Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Public Charity Status and Public Support
Complete if the organization is a section 501(c)(3) organization or a section
4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust.
Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. See separate instructions. Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2013
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
ALLIANCE TO PROTECT NANTUCKET SOUND INC
Employer identification number
10-0008105
Part I
Reason for Public Charity Status
(All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions.
The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 11, check only one box.)
1
2
3
4
5
section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)
6
7
8
9
receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 331/3% of
its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses
acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)
10
11
e
By checking this box, I certify that the organization is not controlled directly or indirectly by one or more disqualified persons other than foundation managers and other than one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2).
f
If the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II, or Type III supporting organization, check this box
..................................................
g
Since August 17, 2006, has the organization accepted any gift or contribution from any of the following persons?
(i) A person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (ii)
Yes
No
and (iii) below, the governing body of the supported organization?
................
11g(i)
(ii)
A family member of a person described in (i) above?
......................
11g(ii)
(iii)
A 35% controlled entity of a person described in (i) or (ii) above?
................
11g(iii)
h
Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).
(i) Name of supported organization
(ii) EIN
(iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions))
(iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document?
(v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support?
(vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.?
(vii) Amount of monetary support
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Total
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990EZ.
Cat. No. 11285F
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 2
Part II
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Sections 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the
organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization fails to
qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....
1,434,376
1,750,600
2,042,595
2,053,697
2,147,809
9,429,077
2
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.......
3
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
4
Total. Add lines 1 through 3
1,434,376
1,750,600
2,042,595
2,053,697
2,147,809
9,429,077
5
The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included
on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f)..
3,277,943
6
Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
6,151,134
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
7
Amounts from line 4..
1,434,376
1,750,600
2,042,595
2,053,697
2,147,809
9,429,077
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources...
26
77
8
2
113
9
Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
10
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)..
3,000
1,965
1,000
1,050
7,015
11
Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).
9,436,205
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (see instructions)
..................
12
13
First five years.
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.................................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
14
Public support percentage for 2013 (line 6, column (f) divided by line 11, column (f))
.........
14
65.190 %
15
Public support percentage for 2012 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
67.260 %
16a
33 1/3% support test—2013.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13, and line 14 is 33 1/3% or more, check this box
and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.......................
b
33 1/3% support test—2012.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13 or 16a, and line 15 is 33 1/3% or more, check this
box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....................
17a
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2013.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, or 16b, and line 14
is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here. Explain
in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported
organization
.....................................................
b
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2012.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, or 17a, and line
15 is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here.
Explain in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
................................................
18
Private foundation.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a, or 17b, check this box and see
instructions
.....................................................
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 3
Part III
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Section 509(a)(2) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 9 of Part I or if the organization
failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under
the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .
2
Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose......
3
Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513..
4
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf...
5
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
6
Total. Add lines 1 through 5.
7a
Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons...
b
Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year.
c
Add lines 7a and 7b..
8
Public support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
9
Amounts from line 6...
10a
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
b
Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
c
Add lines 10a and 10b.
11
Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.
12
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)
..
13
Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.)..
14
First five years.
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.............................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
15
Public support percentage for 2013 (line 8, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
.........
15
16
Public support percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2013 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
......
17
18
Investment income percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
19a
33 1/3% support tests—2013.
If the organization did not check the box on line 14, and line 15 is more than 33 1/3%, and line 17 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
........
b
33 1/3% support tests—2012.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14 or line 19a, and line 16 is more than 33 1/3% and line 18 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....
20
Private foundation.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a, or 19b, check this box and see instructions
.....
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information.
Provide the explanations required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; and Part III, line 12. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).
Facts And Circumstances Test
Explanation
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Additional Data
Software ID:
Software Version:
-
TIN:
SCHEDULE O (Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ
Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at
www.irs.gov/form990.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2013
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
ALLIANCE TO PROTECT NANTUCKET SOUND INC
Employer identification number
10-0008105
Return Reference
Explanation
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 8B
THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT HAVE COMMITTEES THAT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11
THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING BODY REVIEWS THE FORM 990 BEFORE FILING.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C
THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008. MEMBERS WILL REVIEW AND SIGN THE POLICY ANNUALLY.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15
THE PROCESS FOR DETERMINING COMPENSATION FOR THE OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES FOLLOWS THE POLICY STATED IN THE COMPENSATION POLICY APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON 12/31/08. THE PERSON/POSITION IS REVIEWED FOR PERFORMANCE, THE COMPARABLE POSITION SALARIES ARE RESEARCHED, RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE AND THEN APPROVED BY COMPENSATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19
FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ARE MADE AVAILABLE. IF REQUESTED IN PERSON, A COPY IS PROVIDED IMMEDIATELY. IF THE REQUEST IS IN WRITING (LETTER OR EMAIL) A COPY IS PROVIDED WITHIN 30 DAYS.
FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9:
FORGIVNESS OF VENDOR PAYABLES 57,616.
FORM 990,PART XII, LINE 2C:
THE ORGANIZATION'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS APPOINTED A COMMITTEE THAT HAS RESPONSIBLITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT OF ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SELECTION OF THE INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.
FORM 990,PART I, LINE 1:
MISSION: THE ALLIANCE TO PROTECT NANTUCKET SOUND IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION REPRESENTING OVER 30,000 SUPPORTERS DEDICATED TO THE LONG TERM PRESERVATION OF NANTUCKET SOUND. THE ALLIANCE WAS FORMED IN 2002 IN OPPOSITION TO THE CAPE WIND PROPOSAL TO BUILD A 25 SQUARE-MILE WIND ENERGY GENERATION PLANT IN NANTUCKET SOUND. THE PRIVATE, FOR-PROFIT VENTURE WOULD CONSIST OF 130 WIND TURBINES, EACH 440 FEET TALL, SPANNING 25 SQUARE MILES OF NANTUCKET SOUND, AN AREA THE SIZE OF MANHATTAN. IT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE A 20,000 SQUARE FOOT ELECTRICAL SERVICE PLATFORM HOLDING 40,000 GALLONS OF OIL ON HORSESHOE SHOAL IN THE CENTER OF NANTUCKET SOUND. THE ALLIANCE OPPOSES THE PLANNED WIND ENERGY PLANT IN NANTUCKET SOUND DUE TO ADVERSE ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND PUBLIC SAFETY IMPACTS, AS WELL AS THE ABSENCE OF AN INTEGRATED NATIONAL AND STATE OCEAN ZONING PROCESS FOR OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AT THE TIME CAPE WIND WAS PROPOSED. THE RESULTING DEVELOPER DRIVEN SITE POSES NUMEROUS ADVERSE IMPACTS TO THE PUBLIC. THE GOAL OF THE ALLIANCE IS TO STOP THE PROPOSED WIND ENERGY PLANT FROM BEING CONSTRUCTED IN NANTUCKET SOUND AND TO PROTECT NANTUCKET SOUND IN PERPETUITY. CAPE WIND THREATS: THE ALLIANCE OBJECTS TO THE PROPOSED CAPE WIND PROJECT BECAUSE IT WOULD: -INCREASE ELECTRICITY COSTS FOR BUSINESSES, TOWNS AND HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS; -RESULT IN A HIGH NET COST TO THE PUBLIC DUE TO INCREASED ELECTRICITY RATES, SUBSIDIES, TAX CREDITS, AND LOAN GUARANTEES; -CAUSE JOB LOSSES DUE TO INCREASED ELECTRICITY COSTS FOR BUSINESSES IN MA; -NEGATIVELY AFFECT TOURISM AND RELATED JOBS, AND DECREASE PROPERTY VALUES; -POSE SIGNIFICANT NAVIGATIONAL HAZARDS FOR COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL VESSELS; -POSE UNACCEPTABLE HAZARDS TO AVIATION SAFETY. -DESECRATE A NATIONAL TREASURE, SACRED TRIBAL LANDS, AND NUMEROUS HISTORIC PROPERTIES; -INTRODUCE SUBSTANTIAL VISUAL, NOISE, AND LIGHT POLLUTION; -VIOLATE THE PUBLIC TRUST THROUGH USE OF PUBLIC LAND FOR PRIVATE GAIN; -THREATEN THE ENVIRONMENT IN TERMS OF ENDANGERED AVIAN AND MARINE SPECIES; -INTRODUCE THE CHANCE OF AN OIL SPILL FROM THE ELECTRICAL SERVICE PLATFORM; AND -DEVASTATE COMMERCIAL FISHING IN NANTUCKET SOUND. NANTUCKET SOUND NANTUCKET SOUND INCLUDES WATER AND SEABED BETWEEN CAPE COD, VINEYARD SOUND, AND THE ISLANDS OF MARTHA'S VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET EXTENDING SEAWARD BEYOND MONOMOY AND NANTUCKET ISLANDS. NANTUCKET SOUND POSSESSES SIGNIFICANT MARINE HABITAT FOR A DIVERSITY OF ECOLOGICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT SPECIES. THE SOUND HAS PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE FOR SEVERAL FEDERALLY-PROTECTED SPECIES OF WILDLIFE AND A VARIETY OF COMMERCIALLY AND RECREATIONALLY VALUABLE FISHERIES. THE SOUND IS SITUATED AT A CONFLUENCE OF THE COLD LABRADOR CURRENTS AND THE WARM GULF STREAM. THIS CREATES A UNIQUE COASTAL HABITAT REPRESENTING THE SOUTHERN RANGE FOR NORTHERN ATLANTIC SPECIES AND THE NORTHERN RANGE FOR MID-ATLANTIC SPECIES. NANTUCKET SOUND IS CHARACTERIZED BY AN EXTREME RICHNESS OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, CONTAINING HABITATS THAT RANGE FROM OPEN SEA TO SALT MARSHES. NANTUCKET SOUND IS MORE THAN A BODY OF WATER. IT IS A SOURCE OF LIVELIHOOD FOR MANY LOCAL FISHERMEN, AN INSPIRATION FOR ARTISTS, AND A SOURCE OF SOLACE, RELAXATION, AND RECREATION FOR THE MILLIONS THAT FLOCK TO ITS SHORES. THE LOCAL FERRY OPERATORS ALONE TRANSPORT OVER THREE MILLION PASSENGERS PER YEAR THROUGH NANTUCKET SOUND, AND 400,000 FLIGHTS PER YEAR TRAVERSE THE AIRSPACE OVER THE SOUND. IT IS THE ECONOMIC ENGINE OF THE CAPE AND ISLANDS, AND A NATURAL TREASURE THAT MUST BE PRESERVED AND PROTECTED. NANTUCKET SOUND HAS LONG BEEN UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR SANCTUARY DESIGNATION. PAST STUDIES SHOW IT POSSESSES THE CHARACTERISTICS THAT WOULD JUSTIFY SUCH A DESIGNATION. -IN 1971, NANTUCKET SOUND STATE WATERS (OUT TO 3 MILES) WERE DESIGNATED AS THE MASSACHUSETTS CAPE AND ISLAND OCEAN SANCTUARY UNDER MASSACHUSETTS LAW (MOSA). HOWEVER, FEDERAL WATERS, THE "HOLE IN THE DOUGHNUT" REMAINED UNPROTECTED. -IN 1980, THE COMMONWEALTH NOMINATED THE SOUND FOR DESIGNATION UNDER THE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES ACT. -IN 1983, THE FEDERAL RESOURCE EVALUATION COMMITTEE, APPOINTED BY NOAAS SANCTUARY PROGRAM, DETERMINED NANTUCKET SOUND WAS WORTHY OF DESIGNATION. THE SOUND WAS LISTED ON THE SITE EVALUATION LIST (SEL) IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER AS ONE OF 28 AREAS "FROM WHICH NOAA WILL SELECT SITES TO EVALUATE AS CANDIDATES FOR NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES." -IN JANUARY 2010, THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RECOGNIZED THE UNIQUE HISTORIC AND TRIBAL ATTRIBUTES OF NANTUCKET SOUND AND DETERMINED THAT THE SOUND WAS ELIGIBLE FOR LISTING IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES AS A TRADITIONAL CULTURAL PROPERTY. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS OCEAN ZONING AND SANCTUARY STATUS SINCE OUR INCEPTION IN 2002, THE ALLIANCE HAS BEEN CALLING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL OCEAN POLICY TO BALANCE THE PROTECTION OF COASTAL RESOURCES WITH COMPETING DEVELOPMENT INTERESTS. GIVEN THE EMERGENCE OF NEW USES FOR OUR WATERS, SUCH POLICY IS CRITICAL TO BOTH ENSURE THAT OUR WATERS ARE PROTECTED AND HELP EXPEDITE APPROPRIATELY SITED DEVELOPMENT. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE OCEAN ZONING EFFORTS UNDERWAY AT BOTH THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS. A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY WOULD AVOID PIECEMEAL DEVELOPMENT AND FRAGMENTED DECISION MAKING AND THE CONTROVERSY THAT HAS SURROUNDED CAPE WIND. THE POLICY SHOULD ALSO RESULT IN IDENTIFYING SITES THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND AREAS LIKE NANTUCKET SOUND THAT SHOULD BE PROTECTED. IDEALLY, ALL OF NANTUCKET SOUND STATE WATERS AND FEDERAL WATERS ALIKE WOULD BE PROTECTED UNDER SOME FORM OF SANCTUARY STATUS.
FORM 990,PART I, LINE 1:
AVIATION SAFETY THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) PREVIOUSLY CLASSIFIED THE PROPOSED CAPE WIND PROJECT AS A "PRESUMED HAZARD" TO AIR SAFETY DUE TO RADAR INTERFERENCE TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS AND IMPACT ON LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHTS. AFTER TWO PREVIOUS DETERMINATIONS OF NO HAZARD, THE ALLIANCE, THE LOCAL AIRPORTS, PILOT ASSOCIATIONS, TOWNS, AND OTHERS SUCCESSFULLY RAISED A VARIETY OF SAFETY ISSUES INCLUDING RADAR INTERFERENCE TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL ENCOURAGING THE FAA TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE EFFECTS OF THIS PROJECT. RADAR INTERFERENCE IS A PROBLEM NATIONWIDE AND INTERNATIONALLY; A NUMBER OF PROJECTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED BECAUSE OF RADAR INTERFERENCE. THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION IN NANTUCKET SOUND IN THE DEAD CENTER OF THREE AIRPORTS MAKES IT A PARTICULARLY SERIOUS ISSUE. ULTIMATELY, SHORTLY AFTER THE RECORD OF DECISION WAS ISSUED IN APRIL OF 2010, THE FAA ISSUED CAPE WIND A FINAL DETERMINATION OF NO HAZARD. IN OCTOBER OF 2010, THE ALLIANCE AND THE TOWN OF BARNSTABLE, WHICH OWNS AND OPERATES THE BARNSTABLE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, EACH FILED LAWSUITS AGAINST THE FAA FOR ITS FINAL DETERMINATION OF NO HAZARD. IN A MAJOR VICTORY, ON OCTOBER 28, 2011 THE US COURT OF APPEALS IN WASHINGTON DC REVOKED THE 2010 NO HAZARD DETERMINATION BY THE FAA AND DETERMINED THAT THE FAA FAILED TO CONSIDER THE VERY REAL DANGERS AND RISKS TO THE OPERATIONS AND SAFETY OF THE 400,000 FLIGHTS THAT TRANSIT NANTUCKET SOUND EACH YEAR. IN 2012, THE FAA ONCE AGAIN ISSUED ANOTHER NO HAZARD DETERMINATION WHICH WAS AGAIN APPEALED BY THE ALLIANCE AND THE TOWN OF BARNSTABLE. IN THIS SECOND APPEAL, THE COURT RULED IN FAVOR OF THE FAA BASED LARGELY ON CLAIMS THAT A TECHNICAL FIX HAS RESOLVED THE RADAR INTERFERENCE ISSUE. BASED ON INFORMATION FROM LOCAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL THAT RADAR INTERFERENCE PERSISTED DESPITE THE RADAR UPGRADE, THE ALLIANCE SOUGHT DOCUMENTS FROM THE FAA UNDER A FOIA REQUEST INCLUDING RADAR ANOMALY REPORTS RELATED TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TECHNICAL FIX. TRIBAL AND HISTORIC IMPACTS UNDER SECTION 106 OF THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT, THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR (DOI) IS LEGALLY REQUIRED TO CONSULT WITH THE LOCAL TRIBES, AS WELL AS THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION (MHC) AND OTHERS, TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTS CAPE WIND WOULD POSE TO TRIBAL AND HISTORIC PROPERTIES. THE MASHPEE WAMPANOAG TRIBE ON CAPE COD AND THE WAMPANOAG TRIBE OF GAY HEAD/ AQUINNAH ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD BELIEVE THAT THIS PROJECT WOULD NOT ONLY DESECRATE SACRED LAND, BUT ALSO HARM THEIR TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL PRACTICES. IN THEIR VOCAL OPPOSITION TO CAPE WIND, THESE TRIBES HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES EASTERN TRIBES (USET), A GROUP OF 25 FEDERALLY-RECOGNIZED TRIBES. WAMPANOAG MEANS "PEOPLE OF THE FIRST LIGHT" AND AS SUCH, AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW OF THE SUN OVER NANTUCKET SOUND IS INTEGRAL TO THEIR WAY OF LIFE AND TRADITIONAL PRACTICES. THE TRIBES HAVE REPEATEDLY STATED THAT CAPE WIND'S EFFECTS ON TRIBAL AND HISTORIC PROPERTIES WOULD BE PROFOUND AND CANNOT BE MITIGATED - EXCEPT BY RELOCATING THE PROJECT TO ANOTHER SITE. DOI ITSELF HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE ONLY EFFECTIVE MITIGATION TO THE IMPACTS ON TRIBAL CEREMONIAL AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES IS RELOCATION. THE MHC, THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AND OTHER HISTORIC GROUPS HAVE CONSISTENTLY EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACT ON TRIBAL AND HISTORIC PROPERTIES DURING THE SECTION 106 PROCESS. IN DECEMBER 2009 THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER DETERMINED THAT NANTUCKET SOUND WAS ELIGIBLE FOR LISTING ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES AS A TRADITIONAL CULTURAL PROPERTY. IN EARLY 2010, THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CONCURRED WITH THE MA HISTORIC COMMISSION AND DETERMINED THAT NANTUCKET SOUND WAS IN FACT ELIGIBLE FOR LISTING IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. ALTERNATIVES THE ALLIANCE HAS CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS IN APPROPRIATELY SITED LOCATIONS, ESPECIALLY IN DEEPER WATERS. SINCE CAPE WIND WAS FIRST PROPOSED IN 2001, NUMEROUS OTHER OFFSHORE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED, AND DOI HAS LEASED LARGE AREAS FOR OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT OFF THE COASTS OF MA, RI, AND OTHER STATES THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND AND THE MID-ATLANTIC. BETTER ALTERNATIVES TO CAPE WIND WOULD ALLOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY WITHOUT SACRIFICING A NATIONAL TREASURE LIKE NANTUCKET SOUND. NUMEROUS STAKEHOLDERS HAVE SUPPORTED SOUTH OF TUCKERNUCK ISLAND AS AN ALTERNATIVE THAT WOULD POSE FEWER CONFLICTS AND WHICH WAS ALREADY EVALUATED BY INTERIOR AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CAPE WIND IN ITS REVIEW UNDER THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT. IN ADDITION, THE LEASING OF BLOCKS OUTSIDE OF NANTUCKET SOUND BY INTERIOR CLEARLY SHOWS THERE ARE OTHER ALTERNATIVE SITES THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ONES THAT WOULD POSE FEWER PUBLIC INTEREST CONFLICTS AS THE RESULT OF MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING.
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.