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Cape Cod communities are making strides to reduce nitrogen flow into our coastal waters, and now local leaders are reviewing a pair of proposals designed to encourage watershed-based comprehensive planning and implementation.

The newly formed Cape Cod Ponds Network, convened for the first time in 2022 in response to growing concern over the health of Cape Cod’s ponds, is a way for those who care about ponds to learn from one another and exchange ideas on topics of regional interest.    

In September, Cape Cod Commission Water Resources Analyst Tim Pasakarnis was named the SNEP Monitoring Subcommittee's first-ever Chair.

MassDEP is proposing two regulatory initiatives: revisions to Title 5 regulations to establish natural resource “Nitrogen Sensitive Areas” (NSAs) for watersheds adversely impacted by nitrogen, and new Watershed Permit regulations.

Cape Cod is home to many historic buildings and historic districts in flood hazard areas. Unique challenges exist in developing floodproofing measures consistent with historic resource protection.

Many of the Cape Cod Commission's projects and initiatives include robust stakeholder engagement: public meetings, presentations, design charettes, and public comments. But the pandemic rendered in-person meetings infeasible. So how do you connect with stakeholders when you can't meet in person? 

This Regulatory Update provides a status on projects currently under review by the Cape Cod Commission. Visit www.capecodcommission.org/regulatory for an overview of our Regulatory program and answers to frequently asked questions.

In late August, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card declared that the Cape Cod region is experiencing a critical Level-3 drought.  Conserving water now will help to reduce water use to ensure that water is available for drinking and fire protection, habitats have enough water to support their natural functions, and to sustain the long-term availability of water supplies. 

The Cape Cod Commission has begun work on the Cape Cod Freshwater Initiative, a science-based, information-driven planning process to engage stakeholders and enable action to protect and restore Cape Cod’s freshwater resources. The effort is supported by $2,493,028 in funding approved by the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates and Board of Regional Commissioners.