APCC: Future Vision

A Vision for the Future:
APCC's Long Range Plan

The nature of our work at APCC necessitates that we respond to issues of environmental importance with immediacy, reacting swiftly to issues as they present themselves. And yet, we are aware of the need to focus our energies proactively and chart the course for future APCC involvement and activities. In 1999, APCC resolved to develop a long-range plan to optimize the impact of our future efforts. The expected results for our planned course of action include:

Preservation of additional open space

Promotion of responsible planned growth

Protection of our water resources

Retention of community character and quality of life on Cape Cod

Our plan springs from the fundamental assumption that the troubling issues we face today are caused by the unprecedented rate of development on Cape Cod. All other environmental and quality of life issues stem from, or are a result of, unmanaged growth. Thus, we will work to implement the following advocacy and education programs designed to slow the Cape's growth rate:

Open Space Preservation
To achieve the Cape Cod Commission's Regional Policy Plan goal to preserve half of the remaining land on Cape Cod, APCC will:
- seek additional sources of funding for the land bank
- support efforts to rehabilitate existing developed lots
- educate Cape Codders about the value of open space

Managed Growth
To promote responsible planned growth, APCC will:
- encourage cluster development, the use of Transfer of Development Rights, and building cap
- draw attention to, and reevaluate state and local zoning regulations
- review thresholds and standards in the Regional Policy Plan
- explore ways to link growth to available resources

Water Resource Protection
To safeguard drinking water, surface water and wetlands resources, APCC will:
- work to improve wastewater disposal, treatment and management options
- continue to vigorously support the creation of the Upper Cape Water Supply Reserve
- monitor the cleanup of the known MMR plumes and the new cleanup efforts in the Impact Area
- follow the MWRA outfall project to ensure the discharge of wastewater does not harm the living resources of Cape Cod Bay.

Community Character and Quality of Life
To promote the preservation of our rural character, APCC will:
- work to maintain our village centers
- promote efforts to develop multimodal transportation systems that reduce traffic
- work to limit new development to areas consistent with the Regional Policy Plan.

While these are ambitious goals, they are entirely necessary to the continued success of our mission. APCC is dedicated to achieving these results. With a clear focus, and through diligence and the support of our members, we will continue to preserve the very nature of Cape Cod for future generations.