Environmentalists sue federal officials over approval of Cape Cod wind farm project

Environmentalists sue over Cape Cod wind project

BOSTON — Environmental and watchdog groups claim in a lawsuit that federal agencies responsible for approving a wind farm off Cape Cod violated federal law by endangering protected migratory birds.

The suit was filed Friday in federal court in Washington. It alleges that required scientific studies were not done and that protective measures were ignored in approving the 130-turbine project in Nantucket Sound.

The lawsuit alleges that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treat Act, and National Environmental Policy Act.

A lawyer for the plaintiffs says “science was manipulated and suppressed for political reasons.” Spokespeople for the federal agencies did not immediately return calls.

Since the project was approved in April, opponents of the project have said they would mount legal challenges to block it.