Newsroom

The Town of Yarmouth recently presented its Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP) to the Cape Cod Commission for certification, outlining a long-term vision to guide growth, protect natural resources, and strengthen the community over the next decade and beyond.

Commission staff are partnering with the Pleasant Bay Alliance towns of Chatham, Harwich, and Orleans to implement a model coastal resilience bylaw and its accompanying regulations. Staff are collaborating with local officials in each town to adapt the model bylaw and regulations to meet specific local needs.

Women's history on Cape Cod is marked by resilience and leadership, with women playing pivotal roles in shaping the region’s communities since its early settlement. In the 19th century, while many men were away at sea, women managed households, farms, and local businesses, becoming the backbone of Cape Cod’s coastal villages. As educators, abolitionists, and suffragists, Cape Cod women like Mercy Otis Warren and Helen Augusta Crocker advocated for social change. During the 20th century, women continued to lead, from environmental conservation efforts to local politics. Today, women continue to be vital leaders in the region’s civic, cultural, and environmental spheres.

The Cape Cod Canal Bridges Program is advancing.    

On March 26, 2026, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) issued a Request for Letters of Interest from qualified design and construction firms for the replacement of the Sagamore Bridge, marking the start of the project’s procurement process.  

A status on projects currently under review by the Cape Cod Commission.

With approximately 86% of Cape Cod’s land area already developed or protected, it is essential for the region to focus growth and development within areas that have adequate infrastructure and away from areas with sensitive resources. To inform future land use and public policy decisions, Cape Cod and its municipalities must understand the economic effects of current development patterns, as well as analyze the fiscal implications of alternative development approaches.  

The Cape Cod Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has released proposed amendments to the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2024 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and the FFY 2026–2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for a 21-day public comment period. Copies of the proposed amendments are available at www.capecodcommission.org/mpo.

The Commonwealth has launched the next review of the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan, an important step in guiding the responsible use of ocean waters that are vital to Cape Cod’s identity, economy, and environment. Established under the 2008 Oceans Act, the Plan was the nation’s first comprehensive, enforceable marine spatial plan, balancing uses like fishing, shipping, recreation, renewable energy, and conservation through a science-based approach. The required five-year review will assess current conditions and, if needed, develop updates to reflect new science, ocean uses, and priorities.

Launched in 2023 by the Cape Cod Commission and the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, the Regional Pond Monitoring Program monitors a representative sample of ponds to provide insight into water quality and how it is influenced by pond size, land use, and watershed characteristics. This year, the number of monitored ponds has expanded from 50 to 75. Alongside physical and chemical measurements, the program now includes enhanced monitoring of zooplankton.

Cape Cod’s Black community has long shaped the region’s cultural, social, and economic life. Enslaved Africans were brought to the region in the 17th century, and in time, freed individuals established vibrant communities. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Black residents contributed to maritime industries and civic life while facing systemic racism and segregation.