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Residents press Joint Base Cape Cod on proposed scaled machine‑gun range and aquifer risk; base pledges follow‑up
Summary
At the Select Board meeting, Joint Base Cape Cod staff briefed the board on base missions and a proposed composting proof‑of‑concept. Residents and board members pressed the base about a reduced‑scale machine‑gun range and potential impacts on the Upper Cape Water Supply Reserve (sole‑source aquifer); the base pledged to supply written answers and follow up publicly.
Representatives from Joint Base Cape Cod presented a brief update to the Falmouth Select Board on Sept. 23 and introduced base leadership who outlined mission sets and community outreach plans. Executive Director Chris Poe said the base is exploring a small proof‑of‑concept organic composting project and requested a longer briefing format to cover base operations in depth.
Residents used the public comment period to raise alarm about a proposed scaled machine‑gun range on base property that may overlap areas of the Upper Cape Water Supply Reserve. Rosemary Carey and other speakers cited a preliminary U.S. EPA report that recommended the range may not be compatible with preservation of the sole‑source aquifer and asked whether EPA will participate in evaluation and whether related meetings would be open to the public.
Chris Poe said he had been "blindsided" by a newspaper article about the range and pledged to track down the origin of the report and return written responses to the board. Major and colonel‑level military speakers emphasized training, conservation priorities and adherence to public‑meeting rules and said they would supply additional information in writing and at a future forum.
Board members requested specifics on environmental review, EPA engagement and the schedule for public meetings. The base agreed to provide answers and encouraged the board and citizens to take a base tour for more context.
No formal town action was taken; the Select Board asked the base to supply written responses and to coordinate a more detailed public briefing at a future meeting.
