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Barcelo & Company Poll Shows Overwhelming
Support for Ocklawaha Restoration
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Ocala, Florida - A highly regarded republican political consultant and public opinion researcher, Barcelo & Company, just released a scientific poll assessing the attitudes of likely voters in Putnam and Marion counties regarding their understanding and support for restoring the flow of the Ocklawaha River by breaching the Rodman/Kirkpatrick Dam. The firm polled 604 respondents with a margin of error of +4.0 percent with a 95% confidence factor.
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Key Poll Findings
.1 Responders demonstrate a solid understanding of challenges facing the Ocklawaha and St. Johns rivers.
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2. The initial survey question shows 77% general approval of restoring the flow of the Ocklawaha River. Those against was only 6% and no opinion 17%.
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3, Responders ranked six statements regarding what would make them more or less likely to support restoration of the flow of the Ocklawaha River. Scores were high at 84%-76%.
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- Aging locks and dam result in catastrophic downstream flooding– 84%
- Reduce herbicide spraying, muck build-up, and weed blockages– 82%
- Benefit submerged grasses, improve water quality and fish habitat – 80%
- Access to the Ocklawaha and Silver Springs for manatees – 79%
- Provide essential habitat for manatees and historic fish populations – 78%
- Expand recreation and tourism and improve economy – 76%
4. After benefits messages were ranked, responders’ general approval of restoring the flow of the Ocklawaha River rose from 77% to 81%.
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The results come on the heels of a St. Johns River Water Management District fall survey where more than 85% of the nearly 10,000 state and national survey participants supported restoration of the Ocklawaha River by breaching the Rodman/Kirkpatrick Dam when asked - “What would you like to see happen with the Rodman Reservoir and Kirkpatrick Dam moving forward?” Only 5.9% were clearly in favor of retaining the Kirkpatrick Dam and Rodman Reservoir.
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“Barcelo & Company’s findings provide a scientific poll that demonstrates wide-spread, bi-partisan support for one of the most significant restoration projects in Florida today. Where else do you see 77% agreement on any issue facing Floridians?”
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Margaret Spontak, Chair, Free the Ocklawaha River Coalition for Everyone
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Note: Those responding to the poll include 54% Republicans, 34% Democrats and 11% no party affiliation.
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The Barcelo scientific poll validated the SJRWMD survey results and demonstrates that a majority of likely voters in Marion and Putnam counties, who have the most at stake, support restoration. Marion and Putnam counties, support a free-flowing Ocklawaha River. The Barcelo Ocklawaha Restoration Benchmark Poll was funded by The River Branch Foundation on behalf of the Free the Ocklawaha River Coalition for Everyone.
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Free The Ocklawaha Coalition. For a list of our members click here .
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