Wampanoag Indians Fight Windmill Farm

The giant Cape Wind turbine farm project has overcome significant opposition, but now two Massachusetts tribes are attempting to block its construction, claiming cultural and religious issues.

1 minute read

March 27, 2010, 1:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur


The project had reached the approval stage after a lengthy nine-year process, but then in January the National Park Service declared the small island where the farm is planned a "traditional cultural property."

Bob Drogin writes, "The park service said the 440-foot-high towers would interfere with Wampanoag spiritual ceremonies, including greeting the sunrise with unobstructed views of the water.

The ruling also said excavations for the towers could disturb presumed Indian burial grounds that began to disappear under rising seas about 6,000 years ago. The shoal is now 30 feet beneath the waves."

Friday, March 26, 2010 in The Los Angeles Times

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