From the Executive Director

Cape Cod's ponds and lakes provide essential environmental, social, and economic benefits to the region. Increasingly evident declines in the quality of these freshwater bodies call for renewed and expanded efforts to plan for and manage these resources.  

Earlier this month, the Cape Cod Commission released the newly updated Cape Cod Pond and Lake Atlas. The updated Atlas examines the Cape's freshwater bodies, covering pond ecology, water quality, and strategies to restore pond health. The Pond Atlas Viewer, an online map-based tool, provides data on individual ponds and their surrounding land uses. Combined, these resources provide the baseline data and information necessary to support dedicated planning and enable action region-wide.  

The Atlas will serve as the basis for the Cape Cod Freshwater Initiative, a science-based, information-driven planning process that, when complete, will set out implementation strategies to improve pond health.  

We look forward to embarking upon this initiative and working with the community to strengthen Cape Cod's freshwater resources. 

-Kristy Senatori

Second homeowner survey data reveals pandemic-related uptick in use

Cape Cod’s second homeowners are spending more time here, according to results of a recent survey conducted by the Cape Cod Commission, the Donahue Institute at UMass Amherst and the Center for Public Opinion at UMass Lowell. 

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Route 28 East Hyannis corridor study to begin

The Cape Cod Commission has launched the Route 28 East Hyannis Corridor Study, which will seek solutions to improve access and safety at the intersection of Route 28 and East Main Street at the border of Barnstable and Yarmouth. 

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Historic Preservation Roundtable resumes meetings

The Cape Cod Commission hosts meetings of the Historic Preservation Roundtable. The group is comprised of members from each Cape Cod town's historical commission, many of which have extensive historic preservation experience. 

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EV charging station update

A successful public charging station network meets the demands of different vehicles and is accessible to the public. As a result, some Cape Cod towns are looking to increase public access to electric vehicle charging stations.  

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Rail Trail crossing inventory complete

The Cape Cod Commission recently completed an inventory of all locations where rail trails cross roads at grade in Barnstable County. The resulting inventory of 95 crossings covers six different trails within 11 Cape Cod towns. 

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Cape Cod Commission in the community

Cape Cod Commission staff presented to a number of different community groups in February and March 2022, including the Cape Cod and Islands Associaton of Realtors, Harvard Club, and Orleans Citizens Forum.

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