Maine Indians say wind projects threaten old rites

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – Maine's two largest Indian tribes say a wind power project proposed for eastern Maine could threaten 10,000-year-old sacred religious ceremonies.

In a letter to Maine's Land Use Regulation Commission, the Passamaquoddy Tribe says the Bowers Mountain Wind Project in Washington County is too close to its cultural and spiritual sites.

Penobscot Natural Resources Director John Banks tells The Portland Press Herald they weren't consulted about the project.

But the developer of the project, Boston-based First Wind Holdings, says officials met with tribal leaders in 2010 and got a “letter of no objection.” First Wind says it's willing to meet with the tribes to discuss their concerns.

First Wind wants to build a $136 million, 27-tower project that would generate 69 megawatts of electricity in the area east of Lincoln.

–––

Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com