Our View: The Federal Food Chain

The chaos among federal departments caused by the so-called department of government efficiency is filtering down to our local level, as demonstrated by stories featured in last week’s edition as well as the paper you hold in your hands. The outcomes are, at least at this time, decidedly mixed.

On the positive side, the U.S. Department of the Interior went ahead with the purchase of property to serve as the new offices and visitor center for the Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. This was somewhat surprising, considering the drive to cut budgets and sell off federal property around the nation. 

A resumption of funding for federal grants following a pause means that the Harwich Conservation Trust can move ahead with its Hinckleys Pond/Herring River Watershed Restoration Project. The project is dependent on grants from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as well as other federal agencies, many of which were put on hold by the new administration. 

Also, three workers at the Cape Cod National Seashore who were laid off have been reinstated, helping to ensure that one of the top destinations on the Cape will at least have a semblance of proper staffing this summer.

On the other side of the ledger, plans for an upper air weather station at Chatham Airport appear to be dead. NOAA had been working with the airport commission for several years to replace the weather balloon-launching facility that was abandoned due to erosion on Morris Island. That left a gap in the agency’s weather data gathering which is not likely to be filled anytime soon. This could have serious consequences for the accuracy of weather forecasts that many depend on.

It was also announced last week that the uncertainty over federal funding is a major factor in the decision to close down the Calmer Choice program, which has helped thousands of Cape students learn meditation and mindfulness techniques. Some may see this as “woke,” but its loss could lead to higher levels of stress and anxiety among kids who are already facing an incredibly complex and uncertain world.

We point out these developments not to be political but to demonstrate that disruption has its impacts, even this far down the federal food chain.