Washington, D.C. (February 19, 2019) – Massachusetts Senators Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren reintroduced legislation to reauthorize the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission until 2029. The Advisory Commission expired under current law on September 26, 2018. The Advisory Commission allows the six towns in the park, Barnstable County, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to provide citizen input to the Secretary of the Interior about matters related to the Cape Cod National Seashore, from permits for commercial use of property in the Seashore to the use of personal water craft.

President John F. Kennedy signed the Cape Cod National Seashore bill into law on August 7, 1961 “to preserve the natural and historic values of a portion of Cape Cod for the inspiration and enjoyment of people all over the United States.” More than four million visits were made to the Cape Cod National Seashore annually for the past seven consecutive years, and more than 12,000 hours of volunteer services have been provided since 2010 – a testament to the Seashore’s power to inspire and create community.

“National parks are known as one of America’s best ideas,” said Senator Markey. “I will continue to fight so that the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission can continue as it has been to inspire the millions of visitors it welcomes every year.”

“The Cape Cod National Seashore is one of the most beautiful and cherished natural wonders in the United States,” said Senator Warren. “This legislation will help keep it pristine for generations to come.”

“Created by President Kennedy, the Cape Cod National Seashore is one of the crown jewels of my district,” said Rep. Keating. “Today I am again honored to play a role in continuing President Kennedy’s work with this legislation. By reauthorizing the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission, the communities of the Outer Cape will retain their voice in the seashore policies that directly impact them. I will keep fighting for the commission so that they can get back to their important work and I commend Senators Markey and Warren for taking up this legislation in the Senate.”

A copy of the legislation can be found HERE.

Senators Markey and Warren’s legislation is a companion bill to Representative William Keating’s (MA-09) bill to extend the authorization for the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission. Representative Keating’s identical bill from the 115^th Congress passed the House of Representatives on September 26, 2018.

This month, Senators Markey and Warren introduced an amendment on the Senate floor to the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47) to reauthorize the Advisory Commission, but it was not accepted.

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