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. .' TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM 1.1 - USER SURVEY AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SUBJECT: DATE: Bear Creek Reservoi r and Watershed Clean Lakes Study April, 1988 INTRODUCTION The goal of the Clean Lakes Program (CLP) is to implement methods and proce- dures to control sources of pollution introduced into publicly owned freshwater lakes or man-made reservoirs which have recreation'al value. Lakes or reservoirs included in a CLP have been identified as having their uses impaired. The Phase I diagnostic-feasibility study provides comprehensive data which will be used to identify and evaluate potential methods for restoring degraded lakes or reservoirs to meet their intended uses. Sufficient diagnostic information about the reservoir and its watershed must be collected in relation to water quality, limnology, morphology, demographic and socioeconomic environments. This information en- ables decision-makers to select the most feasible alternative for restoring or protecting the reservoir water quality and maximizing public benefits. The United States Environmental Protection Agency prepared a Clean Lakes Pro- gram Guidance manual (EPA-440/5-81-0Q3l to assist agencies involved in lake or reservoir restoration programs. This Guidance Manual provides regulations, procedures, recommendations and appropriate technology necessary to implement a CLP study, Information provided in this Guidance Manual forms the basis for the Bear Creek reservoir and watershed study. An important component of the diagnostic study is information which deals with user population perceptions about the reservoir and associated watershed. The Guidance Manual requires gathering specific data which characterizes public ac- cess, user population and distribution, current public benefits, recreational uses, impairment of recreational uses, reactions to pollution control or restoration strategies, historical reservoir and watershed uses, previously identified problems or conditions and the socioeconomic structure of user communities. This type of information can be obtained through expedient use of survey questionnaires and personal interviews. These surveys and interviews need to be administered to both the public who use the Bear Creek Park and/or watershed and to com- munities within the Bear Creek basin. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS The public participation portion of a CLP, as defined in the Clean lakes Program Guidance Manual (EPA-440/5-81-003l, is subject to the requirements of 40 CFR 5, "Public participation in programs under the Resources Conservation and Re- covery Act, the Safe Drin king Water Act and the Clean Water Act." These regulations define a series of objectives for public participation. Those regu- lations which affect a CLP are summarized as follows: