Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in partnership with the Cape Cod Conservation District and the Barnstable County Commissioners, is proposing a major water resources restoration project on Cape Cod.

Water quality is a major concern on Cape Cod because of development pressure. Shellfish beds on the Cape are often closed for extensive periods during the year because of poor water quality and storm water runoff is a significant source of pollution. Salt marsh degradation and barriers that interfere with the migration of fish are also a concern.

NRCS has inventoried 158 storm water discharge sites, 182 tidal-restricted salt marshes and 93 fish passages throughout Cape Cod for possible restoration. The 433 sites were previously identified by local and state agencies and organizations.

The Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project will address these issues through NRCS's Small Watershed Program. The program, which targets watersheds less than 250,000 acres, uses comprehensive planning as well as technical and federal cost-share assistance to improve water quality in the watershed. A partnership of other federal, state and local agencies, as well as all Barnstable County towns is collaborating. NRCS will be the lead technical assistance agency.

Final Watershed Plan and Areawide Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

The following documents require Acrobat Reader
Final Watershed Plan and Environmental Impact Statement - This is the complete document, which now includes the signed watershed agreement. Bookmarks and hyperlinks are provided for easy navigation within the document and to external resources. (20 MB)

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Cover
Title page
Signed Watershed Agreement
Contents
Chapter 1 - Project Summary
Chapter 2 - Introduction
Chapter 3 - Project Setting
Chapter 4 - Watershed Problems and Opportunities
Chapter 5 - Scope of the EIS
Chapter 6 - Formulation and Comparison of Alternatives
Chapter 7 - Consultation and Public Participation
Chapter 8 - Recommended Plan
Chapter 9 - References
Chapter 10 - List of Preparers
Chapter 11 - Index
Appendix A - Letters and Oral Comments
Appendix B - Investigation and Analysis Report
Appendix C - Supporting Information
 

Related information

Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project brochure
Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project - Questions and Answers

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