The Cape Cod Times reported today (August 8, 2011) that new money for sewer work on the Cape may not be forthcoming from Washington. Indeed, there may be even less money for low cost wastewater loans because halting the funding of those programs is on the table.

Congressman Keating will try to get money added and to prevent cuts in wastewater loan funding.

At the press conference Eastham administrator Sheila Vanderhoef reminded those assembled that before money from whatever source is spent on tackling the so-called excess nitrogen problem citizens must be satisfied that the science dictating what they should do is sound."It's not delay for delay's sake," she said.

Citizens across the Cape are trying to obtain $650,000 in funding for the National Academy of Sciences to conduct an independent peer review and analysis of the science and methodology behind the recommendations for curtailing septic nitrogen flows. Whie Barnstable County has offered to conduct such a review, its personnel has been so involved in the development of the program that its independence is seen as compromised by some. There is so many billions of dollars at stake nothing less than an impartial review is needed.

To put the $650,000 in perspective, that investment could save billions.

For the Cape Cod Times report, click here.