New Regulations Governing Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund Approved
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (November 16, 2020) – The Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund (CCIWPF) Management Board has approved regulations governing fund distribution. Adopted on October 7, 2020, these new regulations guide the way in which funds are awarded to eligible member communities working to develop and implement wastewater and water quality projects.
Projects eligible for funding include innovative strategies and alternative septic system technologies, the completion and update of water quality and wastewater management plans, the construction of sewer collection systems and wastewater treatment plants, and the implementation of drainage improvements and water treatment programs to improve water quality in fresh water ponds and marine resources. Member communities must go through the State Revolving Fund, or SRF, program to receive funds.
“Securing funding for critical wastewater projects is often a challenge for our Cape Cod towns,” said Kristy Senatori, Cape Cod Commission Executive Director. “While the 208 plan lays the framework for mitigating the Cape’s wastewater issues, this funding source now will allow us to make significant progress to improve water quality on Cape Cod.”
“I’m thrilled that all 15 towns were able to develop regulations we could support,” said Bud Dunham, Chair of the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund Management Board. “When you consider the region’s diverse needs and the wide range of potential future projects, unanimous support is a real achievement and shows how important wastewater and water quality is on Cape Cod.”
“The Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund represents a generational opportunity to repair our marine and fresh waters,” said State Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “Passage of the landmark legislation in 2018 and now the regulatory framework to implement the law reflects the unified and collaborate way we do business on the Cape & Islands; we are interdependent and share a responsibility for this place we all love. These final regulations implement a process that is fair, efficient, and will reward all participant towns over the life of the fund.”
“With the unanimous approval of the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund regulations by towns across the Cape, the real work of cleaning up our waters without bankrupting our communities can begin!” said State Representative Sarah Peake (D-4th Barnstable). “This dedicated funding stream will be equitably disbursed over 20 years and will provide real estate tax relief to Cape Cod homeowners while substantially improving water quality in our region.”
The CCIWPF was established by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2018 to help the Cape Cod and the Islands pay for necessary wastewater infrastructure and water quality remediation projects. Creation of the CCIWPF was the result of efforts by a diverse set of stakeholders, including the Cape and Islands Legislative Delegation, local officials, environmental groups, business leaders, and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, who recognized the need for new financial tools to address the region’s degrading water quality and lack of wastewater infrastructure.
The CCIWPF is a dedicated fund within the state’s Clean Water Trust, set up solely to benefit communities in Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket Counties. Its source of revenue is a 2.75% excise tax on traditional lodging and short-term rentals. The fund is administered by the existing Clean Water Trust and overseen by a management board comprised of representation from every member town from the region. Currently, the 15 Cape Cod communities are members of the fund.
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