OneCape 2026 | Breakout Sessions

11:30 A.M. | Water Supply and Aquifer Protection Planning

The Cape Cod Aquifer is one of the most productive groundwater systems in New England, provides 100% of Cape Cod’s drinking water, and also influences freshwater and coastal water quality. The 2025 Cape Cod Regional Policy Plan includes a recommendation to advance aquifer protection planning in the face of drought, emerging contaminants, and other regional concerns to protect and sustain use of the aquifer. In this session attendees will learn about the Cape Cod Aquifer, methods to decrease impacts to groundwater, and how advanced groundwater modeling can support water planning region wide.

• Tara Nye Lewis, Water Resources Analyst, Cape Cod Commission
• Vandana Rao, Director of Water Policy, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
• Timothy McCobb, Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey
• Tim Pasakarnis, Water Resources Analyst, Cape Cod Commission

Location: Pavilion

11:30 A.M. | Regional Open Space Planning

Protecting open space and natural resources is one of the key regional goals identified in the 2025 Cape Cod Regional Policy Plan (RPP). This session will introduce the Regional Open Space Plan and other regional open space planning initiatives on the Cape and beyond. Speakers will discuss open space preservation and acquisition strategies both locally, throughout the region, and beyond. Plans to establish the economic value of open space and resource protection will be covered.

• Christy Johnson, Advocacy Director, Association to Preserve Cape Cod (The Cape We Shape – progress report, tools, and resources)
• Helen Zincavage, Director of Regional Planning, Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SECOG Regional Open Space Plan – lessons learned and surprises along the way)
• Maria Manchin, Director, Econsult Solutions Inc.
• Heather McElroy, Natural Resources Program Manager, Cape Cod Commission

Location: Cape Villa 1

11:30 A.M. | Life Without a Car on Cape Cod

Establishing fluid, interconnected and robust multi-modal transportation solutions for residents is both important and challenging. Through public and private partnerships efficient interconnectivity can be established to service the needs of the wide variety of residents, all with different needs and circumstances. Panelists will discuss local, regional, and state multi-modal needs and initiatives and try to answer whether it’s possible to live “life without a car” on Cape Cod.

• John Kennedy, Administrator, Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA)
• Michelle Danila, Director of Engineering Operations, Toole Design
• Galen Mook, Executive Director, Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition
• Steven Tupper, Deputy Director, Cape Cod Commission

Location: Cape Villa 2

11:30 A.M. | Supporting Year‑Round Housing

Seasonal communities can face significant challenges providing year-round housing for residents. With examples from towns across the region and Northeast, this session will provide case studies of different programs to support the creation and preservation of year-round housing. Participants will learn about how communities established these different programs, how they are funding them, and what their impact has been.

• Alex Morse, Town Manager, Town of Provincetown
• Paul Lagg, Director of Community Development, Town of Eastham
• Elizabeth Jenkins, Assistant Director of Planning & Community Development, Town of Orleans
• Alison Hankey and Amy Spencer, Woodstock Vermont Community Trust
• Chloe Schaefer, Chief Planner, Cape Cod Commission

Location: Cape Villa 3