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The Cape Cod Commission is pleased to announce the release of the draft Cape Cod Freshwater Strategy, a comprehensive, data-driven plan that defines a path forward for Cape Cod to support healthy, functioning freshwater ecosystems. The draft strategy is available for public comment. Comments will be accepted through Monday, March 17, 2025.

During a meeting held on January 27, 2025, the Cape Cod Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) released the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2025-2029 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment 3 for a 21-day public review and comment period.

FFY 2025-2029 TIP Amendment 3 would add a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Safe Streets for All supplemental planning grant in the amount of $315,000 for the Town of Barnstable to be programmed in FFY 2025. The Town will use these funds to conduct Road Safety Audits at fourteen high-crash locations in Barnstable, a project that supports the ongoing regional safety work of the Vision Zero Action Plan, an initiative under development to improve traffic safety and reduce fatalities and serious injuries region-wide.

This Regulatory Update provides a status on projects currently under review by the Cape Cod Commission. Visit www.capecodcommission.org/regulatory for a full overview of our Regulatory program and answers to frequently asked questions.   

On January 13, 2025, the CCIWPF Board voted to approve two key motions to enhance financial support for water quality monitoring programs, highlighting their connection to the Fund's mission. These programs aim to improve the understanding of both coastal and freshwater ecosystems, ensuring informed, science-based decision-making for the region.    

Passengers on Cape Cod’s public transportation network have a variety of ways to catch a ride, but by far, the most popular way is to flag a bus down anywhere along its route. While convenient, this method does pose some safety challenges. To help assess the most popular access points, the Cape Cod Commission and Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority collaborated to develop an online tool that, using ridership data from 2022, shows where riders are getting on and off the bus.   

Each year, the Cape Cod Metropolitan Planning Organization, with advisement from the Joint Transportation Committee, guidance from Cape Cod Commission transportation staff, and input from the public, helps to create the Transportation Improvement Program and Unified Planning Work Program to guide funding for infrastructure improvement projects on Cape Cod. 

Eight Cape Cod organizations have been awarded a total of $300,000 in Cape Cod and Islands License Plate Grant funds to support initiatives that advance regional economic diversity and sustainability. The Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners approved the awards on January 28, 2025, as recommended by the Barnstable County Economic Development Council (BCEDC). 

The Cape Cod Commission 2024 Year in Review is now available.

As work on the Cape Cod Freshwater Initiative nears completion, the Cape Cod Commission is pleased to present new tools and resources to support the region’s freshwater ponds.

The Cape Cod Commission launched the Freshwater Initiative in 2022, responding to growing concerns about the health of the region's 890 ponds and lakes. Cape Cod's freshwater resources are dynamic natural systems that contribute to the region's identity. A strategy to support protection and restoration of Cape Cod’s ponds is nearly complete. It includes data, research, and re