Hi Paul
With my latest spectacular waterfront property-listing in Truro - perched directly on Cape Cod Bay ( Link ). I figured it was the perfect time to dig into a topic that often comes up in coastal real estate: erosion. Don’t worry, it's not taboo… It’s not like I’m asking for Deflategate to be reinvestigated! 😅 (although as a NY Giants fan, I do believe a special council should absolutely be hired..)
By coincidence, a timely article just ran in the New York Times (July 19): “An Ancient Law Could Shape the Modern Future of America’s Beaches.” It explores how a 1,700-year-old Roman legal principle - that newly exposed land from the sea belongs to the public - is shaping modern coastal policy in places like Texas, California, and potentially here in Massachusetts.
Politics aside (God forbid – I wanna keep the Thanksgiving table intact!) - the message is not doom and gloom. It’s about awareness. On Cape Cod, shifting beaches has been part of the landscape for thousands of years.
We live on a living, breathing peninsula. Wind, waves, and time continually reshape our shoreline. Some years, sand disappears - other years, accretion occurs – a fancy word for when sand builds up and bolsters the beach. The coastline doesn’t move in a straight line. It ebbs and flows.
Why this matters locally:
Cape Cod’s shores shift constantly. When natural movement is blocked - often by things like seawalls or hard barriers - we can accelerate erosion and unintentionally harm the very beaches we’re trying to protect. The Times article frames this moment as an opportunity to be smarter about coastal planning.
On Cape Cod, that means:
• Understanding erosion is natural - but can worsen when we overbuild near the shore
• Prioritizing dune restoration, natural buffers, and responsible setbacks
• Embracing the Cape’s long history with shifting sands, where change is not always loss
What this means for real estate:
• Proactive planning protects your investment and enhances natural beauty
• Buyers are drawn to coastal homes that are both resilient and responsible
• Sustainable choices aren’t just ethical - they’re increasingly marketable
If you'd like a copy of the article, or want to talk through what this means for your property or future sale, I’m happy to share insights and local resources - including dune restoration programs on the Outer Cape. Btw, Wilkinson Ecological Design ( www.wilkinsonecological.com ) has a best-in-class reputation on the Cape.
Hope you’re enjoying the summer here on the Cape - and if you’re around Friday morning, swing by Chatham Perk. I’ll be there (and yes, still insisting they serve the BEST coffee on the elbow).
Best,
Paul Borde'
Realtor® | Coastal Cape Cod, MA
License: 9585841 (MA)