State Helps Cape Cod Towns Plan for Resiliency

Two-thirds of Cape towns are benefiting from a state grant program to bolster climate change planning and projects.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts established the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program to support municipal climate change resiliency planning and the implementation of priority projects. The Cape towns of Bourne, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Brewster, Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown received 2018 MVP grants to complete vulnerability assessments and develop resiliency plans and strategies.

The grant provides communities with technical support, climate change data, and planning tools to identify hazards and develop strategies to improve resiliency. Technical assistance from the Cape Cod Commission, which serves as a state certified MVP provider, has been requested by Bourne, Barnstable, Eastham, Wellfleet, and Truro. The Commission will help these towns hold workshops to identify climate hazards, determine the community’s vulnerabilities and strengths, develop adaptation strategies, and prioritize next steps.

Community input gathered at the workshops, will be included in a draft report and a listening session will be held to present to the community the list of priority next steps and actions.

Upon completion of the MVP program towns will be designated a certified MVP community, making them eligible for MVP Action grant funding in addition to other opportunities.