HYANNIS, Mass. (AP) – An offshore wind farm proposed for Nantucket Sound would alter the scenic views from 16 historic sites and lighthouses on Cape Cod and the islands, according to a consultant and the Massachusetts Historical Commission. The Army Corps of Engineers apparently agrees, and is expected to include the finding in a draft environmental impact statement to be issued on the project in coming weeks, the Cape Cod Times reported Friday.

The judgment was based on an analysis by a consultant hired by Cape Wind Associates, the company seeking to build the 130-turbine wind farm between Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

Pawtucket, R.I.-based Public Archaeology Laboratory identified 16 sites that could be aesthetically affected.

by the project.

They included seven lighthouses: Nobska Point in Falmouth; Monomoy Point in Chatham; Great Point on Nantucket; and Edgartown, Cape Poge, East Chop and West Chop on Martha’s Vineyard.

Also on the list were the Kennedy Compound in Hyannisport; the historic districts of Cotuit, Edgartown, Hyannisport, Nantucket and Wianno; the Wianno Club in Osterville; the Col. Charles Codman Estate in Cotuit; and the Dr. Harrison A. Tucker Cottage in Oak Bluffs.

State archaeologist Brona Simon wrote a letter to the Army Corps saying “the adverse effect includes the introduction of visual elements that are out of character with the historic properties and alteration of the settings of the historic properties.”

But Corps spokesman Tim Dugan said “it would be inappropriate for me to comment prematurely on draft studies that may be included in the (draft environmental impact statement) prior to its publication.”

The Corps remains on a time frame of “late August to early September” for release of that document, Dugan said.

Cape Wind wants to build the turbines on a 24-square-mile section of the sound called Horseshoe Shoal. If approved, it would be the first offshore wind energy facility in the country.

AP-ES-08-20-04 1039EDT