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The next question elicited information about stated preferen
The next question elicited information about stated preference recreation behavior with improved quality. Respondents were asked: “After enforcement of the tougher pollution control laws do you think that you would participate in any recreational activities on or near the (Albemarle and) Pamlico Sound(s) during the next 12 months?” If they answered “yes” (42% for Pamlico and 44% for A–P versions) they were then asked “About how many trips do you think you would take during the next 12 months?” The average number of trips was 6.6 and 8.5 for the Pamlico and A–P Versions. If they answered “no” they were asked why: “What is the main reason why you won׳t participate in any recreational activities?” with “not enough income” (2%), “too far to travel” (17%), “other places are better” (26%), “don׳t like recreation”(7%), “laws not effective” (n=1) and “water not clean enough”(1%) as possible answers while 47% gave some other reason. If respondents answered either the initial or follow-up value elicitation question with a “yes,” the reasons for this value were probed with an open-ended question for which respondents could give as many reasons as they wanted. The initial answers given (n=344) were “for better recreation” (4%), “for future generations” (12%), “for friends and family” (2%), “for fish and wildlife” (29%), “it׳s the right thing to do (4%)”, “it sounds like a good cause (8%),” “I want a clean environment” (24%), or some other reason (8%). Respondents who gave as their initial answer reasons indicating that they were paying for moral satisfaction or warm glow (“it is the right thing to do”, “it sounds like a good cause”) were flagged as outliers. The answer “I want a clean environment” was also considered for flagging since it order Tasquinimod might indicate perceived payment for the environment in general and not for specific improvements in the A–P Sounds. These responses were not flagged after consideration of other reasons given for payment and respondent characteristics suggested that they did value specific improvements (i.e., they participate in recreation on the Pamlico Sound). If the answers to both of the valuation questions were “no” the respondents then were asked: “What is the most important reason why you would not be willing to pay?” Answers given (n=642) include “cost is too high” (10%), “polluters should pay” (5%), “I don׳t trust government” (5%), “I׳m already paying enough in taxes (26%), “the environment is clean enough” (2%), “I don׳t like hypothetical questions” (n=1), “I don׳t have enough income” (10%), “I don׳t think the laws will be effective” (13%), “other areas are clean enough” (7%), or some other reason (15%). Most of the responses suggested that reasons related to high cost, budget constraints, or a lack of value for the improvement were the primary reasons for not being willing to pay. If respondents indicated that they rejected the payment vehicle or rule (“polluters should pay,” “I don׳t trust government”) or the contingent valuation scenario (“I don׳t like hypothetical questions,” I don׳t think the laws will be effective”) they were considered protest responses and flagged. The answer “I׳m already paying enough in taxes” was also considered for flagging since PGA (phosphoglycerate) might indicate rejection of the payment vehicle. An alternative interpretation is that these respondents could not afford to pay higher taxes so they were not flagged. If the answers to both of the valuation questions were “don׳t know” the respondents then were asked: “What is the most important reason why you would not be willing to pay?” Answers given (n=78) include “cost is too high” (32%), “polluters should pay” (3%), “I don׳t trust government” (6%), “I׳m already paying enough in taxes\" (15%), “I don׳t have enough income” (6%), “I don׳t think the laws will be effective” (n=1), “other areas are clean enough” (5%), or some other reason (19%). Protest responses were again flagged. Overall, 17% of respondents who answered at least “don׳t know” were flagged as protests or outliers for various reasons.