for land use Down East 96% As the population Down East grows, we will lose the things that make this place special 88% An individual should be able to do whatever he or she wants with his or her property 76% The changes brought by development are inevitable; we can't do anything about them 34% The County Commissioners are doing a good job of regulating development Down East 24% Table 9. Respondent views on the need for policies and tools to protect what they value Agree/Strongly Agree Measures to protect water quality 99% Measures to protect the natural environment 99% Measures to support working waterfronts 98% Measures to ensure public access to waterfronts 96% Measures to ensure that new development 'fits in' with the way Down East looks 92% Measures to ensure that there is enough affordable housing 85% Incorporation 67% Land use zoning by the county 63% Ongoing analysis: The results presented above are a summary of the main questions on our survey. Further analysis is ongoing; visit our website from time to time to check on our progress. We hope to hear from you at one of our public meetings. Campbell et al.,