Ten Years of 208

At this year's OneCape Conference, Erin Perry, Deputy Director of the Cape Cod Commission, reflected on the 10-year journey since the adoption of the region's Section 208 Water Quality Management Plan. She reminded the audience that in 2015, wastewater was the central topic of discussion: "Ten years ago at OneCape, all we talked about was wastewater - it was the entire content of the summit." That intensive process brought together hundreds of stakeholders and resulted in a landmark plan, approved by the EPA in September 2015, that reshaped the region's approach to addressing water quality challenges. Perry noted that the 208 Plan not only provided a roadmap for wastewater but also established a model for tackling other regional challenges by convening diverse perspectives and grounding decisions in data.  

Over the past decade, the Cape has made remarkable progress. Communities have embraced data-driven tools, implemented large-scale monitoring, and advanced innovative technologies to adapt to evolving water quality needs. The Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund, established in 2018, has been transformative, providing more than $309 million in subsidies to help fund $1.2 billion in wastewater construction projects, with an additional $1.2 billion expected over the next five years.  "The investment that our communities have made in funding wastewater implementation and getting so many of these projects off the ground is the biggest wastewater success story of the last decade," said Perry.  

Looking forward, Perry emphasized the importance of continued adaptation, engagement, and collaboration. Challenges such as permitting, siting, and financing require the same level of creativity and cooperation that guided the original 208 process. She emphasized the importance of staying responsive to changing community needs and leveraging data to inform decisions, while also keeping residents engaged in the process and ensuring that wastewater management remains a cornerstone of regional planning.   

Following Erin’s presentation, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) Commissioner Bonnie Heiple outlined the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s near- and long-term commitments to Cape Cod’s water quality and climate resilience challenges, anchored by the proposed MassREADY environmental bond bill. Key provisions align with the Commission’s coastal and freshwater priorities: $505 million for drinking and clean water, including $120 million to address PFAS, $315 million for local resilience projects, and funds to ensure continued state revolving fund (SRF) capacity, alongside historic SRF financing on the Cape since 2022. She highlighted the region’s milestone on nitrogen reduction, with Cape Cod towns pursuing watershed permits under the updated Title 5 and watershed planning regulations, and thanked state and local partners for enabling tailored, technology-forward solutions.  

Looking ahead, Heiple previewed wetland and waterway regulatory updates to reflect current precipitation and sea-level realities, streamline culvert and nature-based resilience projects, and accelerate salt marsh and cranberry bog restorations, complemented by a proposed new resilience revolving fund. She detailed PFAS leadership and air-quality investments. Acknowledging federal SRF uncertainty, she affirmed the state’s push to keep critical projects on track and expand support beyond SRF.  

State and local leaders came together for a breakout session focused on local progress advancing wastewater implementation and improving water quality, highlighting the significant strides Cape Cod has made since the 208 Plan Update. Panelists emphasized the importance of continued collaboration across local, regional, and state levels to address emerging challenges and support ongoing wastewater initiatives. Jeffrey Colby, Department of Public Works Director for the Town of Yarmouth, discussed local progress and the practical realities of wastewater management, including challenges with wastewater disposal. Andrew Gottlieb, Executive Director of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, underscored the environmental stakes and community advocacy. Gary Moran, Deputy Commissioner at MassDEP, spoke to the state’s role in enabling local and regional solutions. Erin Perry, Deputy Director of the Cape Cod Commission, framed the discussion around implementation strategies, with a particular focus on siting and permitting considerations critical to advancing water quality improvements. 

Senator Julian Cyr praised the Cape Cod Commission as a unique regional planning resource that helps the Cape speak with one voice. He highlighted major progress on wastewater infrastructure, citing over $1 billion in projects underway supported by the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund, with more to come by 2030.