Association to Preserve Cape Cod - this week... |
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| APCC Supports Proposed DEP Water Quality Improvement Regulations - Your Comments Matter!
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has drafted proposed regulations that significantly strengthen the rules governing the use of septic systems and encourage and incentivize towns to obtain watershed management permits. Both sets of regulations are critical, time sensitive and warrant support. It has been evident for decades that septic systems, even legal ones compliant with state and local rules, are the source of, not the solution to, the deterioration of water quality in the Cape’s marine estuaries and bays.
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Updating the regulation of septic systems has been difficult, as the lack of public wastewater infrastructure in most Cape towns has perpetuated reliance on septic systems even when there was no such system that reduced nutrients sufficiently to meet the needs of our water resources. With the creation of new financing mechanisms over the last decade it is now possible for towns to afford to build the needed collection and treatment systems. At the same time, technological advances in septic technology allow their use in certain areas as a complement to core sewering in dense areas.
Recognizing that the world of wastewater management has changed, DEP has proposed these two regulations (described more fully below) in tandem to provide a pathway to improving water quality on Cape Cod. While the changes to the septic rules are badly needed and are drawing the most attention, the watershed permit regulations are of equal, or greater, importance. APCC shares MassDEP’s perspective that it is most advantageous for each town on Cape Cod to obtain a watershed permit that memorializes a comprehensive, locally determined solution to improving water quality than to have every homeowner upgrade their septic system. While that homeowner-targeted requirement is the default, it can be nullified when and if the town seeks a watershed permit for its plan. The permit provides the towns with time to phase in their solutions and protects the individual homeowner from unnecessary expense. In exchange, the towns agree to a binding implementation schedule that ensures that water quality goals will be met. Achieving water quality standards in almost all cases on Cape Cod requires municipal involvement, and in that regard these regulations hit the nail on the head and should be supported.
The rules for septic systems have not been substantially updated in 28 years. If we miss this opportunity to insist that these regulations be approved right now, we may well wait another 28 years for the stars to line up for another set of regulations to be proposed. By then it will be too late. While these regulations may not be perfect, they are a strong step forward. For more information and to conveniently send your comment,
CLICK HERE. |
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Cape Cod Times - Climate change prep: Restoration project eyed for Weir Creek salt marsh in Dennis |
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Black-and-white warbler nest. Photo by Jillian Glover |
November Nests by Jillian Glover November has come and gone. The daytime temperatures started in the 70s, touching 80, warmer than in October. id-month hard frosts began to settle in. Many rainy and windy days hastened the dropping of leaves. By Thanksgiving, the forest and bog appeared sparse but tranquil. The energy put forth producing the bounties of the spring, summer, and fall months has come to a close.
Walking through the forest and around the bog offers a new intrigue. Now that most of the leaves have dropped, many bird nests are revealed. Some nests are quite obvious to see, especially those high in branches and tucked deep in willow thickets. In more assessable locations I pause, where I have seen active breeding behaviors over the summer months. Some of these clues include distraction displays, carrying of nesting material, adults darting back and forth with beaks full of food or the peeping of nestlings.
Nests are beautiful creations. The reality of their purpose is to create a climate-controlled environment to incubate and raise the brood. A place that is protected from the elements and predators. The diversity can range from a scrape in a sandy beach for a shorebird, to a massive arrangement of sticks and branches on a sky-high ledge for a golden eagle. Many species welcome man-made bird boxes and platforms.
This summer our family was fortunate to see the fledging process of both Carolina wrens and black-capped chickadees from nest boxes. Each fledgling had its own technique and level of determination. But out they came and within an hour had dispersed into the undergrowth. Over the course of the following week, you could hear the young family communicating. The fledglings still voicing begging calls from branches, and the adults returning with calls of encouragement to be independent. Two other nests I recently encountered are that of a marsh wren and a black-and-white warbler. I was on the lookout in two specific areas, having seen the breeding behavior clues throughout the season.
This is actually a good place to mention a piece of advice. Often, in the spring, well-intended people will pick up a newly fledged bird (freshly feathered out), thinking that it has been abandoned and needs rescuing. It is best to leave these young ones on their journey to independence. The adults are usually nearby, undercover, overseeing the fledgling process.
As the season continues, more nests will be revealed. It is best to leave them undisturbed. They offer shelter to others on cold winter nights. In addition, some nests are re-used or new nests are built in close proximity in the upcoming spring. This year’s beautiful foliage has dropped, but it is now possible to view the understory and see upward through the tree tops. Keep your eyes open for the many pretty nests tucked away in the habitats of Cape Cod this winter. |
Marsh wren nest. Photos above and below by Jillian Glover |
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Carolina wren next in a window box |
| Black-capped chickadee nest in bird box |
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Eat Lower on the Food Chain
by Peter Gwillim Kreitler
As a nation we are being encouraged to eat lower on the food chain, primarily for health reasons. More grains and vegetables, doctors advise, and environmentalists encourage less meat for other reasons. For example: To grow one pound of beef requires 1,500-5,000 gallons of water and a pound of pork approximately 800 gallons of H2O. On the other hand, a pound of tomatoes requires only around 40 gallons of water.
In addition, cows produce methane from both ends of their bodies and their waste is a major disposal dilemma. Granted, we love our burgers, steaks, ribs, and roasts; however, for the sake of our aquifers, streams, rivers, lakes and ponds we might begin to consider plant-based products which are better for the eco-systems that sustain us. Try an "impossible burger" with ketchup, onions, lettuce, and you will not be able to tell the difference. |
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What do you see when you go outside? |
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The Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod is a group of organizations promoting native plants and pollinator-friendly land care practices to create a load of safe oases for our native bees, butterflies and a whole host of other pollinators that are crucial to the health of our ecosystems. Join us! It's easy. There are no fees. You just need to pledge to ADD native plants, SUBTRACT a little lawn, AVOID yard chemicals, especially pesticides, and LEAVE the leaves. And, help us spread the word. If you wish, please get on the map to show your support of pollinators!
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Looking for a speaker? Check out APCC's Speakers Bureau.
APCC staff speak on a variety of topics and are available by Zoom. If interested, please contact the staff person directly to make arrangements. |
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The Jewels of Cape Cod ~ Our Freshwater Ponds |
Round Pond, Wellfleet. Photo by Sue Machie |
Pond Stories is a collection of writings and other media from Cape Codders and visitors who love the 890 local ponds that dot the Cape. We hope this collection of stories awakens your inner environmentalist to think deeper about our human impacts to these unique bodies of water. |
Send us your favorite pond photo, story, poem, video, artwork—we want to share with everyone why the Cape's ponds and lakes are so special! Email your pond connection to [email protected] |
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A Cape Cod Native Plant-finder ~ to help you choose the perfect native plant for your garden location. |
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Bayberry - Morella caroliniensis |
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APCC Enewsletters. Our weekly newsletters will now be archived on our website and easily shared.
Here, you can find past newsletters from July 2022 on.
Share this with your friends and they can sign up HERE. |
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Water Use Restrictions Posted in Your Town?
How about a rain barrel (or two) to harvest rainwater for your garden! |
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Rick & Joan's rain barrel |
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APCC Rain Barrel Program $99 includes delivery
to your door via FedEx. Upcycle Products repurposes food barrels, otherwise destined for the landfill, to make these rain barrels. Choose your color - gray, black, blue, or terracotta. For more information and to order online,
CLICK HERE. For a how-to-use video, check this out from Brewster Conservation Trust! |
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Are you thinking of going solar? We hope so! In partnership with SUNPOWER BY E2 SOLAR in Dennis, APCC receives $500 for every solar installation when APCC is named as referral.
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| Thank you to the homeowners who just contracted to install solar panels through E2 Solar. May the sun always shine for you! |
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| Every cup of coffee you drink could be supporting APCC's work and a local Cape Cod business.
But ONLY if it's Coastal Cape Blend from Cape Cod Coffee! Look for the new label. Order online. A portion of the proceeds for every bag of Coastal Cape Blend sold is donated to APCC. It's important to know that Cape Cod Coffee sources beans are Fair Trade & Rainforest Alliance certified, and grown without the use of pesticides. |
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Expressions Gallery, 578 Main Street, Chatham
CLICK HERE |
Ocean to Office. APCC has partnered with EXPRESSIONS, a fine art photography gallery located in Chatham center, to provide Cape businesses the opportunity to beautify their offices with coastal photography while directly supporting protection of our cherished environment. This special offering gives back to APCC. CLICK HERE to learn more. |
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Thank you to our business sponsors |
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