For an alternative plan that puts the sand dredged from the Cape Cod Canal starting in the October/November timeframe of 2015 into the sand-starved Sandwich coastal system rather than have this sand dumped in Cape Cod Bay.

We fear that if this sand is dumped in the Cape Cod Bay it will have a profoundly negative impact on the integrity of the Sandwich coastline, and severe consequences for the saltmarsh and many hundreds of homeowners and businesses situated near the coast. We need to go the “extra half mile.”

It has taken years to get the funding in place and years to build a working relationship with the Army Corp of Engineers by our town government and state representatives to get this close to having our Sandwich coastline better protected against severe erosion caused by the extension of the Cape Code Canal’s northern jetty and increased strength and frequency of coastal storms. The original plan to have a sand corridor created on Town Neck beach has failed to be approved by all parties involved, so we are seeking an alternative plan that does not involve private property. We understand there are critical time constraints that we have to abide by. The canal will be dredged this fall by the Army Corp of Engineers as scheduled. We are now requesting/pleading for an alternative plan for placement of this sand at least within the protective coastal zone of the Sandwich coastline that would not involve private property and serve to protect the town and public beaches from further damage.

• We are requesting that this sand be placed on our public beach at Town Neck, all land owned by the town of Sandwich as an alternative,
• And/Or, placed beyond the private property lines just off shore to alleviate the impact of large waves crashing onto the beach.

Either alternative would make a huge difference in protecting the historic district of Sandwich, including the downtown area. It would also protect the saltmarsh and homes and businesses all up and down the coast of Sandwich as that sand migrates east along the natural coastal erosion path. We urge you to seriously consider our request and let us know if there is anything we can do to help make this a smooth transition from one plan to another. Let’s put this huge effort of so many key people over so much time towards a desperately needed improvement to our town, our coastline, our saltmarsh and our home.