Bill Overview
Title: Chincoteague Water Well Replacement Act
Description: This bill authorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to reimburse the town of Chincoteague, Virginia, for costs associated with the removal, relocation, and replacement of drinking water wells located on NASA property.
Sponsors: Rep. Luria, Elaine G. [D-VA-2]
Target Audience
Population: People residing in Chincoteague, Virginia
Estimated Size: 2800
- The bill pertains to the town of Chincoteague, Virginia, which relies on specific wells for its drinking water supply.
- The replacement and relocation of water wells can impact any residents utilizing the current water sources that fall under the jurisdiction of this bill.
- Chincoteague is a small town with a residency that will directly be affected by infrastructural changes in their water supply system.
- The population of Chincoteague was last estimated to be approximately 2,800 according to recent census data.
Reasoning
- Given the geographically localized nature of the policy, its direct impact is limited primarily to residents of Chincoteague, Virginia.
- The total budget indicates a moderate scale project, suggesting the impact is likely financial and logistical rather than wide-reaching across other parts of the nation.
- Chincoteague's small population implies a high commonness of the interviews, as most residents could be directly affected.
- Including people from outside Chincoteague helps gauge indirect impact, such as tax usage or public interest, but these impacts will be minimal to none.
Simulated Interviews
Elementary School Teacher (Chincoteague, VA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe updating the water infrastructure is crucial for our community's health.
- I hope this project will provide us cleaner water and potentially attract more visitors due to improved public health standards.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Environmental Scientist (Chincoteague, VA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a very necessary move by NASA to ensure our water supply is safe and sustainable.
- I'm optimistic this will also help our town's environmental stand.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 3 |
Retired (Chincoteague, VA)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad that our water quality is being taken seriously, especially for those of us older folks.
- Improved water may reduce some health risks we face.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Small Business Owner (Chincoteague, VA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While the improvements are necessary, I'm concerned about potential short-term disruptions to local businesses.
- I hope the town and NASA manage it smoothly so as not to affect tourism too much.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Fisherman (Chincoteague, VA)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this as a positive step towards maintaining the balance of our local environment which directly impacts my job.
- Clean water is essential for the fishery's sustainability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Nurse (Chincoteague, VA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to safe drinking water is a public health matter. I'm supportive of the policy.
- This step is crucial given the dependency on these wells.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Online Retailer (Virginia Beach, VA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't think this affects me directly, but I hope it benefits the locals and keeps the area nice for visits.
- It's good to see local amenities being improved.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Hotel Manager (Chincoteague, VA)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The water project is essential for our town's reputation, but construction could scare away tourists.
- I hope the benefits outweigh any temporary disruptions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Freelance Writer (Chincoteague, VA)
Age: 47 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill is a win for environmental sustainment and public health.
- As a writer and resident, I see it as a positive initiative for our community and a compelling story.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Policy Analyst (Richmond, VA)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems like a sensible use of public funds, assuming effective implementation.
- I'm interested in the environmental reporting that may come as a result of this project.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $4000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The reimbursement covers public infrastructure essential for drinking water supply, a critical local service.
- Costs may vary depending on geological and logistical factors specific to the NASA site.
- Coordination with NASA and related compliance might influence project timelines and costs.