Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project

Barnstable County, Massachusetts -- also known as Cape Cod -- is a coastal area where ecosystems have been compromised by urban development. Water quality is a major concern, particularly as it affects the ground water aquifer, salt marshes, shellfish beds and herring runs.

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 issues.

Federal, state and local agencies have partnered to identify these problems and formulate solutions. The costs and benefits of various alternative have been evaluated and sponsors' decisions are contained in the watershed plan below. The plan identifies 76 sites throughout Cape Cod for possible restoration including:

• 26 storm water discharge sites
• 26 tidal-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 sources.

A partnership of federal, state and local agencies, as well as all 15 Barnstable County towns is collaborating. 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 Conservation Service.

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.

General Project Information

The following documents require Acrobat Reader

Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project - Fact Sheet
Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project - Questions and Answers

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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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
 

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