11 Most Endangered
Cape Cod
Year Listed: 1994
Location: Massachusetts
Current Status: Favorable
Threat: Development
Site of the Pilgrim's first landfall in the New World in 1620, Cape Cod is famed for its rich heritage, pleasant small towns and miles of beautiful dune-backed beaches. Since 1990, the unique qualities of the Cape have been protected by the Cape Cod Commission, which acts to preserve community character by reviewing proposed development likely to have an impact on the region's historic, scenic and environmental resources. In the mid-90s, the Commission refused to allow a major discounter build a 120,000-sq.-ft. superstore in Sandwich, the Cape's oldest town, because the store would foster roadside "strip" development, weaken the economic vitality of the village center, increase local traffic congestion and threaten the town's water supply. The discounter went to court the challenge the constitutionality of the Cape Cod Commission Act. But the threat extends far beyond Sandwich: Loss of model legislation would reopen the entire Cape to the sort of uncontrolled sprawl which had begun to make inroads before 1990, and would endanger the quality of life in a very special part of America.
Update
The case against the Commission Act was dropped. New development projects have been proposed, but local organizations have successfully argued that these projects would dramatically alter the character of the region. But due to a rise in teardown activity and continued development pressure Cape Cod is still in danger and must be closely watched so that its unique character isn't lost forever.
