The Cape Cod Conservation District (District) has received official word today from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the local Congressional delegation that its application for $42.5 million in funds - to restore shell-fishing areas, revitalize degraded salt marshes, and restore herring runs and fishways across Cape Cod - has been approved.
"I want to thank Senators Markey and Warren and Congressman Bill Keating for their enthusiastic support for our application to fund these projects." said Mark Forest, Chairman of the District. "We also need to recognize the incredible support from our partners at the NRCS."
Forest added that the projects would have a broad reach across the Cape. "The Cape's economy depends on clean water, especially for our fisheries and shellfish farmers. These funds target the most critical and urgent coastal restoration projects in our region, including the Herring River Restoration Project in Wellfleet.”
The "Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project" (CCWRP) was developed by the Conservation District and the NRCS twenty years ago and approved by Congress in 2006. The project identified 76 sites (26 stormwater discharge sites, 26 tidal-restricted salt marshes, and 24 fish passage projects) on Cape Cod. The CCWRP would improve water quality for 7,300 acres of shellfish beds, restore an estimated 1,500 acres of degraded salt marsh and improve fish access to 4,200 acres of spawning habitat. Last year, Conservation District updated the CCWRRP and requested more funding.
The process for adding projects to the plan is simple. Restoration projects are first brought to the attention of the Conservation District by local officials, and then evaluated by a team of ecological restoration experts from local, state, and federal agencies. The District relies on the guidance of the 15-town member Barnstable County Coastal Resource Subcommittee. The District seeks restoration projects that improve shellfish and fisheries and marsh habitat and have a strong community impact.