As a U.S. Chamber of Commerce identified "NIMBY EXPERT", I wish to respond to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce 'Project No Project' myopic viewpoint expressed in a related press release, [Their] “Web site highlights Cape Wind, the nation’s first proposed wind farm planned for Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts. This project can’t get off the ground because of opposition from activist groups who argue, among other reasons, that local ocean views will be spoiled.”

The “unreasonable opposition”, U.S. Chamber also cites, is far better informed about Cape Wind than its “unreasonable proponent”, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Many NIMBY EXPERTS follow the principles of good stewardship. We stress reliance on Best Science and applicable laws that serve the interests’ of the public, Sovereign Nations as Federally Recognized Tribes, Public Trust, and public lands that include our ocean resource.

EXPERT NIMBYs are known to jealously guard endangered species, archaeologically sensitive areas, Essential Fish Habitats, Sacred Land, public use rights, heritage trades, historic whaling ports, unique scenic vistas that include wild landscapes and the windows to our past, National Historic Landmarks, the unspoiled and the aesthetically pleasant from “sea to shining sea”.

Such are the features unique to Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket Island, and this amphibious resource upon which we depend, Nantucket Sound.

The preponderance of evidence suggests that these values, rights and unique features, as well as public safety, are all threatened by Cape Wind.

The most important public policy decisions are made with priority consideration given to public safety. Zoning of our coastal waters has not yet been addressed. Zoning is Police Power that creates order to avoid chaos that invites public safety hazards where it zoning does not exist.

It most certainly does not serve the public interest to construct Cape Wind that has received a "Determination of Presumed Hazard" from the FAA.

The Cape Wind MMS final environmental impact statement also represents this proposal may alone cause 1.43 vessel strikes per year.

I would like to disclose that I live 1 ½ hours drive time away from Cape Cod. I am accurately described as a Cape and islands’ tourist. If the U.S. Chamber of Commerce still wishes to identify me as an “NIMBY EXPERT", I will proudly wear their label.

I have been conducting independent research on the subject of Cape Wind and wind energy for six years. My initial objection to Cape Wind was based on my opinion that 130, 440’ wind turbines installed there would lead to aesthetic degradation of this internationally recognized tourist destination location, a favorite of mine.

Consideration of the visual image of Cape Wind 130, 440’ proposed wind turbines over 24 square miles of Nantucket Sound offends me. And my right to Nantucket Sound aesthetic value is assured under the National Environmental Policy Act.

I consider the Cape Wind precedent-setting privatization of the submerged land of Nantucket Sound, and the proposed alternative development of our Outer Continental Shelf, to be an action that shifts public rights to our precious finite ocean resource to private entities, to be a very serious matter that presents conflicts that must be resolved before the fact.

Lead Cape Wind reviewing agency, Minerals Management Service, under new Outer Continental Shelf rules, is now poised to divest the public of our “our” precious resource. Since Thornwald and the Vikings and Gosnold fished in Nantucket Sound, and named Cape Cod for the abundance of this fish, an active fisheries has continued here as practiced by at least three nations that include Federally Recognized Tribes.

Cape Wind’s proposed industrial scale wind facility represents a public safety hazard according to the users and experts of aviation and navigation most familiar with Nantucket Sound. First and foremost, as a U. S. Chamber of Commerce identified “EXPERT NIMBY” representing Massachusetts, I reasonably object to this plan on that basis.


Thank You,



Barbara Durkin
NIMBY EXPERT
Massachusetts
Northboro, MA 01532

Supporting evidence:

“Cape Wind has stated that there will be no permanent employment associated with this project in Barnstable County” page 23 of 29 Cape Wind Energy Project JR20084 Staff Report-September 4, 2007/
(note: Barnstable County encompasses Cape Cod) down-load Adobe file Cape Cod Commission Staff Report available here:

http://www.windaction.org/documents/11706

http://bjdurk.newsvine.com/_news/2009/05/01/2762454-cape-wind-faa-notice-of-presumed-hazard-

http://bjdurk.newsvine.