Transitions from one governor to another provide an opportunity for fresh perspectives and new leadership. This is the natural order of things and all of us who work with state leadership need to make our case all over again every four or eight years. It is natural to build relationships over shared policy objectives, but fresh eyes can identify when changes are needed or validate a well thought out program.
We are in the early stages of building relationships with the new governor and her staff while long overdue and much needed improvements to the regulations governing septic systems are out for public comment. While APCC and others concerned with accelerating and assuring that action is taken to clean waters long degraded by septic system effluent are pressing our case, others are pushing in the opposite direction. Using selective half-truths and scare tactics, opponents of the regulations are trying to push the Healey administration into deciding to stick with the very same environmental code that is responsible for degrading Cape water quality and violating the requirements of the state and federal clean water acts. The opponents of the regulations don’t offer any realistic alternative means to ensure that waters will be cleaned up in our lifetimes. Instead, they whine about process flaws. Complaints about process are the last bastion of those who cannot win an argument on substance.
The simple facts are these: Septic systems are the cause, not the solution to degraded water resources on Cape Cod. Some Cape towns are moving to solve the problem in meaningful terms, but many are moving slowly and continue to behave as if there is not a long-standing legal obligation on their part to protect and manage water quality. Unless pushed, many towns have, by their organized opposition to these regulations requiring them to improve water quality not tomorrow but in 20 years, made it clear they have no intention of acting in a timely manner. These same towns, aided and abetted by unwitting allies arguing against their own self-interest, have unintentionally and loudly made the case exactly why these regulations are needed.
APCC will continue to work with the new administration to keep moving forward on clean water for Cape Cod. This is what we have done working with alternating Democratic and Republican governors for decades. Clean water is not partisan, nor is it a luxury. The public process is ongoing, and your voice should be added to the chorus calling for progress.
