Explanation of Indicator
Coastal lands are an important resource for Florida’s residents, providing recreation opportunities and access to wildlife and natural scenery, preservation of endangered species, and preservation of Florida’s natural history. The urbanization of Florida’s coast has diminished the quantity of land that is available for these purposes. The state has responded with the Conservation and Recreation Lands Program, Save Our Rivers, Save Our Coasts and other programs which have acquired over 1.8 million acres of land, much of which has been coastal lands. These programs are dependent on public support for investment of state funds in public land purchases. Changes in the levels of support for purchases of coastal lands should be followed by appropriate governmental fiscal actions.
Data Characteristics
SOURCE
There is currently no source of data for this information.
ACQUISITION
Not applicable.
COLLECTION
Not applicable.
Recommendations
Currently there is no information available for this indicator. An annual survey of Florida residents could be developed to obtain this information.
The Florida Coastal Management Program (FCMP) should develop the Florida Coastal Issue Survey to elicit responses concerning this issue from Florida residents. A survey can gauge the general public’s opinions, attitudes, and knowledge about coastal issues. The FCMP should conduct an annual telephone survey of the adult population (ages 18 and over) to elicit responses concerning a variety of coastal management issues. The selection of the telephone numbers should be based on a two stage random digit dialing stratified by coastal and non-coastal county designation. The two stage process ensures a more random sample of residential households; the stratification ensures that the designated coastal and non-coastal counties will have an appropriate proportion of the sample. There should be two sections to the survey: the first section should contain general demographic questions about the respondent and the household (age, sex, income, # in household, zip code area, etc.); the second section should contain questions about coastal issues.
The survey should contain a question asking the respondent about their support of funding for coastal land acquisition, with prompting of a Likert scaling response.
Sample question: Do you feel the level of funding for purchase of coastal lands should be increased, decreased, or held the same?
Summary of the responses would show the proportion of the public that believes funding for purchase of coastal lands should be increased or decreased or held the same.