Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project
Barnstable County, Massachusetts -- also known as Cape Cod -- is a coastal
area where some of the sensitive ecosystems have been compromised by
development. Water quality is a major concern, particularly as it affects salt
marshes, shellfish beds and herring runs.
Stormwater runoff is a significant source of pollution in coastal areas. Some
shellfish beds on the Cape are often closed for extensive periods during the
year because of poor water quality due to stormwater runoff. Maintaining good
water quality through improved stormwater management near the many approved,
open shellfish beds found throughout Cape is a priority.
Salt marsh degradation and barriers that interfere with the migration of fish
are also significant concerns which the Cape Cod Resources Restoration Project
seeks to address.
Federal, state and local agencies have partnered to identify these problems
and formulate solutions. The costs and benefits of various alternatives have
been evaluated and sponsors' decisions are contained in the watershed plan. The
plan identifies 76 sites throughout Cape Cod for possible restoration including:
- 26 stormwater discharge sites
- 26 tidally-restricted salt marshes
- 24 obstructed fish passages.
The watershed plan describes the work to be done, the responsibilities of
each agency, financing arrangements and maintenance provisions. The estimated
total cost of the project is nearly $30 million, of which $23 million would be
provided by the federal government and the remainder through non-federal
The project represents a partnership of federal, state and local agencies, as
well as all 15 Barnstable County towns. Project sponsors are the Barnstable
County Commissioners, Cape Cod Conservation District, Executive Office of Energy
and Environmental Affairs, all 15 Cape Cod towns, and the USDA Natural Resources
Cooperating agencies include: Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Department of Fish and
Game, Massachusetts Division of Coastal Zone Management, Massachusetts Division
of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts Highway Department, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the town boards of health, natural resource
departments, conservation commissions, shellfish wardens and harbormasters.