Kennebunkport Healthy Ecosystem Survey shows widespread concern for the environment

The survey created by the Kennebunkport Conservation Commission to get a better understanding of community members’ thoughts and opinions on the use of synthetic and organic pesticides and fertilizers is complete and the results are posted on the Kennebunkport town website.

A significant number of respondents indicated concern about the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in the region. Almost 50% had “lots of concern” about the effects that pesticide use could be having on air and water quality, human health, pollinators, or general ecological health. Another 35% indicated “some concern.”

When asked what level of action the town should take to protect water, pollinators, and the environment, a similar percentage (29%) held opposing opinions: “take no action” or “take a lot of action by banning all pesticides.” A larger group (43%) took the middle road, wanting the town to take “some action” to reduce the use of pesticides.

Finally, when asked specifically about the link between algae bloom and the overuse of fertilizers on land adjacent to waterbodies, fully half of the respondents wanted both a town regulation and an educational campaign to address this practice, 28% wanted only an educational campaign, 7% wanted only a town regulation, and 15% wanted neither.

The Commission received a total of 656 responses, which included 422 online and 234 paper responses. For a population of around 3,500, this is about a 4% +/- margin of error. Answers for all paper responses were input into the electronic database by Commission members. The survey was made available to all taxpayers; 69% of respondents were residents and 31% were non-resident taxpayers. There was no significant difference in opinion between the two groups.