Spotlight on Cape Cod

$42.5 Million CoMing to Cape for Water resourCe projeCts

BARNSTABLE — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service recently announced that it will invest $42.5 million in 21 projects that will restore and protect water quality on Cape Cod.

Up to $29 million will be used for the first phase of the Herring River salt marsh restoration project in Wellfleet that aims to eventually restore 1,100 acres of degraded salt marsh. The first step in the project is to replace the existing culverts at the Chequessett Neck Road bridge, along with other structural elements. Adaptive management measures will be used to monitor and adjust increases in tidal flow gradually.

The 21 projects are part of the Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project.

The USDA agency will spend approximately $6,427,000 on 10 stormwater projects that will restore 1,115 acres; $4,030,500 on seven fish passage improvements that will restore 1,643 acres; and $31,738,500 on four salt marsh restoration projects that will restore 989 acres.

The funding will cover 75% of the construction costs while also providing money for design and project administration. The remaining 25% of the construction cost is the responsibility of the town and must come from a non-federal source. The costs are estimated and are subject to change.

Twelve Cape towns will benefit in what is the first of a five-year effort. The only towns without projects in the first year are Falmouth, Harwich and Yarmouth.

The funding is provided through the USDA

Water rushes underneath the Chequessett Neck Road bridge in Wellfleet. The bridge and tidal gates will be replaced as part of a 1,100-acre salt marsh rehabilitation project, funded largely by state and federal money. Mary Ann Bragg/Provincetown Banner

agency’s watershed and flood prevention operations program. The agency worked with the Cape Cod Conservation District, Barnstable County Commissioners, the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and all 15 Cape Cod towns to identify project sites.

The Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project was developed by the conservation district

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and the USDA agency 20 years ago and approved by Congress in 2006. The project initially identified 76 sites for remediation on Cape Cod, and 31 were completed.

Additional Projects

Last year, the conservation district updated the Water Resources Restoration Project and requested funding for 98 identified projects, according to Mark Forest, chairman of the conservation district. The list included 31 fish passage projects, 16 salt marsh projects and one stormwater management project.

The local approach will yield far-reaching benefits for the Cape, from herring to humans, U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, D-Massachusetts, said in a release. “This $42.5 million federal investment, including up to $29 million for the Herring River Restoration Project, will restore fish passages and ecosystems, improve water quality, promote coastal resiliency, and help mitigate climate change,” Markey wrote.

“I want to thank Senators Markey and Warren and Congressman Bill Keating for their enthusiastic support for our application to fund these projects, and recognize the incredible support from our partners at the NRCS,” Forest said.

Work on several of the sites is expected to begin in the fall of 2022.

Cape Cod National Seashore staff members have been working with the town of Wellfleet for years on the massive project.

“This is really a continuation of more than two decades worth of efforts to restore the Herring River,” Seashore Supt. Brian Carlstrom said. “The effort is rooted in the work of John Portnoy. It was picked up and carried forward by Don Palladino and the Friends of the Herring River.”

Carole Ridley, project coordinator for the Herring River salt marsh restoration project, called the news “tremendous.” The funding will go towards construction of all the water control elements necessary for a full tidal restoration of the Herring River, including the bridge and other structural elements, Ridley said.

Permits are currently being sought for the first phase of the project, which calls for the restoration of 540 acres of salt marsh. Additional follow-up permitting is needed to pursue the full restoration of the river, she said.

The next step is for the town and the USDA agency to negotiate the grant agreement, according to Wellfleet Interim Town Manager Charlie Sumner. He expects that to happen before Sept. ember30. The town will have to commit to a nonfederal match of $8 million, which Sumner was confident would happen shortly.

Other Projects Include:

The replacement of culverts on Truro Center Road will restore tidal flows to an upper marsh system and reduce flooding.

Stormwater treatment on Lieutenant Island Road, Wellfleet, for shellfish restoration.

The replacement of culverts to restore tidal flow to salt marsh and Scorton Creek in Sandwich.

The redesign of a fish passage at Upper Marstons Mills Pond and Middle Pond in Barnstable.

Stormwater treatment to address runoff from Follins Pond Road and landing in Dennis.

The elimination of outfall pipes and infiltration systems installed on Ryder and Gosnold Streets in Provincetown.

Written by Denise Coffey. Reprinted from the Cape Cod Times. n

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