cyanobacteria

More intense storms, rising sea levels, toxic algae blooms, and other environmental crises are making it harder for tribes to practice their culture and to pass it on.

Experts are warning that many more ponds could be closed this summer compared to past years, that’s because toxic blue-green algae blooms seem to be getting worse: affecting more ponds, for longer periods.

Officials with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on Wednesday finalized regulations designed to incentivize towns to obtain a Watershed Permit, which can be earned by designing and implementing 20-year wastewater solutions. Each town is expected to tailor its plans to the needs of the community and individual watersheds.In towns that obtain the permit, homeowners could avoid a seven-year requirement to upgrade or replace their septic systems, which can cost more than $25,000.

Exposure to toxic algae blooms has been known to cause skin irritation, stomach problems, headaches and worse.

Newly proposed septic rules that could require thousands of Cape Cod homeowners to upgrade or replace their septic systems in the next five years sparked heated debate last night at a virtual public meeting.

The Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC) released its fourth annual "State of the Waters" report this week. It shows water quality has declined on the Cape — again.

The wetlands aim to remove phosphorus from Long Pond, which has been beset with cyanobacteria blooms.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection could bring out regulations early next year that would forcefully encourage towns to apply for new "watershed permits." Residents of towns without those permits could be required to upgrade their home septic systems.

Santuit Pond in Mashpee and Loop Beach in Barnstable currently have closures. There are also two beaches in Provincetown that are being re-tested and results will be back later today after some troubling early signs.

It’s summer on Cape Cod and that means toxic blue-green algae blooms are back in local ponds.