Mass. Commission Ruling Means Delay For Cape Wind

The nation’s first offshore wind farm faces more delay after a Massachusetts official said two Indian tribes’ claim to Nantucket Sound needed more study.

The Wampanoag tribes in Mashpee and Martha’s Vineyard argue the sound is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The Wampanoags say that protection is needed because Cape Wind’s 130 turbines will be visible on the horizon, destroying their ancient rituals, which require an unblocked view of the sunrise.

Federal regulators rejected the claim. But on Thursday, Brona Simon, executive director of the Massachusetts Historical Commission disagreed, and sent it for review to the National Park Service.

If the service backs the tribe, the project could be delayed months as developers comply with the new designation.

Cape Wind backers call the tribes’ claim baseless.