Most of the work we do daily is profoundly local. APCC works with members, local officials and partnering organizations to bring about change and to improve our environment, essentially making our communities better places to live. It is not unusual that our efforts extend to working with state officials and the legislature to get things done that are beyond the reach of local government and may require regional or statewide action to become possible. APCC’s central role in the creation of the Cape and Islands Water Protection Fund is one such example of taking our work to the state level.
Last week was a little different though. Months of hard work at the federal level yielded dividends on two fronts, but also tee us up for more work ahead. Our efforts to continue protecting the Upper Cape Water Supply Reserve from contamination from a proposed multipurpose machine gun range got a boost from Congress, which rejected efforts to authorize additional funds for its construction. The entire region benefited from Friday’s announcement that over $400 million in federal money will be awarded for the replacement of the Sagamore Bridge with requests for another $1.1 billion pending. APCC has been working with our federal delegation and the Healey Administration to help make Cape Cod Canal bridge replacements a reality.
While gratified with this success at the federal level, we know that the gun range project proponents will not take no for an answer and will continue to look for ways to complete the project. We at APCC will remain vigilant until the project is abandoned. That has not happened yet so we, and you, have much to do to make sure that our water supply is protected. As for the bridges, there is work remaining to make certain the $1.1 billion in additional funds come our way and to then pivot to securing more federal funds for the Bourne Bridge replacement and the Healey administration in helping make Cape Cod Canal bridge replacements a reality. (As an aside, having a seat at the table in the bridge funding process puts APCC in the position to be involved in the design of the project and mitigation discussions to assure that the replacement solves more problems than it creates.)
While the hours of daylight continue to get shorter for the rest of this week, our days at APCC remain long. Long, yet highly productive. The year is wrapping up well for APCC and I hope the same can be said for all our members and those you hold dear.
