[MassHistPres] Fwd: Wind Farms

[Barbara]

Has anyone seen the beautiful wind farms on Prince Edward Island?   Although they are built on the island they are visible from both land and sea.  The people of Canada appear to embrace this source of clean energy as well as continuing to preserving their heritage. 



Cape Cod and many towns that lie on oceans and bays had windmills built on the shores.  We consider any remaining as historic properties and will fight to preserve them, rightly so. 



As former chair of Wareham's Historical Commission I fought long and hard to remove the stigma of "hysterical historians" from being used in our town by preserving our history while being realistic.   I see this continuing battle against Cape Wind becoming labeled as such. 



Isn't it possible for us to work together for the greater good of this state, country and the world and continue to honor our past? 



Archaeological surveys could identify and document any remaining Native American burial grounds.  However the ocean is destructive in its own way and I wonder what it anything remains. This is an emotional issue for many people including the First People and I would not presume to understand why they feel as they do about Nantucket Sound.  I have not walked in their moccasins. 



The issue of their sunrise ceremonies is more difficult.  However if it was part of my belief system I would prefer to honor it with a ceremony that includes wind turbines than ever increasing toxic pollution.  In my humble opinion this would fit in with their belief to think of the impact of their actions for five generations.  



This is written with deep respect for the people who have lived here for thousands of years. 



I feel that environmental concerns should be the foremost consideration in whether or not to build wind farms.  



As a proud Scot I would not be adverse to clean energy wind turbines built in the seas surrounding Scotland.  I do not think it is environmentally appropriate that oil wells have been driven there especially after the recent oil well explosion and spreading oil slick. We hopefully learn from our mistakes. 



I am sure that at sometime in the past my ancestors from many parts of the world used land that is now under the sea.  What peoples in the world have not occupied land that is now under water? 



We must try to come together and make decisions that preserve our environment.  The alternative will not be so very pleasant for our descendants. 



Barbara Bailey
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