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Category: Water Quality

December 20, 2024
Securing the future of Cape Cod’s freshwater resources 

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

August 30, 2024
Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund continues support for water quality monitoring

The Center for Coastal Studies will continue to monitor water quality in the waters surrounding Cape Cod.

March 26, 2024
The Freshwater Initiative: What’s Ahead for 2024

The Cape Cod Freshwater Initiative is a science-based, information-driven planning process that engages stakeholders and enables action to protect and restore Cape Cod’s freshwater resources. It began in 2021 with an update to the Cape Cod Ponds Atlas. Since then, the team has been working to collect the data needed to make informed management decisions in our ponds and to better understand how they are changing from season to season and year to year.

March 22, 2024
Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund Board votes to modify funding model, award subsidies

During its meeting on March 22, 2024, the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund Management Board voted to adopt a new model for providing subsidies to projects listed on the Clean Water Intended Use Plan (IUP), beginning with projects listed on the 2023 IUP. Fund disbursements will shift from a principal forgiveness model to one that provides a portion of the 25% subsidy over the loan term. Subsidy payments are made when principal payments on the loan are due.

November 1, 2023
Cape Cod Commission receives grant to enhance water quality monitoring with satellite imagery

The Cape Cod Commission will lead an effort to expand satellite-derived water quality data collection and analysis and enhance existing pond monitoring efforts, funded by a $298,527 Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Priority Research Grant.

October 27, 2023
The Freshwater Initiative: Enhanced data collection proving successful

The first year of the new Cape Cod Regional Pond Monitoring Program concludes this month.

June 21, 2023
Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund Awards 2023 Grants 

The Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund Management Board voted June 13, 2023 to award $41,942,700 in subsidies to water quality projects in six Cape Cod towns.  

Contingent commitments for 25% subsidies to fund qualified projects listed on the 2023 Clean Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan were awarded to water quality and wastewater projects in the towns of Barnstable, Chatham, Harwich, Mashpee, Wellfleet, and Yarmouth. Projects receiving funds include pump station improvements and sewer extensions and expansions, construction of wastewater treatment facilities, and an innovative/alternative septic system program

May 30, 2023
The Freshwater Initiative: Examining and categorizing management strategies across the region 

Stormwater runoff, development, erosion, invasive species, and septic system discharge impact the health of Cape Cod's 890 ponds. Across the region, management strategies of different types and scales are being implemented to improve water quality and overall pond health.  

April 28, 2023
New technology helps deepen understanding of pollutant flow near ponds

Cape Cod Commission staff are using hydrologic response units to identify at-risk sections of pond buffers, better understand pollutant flow, and develop effective solutions.

April 28, 2023
The Freshwater Initiative: Expanded pond monitoring efforts underway on Cape Cod

A comprehensive pond monitoring program is now underway to gather consistent data from ponds across Cape Cod.   

 

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