20 RECLAMATION OF CAPE COD SAND DUNES. 



been cut down and destiwed on the seaward nide of the Cape, allowing- 

 the sand to become loosened and driven in great (juantities toward the 

 harbor. The report also states that — 



The space where a few years since existed some of the highest lauds of tlie cape, 

 covered with trees and bushes, now presents an extensive waste of undulating sand. 



The filling up and consequent destruction of that part of the harbor 

 known as East Harbor was the work of tlie drifting sands to the north- 

 ward, a fresh- water marsh now marking its original site. As an 

 instance of the effects of the rejuvenated sand areas it nui}^ be stated 

 that several once valualjlc farms situated along Stouts Creek, near , 

 Truro, have been covered with sand and to-day there is no trace of 

 even the creek to indicate the location of the original properties. 



IIestkictive Legislation. 



The devastated sand areas at the extremit}^ of the Cape have been 

 the object of State and local conc^ern since the earliest daA's of its set- 

 tlement. Accounts state that as earl}^ as 1703 local public mcasui-es 

 were taken to prohibit the destruction of timber on the "East Harbor 

 lands."* In 1714 the devastation incident, to the boxing and barking 

 of pine trees for the production of pitch and turpentine had become 

 so extensive upon the sand areas at the extremity of the Cape as to be 

 at that date prohibited by State statute. 



It was originally the practice on the part of the inhabitants farther 

 south along the Cape to allow a considera))le number of cattle to range 

 over the northern extremity. As the grass growing in the tim))cred 

 areas was limited, the stock was forced to subsist to some extent upon 

 the beach errass, which then as now covered considerable areas of the 

 Cape sands. An act was passed in 1710 prohil)iting this practice and 

 providing for the impounding of the stock found at large upon the 

 lands. In 1715 the destruction of timber within half a mile of the 

 shore was prohibited under penalty. These acts, however, were not 

 as effective as their f ramers had hoped and were reenforced at intervals. 



In 1825 the devastation had become so extensive that conunissioners 

 were appointed by the State to investigate the conditions. Their sug- 

 gestions resulted in an act to prevent the unrestricted pasturage of 

 stock and the destruction of beach grass and woody growth either b}'- 

 pulling or cutting. The enforcement of this measure, together with 

 the reclamation processes inaugurated at this time, materially reduced 

 the devastation which at this period was probably the worst in the 

 history of the Cape. 



In 1S38 Provincetown was required to elect annualh' a committee of 

 three persons: (1) To enforce the existing laws regulating the Province 

 lands; (2) to grant permits for the use of portions of these lands by 



« Massachusetts House Doc. 339, p. 41). 



