[MassHistPres] ACHP Comments on the Cape Wind Project

[Marcia Starkey]

Hello,

The comment by the Advisory Council effectively reminded me of how much regional character means for the Cape. The changes occurring after my days on the South Shore and that I associate it with Patty Page and "Old Cape Cod", have made it more difficult to find these roots. Its the place that provides many of us with an example of substantial loss of character, and a reminder of how difficult it is to make the choices between preservation and economic success.  However, we can't pick and choose what is important for succeeding  generations, nor can we encourage loss of places with great meaning for others.  

Marcia Starkey
Greenfield HC     
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Sam Bird 
  To: Bjdurk at aol.com 
  Cc: Forum-L at lists.nationaltrust.org ; masshistpres at cs.umb.edu 
  Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 6:46 PM
  Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] ACHP Comments on the Cape Wind Project
















  On Apr 3, 2010, at 5:02 PM, Bjdurk at aol.com wrote:


    Thank you, Mr. Bird, for this acknowledgement and for providing your comments.  I offer that many ardent preservationists, including more than 25 Federally recognized Tribes, the SHPO, ACHP, National Trust, National Parks and the Keeper identify Nantucket Sound as a significant traditional, cultural, historic and archaeological property.  Given the political firestorm associated with competing interests, I consider their individual and collective actions to be courageous. 

    Take heart as Salazar has said, "what happens to Cape Wind, whether it goes up or it goes down, will not be determinative of the future of (offshore) wind energy in the United States." 

    Thank You,  

    Barbara Durkin 
    Northboro, MA  

        

    In a message dated 4/3/2010 2:27:32 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, greenbird-architect at comcast.net writes:
      Ms. Durkin,
      I confess, I made a shorthand and sarcastic response as a follow up to my earlier comments on this listserve and on this topic. Perhaps you missed my original comments which are copied below.  Perhaps I was too flip, however I hoped to emphasize the absurdity of this decision, in my humble opinion. 


      To: Paul Bourdon
      Cc: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu; Forum-L at lists.nationaltrust.org
      Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Areas of Water on the NR


      I have to chime in here. This is an incredibly transparent use of "preservation" by folks who only want to defeat Cape Wind. I am an ardent preservationist - I've served on our local HDC for more years than I care to remember, and some of the decisions I've made have cost me some relationships in town - so be it. I have an 1892 farm in an area of Rhode Island I have to sell - but at the cost of a hefty discount on the price, I'm insisting the buyer place a preservation easement on it - I've sold land to conservation groups at deep, deep discounts. In short, I've put my money where my mouth is. I am also deeply concerned about our collective abuse of the environment. Climate Change is a very real threat that, if not dealt with swiftly and decisively, will certainly eclipse preservation concerns.  The notion of Nantucket Sound suddenly becoming a precious  historic resource coincident with the Cape Wind proposal is hog wash! Where were the Wampanoags and the "preservationists" on the issue of their precious sound 20 years ago? 


      Someone please tell me - is there any other 560 square mile area of marine bottom (or even dry land) currently on the NR on its own historic merits?  I didn't study the rulings but I did scan enough to get the flavor - Nantucket Sound was (when it was dry) probably the type of area the Native Americans might have hung out in. No one knows if they did - or if they didn't - it's just possible, maybe even likely. Does this seem a little thin to anyone else? Then let's ask - what would Nantucket Sound be preserved for? Will the public ever experience any of the history made there? Will it become a diving Mecca? If so, why isn't it one already? In short, what public good would come of listing it? I don't see one.


      The ridiculous bending and twisting of "historic preservation" into a useful club to beat up a project unwanted by some for their own self interest does tremendous harm to those who are trying to legitimately practice preservation, which ain't easy.  If this was such a valuable historic resource, there would have been a push to protect it long before Cape Wind appeared on the horizon. If the push now is to preserve it, and it merits preservation on its own qualities, then go all out - start by banning all commercial fishing (the draggers have been ripping the bottom to shreds for decades). For that matter, ban all boat traffic because we could risk an oil spill, or a sinking, or anchors damaging some archaeological resource. Make the ferries go around (and the planes, too - have to protect those birds). Let those pushing for preservation pony up the bucks to pay for a massive underwater research dig.......


      I'm all for historic preservation. I'm all for alternative energy. Both are vital - one for our physical survival, one for our cultural survival.  I'm all for a rational discussion and effective compromise to meet both goals but that is clearly not the case here - we simply have a bunch of Nimby's using whatever weapon they can find.


      Sam Bird AIA, LEED AP
      Concord
      On Apr 3, 2010, at 11:27 AM, Bjdurk at aol.com wrote:


        We are all entitled to our opinions, Mr. Bird.  I do take exception, however, to what I consider to be disparaging and unsupported accusations made against the Tribes, SHPO, ACHP, National Parks and the Keeper, with whom you disagree. 

        Sincerely, 

        Barbara Durkin 
        Northboro, MA 


      =




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