Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Projects Offshore New Jersey, 54231-54235 [2021-21300]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 187 / Thursday, September 30, 2021 / Notices
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• Road crossing data, to include data
such as location data, global positioning
system (GPS) coordinates, stream name
and stream flow, road name, structure
type and quantity, road surface type and
condition, issues present at crossing,
and name and contact.
• Stream crossing data, to include
data such as location/description, GPS
coordinates, crossing type, structures/
barriers, inlet/outlet information, and
stream flow type and condition.
• Conservation project data, to
include data such as project title and
description, partner names and contact
information, start and end dates for
project, whether project is new or
updated, cost of project, relevant
website information, geographical
location of project, project species data,
project strategy (e.g., protect habitat,
reduce human conflicts, climate change,
etc.), and links to project reports.
• Reporting locations and/or status of
Service assets (such as trails, roads,
gates, etc.), invasive species, dead
animals, trash on public lands, and
possible hazards.
• Observations of wildlife
occurrences, including location, species,
observer, counts, and other physical
characteristics of interest.
• Vegetation monitoring data, which
would include the condition of the
resource, abundance, lifeform, and
more.
We use the information collected from
our partners to support critical
geospatial services for Service
programs/functions, such as:
Endangered Species and Fisheries &
Habitat Conservation
• Monitoring the extent and status of
wetlands for management, research,
policy development, education, and
planning through the National Wetland
Inventory.
• Performing Natural Resources
Damage Assessments, including
evaluating exposure of trust species to
toxic spills.
• Proposing, designating, and
informing the public about critical
habitat for threatened & endangered
(T&E) species and delivering official
species lists and Section 7
consultations.
• Providing information about
sensitive resources (T&E species,
Refuges, critical habitat) within the
vicinity of a proposed project.
• Conducting large-scale,
multidisciplinary, multi-species
analysis for habitat conservation and
landscape conservation planning and
restoration.
• Improving fish passage and
modeling the effects of barrier removal.
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Migratory Bird Conservation
• Conducting bird surveys: Survey
design, navigation GPS files for pilots,
and spatially referenced survey data.
• Assessing habitat conditions and
monitoring habitat improvement
projects in joint ventures.
• Conducting research on
relationships between bird abundance/
productivity and habitat quantity and
quality, and migration movement
patterns.
National Wildlife Refuge System
• Developing alternatives for
comprehensive conservation plans and
supporting National Wildlife Refuge
System (System) operational activities,
including asset management, law
enforcement, water resources, and fire
management.
• Mapping realty transactions and
land status of Service properties and
proposed expansions.
• Analyzing strategic growth and land
acquisition planning opportunities for
the System.
• Conducting biological surveys and
managing data, including inventory and
monitoring, invasive species control,
and habitat management plans.
• Managing Service infrastructure
and assets.
• Planning, responding, and
mitigating impacts from natural
disasters such as wildfire, hurricanes,
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• Producing visitor service materials
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engagement of System lands.
Landscape Conservation Cooperatives
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implementing strategic habitat
conservation and adaptive management
at the landscape level.
• Performing biological planning,
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change and other stressors at the
landscape level.
Title of Collection: U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service ArcGIS Online (AGOL)
Platform.
OMB Control Number: 1018–New.
Form Number: None.
Type of Review: Existing collection in
use without an OMB control number.
Respondents/Affected Public: Private
sector; State, local, and Tribal
governments; and/or foreign
governments.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Respondents: 300.
Average Number of Responses per
Respondent: 5.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 1,500.
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Estimated Average Completion Time
per Response: 5 minutes, depending on
activity.
Total Estimated Number of Annual
Burden Hours: 125 hours.
Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
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unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number.
The authority for this action is the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–21278 Filed 9–29–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM–2021–0057]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind
Projects Offshore New Jersey
Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare
an environmental impact statement
(EIS).
AGENCY:
Consistent with the
regulations implementing the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA),
BOEM announces its intent to prepare
an EIS for the review of a construction
and operations plan (COP) submitted by
Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC,
(Atlantic Shores) for its Atlantic Shores
Offshore Wind Projects. The COP
proposes the development,
construction, and operation of two wind
energy projects (Project 1 and Project 2
or, collectively, the Projects) offshore
New Jersey with transmission cables
making landfall in either Atlantic City,
New Jersey, Sea Girt, New Jersey, or
both. This NOI announces the EIS
scoping process for the Atlantic Shores
COP. Additionally, this NOI seeks
public comment and input under
section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act (NHPA) and its
implementing regulations. Detailed
information about the proposed
Projects, including the COP, can be
found on BOEM’s website at: https://
www.boem.gov/atlantic-shores.
DATES: Comments received by
November 1, 2021, will be considered.
SUMMARY:
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BOEM will hold virtual public
scoping meetings for the Atlantic Shores
EIS at the following dates and times
(eastern time):
• Tuesday, October 19, 5:00 p.m.
• Thursday, October 21, 1:00 p.m.;
and
• Monday, October 25, 5:00 p.m.
Registration for the virtual public
meetings may be completed here:
https://www.boem.gov/Atlantic-ShoresScoping-Virtual-Meetings.
ADDRESSES: Written comments can be
submitted in any of the following ways:
• Delivered by mail or delivery
service, enclosed in an envelope labeled
‘‘ATLANTIC SHORES COP EIS,’’ and
addressed to Program Manager, Office of
Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management, 45600
Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia
20166; or
• Through the regulations.gov web
portal: Navigate to https://
www.regulations.gov and search for
Docket No. BOEM–2021–0057. Select
the document in the search results on
which you want to comment, click on
the ‘‘Comment’’ button, and follow the
online instructions for submitting your
comment. A commenter’s checklist is
available on the comment web page.
Enter your information and comment,
then click ‘‘Submit.’’
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle Morin, Office of Renewable
Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management, 45600 Woodland
Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166, (703)
787–1722 or michelle.morin@boem.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Purpose of and Need for the Proposed
Action
In Executive Order 14008, Tackling
the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad,
issued on January 27, 2021, President
Biden stated that it is the policy of the
United States ‘‘to organize and deploy
the full capacity of its agencies to
combat the climate crisis to implement
a Government-wide approach that
reduces climate pollution in every
sector of the economy; increases
resilience to the impacts of climate
change; protects public health;
conserves our lands, waters, and
biodiversity; delivers environmental
justice; and spurs well-paying union
jobs and economic growth, especially
through innovation, commercialization,
and deployment of clean energy
technologies and infrastructure.’’
Through a competitive leasing process
conducted under 30 CFR 585.211,
BOEM awarded US Wind, LLC, the
Commercial Lease OCS–A 0499
covering an area offshore New Jersey
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(the Lease Area). The lease was
subsequently assigned to EDF
Renewables Development, Inc., on
November 16, 2018, and then to Atlantic
Shores on August 13, 2019. Atlantic
Shores has the exclusive right to submit
a COP for activities within the Lease
Area. Atlantic Shores submitted a COP
to BOEM proposing the construction
and installation, operations and
maintenance, and conceptual
decommissioning of two electrically
distinct offshore wind energy Projects in
the Lease Area.
Atlantic Shores’ purpose and need is
to develop two offshore wind energy
generation Projects in the Lease Area to
provide clean, renewable energy to the
New Jersey electrical grid. The Projects
would include up to 200 total wind
turbine generators (WTGs) (between
105–136 WTGs for Project 1 and
between 64–95 WTGs for Project 2), up
to 10 offshore substations (up to five in
each project), one permanent
meteorological (met) tower, up to four
temporary meteorological and
oceanographic (metocean) buoys (one
met tower and up to three metocean
buoys in Project 1 and one metocean
buoy in Project 2), inter-array and interlink cables, up to two onshore
substations, one operations and
maintenance facility, and up to eight
transmission cables making landfall at
up to two New Jersey locations: The
Atlantic Landfall site in Atlantic City,
New Jersey, Monmouth Landfall site in
Sea Girt, New Jersey, or both.
The Projects would contribute to New
Jersey’s goal of 7.5 gigawatts (GW) of
offshore wind energy generation by
2035 as outlined in New Jersey
Governor’s Executive Order No. 92,
issued on November 19, 2019. Project 1
would fulfill the New Jersey Board of
Public Utilities September 10, 2020,
solicitation and subsequent June 30,
2021, award to Atlantic Shores for 1,510
megawatts (MW) of offshore wind
capacity. Atlantic Shores is actively
seeking additional offshore wind
renewable energy certificate awards or
purchase power agreements for Project
2. The Projects are intended to
contribute substantially to the region’s
electrical reliability and to help New
Jersey achieve its renewable energy
goals.
Based on the goals of the applicant,
BOEM’s authority, and Executive Order
14008, the purpose of BOEM’s action is
to determine whether to approve,
approve with modifications, or
disapprove Atlantic Shores COP to
construct and install, operate and
maintain, and decommission two
electrically distinct, commercial-scale,
offshore wind energy Projects within the
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Lease Area (the Proposed Action).
BOEM’s action is needed to further the
United States policy to make Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) energy
resources available for expeditious and
orderly development, subject to
environmental safeguards (43 U.S.C.
1332(3)), including consideration of
natural resources, safety of navigation,
and existing ocean uses.
In addition, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA)
National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) anticipates receipt of one or
more requests for authorization to take
marine mammals incidental to activities
related to the Projects under the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). NMFS
issuance of an MMPA incidental take
authorization is a major Federal action
and, in relation to BOEM’s action, is
considered a connected action (40 CFR
1501.9(e)(1)). The purpose of the NMFS
action—which is a direct outcome of
Atlantic Shores’ request for
authorization to take marine mammals
incidental to specified activities
associated with the Projects (e.g., pile
driving)—is to evaluate the applicant’s
request pursuant to specific
requirements of the MMPA and its
implementing regulations administered
by NMFS, considering impacts of the
applicant’s activities on relevant
resources, and if appropriate, issue the
authorization. NMFS needs to render a
decision regarding the request for
authorization due to its responsibilities
under the MMPA (16 U.S.C.
1371(a)(5)(D)) and its implementing
regulations. If, after independent
review, NMFS makes the findings
necessary to issue the requested
authorization, NMFS intends to adopt
BOEM’s EIS to support that decision
and fulfill its NEPA requirements.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Philadelphia District, (USACE)
anticipates a permit action to be
undertaken, through authority delegated
to the District Engineer by 33 CFR 325.8,
under section 10 of the Rivers and
Harbors Act of 1899 (RHA) (33 U.S.C.
403) and section 404 of the Clean Water
Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. 1344). In addition,
it is anticipated that a section 408
permission will be required pursuant to
section 14 of the RHA (33 U.S.C. 408)
for any proposed alterations that have
the potential to alter, occupy, or use any
federally authorized civil works project.
The USACE considers issuance of a
permit or permission under these three
delegated authorities a major Federal
action connected to BOEM’s Proposed
Action (40 CFR 1501.9(e)(1)).
The applicant’s stated purpose and
need for the projects as indicated above
is to provide two commercially viable
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offshore wind energy Projects within
Lease OCS–A 0499 to help New Jersey
achieve its renewable energy goals. The
basic Projects’ purpose, as determined
by USACE for section 404(b)(1)
guidelines evaluation, is offshore wind
energy generation. The overall Projects’
purpose for section 404(b)(1) guidelines
evaluation, as determined by USACE, is
the construction and operation of
commercial-scale, offshore wind energy
Projects for renewable energy generation
and distribution to the New Jersey
energy grid. The purpose of the USACE
section 408 action, as determined by EC
1165–2–220, is to evaluate the
applicant’s request and determine
whether the proposed alterations are
injurious to the public interest or impair
the usefulness of the USACE project.
The USACE section 408 permission is
needed to ensure that congressionally
authorized projects continue to provide
their intended benefits to the public.
USACE intends to adopt BOEM’s EIS
to support its decision on any permits
and permissions requested under
section 10 of the RHA, section 404 of
the CWA, and section 14 of the RHA.
The USACE would adopt the EIS
pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.3 if, after its
independent review of the document, it
concludes that the EIS satisfies the
USACE’s comments and
recommendations. Based on its
participation as a cooperating agency
and its consideration of the final EIS,
the USACE would issue a record of
decision to formally document its
decision on the Proposed Action.
Preliminary Proposed Action and
Alternatives
The Proposed Action is to develop
two electrically distinct, offshore, wind
energy generation Projects in the Lease
Area to provide clean, renewable energy
to the New Jersey electrical grid. The
Proposed Action would include up to
200 total WTGs (between 105–136
WTGs for Project 1 and between 64–95
WTGs for Project 2), up to 10 offshore
substations (up to five in each Project),
one permanent met tower, up to four
temporary metocean buoys (one met
tower and up to three metocean buoys
in Project 1 and one metocean buoy in
Project 2), inter-array and inter-link
cables, up to two onshore substations,
one operations and maintenance
facility, and up to eight transmission
cables making landfall at up to two New
Jersey locations: The Atlantic Landfall
site in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the
Monmouth Landfall site in Sea Girt,
New Jersey, or both.
Atlantic Shores expects WTG and
offshore substation foundations to
consist of either gravity-based jackets,
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18:15 Sep 29, 2021
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monopiles, suction buckets, or a
combination of them. The WTGs,
offshore substations, array cables, and
substation interconnector cables would
be located on the OCS approximately
8.7 miles (mi) (14 kilometers (km)) from
the New Jersey shoreline at its closest
point. The offshore transmission cables
would be buried below the seabed of
both the OCS and New Jersey state
waters.
If any reasonable alternatives are
identified during the scoping period,
BOEM will evaluate those alternatives
in the draft EIS, which will also include
a no action alternative. Under the no
action alternative, BOEM would
disapprove the COP and the Atlantic
Shores’ Projects described in the COP
would not be built in the Lease Area.
After BOEM completes the EIS, BOEM
will decide whether to approve, approve
with modification, or disapprove the
Atlantic Shores COP. If BOEM approves
the COP and the Projects are
constructed, the lessee must submit a
plan to decommission the Projects
before the end of the lease term.
Summary of Expected Impacts
The draft EIS will identify and
describe the effects of the Proposed
Action and the alternatives on the
human environment that are reasonably
foreseeable and have a reasonably close
causal relationship to the Proposed
Action and alternatives. This includes
such effects that occur at the same time
and place as the Proposed Action and
alternatives and such effects that are
later in time or not at the same place.
Expected impacts include, but are not
limited to, impacts (both beneficial and
adverse) on air quality, water quality,
bats, benthic habitat, essential fish
habitat, invertebrates, finfish, birds,
marine mammals, terrestrial and coastal
habitats and fauna, sea turtles, wetlands
and other waters of the United States,
commercial fisheries and for-hire
recreational fishing, cultural resources,
demographics, employment, economics,
environmental justice, land use and
coastal infrastructure, navigation and
vessel traffic, other marine uses,
recreation and tourism, and visual
resources. The effects of these expected
impacts will be analyzed in the draft
and final EIS.
Based on a preliminary evaluation of
these resources, BOEM expects impacts
on sea turtles and marine mammals
from underwater noise caused by
construction and from collisions with
vessel traffic associated with the
Projects. Structures installed for the
Projects could permanently change
benthic habitat and other fish habitat.
Commercial fisheries and for-hire
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54233
recreational fishing could be impacted.
The Projects’ structures above the water
could affect the visual character
defining historic properties and
recreational and tourism areas. The
Projects’ structures also would pose an
allision and height hazard to vessels
passing close by, and vessels would in
turn pose a hazard to the structures.
Additionally, the Projects could
adversely impact mineral extraction,
military use, air traffic, land-based radar
services, cables and pipelines, and
scientific surveys. Beneficial impacts
are also expected by facilitating
achievement of State renewable energy
goals, increasing job opportunities,
improving air quality, and reducing
carbon emissions. The EIS will analyze
measures that would avoid, minimize,
or mitigate environmental effects.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
In addition to the requested COP
approval, various other Federal, State,
and local authorizations will be
required for the Projects. These include
authorizations under the Endangered
Species Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act,
MMPA, NHPA, RHA, CWA, Coastal
Zone Management Act, and other laws
and regulations determined to be
applicable to the Projects. BOEM will
also conduct government-to-government
Tribal consultations. For a full listing of
regulatory requirements applicable to
the Projects, please see the COP, volume
I, available at https://www.boem.gov/
atlantic-shores.
BOEM has chosen to use the NEPA
substitution process to fulfill its
obligations under NHPA. While BOEM’s
obligations under NHPA and NEPA are
independent, the regulations
implementing NHPA allow for the use
of NEPA review to substitute for various
aspects of NHPA’s section 106 (54
U.S.C. 306108) review to improve
efficiency, promote transparency and
accountability, and support a broadened
discussion of potential effects that a
project could have on the human
environment. As provided in 36 CFR
800.8(c), the NEPA process and
documentation required for the
preparation of an EIS and record of
decision (ROD) can be used to fulfill a
lead Federal agency’s NHPA section 106
review obligations in lieu of the
procedures set forth in 36 CFR 800.3
through 800.6. During preparation of the
EIS, BOEM will ensure that the NEPA
substitution process will meet its NHPA
obligations necessary to successfully use
this alternative process.
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Schedule for the Decision-Making
Process
https://www.boem.gov/atlantic-shoresScoping-Virtual-Meetings.
After the draft EIS is completed,
BOEM will publish a notice of
availability (NOA) and request public
comments on the draft EIS. BOEM
expects to issue the NOA in November
2022. After the public comment period
ends, BOEM will review and respond to
comments received and will develop the
final EIS. BOEM expects to make the
final EIS available to the public in
August 2023. A ROD will be completed
no sooner than 30 days after the final
EIS is released, in accordance with 40
CFR 1506.11.
This COP is a ‘‘covered project’’ under
section 41 of the Fixing America’s
Surface Transportation Act (FAST–41).
FAST–41 provides increased
transparency and predictability by
requiring Federal agencies to publish
comprehensive permitting timetables for
all covered projects. FAST–41 also
provides procedures for modifying
permitting timetables to address the
unpredictability inherent in the
environmental review and permitting
process for significant infrastructure
projects. To view the FAST–41
Permitting Dashboard for the Projects,
visit: https://www.permits.
performance.gov/permitting-project/
atlantic-shores-project-1.
NEPA Cooperating Agencies
BOEM invites other Federal agencies,
Tribes, and State and local governments
to consider becoming cooperating
agencies in the preparation of this EIS.
The Council on Environmental Quality
(CEQ) NEPA regulations specify that
qualified agencies and governments are
those with ‘‘jurisdiction by law or
special expertise.’’ Potential cooperating
agencies should consider their authority
and capacity to assume the
responsibilities of a cooperating agency
and should be aware that an agency’s
role in the environmental analysis
neither enlarges nor diminishes the final
decision-making authority of any other
agency involved in the NEPA process.
Upon request, BOEM will provide
potential cooperating agencies with a
written summary of expectations for
cooperating agencies, including
schedules, milestones, responsibilities,
scope and details of cooperating
agencies’ contributions, and availability
of pre-decisional information. BOEM
anticipates this summary will form the
basis for a memorandum of agreement
between BOEM and any nonDepartment of the Interior cooperating
agency. Agencies also should consider
the factors for determining cooperating
agency status in CEQ’s memorandum
titled ‘‘Cooperating Agencies in
Implementing the Procedural
Requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act’’ of January
30, 2002. This document is available on
the internet at: https://energy.gov/sites/
prod/files/nepapub/nepa_documents/
RedDont/G-CEQ-CoopAgencies
Implem.pdf.
BOEM, as the lead agency, does not
provide financial assistance to
cooperating agencies. Even if a
governmental entity is not a cooperating
agency, it will have opportunities to
provide information and comments to
BOEM during the public input stages of
the NEPA process.
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Scoping Process
This NOI commences the public
scoping process to identify issues and
potential alternatives for consideration
in the Atlantic Shores EIS. Throughout
the scoping process, Federal agencies;
Tribal, State, and local governments;
and the general public have the
opportunity to help BOEM determine
significant resources and issues, impactproducing factors, reasonable
alternatives (e.g., size, geographic,
seasonal, or other restrictions on
construction and siting of facilities and
activities), and potential mitigation
measures to be analyzed in the EIS, as
well as to provide additional
information. In the interests of
efficiency, completeness, and
facilitating public involvement, BOEM
will use the NEPA process to fulfill
public involvement requirements
established in 36 CFR 800.2(d).
BOEM will hold virtual public
scoping meetings for the Atlantic Shores
EIS at the following dates and times
(eastern time):
• Tuesday, October 19, 5:00 p.m.;
• Thursday, October 21, 1:00 p.m.;
and
• Monday, October 25, 5:00 p.m.
Registration for the virtual public
meetings may be completed here:
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NHPA Consulting Parties
Certain individuals and organizations
with a demonstrated interest in the
Projects can request to participate as
NHPA consulting parties under 36 CFR
800.2(c)(5) based on their legal or
economic stake in, or concern for,
historic properties affected by the
Projects. Before issuing this NOI, BOEM
compiled a list of potential consulting
parties and invited them to become
consulting parties. To become a
consulting party, those invited must
respond in writing, preferably by the
requested response date.
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Interested individuals or
organizations that did not receive a
written invitation can request to be
consulting parties by writing to the
appropriate staff at ICF International,
Inc., which is supporting BOEM in its
administration of this review. ICF’s
contact for this review is Neil Sullivan.
He can be reached at 9300 Lee Highway,
Fairfax, VA 22031 or
AtlanticShoresSection106@icf.com.
BOEM will determine which interested
parties should be consulting parties.
Comments
Federal agencies; Tribal, State, and
local governments; and other interested
parties are requested to comment on the
scope of this EIS, significant issues that
should be addressed, and alternatives
that should be considered. For
information on how to submit
comments, see the ADDRESSES section
above.
BOEM does not consider anonymous
comments. Please include your name
and address as part of your comment.
BOEM makes all comments, including
the names, addresses, and other
personally identifiable information
included in the comment, available for
public review online. Individuals can
request that BOEM withhold their
names, addresses, or other personally
identifiable information included in
their comment from the public record;
however, BOEM cannot guarantee that it
will be able to do so. To help BOEM
determine whether to withhold from
disclosure your personally identifiable
information, you must identify any
information contained in your
comments that, if released, would
constitute a clearly unwarranted
invasion of your privacy. You also must
briefly describe any possible harmful
consequences of the disclosure of
information, such as embarrassment,
injury, or other harm.
Additionally, under section 304 of
NHPA, BOEM is required, after
consultation with the Secretary of the
Interior, to withhold the location,
character, or ownership of historic
resources if it determines that disclosure
may, among other things, cause a
significant invasion of privacy, risk
harm to the historic resources, or
impede the use of a traditional religious
site by practitioners. Tribal entities and
other parties providing information on
historic resources should designate
information that they wish to be held as
confidential and provide the reasons
why BOEM should do so.
All submissions from organizations or
businesses and from individuals
identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of
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organizations or businesses will be
made available for public inspection in
their entirety.
Request for Identification of Potential
Alternatives, Information, and
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed
Action
BOEM requests data, comments,
views, information, analyses,
alternatives, or suggestions on the
Proposed Action from the public;
affected Federal, Tribal, State, and local
governments, agencies, and offices; the
scientific community; industry; or any
other interested party. Specifically,
BOEM requests information on the
following topics:
1. Potential effects that the Proposed
Action could have on biological
resources, including bats, birds, coastal
fauna, finfish, invertebrates, essential
fish habitat, marine mammals, and sea
turtles.
2. Potential effects that the Proposed
Action could have on physical
resources, including air quality, water
quality, and wetlands and other waters
of the United States.
3. Potential effects that the Proposed
Action could have on socioeconomic
and cultural resources, including
commercial fisheries and for-hire
recreational fishing, demographics,
employment, economics, environmental
justice, land use and coastal
infrastructure, navigation and vessel
traffic, other uses (marine minerals,
military use, aviation), recreation and
tourism, and scenic and visual
resources.
4. Other possible reasonable
alternatives to the Proposed Action that
BOEM should consider, including
additional or alternative avoidance,
minimization, and mitigation measures.
5. As part of its compliance with
NHPA section 106 (54 U.S.C. 306108)
and its implementing regulations (36
CFR part 800), BOEM seeks public
comment and input regarding the
identification of historic properties
within the Proposed Action’s area of
potential effects and the potential effects
on those historic properties from the
activities proposed in the COP. BOEM
requests feedback from the public and
consulting parties on the
aforementioned information and any
information that supports identification
of historic properties under the NHPA.
BOEM also solicits proposed measures
to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any
adverse effects on historic properties.
BOEM will present available
information regarding known historic
properties during the public scoping
period at https://www.boem.gov/
atlantic-shores. BOEM’s effects analysis
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:15 Sep 29, 2021
Jkt 253001
for historic properties will be available
for public and consulting party
comment in the draft EIS.
6. Information on other current or
planned activities in, or in the vicinity
of, the Proposed Action, their possible
impacts on the Projects, and the
Project’s possible impacts on those
activities.
7. Other information relevant to the
Proposed Action and its impacts on the
human environment.
To promote informed decisionmaking, comments should be as specific
as possible and should provide as much
detail as necessary to meaningfully
participate and fully inform BOEM of
the commenter’s position. Comments
should explain why the issues raised are
important to the consideration of
potential environmental impacts and
alternatives to the Proposed Action as
well as economic, employment, and
other impacts affecting the quality of the
human environment.
The draft EIS will include a summary
that identifies all alternatives,
information, and analyses submitted by
Federal agencies, Tribal, State, and local
governments, and other public
commenters during the scoping process
for consideration by BOEM, cooperating
agencies, and the consulting parties.
Authority: This NOI is published
pursuant to NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq., and implementing regulations at 40
CFR 1501.9.
William Yancey Brown,
Chief Environmental Officer, Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2021–21300 Filed 9–29–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation
and Enforcement
[S1D1S SS08011000 SX064A000
211S180110; S2D2S SS08011000
SX064A000 21XS501520; OMB Control
Number 1029–0117]
Permit Applications—Minimum
Requirements for Legal, Financial,
Compliance, and Related Information
Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Information
Collection; request for comment.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
the Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE),
are proposing to renew an information
collection.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00087
Fmt 4703
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54235
Interested persons are invited to
submit comments on or before
November 29, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments on
this information collection request (ICR)
by mail to Mark Gehlhar, Office of
Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement, 1849 C Street NW, Room
4556–MIB, Washington, DC 20240, or by
email to mgehlhar@osmre.gov. Please
reference OMB Control Number 1029–
0117 in the subject line of your
comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
request additional information about
this ICR, contact Mark Gehlhar by email
at mgehlhar@osmre.gov, or by telephone
at 202–208–2716.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.) and 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we
provide the general public and other
Federal agencies with an opportunity to
comment on new, proposed, revised,
and continuing collections of
information. This helps us assess the
impact of our information collection
requirements and minimize the public’s
reporting burden. It also helps the
public understand our information
collection requirements and provide the
requested data in the desired format.
We are soliciting comments on the
proposed ICR that is described below.
We are especially interested in public
comment addressing the following
issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to
the proper functions of the agency; (2)
will this information be processed and
used in a timely manner; (3) is the
estimate of burden accurate; (4) how
might the agency enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and (5) how might the
agency minimize the burden of this
collection on the respondents, including
through the use of information
technology.
Comments that you submit in
response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or
summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before
including your address, phone number,
email address, or other personal
identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Abstract: This collection of
information is authorized by Section
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\30SEN1.SGM
30SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 187 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54231-54235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21300]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM-2021-0057]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Projects Offshore New Jersey
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Consistent with the regulations implementing the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), BOEM announces its intent to prepare
an EIS for the review of a construction and operations plan (COP)
submitted by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC, (Atlantic Shores) for
its Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Projects. The COP proposes the
development, construction, and operation of two wind energy projects
(Project 1 and Project 2 or, collectively, the Projects) offshore New
Jersey with transmission cables making landfall in either Atlantic
City, New Jersey, Sea Girt, New Jersey, or both. This NOI announces the
EIS scoping process for the Atlantic Shores COP. Additionally, this NOI
seeks public comment and input under section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulations.
Detailed information about the proposed Projects, including the COP,
can be found on BOEM's website at: https://www.boem.gov/atlantic-shores.
DATES: Comments received by November 1, 2021, will be considered.
[[Page 54232]]
BOEM will hold virtual public scoping meetings for the Atlantic
Shores EIS at the following dates and times (eastern time):
Tuesday, October 19, 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 21, 1:00 p.m.; and
Monday, October 25, 5:00 p.m.
Registration for the virtual public meetings may be completed here:
https://www.boem.gov/Atlantic-Shores-Scoping-Virtual-Meetings.
ADDRESSES: Written comments can be submitted in any of the following
ways:
Delivered by mail or delivery service, enclosed in an
envelope labeled ``ATLANTIC SHORES COP EIS,'' and addressed to Program
Manager, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166; or
Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket No. BOEM-2021-0057. Select
the document in the search results on which you want to comment, click
on the ``Comment'' button, and follow the online instructions for
submitting your comment. A commenter's checklist is available on the
comment web page. Enter your information and comment, then click
``Submit.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Morin, Office of Renewable
Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland
Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166, (703) 787-1722 or
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Action
In Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and
Abroad, issued on January 27, 2021, President Biden stated that it is
the policy of the United States ``to organize and deploy the full
capacity of its agencies to combat the climate crisis to implement a
Government-wide approach that reduces climate pollution in every sector
of the economy; increases resilience to the impacts of climate change;
protects public health; conserves our lands, waters, and biodiversity;
delivers environmental justice; and spurs well-paying union jobs and
economic growth, especially through innovation, commercialization, and
deployment of clean energy technologies and infrastructure.''
Through a competitive leasing process conducted under 30 CFR
585.211, BOEM awarded US Wind, LLC, the Commercial Lease OCS-A 0499
covering an area offshore New Jersey (the Lease Area). The lease was
subsequently assigned to EDF Renewables Development, Inc., on November
16, 2018, and then to Atlantic Shores on August 13, 2019. Atlantic
Shores has the exclusive right to submit a COP for activities within
the Lease Area. Atlantic Shores submitted a COP to BOEM proposing the
construction and installation, operations and maintenance, and
conceptual decommissioning of two electrically distinct offshore wind
energy Projects in the Lease Area.
Atlantic Shores' purpose and need is to develop two offshore wind
energy generation Projects in the Lease Area to provide clean,
renewable energy to the New Jersey electrical grid. The Projects would
include up to 200 total wind turbine generators (WTGs) (between 105-136
WTGs for Project 1 and between 64-95 WTGs for Project 2), up to 10
offshore substations (up to five in each project), one permanent
meteorological (met) tower, up to four temporary meteorological and
oceanographic (metocean) buoys (one met tower and up to three metocean
buoys in Project 1 and one metocean buoy in Project 2), inter-array and
inter-link cables, up to two onshore substations, one operations and
maintenance facility, and up to eight transmission cables making
landfall at up to two New Jersey locations: The Atlantic Landfall site
in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Monmouth Landfall site in Sea Girt, New
Jersey, or both.
The Projects would contribute to New Jersey's goal of 7.5 gigawatts
(GW) of offshore wind energy generation by 2035 as outlined in New
Jersey Governor's Executive Order No. 92, issued on November 19, 2019.
Project 1 would fulfill the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
September 10, 2020, solicitation and subsequent June 30, 2021, award to
Atlantic Shores for 1,510 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind capacity.
Atlantic Shores is actively seeking additional offshore wind renewable
energy certificate awards or purchase power agreements for Project 2.
The Projects are intended to contribute substantially to the region's
electrical reliability and to help New Jersey achieve its renewable
energy goals.
Based on the goals of the applicant, BOEM's authority, and
Executive Order 14008, the purpose of BOEM's action is to determine
whether to approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove Atlantic
Shores COP to construct and install, operate and maintain, and
decommission two electrically distinct, commercial-scale, offshore wind
energy Projects within the Lease Area (the Proposed Action). BOEM's
action is needed to further the United States policy to make Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) energy resources available for expeditious and
orderly development, subject to environmental safeguards (43 U.S.C.
1332(3)), including consideration of natural resources, safety of
navigation, and existing ocean uses.
In addition, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's
(NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) anticipates receipt of
one or more requests for authorization to take marine mammals
incidental to activities related to the Projects under the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). NMFS issuance of an MMPA incidental take
authorization is a major Federal action and, in relation to BOEM's
action, is considered a connected action (40 CFR 1501.9(e)(1)). The
purpose of the NMFS action--which is a direct outcome of Atlantic
Shores' request for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to
specified activities associated with the Projects (e.g., pile
driving)--is to evaluate the applicant's request pursuant to specific
requirements of the MMPA and its implementing regulations administered
by NMFS, considering impacts of the applicant's activities on relevant
resources, and if appropriate, issue the authorization. NMFS needs to
render a decision regarding the request for authorization due to its
responsibilities under the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)(D)) and its
implementing regulations. If, after independent review, NMFS makes the
findings necessary to issue the requested authorization, NMFS intends
to adopt BOEM's EIS to support that decision and fulfill its NEPA
requirements.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, (USACE)
anticipates a permit action to be undertaken, through authority
delegated to the District Engineer by 33 CFR 325.8, under section 10 of
the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (RHA) (33 U.S.C. 403) and section
404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. 1344). In addition, it is
anticipated that a section 408 permission will be required pursuant to
section 14 of the RHA (33 U.S.C. 408) for any proposed alterations that
have the potential to alter, occupy, or use any federally authorized
civil works project. The USACE considers issuance of a permit or
permission under these three delegated authorities a major Federal
action connected to BOEM's Proposed Action (40 CFR 1501.9(e)(1)).
The applicant's stated purpose and need for the projects as
indicated above is to provide two commercially viable
[[Page 54233]]
offshore wind energy Projects within Lease OCS-A 0499 to help New
Jersey achieve its renewable energy goals. The basic Projects' purpose,
as determined by USACE for section 404(b)(1) guidelines evaluation, is
offshore wind energy generation. The overall Projects' purpose for
section 404(b)(1) guidelines evaluation, as determined by USACE, is the
construction and operation of commercial-scale, offshore wind energy
Projects for renewable energy generation and distribution to the New
Jersey energy grid. The purpose of the USACE section 408 action, as
determined by EC 1165-2-220, is to evaluate the applicant's request and
determine whether the proposed alterations are injurious to the public
interest or impair the usefulness of the USACE project. The USACE
section 408 permission is needed to ensure that congressionally
authorized projects continue to provide their intended benefits to the
public.
USACE intends to adopt BOEM's EIS to support its decision on any
permits and permissions requested under section 10 of the RHA, section
404 of the CWA, and section 14 of the RHA. The USACE would adopt the
EIS pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.3 if, after its independent review of the
document, it concludes that the EIS satisfies the USACE's comments and
recommendations. Based on its participation as a cooperating agency and
its consideration of the final EIS, the USACE would issue a record of
decision to formally document its decision on the Proposed Action.
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
The Proposed Action is to develop two electrically distinct,
offshore, wind energy generation Projects in the Lease Area to provide
clean, renewable energy to the New Jersey electrical grid. The Proposed
Action would include up to 200 total WTGs (between 105-136 WTGs for
Project 1 and between 64-95 WTGs for Project 2), up to 10 offshore
substations (up to five in each Project), one permanent met tower, up
to four temporary metocean buoys (one met tower and up to three
metocean buoys in Project 1 and one metocean buoy in Project 2), inter-
array and inter-link cables, up to two onshore substations, one
operations and maintenance facility, and up to eight transmission
cables making landfall at up to two New Jersey locations: The Atlantic
Landfall site in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Monmouth Landfall site
in Sea Girt, New Jersey, or both.
Atlantic Shores expects WTG and offshore substation foundations to
consist of either gravity-based jackets, monopiles, suction buckets, or
a combination of them. The WTGs, offshore substations, array cables,
and substation interconnector cables would be located on the OCS
approximately 8.7 miles (mi) (14 kilometers (km)) from the New Jersey
shoreline at its closest point. The offshore transmission cables would
be buried below the seabed of both the OCS and New Jersey state waters.
If any reasonable alternatives are identified during the scoping
period, BOEM will evaluate those alternatives in the draft EIS, which
will also include a no action alternative. Under the no action
alternative, BOEM would disapprove the COP and the Atlantic Shores'
Projects described in the COP would not be built in the Lease Area.
After BOEM completes the EIS, BOEM will decide whether to approve,
approve with modification, or disapprove the Atlantic Shores COP. If
BOEM approves the COP and the Projects are constructed, the lessee must
submit a plan to decommission the Projects before the end of the lease
term.
Summary of Expected Impacts
The draft EIS will identify and describe the effects of the
Proposed Action and the alternatives on the human environment that are
reasonably foreseeable and have a reasonably close causal relationship
to the Proposed Action and alternatives. This includes such effects
that occur at the same time and place as the Proposed Action and
alternatives and such effects that are later in time or not at the same
place. Expected impacts include, but are not limited to, impacts (both
beneficial and adverse) on air quality, water quality, bats, benthic
habitat, essential fish habitat, invertebrates, finfish, birds, marine
mammals, terrestrial and coastal habitats and fauna, sea turtles,
wetlands and other waters of the United States, commercial fisheries
and for-hire recreational fishing, cultural resources, demographics,
employment, economics, environmental justice, land use and coastal
infrastructure, navigation and vessel traffic, other marine uses,
recreation and tourism, and visual resources. The effects of these
expected impacts will be analyzed in the draft and final EIS.
Based on a preliminary evaluation of these resources, BOEM expects
impacts on sea turtles and marine mammals from underwater noise caused
by construction and from collisions with vessel traffic associated with
the Projects. Structures installed for the Projects could permanently
change benthic habitat and other fish habitat. Commercial fisheries and
for-hire recreational fishing could be impacted. The Projects'
structures above the water could affect the visual character defining
historic properties and recreational and tourism areas. The Projects'
structures also would pose an allision and height hazard to vessels
passing close by, and vessels would in turn pose a hazard to the
structures. Additionally, the Projects could adversely impact mineral
extraction, military use, air traffic, land-based radar services,
cables and pipelines, and scientific surveys. Beneficial impacts are
also expected by facilitating achievement of State renewable energy
goals, increasing job opportunities, improving air quality, and
reducing carbon emissions. The EIS will analyze measures that would
avoid, minimize, or mitigate environmental effects.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
In addition to the requested COP approval, various other Federal,
State, and local authorizations will be required for the Projects.
These include authorizations under the Endangered Species Act,
Magnuson[hyphen]Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, MMPA,
NHPA, RHA, CWA, Coastal Zone Management Act, and other laws and
regulations determined to be applicable to the Projects. BOEM will also
conduct government-to-government Tribal consultations. For a full
listing of regulatory requirements applicable to the Projects, please
see the COP, volume I, available at https://www.boem.gov/atlantic-shores.
BOEM has chosen to use the NEPA substitution process to fulfill its
obligations under NHPA. While BOEM's obligations under NHPA and NEPA
are independent, the regulations implementing NHPA allow for the use of
NEPA review to substitute for various aspects of NHPA's section 106 (54
U.S.C. 306108) review to improve efficiency, promote transparency and
accountability, and support a broadened discussion of potential effects
that a project could have on the human environment. As provided in 36
CFR 800.8(c), the NEPA process and documentation required for the
preparation of an EIS and record of decision (ROD) can be used to
fulfill a lead Federal agency's NHPA section 106 review obligations in
lieu of the procedures set forth in 36 CFR 800.3 through 800.6. During
preparation of the EIS, BOEM will ensure that the NEPA substitution
process will meet its NHPA obligations necessary to successfully use
this alternative process.
[[Page 54234]]
Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
After the draft EIS is completed, BOEM will publish a notice of
availability (NOA) and request public comments on the draft EIS. BOEM
expects to issue the NOA in November 2022. After the public comment
period ends, BOEM will review and respond to comments received and will
develop the final EIS. BOEM expects to make the final EIS available to
the public in August 2023. A ROD will be completed no sooner than 30
days after the final EIS is released, in accordance with 40 CFR
1506.11.
This COP is a ``covered project'' under section 41 of the Fixing
America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41). FAST-41 provides
increased transparency and predictability by requiring Federal agencies
to publish comprehensive permitting timetables for all covered
projects. FAST-41 also provides procedures for modifying permitting
timetables to address the unpredictability inherent in the
environmental review and permitting process for significant
infrastructure projects. To view the FAST-41 Permitting Dashboard for
the Projects, visit: https://www.permits.performance.gov/permitting-project/atlantic-shores-project-1.
Scoping Process
This NOI commences the public scoping process to identify issues
and potential alternatives for consideration in the Atlantic Shores
EIS. Throughout the scoping process, Federal agencies; Tribal, State,
and local governments; and the general public have the opportunity to
help BOEM determine significant resources and issues, impact-producing
factors, reasonable alternatives (e.g., size, geographic, seasonal, or
other restrictions on construction and siting of facilities and
activities), and potential mitigation measures to be analyzed in the
EIS, as well as to provide additional information. In the interests of
efficiency, completeness, and facilitating public involvement, BOEM
will use the NEPA process to fulfill public involvement requirements
established in 36 CFR 800.2(d).
BOEM will hold virtual public scoping meetings for the Atlantic
Shores EIS at the following dates and times (eastern time):
Tuesday, October 19, 5:00 p.m.;
Thursday, October 21, 1:00 p.m.; and
Monday, October 25, 5:00 p.m.
Registration for the virtual public meetings may be completed here:
https://www.boem.gov/atlantic-shores-Scoping-Virtual-Meetings.
NEPA Cooperating Agencies
BOEM invites other Federal agencies, Tribes, and State and local
governments to consider becoming cooperating agencies in the
preparation of this EIS. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
NEPA regulations specify that qualified agencies and governments are
those with ``jurisdiction by law or special expertise.'' Potential
cooperating agencies should consider their authority and capacity to
assume the responsibilities of a cooperating agency and should be aware
that an agency's role in the environmental analysis neither enlarges
nor diminishes the final decision-making authority of any other agency
involved in the NEPA process.
Upon request, BOEM will provide potential cooperating agencies with
a written summary of expectations for cooperating agencies, including
schedules, milestones, responsibilities, scope and details of
cooperating agencies' contributions, and availability of pre-decisional
information. BOEM anticipates this summary will form the basis for a
memorandum of agreement between BOEM and any non-Department of the
Interior cooperating agency. Agencies also should consider the factors
for determining cooperating agency status in CEQ's memorandum titled
``Cooperating Agencies in Implementing the Procedural Requirements of
the National Environmental Policy Act'' of January 30, 2002. This
document is available on the internet at: https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/nepapub/nepa_documents/RedDont/G-CEQ-CoopAgenciesImplem.pdf.
BOEM, as the lead agency, does not provide financial assistance to
cooperating agencies. Even if a governmental entity is not a
cooperating agency, it will have opportunities to provide information
and comments to BOEM during the public input stages of the NEPA
process.
NHPA Consulting Parties
Certain individuals and organizations with a demonstrated interest
in the Projects can request to participate as NHPA consulting parties
under 36 CFR 800.2(c)(5) based on their legal or economic stake in, or
concern for, historic properties affected by the Projects. Before
issuing this NOI, BOEM compiled a list of potential consulting parties
and invited them to become consulting parties. To become a consulting
party, those invited must respond in writing, preferably by the
requested response date.
Interested individuals or organizations that did not receive a
written invitation can request to be consulting parties by writing to
the appropriate staff at ICF International, Inc., which is supporting
BOEM in its administration of this review. ICF's contact for this
review is Neil Sullivan. He can be reached at 9300 Lee Highway,
Fairfax, VA 22031 or [email protected]. BOEM will
determine which interested parties should be consulting parties.
Comments
Federal agencies; Tribal, State, and local governments; and other
interested parties are requested to comment on the scope of this EIS,
significant issues that should be addressed, and alternatives that
should be considered. For information on how to submit comments, see
the ADDRESSES section above.
BOEM does not consider anonymous comments. Please include your name
and address as part of your comment. BOEM makes all comments, including
the names, addresses, and other personally identifiable information
included in the comment, available for public review online.
Individuals can request that BOEM withhold their names, addresses, or
other personally identifiable information included in their comment
from the public record; however, BOEM cannot guarantee that it will be
able to do so. To help BOEM determine whether to withhold from
disclosure your personally identifiable information, you must identify
any information contained in your comments that, if released, would
constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of your privacy. You also
must briefly describe any possible harmful consequences of the
disclosure of information, such as embarrassment, injury, or other
harm.
Additionally, under section 304 of NHPA, BOEM is required, after
consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, to withhold the
location, character, or ownership of historic resources if it
determines that disclosure may, among other things, cause a significant
invasion of privacy, risk harm to the historic resources, or impede the
use of a traditional religious site by practitioners. Tribal entities
and other parties providing information on historic resources should
designate information that they wish to be held as confidential and
provide the reasons why BOEM should do so.
All submissions from organizations or businesses and from
individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of
[[Page 54235]]
organizations or businesses will be made available for public
inspection in their entirety.
Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action
BOEM requests data, comments, views, information, analyses,
alternatives, or suggestions on the Proposed Action from the public;
affected Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments, agencies, and
offices; the scientific community; industry; or any other interested
party. Specifically, BOEM requests information on the following topics:
1. Potential effects that the Proposed Action could have on
biological resources, including bats, birds, coastal fauna, finfish,
invertebrates, essential fish habitat, marine mammals, and sea turtles.
2. Potential effects that the Proposed Action could have on
physical resources, including air quality, water quality, and wetlands
and other waters of the United States.
3. Potential effects that the Proposed Action could have on
socioeconomic and cultural resources, including commercial fisheries
and for-hire recreational fishing, demographics, employment, economics,
environmental justice, land use and coastal infrastructure, navigation
and vessel traffic, other uses (marine minerals, military use,
aviation), recreation and tourism, and scenic and visual resources.
4. Other possible reasonable alternatives to the Proposed Action
that BOEM should consider, including additional or alternative
avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures.
5. As part of its compliance with NHPA section 106 (54 U.S.C.
306108) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800), BOEM seeks
public comment and input regarding the identification of historic
properties within the Proposed Action's area of potential effects and
the potential effects on those historic properties from the activities
proposed in the COP. BOEM requests feedback from the public and
consulting parties on the aforementioned information and any
information that supports identification of historic properties under
the NHPA. BOEM also solicits proposed measures to avoid, minimize, or
mitigate any adverse effects on historic properties. BOEM will present
available information regarding known historic properties during the
public scoping period at https://www.boem.gov/atlantic-shores. BOEM's
effects analysis for historic properties will be available for public
and consulting party comment in the draft EIS.
6. Information on other current or planned activities in, or in the
vicinity of, the Proposed Action, their possible impacts on the
Projects, and the Project's possible impacts on those activities.
7. Other information relevant to the Proposed Action and its
impacts on the human environment.
To promote informed decision-making, comments should be as specific
as possible and should provide as much detail as necessary to
meaningfully participate and fully inform BOEM of the commenter's
position. Comments should explain why the issues raised are important
to the consideration of potential environmental impacts and
alternatives to the Proposed Action as well as economic, employment,
and other impacts affecting the quality of the human environment.
The draft EIS will include a summary that identifies all
alternatives, information, and analyses submitted by Federal agencies,
Tribal, State, and local governments, and other public commenters
during the scoping process for consideration by BOEM, cooperating
agencies, and the consulting parties.
Authority: This NOI is published pursuant to NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321
et seq., and implementing regulations at 40 CFR 1501.9.
William Yancey Brown,
Chief Environmental Officer, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2021-21300 Filed 9-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P