State official agrees with Indian claims

BOSTON, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts official agrees with claims by an Indian tribe that Nantucket Sound has cultural significance, stalling plans for a wind farm.

Brona Smith, the state historic preservation officer, in a letter released Thursday afternoon, said she believes Nantucket Sound is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Two Wampanoag groups say they had burying grounds in what is now Nantucket Sound when the area was above water and that a wind farm would interfere with a religious practice of greeting the sun.

Cape Wind has been trying to get approval for wind turbines in the sound for eight years, running into objections from some environmentalists and from people whose summer homes on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket overlook the Sound. The Wampanoags raised their objections five years ago.

A historic designation would still need approval from the director of the National Register.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick disagreed sharply with Smith.

"I respect the Wampanoags, but this decision is ridiculous,'' he said. "We are going to have to get serious about alternative energy installations where they make sense, and every environmental and regulatory review has concluded that Cape Wind makes sense.''