The national election results promise seismic changes on many fronts, not the least of which will be the federal approach to environmental regulation and protection. You may celebrate or dread what is to come, but what we seemingly all can agree about that is that big changes are looming. APCC will be adapting our strategy and tactics, but not our core beliefs, goals and objectives, to the new realities we face. Our commitment to clean air, clean water and healthy ecosystems here on Cape Cod remains steadfast. How we approach achieving these objectives will change out of necessity and a clear-eyed assessment of where opportunities to influence outcomes have shifted.
APCC’s focus remains applying our time, energy and resources to activities with the greatest potential to influence and drive actual change and improvement to the environmental of Cape Cod. That focus will remain the same as the calendar turns to 2025. What is different is that our assessment of the federal government remaining an ongoing partner in our efforts to pursue and finance better environmental outcomes has changed. While APCC has successfully pursued a strategy of attracting significant federal investment in support of our resource restoration, stormwater and water pollution control efforts, it is our assessment that those interests are best served by pivoting to a greater pursuit of, and reliance on, local, regional and state resources.
Similarly successful, our advocacy has generated important protections for Cape Cod ranging from the creation of the Cape and Islands Water Protection Fund, to blocking the use of Cape Cod Bay as a dumping ground, to protecting the Upper Cape Water Supply Reserve from needless contamination, and to increased commitments by towns to water quality improvement and land protection. Our advocacy will remain heavily focused locally.
Working tirelessly, we have built and strengthened relationships and connections with our membership, local partnering organizations, and local, regional and state officials. The majority of our energy in the immediate future will be to work within this network to push a local agenda focused on water quality improvement, enhanced land protection, resource restoration and enhancing the public’s ability to live in greater harmony with nature.
Our focus on the grants and contracts that support a lot of our work will concentrate on state and regional resources because that is where the action will be in the foreseeable future. Rest assured that when the situation calls for it and where our voice can make a difference, APCC will, as we always have, work on national issues that impact Cape Cod.
One of the cornerstones of our strategic plan is our ability to be nimble in the choice of strategies to achieve our goals. As we plan for 2025, we are staying true to the principles that have helped us be an effective and productive advocate for the Cape. Getting results has always been what we have been about, and we remain as committed to being a difference-maker as we have ever been. Making a difference is needed now more than ever. You can count on us, and we are counting on you sticking with us through these challenging times.
