Politicians Cry Foul, Wind Farm Deadline Extended

The federal agency that plans to lease 2,224 square miles off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard for wind development announced yesterday it has extended the public comment period for the project amid protests.

The move comes just two days after members of Massachusetts’s congressional delegation sent a letter to Department of the Interior secretary Ken Salazar voicing their concerns with the process. 

“We feel that amount of time is insufficient for affected stakeholders to analyze and submit comments on an energy development proposal that could have lasting impacts in the region,” wrote Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown and Congressmen John Tierney and Barney Frank.

“Additionally, we feel that the Bureau did not adequately consult with the fishing industry or even the Federal fisheries regulators prior to drafting their map.” The wind farm is sighted for the Outer Continental Shelf, near the fishing-rich Georges Bank region.

The signed politicians said many of their constituents were unaware of the proposal until a recent meeting with the Interior Department in New Bedford.

The same could not be said of the many concerned fishermen who attended two similar public information sessions at the Oak Bluffs library February 17.

At those meetings, Island fishermen and members of the Dukes County Fishermen's Association raised pointed questions as to whether they would be restricted from the leased area.

Ed LeBlanc, the Coast Guard’s representative at the meeting, said he was unable to provide a concise answer about fishing restrictions, since the proposed wind farm is at this point in the planning phases.

“We are only talking generalities here,” said LeBlanc.

The agency responsible for the project, the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE), does not yet have a developer attached to the proposal. It is actively defining the area on which it plans to install turbines.

“Restricting the area in any way is our last resort,” LeBlanc later said.

For at least one man at the Oak Bluffs meeting, such noncommittal assurances fell short.

“I don’t think there’s been enough studies on the area, on our fisheries and the fact that you’re gonna put us out of business,” said Bill Alwardt. “What’s gonna happen to us?

"We're the little man in this big picture—and it's a multi-million dollar picture,” he said. “We're going to get hurt no matter how you look at it.”

LeBlanc said a number of measures could be put into place to better protect fishermen, but he could not discuss them in detail, as he did not have the proper documents on-hand.

“This seems a little bass-ackward,” said Chilmark selectmen Jonathan Mayhew. "It seems like we're doing this after the fact."

BOEMRE said it is only in the first step of the leasing process, which will include public participation and thorough environmental review.

That comment period, expected to expire on Feb. 28, will now continue until March 30.

The project, a joint effort by state and federal officials, is unlikely to be overhauled unless it is found to significantly impact the environment.

“I am very pleased [BOEMRE] granted our request for a public comment extension to get more input from the fishing industry,” Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs secretary Richard Sullivan Jr. said Thursday, following the bureau’s announcement.

“The development of a new offshore wind industry based off of the Massachusetts coast is an important undertaking that will benefit the state through job growth, less reliance on the volatility of fossil fuel prices and a cleaner environment for generations to come," said Sullivan.

"At the same time, we recognize that the Massachusetts fishing industry and others have raised a number of issues regarding the federal leasing process, and it makes sense to address those questions.”

Sullivan said his office would convene a Fisheries Work Group with federal officials in early March.   

BOEMRE invites all interested parties to submit feedback and provide relevant data during the extended comment period. Those who wish to do so may visit http://www.regulations.gov.