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Mass Audubon Supports Cape Wind Energy Project

Following nearly a decade of independent research and review, Mass Audubon has concluded that the Cape Wind Energy Project (Cape Wind) will not pose an ecologically significant threat to the birds and associated marine habitat of Horseshoe Shoal and Nantucket Sound.

As an important component of our support for responsible development of clean, renewable energy and to reduce the worst effects of climate change, we support this project. Mass Audubon’s final position statement on the Cape Wind Energy Project is a summarization of key elements of almost a decade of analyses, public testimony and reporting on Cape Wind by Mass Audubon.

In this position statement, we also respond to our Challenge to the Cape Wind developer and permitting agencies to get the project right. In that Challenge, produced nearly halfway through our analyses, we called for the filling of key avian data gaps as well as robust mitigation and monitoring, adaptive management, and a high standard by which all other offshore wind farms in America would be measured. Mass Audubon indicated that we would support Cape Wind if our Challenge was met. After nearly a decade of independent research and review, Mass Audubon has concluded that the key conditions of the Challenge have been satisfied.

Our support is based on nine years of analyses of field data collected by Cape Wind and independent field work by Mass Audubon staff; review of state, federal, and regional environmental impact documents, including the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Biological Opinion; independent scientific literature research; and consultation with ornithologists, scientists, and engineers, as well as state and federal agencies, including the US Department of the Interior (DOI) Minerals Management Service (MMS), the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), and USFWS.

Mass Audubon conducted meetings with organizations and individuals that both support and oppose the project. Mass Audubon also conducted a field visit to Denmark’s offshore wind farms at Horns Rev and Nysted during the 2005 spring bird migration season in order to conduct our own observational research and meet with ornithologists with direct experience in avian interaction with offshore wind turbines.

Our analyses of the Cape Wind project have been both complex and time consuming. We have confined our analyses to those areas of expertise held by our staff and organization within the realms of conservation biology and public policy. Our technical review, public testimony, and support for Cape Wind are consistent with and help advance our mission of protecting the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife.

Next Steps for Mass Audubon participation
Mass Audubon will continue to assess the Cape Wind project by analysis and review of the:

1. MMS’ OCS lease arrangement;
2. ACOE Section 10 permit issued under the US Rivers and Harbors Act;
3. EMS adaptive management plan; and
4. Avian monitoring and mitigation plan implementation during the construction and three year post-construction phases of the project.

Mass Audubon recognizes climate change as the gravest threat to humans and to the nature of Massachusetts and the planet. Our positive and constructive engagement in the analyses of Cape Wind, which began as deep skepticism of the project, has resulted in overall support. Following extensive research and consideration, we conclude that Cape Wind will make a positive contribution to help reduce the worst effects of climate change with no significant ecological threat to the avian and marine life of Horseshoe Shoal and Nantucket Sound.

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Mass Audubon works to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. Together with more than 100,000 members, we care for 34,000 acres of conservation land, provide educational programs for 225,000 children and adults annually, and advocate for sound environmental policies at local, state, and federal levels. Mass Audubon's mission and actions have expanded since our beginning in 1896 when our founders set out to stop the slaughter of birds for use on women's fashions. Today we are the largest conservation organization in New England. Our statewide network of wildlife sanctuaries, in 90 Massachusetts communities, welcomes visitors of all ages and serves as the base for our work. To support these important efforts, call 800-AUDUBON (283-8266) or visit www.massaudubon.org.