Cape residents concerned about order halting National Seashore meetings

CAPE COD — An influential advisory board that works to protect the Cape Cod National Seashore has been ordered by President Trump’s administration to stop meeting.

The beaches, which are located along the Outer Cape, have views straight out into the open ocean and protected wildlife throughout.

"To us, this is one of our most important resources,” Cape Cod resident David Weiss said. "Conserving this land is obviously to us - extremely important."

Every other month, delegates from each town take concerns from residents and offer recommendations to the federal government.

But their meeting scheduled for Monday isn't happening - and when they'll meet again is unclear.

The chairman of the commission, Rich Delaney, told Boston 25 News the Department of Interior postponed all future meetings.

The department has been reviewing advisory boards and committees that deal with public land since President Trump's administration took over.

Delaney said that what it means for the commission is unclear - but it’s enough to raise concern.

A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Agency told Boston 25 News that Gov. Baker’s administration is prepared to work with the federal government.

“Massachusetts is a nationally recognized leader on a number of environmental issues and the Baker-Polito Administration looks forward to working with the federal government and all stakeholders involved to continue protecting our natural resources, including the Cape Cod National Seashore.”

Cox Media Group