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<DIV><LABEL></LABEL><A title=http://bjdurk.newsvine.com/_news/2010/08/31/5010978-exposed-mass-audubons-financial-interest-in-cape-wind- href="http://bjdurk.newsvine.com/_news/2010/08/31/5010978-exposed-mass-audubons-financial-interest-in-cape-wind-" target=_blank><B><FONT color=#000000>http://bjdurk.newsvine.com/_news/2010/08/31/5010978-exposed-mass-audubons-financial-interest-in-cape-wind-</FONT></B></A></DIV>
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<DIV><B><FONT size=4>Exposed: Mass Audubon’s financial interest in Cape
Wind</FONT> </B>
<P>Mass Audubon is identified as a Minerals Management Service (MMS) identified
"Key Partner" involved in the collection of avian data, analysis and commenting
upon the same in the Cape Wind project environmental review under the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA analysis should remain objective. However,
Mass Audubon offered their "support" for Cape Wind during this project NEPA
review in their 2006 press release called "Challenge". </P>
<P>“Challenge” condition of Mass Audubon's Cape Wind "support" is agency
acceptance of Adaptive Management monitoring and mitigation (AM). Adaptive
Management is an umbrella term for "monitoring", counting bird carcass and
carcass parts caused by Cape Wind; and "mitigation", attempts to reduce harm to
wildlife caused by this project. Challenge defines the AM service term,
"<I>beginning at the construction phase and continuing for at least three years
post-construction</I>", and source of funding, <I>"monitoring and mitigation
should be funded by Cape Wind</I>". </P>
<P>U.S. Fish and Wildlife, with purview over the endangered species under the
ESA Section 7 review process, provided their comments on Cape Wind on April 21,
2008 to then Cape Wind Project Manager of MMS on the draft environmental impact
statement (DEIS): "<I>The current framework that MMS is proposing would forgo
refinement of pre-construction study protocols and set in motion an adaptive
management process that would be doomed to failure because effective techniques
to perform post-construction monitoring simply do not exist."</I> </P>
<P>Comparing similar AM contracts, and based on the duration of the term
expressed in “Challenge”, the condition of Mass Audubon’s "support" for Cape
Wind has a value of approximately $8 million dollars. Yet, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service comments to MMS challenge Mass Audubon's "support" condition of
Cape Wind is "<I>doomed to failure</I>". </P>
<P>Confirming their financial interest in the outcome of the Cape Wind
permitting process, Mass Audubon issued a June 25, 2010 press release stating
that they will, “<I>continue to analyze and report on Cape Wind through”,</I>
“<I>EMS adaptive management plan; and 4. Avian monitoring and mitigation plan
implementation during the construction and three year post-construction phases
of the project." </I></P>
<P>Mass Audubon's February 23, 2005 comments on the Cape Wind DEIS to then Cape
Wind project manager state: "<I>By utilizing other bird mortality data provided
in the DEIS, Mass Audubon staff scientists arrived at avian mortalities that
ranged from 2,300 to 6,600 collision deaths per year." </I></P>
<P>Mass Audubon’s supports Cape Wind despite their staff scientists’ estimation
the project will cause up to 6,600 avian mortalities per year. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service comments suggest Cape Wind represents immitigable harm to
endangered and migratory wildlife. Interior Secretary Salazar has vowed that
Best Science will form the basis of decisions regarding federal actions.
However, the Cape Wind Record of Decision incorporates Mass Audubon’s bias,
"support" for Cape Wind, in which Mass Audubon has expressed financial interest
by their stated intent to implement the AM service, <I>"funded by Cape
Wind</I>". </P>
<P>Barbara Durkin of Northboro, MA 01532 Telephone: (508) 612-4133</P>
<P>Supporting evidence:</P>
<P><A title=http://bjdurk.newsvine.com/_news/2010/03/21/4046167-mass-audubon-condition-of-support-for-cape-wind-spells-bias href="http://bjdurk.newsvine.com/_news/2010/03/21/4046167-mass-audubon-condition-of-support-for-cape-wind-spells-bias" target=_blank><FONT color=#005422>http://bjdurk.newsvine.com/_news/2010/03/21/4046167-mass-audubon-condition-of-support-for-cape-wind-spells-bias</FONT></A>
</P>
<P>Responding to Mass Audubon press release below: </P>
<P>
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<P><SPAN class=subtitle><STRONG><FONT size=5>Updated Statement on
Cape Wind</FONT></STRONG></SPAN><BR></P>
<P>Inaccurate statements have been made regarding Mass Audubon’s
position on the proposed Cape Wind project. We provide the following
information to clarify and reaffirm our position.</P>
<P>Mass Audubon supports the Cape Wind project as an important
component of the responsible development of clean, renewable energy
to prevent the worst effects of climate change. More information can
be found in Mass Audubon’s <A title=http://www.massaudubon.org/PDF/capewind/cape_wind_position_20100624.pdf href="http://www.massaudubon.org/PDF/capewind/cape_wind_position_20100624.pdf" target=_blank>Final Position on The Cape Wind Energy Project</A>,
released on June 24, 2010.</P>
<P>Mass Audubon has never requested, accepted, or been promised
financial remuneration in exchange for its support for Cape Wind. We
independently raised funds to pay for our research. As part of the
public comment process, Mass Audubon provided our results to the
relevant local, state, and federal government agencies. Those who
have alleged that Mass Audubon received funds from the project
developers of Cape Wind in exchange for our support for the project
have provided no evidence to support their claim; the allegation is
false. Mass Audubon has received no funding from the developers of
Cape Wind nor has the organization received any funding from the
project’s opponents. Mass Audubon has no past or present contractual
relationship with the developers of Cape Wind nor will we in the
future. Our independence and objectivity remain irreproachable.</P>
<P class=Default>Our support for the Cape Wind project is based on
our extensive, thorough, and independently funded avian research,
begun in 2002 at the proposed project location. We conducted these
studies using sophisticated technologies. Read the results of our <A title=http://www.massaudubon.org/wind/avian_research.php href="http://www.massaudubon.org/wind/avian_research.php" target=_blank>avian research in Nantucket Sound</A>.</P>
<P>After this extensive research and our review of data and analysis
of offshore wind energy projects in Europe, Mass Audubon concluded
that Cape Wind <EM>would not</EM><STRONG> </STRONG>pose an
ecologically significant threat to the birds and associated marine
habitat of Horseshoe Shoal and Nantucket Sound. Mass Audubon will
continue its independent analysis of the Cape Wind project as part
of the public comment process.</P>
<P>Read <SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"><A title=http://www.massaudubon.org/wind href="http://www.massaudubon.org/wind">more</A></SPAN> regarding
Mass Audubon’s position on Cape Wind and wind energy. <BR><BR></P>
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