Cape Cod Commission Statement on CLF v. EPA Settlement Agreement

The Conservation Law Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency have reached a settlement agreement, ending, with conditions, the longstanding water quality lawsuit focusing on Cape Cod’s estuaries. Adoption by the EPA and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the Section 208 Water Quality Management Plan Update drafted by the Cape Cod Commission is among the conditions.

“The Commission is committed to producing an effective, affordable and implementable Section 208 Plan to address excess nitrogen in our embayments,” Executive Director Paul Niedzwiecki said. “To the extent that there are additional responsibilities outlined in the agreement, the Commission is committed to those as well.”

Key in the dismissal is the Commonwealth’s agreement to designate Management Agencies for implementation of the Section 208 Plan. The Draft 208 Plan recommends such designation by June 30, 2015.