208 Water Quality Plan Progress

Stakeholder Summit:
Nearly three hundred stakeholders gathered at the Cape Cod Resort and Conference Center in Hyannis last month to reflect on the past six months of public engagement and discuss issues relevant to the draft 208 plan, which will be submitted on June 1, 2014.

After hearing presentations on “The Cost of Doing Nothing” and the unique challenges facing Cape Cod, attendees participated in breakout sessions. Stakeholders were introduced to existing regulatory, legal, and institutional issues; scenario planning; the Triple Bottom Line decision support tool; implementation options; and the path forward for upcoming stakeholder involvement.

The list of presenters included Wendy Northcross, CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce; Johanna Hunter, EPA; Eric Ruder, Industrial Economics, Inc.; Commissioner Ken Kimmell, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection; State Treasurer Steven Grossman; and Ben Grumbles, President of the U.S. Water Alliance.

Sub-regional Groups, Meeting One
Stakeholders met over the past two weeks in smaller sub-regional groups to discuss the concepts introduced at the 208 Summit in more detail. The initial meeting goals were: to identify regulatory, legal, and institutional challenges, constraints, and opportunities associated with the 208 Plan approach for water quality; and to clarify the definition and components of an adaptive management plan that can be permitted. Attendees included a wide range of stakeholders, members of the public, Commission staff, and representatives from the EPA.

Next Steps
Stakeholders will continue to meet in sub-regional groups throughout the spring to discuss potential regulatory/legal/institutional issues, scenario planning, and adaptive management. A draft 208 Plan will be assembled for June 1, 2014.