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Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project

Heron on Sesuit Creek salt marsh, DennisThe 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

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Adobe Acrobat IconFinal Watershed Plan and Environmental Impact Statement - This is the complete document, including appendices. Bookmarks and hyperlinks are provided for easy navigation within the document and to external resources. (16 MB)

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 Adobe Acrobat IconCover
 Adobe Acrobat IconTitle page
 Adobe Acrobat IconContents
 Adobe Acrobat IconChapter 1 - Project Summary
 Adobe Acrobat IconChapter 2 - Introduction
 Adobe Acrobat IconChapter 3 - Project Setting
 Adobe Acrobat IconChapter 4 - Watershed Problems and Opportunities
 Adobe Acrobat IconChapter 5 - Scope of the EIS
 Adobe Acrobat IconChapter 6 - Formulation and Comparison of Alternatives
 Adobe Acrobat IconChapter 7 - Consultation and Public Participation
 Adobe Acrobat IconChapter 8 - Recommended Plan
 Adobe Acrobat IconChapter 9 - References
 Adobe Acrobat IconChapter 10 - List of Preparers
 Adobe Acrobat IconChapter 11 - Index
 Adobe Acrobat IconAppendix A - Letters and Oral Comments
 Adobe Acrobat IconAppendix B - Investigation and Analysis Report
 Adobe Acrobat IconAppendix C - Supporting Information
 

Related information

Adobe Acrobat IconCape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project brochure
Adobe Acrobat IconCape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project - Questions and Answers

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