“Wellfleet Backs Decision for Disputed Building Permit”
Cape Cod Times, June 27, 2008
By Doug Fraser
Doug Fraser reports that the town of Wellfleet’s Zoning Board of Appeals upheld the town building inspector's decision to grant a building permit to the Blasch family to construct a controversial 5,700-square-foot home in a scenic area of the Cape Cod National Seashore. The new home will replace and triple the footprint of the recently demolished “Billboard” house. The National Park Service has expressed concern about the size of the new home and the permitting process.
Related articles:
• “Wellfleet: ‘Damn the Torpedoes Full Speed Ahead’,”
Cape Cod Today, May 31, 2008
• “No More Delays in Blasch Project,”
Cape Cod Today, May 14, 2008
• “'Billboard’ House Draws Crowd at Appeals Hearings,”
The Provincetown Banner, May 8, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Wellfleet Backs Disputed Building Permit for “Billboard” House Site
Monday, June 23, 2008
Cape Cod National Seashore: a Gem at Risk
“A Cape Cod Gem at Risk”
The Boston Globe, June 22, 2008
By Mike Gildesgame
Mike Gildesgame, Southern New England policy manager of the Appalachian Mountain Club, writes in an op-ed piece that in order to conserve and prevent the privately-held 57-acre North of Highland Camping Area within the Cape Cod National Seashore from being sold to developers, the National Park Service, in partnership with the Trust for Public Land, needs a final $2 million in funding from the federal Land and Conservation Fund. One of the challenges: President Bush’s FY 2009 budget slashed the Land and Water Conservation Fund by 75 percent, providing only $43 million, even though the program is not funded by tax dollars but by lease fees from offshore oil and gas drilling.
For more information on efforts to purchase and preserve the camp area, please read the Association to Preserve Cape Cod's press release of May 5, 2008: "APCC Seeks Federal Assistance for National Seashore Land Purchase."
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Big Homes Unstoppable in National Seashore Park
“Big Homes Unstoppable in Seashore”
Cape Cod Times, June 8, 2008
By Doug Fraser
EASTHAM -- George Price, superintendent of the Cape Cod National Seashore, is worried that the battle to retain the park's rural character is being lost cottage by cottage. ...
The Seashore mission -- to keep the park looking like it did when it was created in 1961 -- has become more difficult as property owners within the park want to enlarge their summer cottages to full-sized homes, or as new owners want to maximize their property values by building as much house as zoning allows. ... ©
Read the full article in the Cape Cod Times.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Cape Cod National Seashore Clashes With Wellfleet Over “Billboard” House
“Wellfleet: ‘Damn the Torpedoes Full Speed Ahead’”
Cape Cod Today, May 31, 2008
By Peter Robbins
WELLFLEET -- Despite the Town and Seashore torpedoes, the billboard house slowly vanishes a section at a time to most the feelings were "good ridden's." The owners, the Blasch family, with a legally issued demolition & building permit are moving forward. Why? Because they have every legal right to. ...
... what still bothers me is the standing of the National Seashore when it comes to these projects. There seems to be an inherent conflict between the Seashores position on the issues and the jurisdiction of the town of Wellfleet. ...
The NPS priority is raising the remaining balance of the $6,000,000.00 purchase of the 58 acre North of Highlands Campground in N. Truro. A tremendous undertaking and worthwhile project for the Park. ©
Read the full article in Cape Cod Today.
Related articles:
• “Wellfleet: The People Have Spoken,”
Cape Cod Today, May 23, 2008
• “No More Delays in Blasch Project,”
Cape Cod Today, May 14, 2008
• “'Billboard’ House Draws Crowd at Appeals Hearings,”
The Provincetown Banner, May 8, 2008
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Cape Cod National Seashore Seeks Volunteers
The Provincetown Banner reports that the Cape Cod National Seashore is seeking volunteers this summer to work at the Seashore's locations in Truro and Provincetown.
Volunteers are needed at the Province Lands Visitor Center, the Old Harbor Life Saving Station, and on the nature trails in both Truro and Provincetown.
Also, the Seashore is looking for a volunteer photographer-videographer to produce programs and presentations for the local cable access television channel.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Association to Preserve Cape Cod Seeks Federal Funds for National Seashore Land Purchase
"APCC Seeks Federal Assistance for National Seashore Land Purchase"
Press Release, Association to Preserve Cape Cod, May 5, 2008
HYANNIS -- In letters to Congressman William Delahunt and Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry, APCC sought assistance from federal lawmakers in securing funding for the purchase of 57 acres of land within the Cape Cod National Seashore.
The letters were part of an effort by several environmental organizations, including APCC, to preserve the 57-acre North of Highland Campground through its acquisition by the National Park Service. The campground is currently a privately-owned operation in Truro that provides camping facilities within the National Seashore. ... ©
Read the entire press release.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Cape Cod National Seashore Still Faces Threats
"National Seashore Still Faces Threats"
Cape Cod Times, May 1, 2008
By George E. Price Jr.
As superintendent of the Cape Cod National Seashore, I often hear people share their criticisms and complaints about seashore management as it affects them. However, they usually conclude by saying, -- but I am glad the National Seashore is here!
I've personally enjoyed the National Seashore for more than 30 years. Its establishment is a living legacy to President Kennedy. I have since learned that many others -- local community leaders, newspaper editors, local residents, state, and federal office holders -- also deserve credit. What all of these individuals had in common was a concern about over development, and a desire to preserve the character of the Outer Cape. ... ©
Read the full op-ed piece in the Cape Cod Times.
Read a related article, "Seashore Pledges to Work with Towns on Zoning Issues," The Cape Codder, May 2, 2008.
Read the National Seashore's 1998 General Management Plan.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Cape Cod National Seashore to Celebrate National Park Week
Cape Cod National Seashore is celebrating National Park Week, April 19 through April 27, 2008, with a boatload of activities designed for kids and families. Activities include:
• Saturday, April 19: The Scoop on Seals, a look at the different seals found on Cape Cod and how they’re adapted to their watery world.
• Sunday, April 20: Sirens of the Sea, featuring the beauty and natural history of humpback whales.
• Tuesday, April 22: Where the Spark of Magic Happened and Marconi Triumphed, a short walk around the site where Guglielmo Marconi transmitted the first transatlantic wireless message in 1903.
• Friday, April 25: Whose Toes Are Those, a one-hour walk to look for tracks and sign left by local wildlife.
• Saturday, April 26: Earth Day/Keep America Beautiful, clean-up event at Coast Guard and Nauset Light Beach parking areas.
• Saturday, April 26: The Wizard of Wireless, commemorates the birthday of Guglielmo Marconi, the father of radio. Radio operators making contacts with others around the world, Morse Code, and other activities for kids.
• Saturday, April 26: Family Fun at the Penniman House, with outdoor games, activities, and stories about the Penniman family’s life at home and adventures at sea.
For details, please read the recent press release or the full schedule of events.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Harvard Museum to Present "Thoreau’s Cape Cod"
"Harvard Museum to Present 'Thoreau’s Cape Cod.'"
Lincoln Journal, April 10, 2008
CAMBRIDGE -- On April 16, the Harvard Museum of Natural History will present a special program entitled, “Thoreau’s Cape Cod.”
To celebrate the release of the illustrated edition of Henry David Thoreau’s classic Cape Cod, Scot Miller will present a video documenting his experiences photographing the outer Cape.
Following the 11-minute video, Cape Cod National Seashore Superintendent George Price will give a lecture entitled, “Cape Cod National Seashore ... a Thoreau Experience.” Price will discuss the major conservation challenges facing this jewel of the outer Cape, and the National Park Service's efforts to maintain the shoreline so that everyone can experience it as did Thoreau more than 100 years ago.
The program is free and open to the public. A portion of the proceeds of each book sold will go to benefit the Walden Woods Project. ©
