Association to Preserve Cape Cod |
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| Is It Really This Hard to Answer or...? by Andrew Gottlieb, Executive Director |
Stop me if you have heard this one before, but the Massachusetts National Guard has, again, failed to produce public records requested by APCC on a timely basis as required by Massachusetts law. Since failure to produce legally compliant responses to records requests are a recurring phenomenon, an irony since the Guard instructed us to file such requests if we wanted any information about the proposed construction of the multipurpose machine gun range (MPMGR), the question here is why?
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It could be that the Guard doesn’t prioritize public records requests. It could be that, despite advising APCC that any information would only come in response to a public records request, the Guard finds our repeated requests for information as response optional. It could also be that the requested documents reveal actions and activity that the Guard wants to suppress from public view. It could be all three or a myriad of other reasons.
Let’s be clear about one thing: The documents we are seeking have to do with the financing of the proposed range. This subject matter has been widely discussed in public and are not national intelligence documents that one would not want to circulate in public. It is widely known that in 2020 funds were identified for the project. It is also widely known, in large part because APCC received documents through an EPA records request that was fully responded to, that the Guard sought construction bids for the project that exceeded the known available funding allocated to the project.
This budget deficit has led to reasonable questions about if, how, and in what ways the Guard has sought additional funds. APCC’s most recent request seeks all relevant public documents that would shed light on the Guard’s pursuit of additional construction funds, despite the pending EPA decision that the MPMGR would pose an unacceptable threat to the Upper Cape Water Supply Reserve and the lack of approval to construct the project from the state's Environmental Management Commission.
If no responsive documents existed, then the request would presumably be easily and quickly disposed of. Given that we were told last week, after the statutory deadline (see below) for a response had well passed, that “Based upon the size, scope and nature of your public records request it is taking longer than anticipated,” one must wonder what we should expect to see. The mystery could be easily solved by the immediate production of all required documents or, and perhaps in addition, by a simple statement from the Guard that the pursuit of additional construction funds and the awarding of a construction contract will come only after all required permits and approvals have been issued.
What should be easily answered is apparently not.
State records law in relevant sections: M.G.L. Ch 66 sec. 10A(a)(v) provides that the 10 day response shall "identify any public records, categories of records, or portions of records that the agency... intends to produce, and provide a detailed statement describing why the magnitude or difficulty of the request unduly burdens the other responsibilities of the agency... and therefore requires additional time to produce the public records sought." Sec. (vi) provides that the response shall "identify a reasonable timeframe in which the agency... shall produce the public records sought; provided that the timeframe shall not exceed 15 business days following the initial receipt of the request for public records..."
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Put Your Advocacy to Work! |
News from APCC's Ecosystem Restoration Program ~ Weir Creek Public Meeting Held
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APCC’s Ecosystem Restoration Program hosted a public meeting with the town of Dennis, Tighe & Bond, and Woods Hole Group to discuss new updates to the Weir Creek Restoration Project. Highlights of the meeting included a comprehensive review of modeling results and preliminary designs for the project, and an engaging dialogue, with community members voicing their questions and concerns. This inclusive discussion is integral to our commitment to transparency and ensuring that the project aligns with the needs and values of the local community.
The Weir Creek Tidal Restoration Project involves a proposed replacement of two culverts underneath Lower County Road in West Dennis. The project team is exploring how larger culverts would affect the system upstream and downstream of Lower County Road. The goal of the project is to improve ecosystem function in the salt marsh, providing valuable habitat for key species, and improving resiliency to coastal flooding from storms and sea level rise.
The current modeling and preliminary designs shed light on the potential impacts and benefits of proposed changes, providing crucial insights for our next steps. The focus of the project team now shifts to examining the potential impact of flooding on individual properties. This analysis will inform our decision-making process and ensure that the proposed culvert sizes are tailored to maximize benefits, while mitigating any adverse effects.
More information about the project can be found here. The recorded meeting, courtesy of the town of Dennis, is available here. Funding for this project has been provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation National Coastal Resilience Fund, and the EPA Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Watershed Implementation Grants through collaboration with Restore America’s Estuaries. |
From Marshes to Swamps: Tackling Mosquito Control on Cape Cod Thursday, April 11th at 12:00-1:00 p.m.
APCC is pleased to host a presentation by Gabrielle Sakolsky, entomologist and superintendent of the Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project. Gabi will answer your questions about biting insects, and you’ll learn how the county program manages mosquitos, so you don’t have to! To register, CLICK HERE.
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Update on the Koppel Center to Preserve Cape Cod |
Last week, a significant milestone was reached that will trigger the gradual process of returning the Koppel Center to its foundation. Three 30-foot steel beams that will help support the structure arrived on site and were prepared for installation. The beams were delivered on Wednesday and were prepared for installation. This week, the beams will be set in place and the building will be lowered within easier reach of carpenters who will prepare the floor joists and other structural support elements for placement on the steel beams and foundation.
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We are pleased to welcome John Carroll to APCC's board of directors!
On assignment by the Coast Guard, John first came to Cape Cod to fly helicopters at the Air Station at Otis. He left for a longer stay in Maryland to enjoy all that Washington, D.C. had to offer a family of four. He worked at UMD’s Computer Science Center and at two startups—always planning to return and resume connections with the Cape’s land and the water and did so in 2010. John has served on Bourne’s Transportation, Planning, and Trail Committees, and keeps busy working on preserving an old house. His goal is convincing his neighbors that “No Mow May” and preventing boat ramp runoff make sense. He says preservation work is never finished.
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Hosted by Sustainable Practices LTD Stormwater Risk, Part 2 Thursday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. Andrew Gottlieb, executive director, Association to Preserve Cape Cod, will discuss what municipalities on the Cape can do to mitigate stormwater impacts to water quality. Q&A will follow the presentation and the event will conclude at 7:30 p.m.
Registration is free and available through this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jfnPslzESjufkC0EPBFUHA#/registration
This is part of a two-part series on Stormwater Risk. The first event features Richard Claytor P.E., principal, Horsley Witten Group, on April 11 at 6:30 p.m. For more information, go to the webinar host's website: Sustainable Practices LTD. |
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Resilient Roots hosts APCC's education director, Kristin Andres |
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Now accepting applications for these positions: |
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| Eco-landscape Audit Program Manager
APCC is seeking a qualified individual who is passionate about native plants and ecological landscapes to be the team leader of APCC’s Eco-landscape Audit Program. It will be the second year for the program designed to offer ecological landscape consultations for homeowners. The program team will consist of one or two summer interns and the manager will be the team leader. Read more...
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| State of the Waters Intern - full-time, seasonal position We are seeking a college- or graduate-level intern to assist with our “State of the Waters: Cape Cod” project. Tasks include: - Collection and organization of water quality data for coastal embayments, ponds, and public water supplies.
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Data analysis, scoring and grading of water quality data using established Excel formulas.
- Conducting statistical analyses to summarize results using Excel.
- Collection and analysis of drinking water Consumer Confidence Reports.
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Preparation of data summaries, coordination with APCC’s GIS contractor, and participation in team meetings.
- Assist with other projects as needed.
Minimum Education Requirements: A bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., water resources, hydrology, limnology, natural resource management, etc.) and experience and skills as described here. |
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The 2023 State of the Waters: Cape Cod report content can be viewed on this dedicated website: CapeCodWaters.org |
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Guidelines for Cape-friendly Landscapes - an APCC publication |
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The Guidelines gives homeowners steps they can take in the design and maintenance of their properties that will support pollinators and birds, manage stormwater, conserve water, and protect the Cape's water quality. This 40-page booklet is beautifully illustrated by Marcy Ford with content that is easily digestible and supported by numerous resources for additional learning.
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Thank you for this important book! Hopefully everyone of us with a yard will read it and put it to use! - Vicky Titcomb of Titcomb Bookshop |
We've enjoyed creating it and hope it will help you with ideas to help you steward your piece of Cape Cod and maybe foster an environmental ethic in the decisions we all make in our own managed landscapes. Get your copy here—and maybe one for a friend?
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We are grateful for the several retail shops that are partnering with us to make this publication more widely available: Brewster Book Store, Birdwatchers General Store, Crocker Nurseries, Wellfleet Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, Cape Abilities Farm, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, the Cape Cod Lavender Farm, Heritage Museums and Gardens, Titcomb's Bookshop, Sea Howl Bookshop, Soares Flower Garden Nursery, and Eight Cousins Bookshop.
If you are a retailer and would like to sell this publication at your store, contact Kristin at [email protected]. |
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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 boat 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. Please get on the map to show your support of pollinators on Cape Cod!
You can purchase now your 9-inch aluminum Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod sign at Hyannis Country Garden and Cape Abilities Farm.
If you are a retailer, and you would like to sell the signs, you can order online here, or email [email protected]. |
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| APCC Caps are available for purchase! $25 includes shipping & handling
Click here for more information and to order.
This is one great way to show your support for APCC's work. |
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| Rain Barrels for Cape Cod
Order online from Upcycle Products $122 each
includes FedEx shipping to your door APCC receives a portion of the proceeds. For more information, click here. |
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A Cape Cod Native Plant-selector ~ to help you choose the perfect native plants for your garden. |
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| Blue Vervain Verbena hastata |
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| APCC eNewsletters. Our weekly newsletters are archived on our website and easily shared.
You can find past newsletters and share with your friends to sign up for future enewsletters HERE. |
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Are you thinking of going solar? We hope so!
In partnership with 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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Expressions Gallery, 578 Main Street, Chatham
CLICK HERE |
Expressions Gallery donates 20 percent of its profits to APCC's work.
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Thank you to our business sponsors |
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APCC is rated four stars by Charity Navigator and 2023 Platinum by Candid (formerly Guidestar). |
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