Cape Cod’s ecosystems deliver breathable air and drinkable water.  They cycle nutrients, regulate climate, and afford shelter.  Their nurturing environments yield edible flora and fauna.  They assimilate wastes, attenuate floods, and absorb storms.  And they relax and inspire.

Are these ecosystems valuable?  Immeasurably so.  Are they adequately cared for in light of the 2020 vision and goal for “Valued Ecosystems”?  Clearly, no.  Is there hope for the future?   Absolutely, but there is a long way to go.

Pond-pocked land bounded by bountiful sea makes Barnstable County a desirable place to inhabit on temporary, seasonal, and permanent bases.   The quantifiable value of Cape Cod’s ecosystems is best indicated by statistics relating to economic activity in the real estate, tourism, construction, and other sectors.   Many sustainability indicators, by contrast, provide disturbing evidence of Cape Cod’s historical and continued failure to account for the true value of the ecosystem services provided by physical environments and the species they harbor.

Cape Cod’s economy is like those everywhere else, in that it does not assign a fair market value to activities that degrade the capacity of ecosystems to continue delivering the eco-services that sustain humanity.   The price of a pound of cod, for example, does not reflect the ecological damage – or the economic and social costs – inflicted when boats harvest fish.   The collapse of the Cape’s namesake fishery represents a textbook example of the “tragedy of the commons” - when products or services have great economic value but are not priced appropriately or at all, demand ultimately exceeds supply.

Decades ago, the capacity of legendary fishing grounds to yield bounty had no commodity value, and factory trawlers demonstrated ruthless efficiency because there was no incentive not to.  Ultimately, humanity’s capacity to catch cod exceeded the ocean’s capacity to replenish stock, and eco-services were depleted to a point from which they’ve yet to recover.  The decimated fishery has had enduring effects on the Cape’s economy and community character.

The indicators in this report document other major ways in which Cape Cod has failed to account for the “true costs” of economic activities and is thereby soiling its own nest:

•  Septic systems receive the majority of the wastewater generated in local communities.   Traditional development and disposal practices, inadequate infrastructure, and other sources are introducing huge quantities of nutrients to sandy soils and aquatic environments, overwhelming their assimilative capacity and degrading ponds, lakes, and coastal embayments.   Consequences include declining groundwater quality, localized algal blooms and fish kills, and unpleasant experiences for residents and visitors.   (See Land Protected/Developed, Wastewater Infrastructure, Stormwater Discharge, Drinking Water Quality, Air Quality, Marine Resources indicators)

•  Shoreline development, land use patterns, and transportation infrastructure have eliminated huge swaths of wetland and dune.   This has increased Cape Cod’s exposure to severe weather while eroding its natural defenses.   It also has destroyed and compromised critical nursery, nesting, and feeding habitat.   Growth continues to consume acreage, constrain biodiversity and create impervious surfaces that bypass natural flow attenuation mechanisms and accelerate the introduction of nutrients and contaminants to receiving waters.   (See Land Protected/Developed, Housing Density, Fish Passage Restrictions, Tidal Restrictions, Marine Resources indicators)

•  Fossil fuels supply much of the electricity and almost all of the fuel used to quench the growing energy appetite of local communities.   These resources must be extracted elsewhere and transported here, having already exacted a toll on the environment before being consumed on Cape Cod.   Local use then accounts for emissions of pollutants that help give the air unhealthy characteristics, contaminate fish tissues and aggravate nutrient loading problems.   Additional components of the Cape’s emissions footprint, in the form of greenhouse gases, are helping increase heat-trapping capabilities in the upper atmosphere and contributing to global climate change with potentially severe local consequences.   (See Electricity Consumption, Electricity Sources, Traffic Growth, Emissions Footprint, Water Quality, Air Quality indicators)

Ecological imbalances like these pose major threats to Cape Cod’s future.   Those that are largely self-inflicted are at least tractable; altering traditional nutrient management and land use practices, for example, offers the potential to mitigate adverse local impacts.   Transboundary problems are fundamentally different; worldwide energy supply and use practices, for example, are changing global climate, meaning that localized responses alone will prove insufficient to alleviate threats facing local communities.   

Regardless of scale, valuing eco-services requires fundamental changes in relations between human and natural systems, major investments in infrastructure, and different modes of behavior.   The challenges, though daunting, are not insurmountable.   Revolutionary adjustments in the Cape’s approach to solid waste management over the past quarter century establish that the public, its leaders, communities and the economy are capable of taking action to properly account for ecological values.

On Cape Cod, like elsewhere, traditional waste disposal practices included local dumping and then more centralized landfilling.   Once instituted, dump stickers were priced and tipping fees set to cover the operations of disposal facilities, not to account for the risk of introducing potentially hazardous materials to the environment and possibly compromising the ability of the Cape’s sole-source aquifer to deliver clean water.   Dramatic change occurred once the Cape’s landfills were found to be poisoning the aquifer.   The cost of sullying local environments with municipal solid waste went from zero to infinity within a compressed timeframe, communities lined and capped landfills, and disposal fees rose to reflect the need to prevent contamination by shipping solid waste over the canal.

Though this paradigm shift has proven expensive for local residents, businesses and communities, Cape Cod dodged a bullet.   Priceless water resources were saved before they could be irrevocably damaged at around the same time the SEMASS waste-to-energy plant began looking for a consistent resource stream.   Local communities were fortunate to secure a long-term, below-market contract to ship municipal waste to the incinerator for downcycling and energy recovery rather than having to pay a community elsewhere to accept their detritus.

The Cape reformed its waste management practices to protect its own water supply, but market forces, in the form of increased disposal costs, have proven insufficient to substantially quench its demand for raw materials from ecosystems elsewhere.   In most cases, this imposes environmental burdens on the points of origin for the food, mineral, paper, metal, plastic, glass, construction and other materials that find their way to Cape Cod.   Processing, transportation to, and disposal from Barnstable County further deplete natural capital, in the form of damages attributable to fossil fuel consumption and to the burning of wastes at the SEMASS facility.   (See Municipal Solid Waste, Solid Waste Trends, Construction Demolition, Solid Waste Recyclables indicators)

Several sustainability indicators document more promising recent trends in critical areas:

•  Incipient efforts to address nutrient loading problems suggest that the true costs of wastewater disposal practices and other contributing factors are beginning to show up on the public balance sheet.   Wastewater and stormwater infrastructure has been inventoried, total maximum daily loads are being calculated, and the very name of the Cape Cod Water Protection Collaborative suggests an appropriate emphasis for regional and local action going forward.   (See Wastewater/Water Distribution Infrastructure, Stormwater Discharge, Marine Resources indicators)

•  In the face of intense development pressures, high-value habitat is being protected under the Cape Cod Land Bank and Community Preservation Act, and initiatives to channel future growth into village centers are gaining traction.   Also, tidal and fish passage restrictions have been mapped, stormwater discharge points have been identified, citizens are providing the scientific knowledge required for successful habitat restoration programs, and market-based management instruments are being explored.   (See Fish Passage Restrictions, Tidal Restrictions, Stormwater Discharge, Citizen Science, Zoning/Rezoning indicators)

   

•  Proposed and contemplated wind, wave and tidal energy projects presage a future in which local communities harness natural forces to reduce the Cape’s emissions footprint and become electricity independent.   In the here and now, expanding transit options are making energy-efficient travel more practical, and residential- and community-scale solar and wind energy installations are increasing self-reliance.   (See Solar Photovoltaic, Community Wind, Wind & Ocean Energy, Public Transit Ridership indicators)

Although indicators of promise exist, signs of genuine progress are modest.   In most instances, current efforts are geared toward diagnosing the problem, stopping the hemorrhaging or stabilizing conditions rather than taking the medicine or implementing the cure.   Concerted and accelerated action is needed to value Cape Cod’s natural environments as protection against the very residents and visitors who cherish them so.

To help accelerate progress toward valued ecosystems and a sustainable Cape Cod, four general courses of action are detailed below, and specific policy recommendations are provided in the box:

Eco-Policy Priorities Listed below are high-priority policy actions consistent with assigning a market value to ecosystem services:   Nutrient Management •  Implement tax- or fee-based systems to make all property owners, businesses, and visitors pay for the right to introduce nutrients to local environments through wastewater discharges, fertilizer applications, and surface runoff while generating revenues to support the implementation of engineered and natural solutions for wastewater treatment, stormwater management, habitat restoration, etc.   Land Use & Habitat Management •  Strengthen funding mechanisms and policy frameworks to increase the preservation of open space, to focus growth in village centers, and to promote redevelopment, undevelopment, and ecological restoration in areas where existing development is under-performing and/or sensitive resources are impacted.   Energy Supply & Use •  Develop a technology strategy and action plan focused on maximizing energy efficiency, harnessing regionally abundant renewable resources, and promoting energy independence across the electricity, transportation fuel, and heating fuel sectors.   Materials Consumption & Waste •  Implement pay-as-you-throw programs and expand both curbside and centralized recycling services to reduce waste volumes.

1. Residents and visitors need to understand that every flush, turn of the key, swipe of the card, and flick of a switch represents a development of regional impact, and they need to adjust behavior accordingly – at home, on the move, in the store, at work and in the voting booth – in a manner consistent with ecological values.
2. Local and regional officials and state and federal representatives need to acknowledge the “true costs” of economic activities and make policy decisions leading to sustainable land use, nutrient management, energy supply and use, materials consumption, waste management and ecosystem restoration.
3. Businesses, nonprofits, agencies, and communities need to quantify existing “true cost” impacts and to implement, document and publicize approaches for effectively mitigating them.
4. The fourth general course of action relates to the Cape Cod Sustainability Indicators Project itself.  More and better information about the economic value of eco-services and about ecological conditions is urgently needed to motivate and support effective responses by the public, leaders and institutions.

Many additional indicators should be developed, maintained, monitored and heeded.   A broad range of possibilities is listed below (those indicators that have been developed have active links).   The data and information resources required to create these indicators are held by diverse organizations and agencies, or they are not available at all.   In some instances, these entities lack the incentive and/or the financial wherewithal needed to identify, collect, analyze, report, and update data—or they are unwilling to do so for institutional reasons.   Securing additional funding and institutional participation is critical to the success of the indicators project in assessing ecological trends and, most importantly, motivating change.

Many additional indicators should be developed, maintained, monitored and heeded.  A broad range of possibilities is listed below (those indicators that have been developed have active links).

Aesthetics

Uncluttered vistas, sensitive development, and starlit skies instill a sense of place and communicate a respect for natural environments. Possible indicators:

•  Cell Towers, Water Towers & Other Structures

•  Undergrounding of Utilities

•  Coastal/Shoreline Development Patterns

•  Night Sky Visibility

Air Quality

Pollutant emissions degrade environmental quality and public health. Possible indicators:

•  Air Quality Index – Ozone Exceedances

•  Pollutant Emissions Attributable to Local Electricity Consumption

•  Pollutant Emissions Attributable to Local Fuel Consumption

•  Avoided Pollutant Emissions From Investments in Efficiency & Renewables

•  Number of Burn Permits

•  Rates of Asthma and Cardiovascular Disease

Climate Change

Human activities that change the chemistry of the Earth’s atmosphere have potentially significant implications for local communities. Possible indicators:

•  Greenhouse Gas Emissions Attributable to Local Electricity Consumption

•  Greenhouse Gas Emissions Attributable to Other Local Sources

•  Avoided Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Investments in Efficiency & Renewables

•  Shoreline Erosion Rates

•  Sea Level Rise

•  Precipitation & Temperature Trends

•  Town Participation in Cities for Climate Protection Campaign

Ecologically Sound Policy

These policies account for the “true costs” of human activities. Possible indicators:

•  Open Space Funding Mechanisms, Expenditures & Projections

•  Town Participation in Cities for Climate Protection Campaign

•  Impact Mitigation Through Regional Offset Determinations

•  Market-Based Transactions of Development Rights

•  Market-Based Emissions Control Systems

•  Impact Fee/Tax Collections & Expenditures

•  Penetration of Pay-As-You-Throw Programs

Education & Activism

An informed and engaged public is prerequisite for ecologically sound decision-making, while educational programs for students of all ages can influence personal behavior and encourage professional development in sustainable directions. Possible indicators:

•  Citizen Science

•  Penetration/Quality of Water Energy & Ecology Education Programs

•  Environmental Advocacy

Electricity & Heating Fuels

Present-day energy supply and use practices impose economic, environmental, and social costs on local communities, but cleaner and green options are making headway. Possible indicators:

•  Electricity Consumption By Class & Per Capita

•  Sources of Electricity

•  Electricity Prices, Out-of-Pocket Costs & Savings Through Municipal Aggregation

•  Electricity-Related Emissions Footprints

•  Efficiency – Electricity

•  Transmission System Loading Patterns

•  Underground Circuit Miles

•  Interconnections for Distributed Resources

•  Green Buildings

•  Green Power Installations, Capacity & Output

•  Green Power Purchasing

•  Renewable Energy Proposals

•  Energy Recovery From Municipal Solid Waste

•  Community Wind Initiatives

•  Market Share for Heating Fuels

•  Natural Gas Consumption By Class & Per Capita

•  Penetration of Gas Supply Network

•  Efficiency – Natural Gas

•  Cogeneration Installations

•  Heating System Conversions

•  Solar Thermal Installations

•  Bioheat Consumption

Food Production

Natural and managed ecosystems supply local communities with sustenance. Possible indicators:

•  Fisheries & Shellfish Production

•  Agricultural Production

•  Farmers’ Markets

Habitats & Species

Intact habitats and diverse communities are indicators of healthy ecosystems. Possible indicators:

•  Number & Status of Listed Species

•  Audubon Bird Count

•  Herring Runs

•  Tidal Restrictions

•  Fish Passage Restrictions

•  Ecological Restoration Activities

•  Protection of Pond Shorelines

•  Protection of Critical Habitats

•  Wetlands Inventory

•  Open Space Management Practices

•  Wildlife Management Practices

Land Use & Open Space

Land development, redevelopment, use, and preservation influence resident and visitor experiences as well as ecological function. Possible indicators:

•  Land Developed & Protected

•  Zoning/Rezoning Patterns

•  Redevelopment Activities

•  Per Capita/Per Unit Land Consumption

•  Agricultural Land

•  Green Buildings

•  Coastal/Shoreline Development Patterns

•  Open Space Funding Mechanisms, Expenditures & Projections

•  Open Space Management Practices

•  Impact Mitigation Through Regional Offset Determinations

•  Market-Based Transactions of Development Rights

Marine Environments

The Cape’s heritage and character arise largely from maritime influences, some of which are compromised or at risk. Possible indicators:

•  Fisheries & Shellfish Production

•  Fisheries & Shellfish Activity

•  Eutrophication of Coastal Embayments/TMDLs

•  Shellfish Closures

•  Ocean Beach Closures

•  Embayment/Marsh Monitoring Programs

•  Tidal Restrictions

•  Fish Passage Restrictions

•  Herring Runs

Recreation

Outdoor recreation is critical to the local economy and to the well-being of residents and visitors alike. Possible indicators:

•  Cape Cod Pathways Coverage

•  Bike Lane Coverage

•  Visits to Cape Cod National Seashore

•  Recreational Fishing/Shellfishing Licenses

•  Eco-tourism Activity

Resource-Based Industry

These industries are resource-based but potentially nonextractive or restorative. Possible indicators:

•  Fisheries & Shellfish Activity

•  Marine Science & Technology Activity

•  Water/Wastewater Activity

•  Eco-tourism Activity

•  Clean Energy Science & Technology Activity

Runoff

Impervious surfaces and drainage systems displace natural hydrologic cycling processes, accelerating and increasing pollutant loading to surface water and groundwater. Possible indicators:

•  Impervious Surface Coverage

•  Stormwater Discharge Points

•  Use of Natural/Engineered Flow Attenuation & Treatment Mechanisms

Transportation

Transport modes and patterns impose economic, environmental, and social costs on local communities, but sustainable options are making headway. Possible indicators:

•  Sagamore & Bourne Bridge Crossings

•  Public Transit Use

•  Geographic & Temporal Coverage of Transit Services

•  Car-Free Travel

•  Bike Lane Coverage

•  Consumption of Gasoline, Diesel, Biodiesel & Other Transport Fuels

•  Vehicles Per Capita

•  Purchases of SUVs & Hybrids

•  Rail Coverage & Uses

•  Telecommuting

•  Workforce Commuting Patterns

Waste Management

Waste generation and handling practices reflect views on the consumption of raw materials, energy, and other resources. Possible indicators:

•  Municipal Waste Volume

•  Per Capita Waste Generation & Recycling

•  Construction Debris Volume

•  Compost Volume

•  Waste Handling Practices, Costs & Energy Recovery

•  Penetration of Pay-As-You-Throw Programs

•  Landfill Gas Handling Practices

Wastewater

Inadequate wastewater treatment represents the primary source of nutrient loading to groundwater, freshwater, and marine environments. Possible indicators:

•  Systems Inventory

•  Coverage & Penetration of Engineered Collection & Treatment Systems

•  Coverage & Penetration of Natural (or Naturally Inspired) Collection & Treatment Systems

•  Volume of Treated/Untreated (Septic) Effluent

•  Wastewater Disposal, Water Reuse & Aquifer Regeneration Practices

•  Biosolids Volume & Handling

•  Digester Gas Volume & Handling

Water

The Cape’s sole-source aquifer, encompassing both surface and groundwater systems, requires comprehensive management. Possible indicators:

•  Drinking Water Quantity

•  Drinking Water Pumping & Distribution Infrastructure

•  Drinking Water Quality: Nitrate Levels in Public Supplies

•  Drinking Water Quality: Nitrate Levels in Private Wells

•  Drinking Water Quality: Well Closures

•  Contaminated Surface Waters, Sources of Contamination & Remediation Activities

•  Contaminated Groundwater Sites, Sources of Contamination & Remediation Activities

•  Eutrophication of Ponds & Lakes/TMDLs

•  Freshwater Beach Closures

•  Lake/Pond/Wetland Monitoring Activities