Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Mayflower Wind Project on the Northeast Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf, 60270-60274 [2021-23806]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 208 / Monday, November 1, 2021 / Notices
accommodations because of a disability
must be received by November 8, 2021.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held
virtually by teleconference. See the
Public Participation section below for
information on how to register to attend
the meeting. Attendance information
will be provided upon registration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Judith Harroun-Lord, Surface
Transportation Security Advisory
Committee, Designated Federal Officer,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
Transportation Security Administration,
6595 Springfield Center Drive,
Springfield, Virginia 20598, STSAC@
tsa.dhs.gov, 571–227–2283.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
TSA is providing notice of this
meeting in accordance with the section
404 of the TSA Modernization Act,
Division K of the FAA Reauthorization
Act of 2018, Public Law 115–254 (132
Stat. 3186; Oct. 5, 2018), as codified at
6 U.S.C. 204. The STSAC provides
advice and industry perspective to the
Administrator of TSA on surface
transportation security matters,
including the development, refinement,
and implementation of policies,
programs, rulemaking, and security
directives pertaining to aviation
security. While the STSAC is exempt
from the Federal Advisory Committee
Act (5 U.S.C. App.), see 6 U.S.C. 205(f),
paragraph 204(c)(6)(B) requires that TSA
hold at least one public meeting each
year.
II. Meeting Agenda
The Committee will meet to discuss
the following agenda items:
• Welcoming Remarks/Introductions
• Committee and Subcommittee
briefings on activities, key issues, and
focus areas for FY 2021—
Cybersecurity Information Sharing;
Emergency Management and
Resiliency; Insider Threat; and
Security Risk and Intelligence
• Public Comments
• Closing Comments and Adjournment
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III. Public Participation
The meeting will be open to the
public and attendance may be limited
due to telephonic meeting constraints.
Members of the public, all non-STSAC
members, and non-TSA staff who wish
to attend are asked to register via email
by submitting their name, contact
number, and affiliation to STSAC@
tsa.dhs.gov by November 8, 2021.
Attendees will be admitted on a first-toregister basis. Attendance information
will be provided upon registration.
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In addition, members of the public
must make advance arrangements by
November 8, 2021, to present oral or
written statements. The statements must
specifically address issues pertaining to
the items listed above in the discussion
of the Meeting Agenda; requests must be
submitted, via email to: STSAC@
tsa.dhs.gov. The public comment period
will begin at approximately 3:25 p.m.
and will end at 3:40 p.m. Speakers are
requested to limit their comments to
three minutes.
The STSAC and TSA are committed
to providing equal access to this virtual
meeting for all participants. If you need
alternative formats or services because
of a disability, please contact the person
listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section by November 8, 2021.
Dated: October 26, 2021.
Eddie D. Mayenschein,
Assistant Administrator, Policy, Plans, and
Engagement (PPE).
[FR Doc. 2021–23668 Filed 10–29–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–05–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM 2021–0062]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed Mayflower Wind Project
on the Northeast Atlantic Outer
Continental Shelf
Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare
an environmental impact statement
(EIS); request for comments.
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
Mayflower Wind Energy, LLC
(Mayflower Wind) for the construction
and operation of a wind energy facility
offshore Massachusetts with proposed
interconnection locations at Falmouth,
Massachusetts, and at Brayton Point in
Somerset, Massachusetts. This NOI
announces the EIS scoping process for
the Mayflower 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 wind
energy facility, including the COP, can
be found on BOEM’s website at:
www.boem.gov/mayflower-wind.
SUMMARY:
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Comments received by December
1, 2021, will be considered.
BOEM will hold virtual public
scoping meetings for the Mayflower
Wind EIS at the following dates and
times (eastern time):
• Wednesday, November 10, 5 p.m.;
• Monday, November 15, 1 p.m.; and
• Thursday, November 18, 5 p.m.
Registration for the virtual public
meetings may be completed here:
www.boem.gov/Mayflower-WindScoping-Virtual-Meetings or by calling
(703) 787–1553.
ADDRESSES: Written comments can be
submitted in any of the following ways:
• Delivered by mail or delivery
service, enclosed in an envelope
labeled, ‘‘MAYFLOWER WIND COP
EIS’’ and addressed to Program
Manager, Office of Renewable Energy,
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management,
45600 Woodland Road, Sterling,
Virginia 20166; or
• Through the regulations.gov web
portal: Navigate to www.regulations.gov
and search for Docket No. BOEM–2021–
0062. 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.’’
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Genevieve Brune, BOEM Office of
Renewable Energy Programs, 45600
Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia
20166, telephone (703) 787–1553, or
email Genevieve.Brune@boem.gov.
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 his administration ‘‘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.’’
Mayflower Wind has the exclusive
right to submit a COP for activities
located offshore Massachusetts in the
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 208 / Monday, November 1, 2021 / Notices
area covered by BOEM Renewable
Energy Lease OCS–A 0521 (Lease Area).
Mayflower Wind has submitted a COP
to BOEM proposing the construction,
operation, and conceptual
decommissioning of an offshore wind
energy facility in the Lease Area (the
Project).
Mayflower Wind’s goal is to develop
a commercial-scale, offshore wind
energy generation facility in the Lease
Area, with up to 149 total foundation
locations to be occupied by a
combination of up to 147 wind turbine
generators (WTGs) and up to 5 offshore
substation platforms (OSPs). The Project
would include two export cable
corridors, one making landfall and
interconnecting to the ISO New England
Inc. (ISO–NE) grid in Falmouth,
Massachusetts, and one making landfall
and interconnecting to the ISO–NE grid
at Brayton Point in Somerset,
Massachusetts (See Section 1.3 of the
COP).
The Project would provide between
1,600 to 2,400 megawatts (MW) of clean,
renewable wind energy to the northeast
United States, including Massachusetts,
in accordance with section 83C of the
Massachusetts’ Green Communities Act,
which allows electric distribution
companies (EDCs) to solicit proposals
for offshore wind energy generation
(Chapter 188 of the Acts of 2016, An Act
to Promote Energy Diversity). In October
2019, the EDCs selected Mayflower
Wind’s low-cost energy bid for a power
purchase agreement (PPA) to generate
804 MW of offshore wind energy that
will serve Massachusetts customers
(Massachusetts Clean Energy, 2020). In
addition to the 804 MW PPA,
Mayflower Wind is actively exploring
additional offtake opportunities. The
Project is intended to address the needs
identified by the Massachusetts EDCs
for new sources of power generation
that are cost-effective and reliable, as
well as to contribute to the section 83C
offshore wind mandate.
Based on Mayflower Wind’s goals and
BOEM’s authority, the purpose of
BOEM’s action is to respond to
Mayflower Wind’s COP proposal and
determine whether to approve, approve
with modifications, or disapprove the
Mayflower Wind COP (the Proposed
Action). BOEM’s approval of the COP
and any modifications is needed to
construct and install, operate and
maintain, and decommission a
commercial-scale offshore wind energy
facility within the Lease Area. BOEM’s
purpose and need is consistent with the
United States’ policy to make Outer
Continental Shelf energy resources
available for expeditious and orderly
development, subject to environmental
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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 (NOAA)
National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) anticipates receipt of a request
for authorization to take marine
mammals incidental to constructionrelated activities related to the Project
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 Mayflower
Wind’s request for authorization to take
marine mammals incidental to specified
activities associated with the Project
(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,
New England 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
USACE federally authorized Civil
Works projects. The USACE considers
issuance of a permit/permission under
these three delegated authorities a major
Federal action connected to BOEM’s
Proposed Action (40 CFR 1501.9(e)(1)).
As described in Section 1.3 of the
COP, the applicant’s stated purpose and
need for the Project, is to provide a
commercially viable offshore wind
energy project (1,600 to 2,400 MW)
within Lease OCS–A 0521 to help states
achieve their renewable energy goals.
The basic project purpose, as
determined by USACE for section
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60271
404(b)(1) guidelines evaluation, is
offshore wind energy generation. The
overall project purpose for section
404(b)(1) guidelines evaluation, as
determined by USACE, is the
construction and operation of a
commercial-scale offshore wind energy
project for renewable energy generation
and distribution to the New England
energy grid. The purpose of 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/
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,
USACE would issue a Record of
Decision (ROD) to formally document
its decision on the Proposed Action.
Proposed Action and Preliminary
Alternatives
As noted above, Mayflower Wind is
proposing to construct and operate 149
total foundation locations to be
occupied by a combination of up to 147
WTGs and up to 5 OSPs. The Project
would also include two export cable
corridors, one making landfall and
interconnecting to the ISO–NE grid in
Falmouth, Massachusetts, and one
making landfall and interconnecting to
the ISO–NE grid at Brayton Point in
Somerset, Massachusetts. The WTG
foundations may be monopiles, piled
jackets, suction-bucket jackets, or
gravity-based structures or some
combination. The WTGs, OSPs,
foundations, and inter-array cables
would be located within the Lease Area
on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf
approximately 30 statute miles (mi) (26
nautical miles [nm], 48 kilometers [km])
south of Martha’s Vineyard,
Massachusetts, and approximately 23
mi (20 nm, 37 km) south of Nantucket,
Massachusetts. The offshore export
cables would be buried in the U.S.
Outer Continental Shelf and in the
seabed under State waters of
Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
If any reasonable alternatives to the
Proposed Action are identified during
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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 proposed wind energy
facility would not be built.
Once BOEM completes the EIS and
associated consultations, BOEM will
decide whether to approve, approve
with modification, or disapprove the
Mayflower Wind COP. If BOEM
approves the COP, Mayflower Wind
must comply with all conditions of its
approval.
Summary of Potential Impacts
The draft EIS will identify and
describe the potential 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 the
alternatives. This includes such effects
that occur at the same time and place as
the Proposed Action and alternatives
and effects that are later in time or occur
in a different place. Potential impacts to
resources include, but are not limited to,
impacts (whether beneficial or 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. These potential impacts will
be analyzed in the draft and final EIS.
Based on a preliminary evaluation of
these resources, BOEM expects potential
impacts on sea turtles and marine
mammals from underwater noise caused
by construction and from collision risks
with Project-related vessel traffic.
Structures installed by the Project could
permanently change benthic and fish
habitats (e.g., creation of artificial reefs).
Commercial fisheries and for-hire
recreational fishing could be impacted.
Project structures above the water could
affect the visual character defining
historic properties and recreational and
tourism areas. Project 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 Project
could cause conflicts with military
activities, air traffic, land-based radar
services, cables and pipelines, and
scientific surveys. Beneficial impacts
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are also expected by facilitating
achievement of State renewable energy
goals, increasing job opportunities,
improving air quality, and reducing
carbon emissions. Specifically, for
increasing job opportunities, the
Mayflower Wind project is estimated to
support up to an estimated 4,970 jobyears during the development and
construction phases of the project.
During the operations and maintenance
phase the Mayflower offshore wind
project will support about 11,440 jobsyears during its 30 years of operation
(with decommissioning). The EIS will
analyze measures that would avoid,
minimize, or mitigate identified
impacts.
This Project 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 Project,
visit: www.permits.performance.gov/
permitting-project/mayflower-windenergy-project.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
In addition to the requested COP
approval, various other Federal, State,
and local authorizations will be
required for the Project. Applicable
Federal laws include the Endangered
Species Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act,
MMPA, RHA, CWA, and the Coastal
Zone Management Act. BOEM will also
conduct government-to-government
Tribal consultations. For a detailed
listing of regulatory requirements
applicable to the Project, please see the
COP, volume I, available at
www.boem.gov/Mayflower-Wind.
BOEM has chosen to use the NEPA
process to fulfill its obligations under
NHPA. While BOEM’s obligations under
NHPA and NEPA are independent,
regulations implementing section 106 of
NHPA, at 36 CFR 800.8(c), allow the
NEPA process and documentation to
substitute for various aspects of the
NHPA review. This process is intended
to improve efficiency, promote
transparency and accountability, and
support a broadened discussion of
potential effects that a project could
have on the human environment.
During preparation of the EIS, BOEM
will ensure that the NEPA process will
fully meet all NHPA obligations.
Scoping Process
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
currently expects to issue the NOA in
January 2023. After the public comment
period ends, BOEM will review and
respond to comments received and will
develop the final EIS. BOEM currently
expects to make the final EIS available
to the public in September 2023. A ROD
will be completed no sooner than 30
days after the final EIS is released, in
accordance with 40 CFR 1506.11.
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This NOI commences the public
scoping process to identify issues and
potential alternatives for consideration
in the Mayflower Wind EIS. BOEM will
hold virtual public scoping meetings at
the times and dates described above
under the DATES caption. Throughout
the scoping process, Federal agencies,
Tribal, State, and local governments,
and the general public have the
opportunity to help BOEM identify
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.
As noted above, BOEM will use the
NEPA process to comply with NHPA.
BOEM will consider all written requests
from individuals and organizations to
participate as consulting parties under
NHPA and, as discussed below, will
determine who among those parties will
be a consulting party in accordance with
the NHPA regulations.
NEPA Cooperating Agencies
BOEM invites other Federal agencies
and Tribal, 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.
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Upon request, BOEM will provide
potential cooperating agencies with a
written summary of expectations for
cooperating agencies, including
schedules, milestones, responsibilities,
scope and detail of cooperating
agencies’ expected 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 the CEQ memorandum entitled,
‘‘Cooperating Agencies in Implementing
the Procedural Requirements of the
National Environmental Policy Act,’’
dated January 30, 2002. This document
is available on the internet at:
www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/
nepapub/nepa_documents/RedDont/GCEQ-CoopAgenciesImplem.pdf.
BOEM, as the lead agency, does not
provide financial assistance to
cooperating agencies. Governmental
entities that are not cooperating
agencies will have opportunities to
provide information and comments to
BOEM during the public input stages of
the NEPA process.
NHPA Consulting Parties
Individuals and organizations with a
demonstrated interest in the Project can
request to participate as NHPA
consulting parties under 36 CFR
800.2(c)(5) based on their legal or
economic stake in historic properties
affected by the Project.
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 by the requested
response date.
Interested individuals and
organizations that did not receive a
written invitation can request to be
consulting parties by writing to the staff
NHPA contact at ICF International, Inc.,
the third party EIS contractor
supporting BOEM in its administration
of this review. ICF’s NHPA contact for
this review is Karen Crawford at
Mayflower_Section106@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.
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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
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, analysis,
alternatives, or suggestions relevant to
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.
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2. Potential effects that the Proposed
Action could have on physical resources
and conditions including air quality,
water quality, 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 and its implementing
regulations (36 CFR part 800), BOEM
seeks comment and input from the
public and consulting parties regarding
the identification of historic properties
within the Proposed Action’s area of
potential effects, the potential effects on
those historic properties from the
activities proposed in the COP, and any
information that supports identification
of historic properties under 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 www.boem.gov/MayflowerWind. 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 Project, 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 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 possible
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
of all alternatives, information, and
analyses submitted during the scoping
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process for consideration by BOEM and
the cooperating agencies.
Authority: This NOI is published in
accordance with NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321
et seq., and 40 CFR 1501.9.
William Yancey Brown,
Chief Environmental Officer, Bureau of Ocean
Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2021–23806 Filed 10–29–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM–2021–0078]
Atlantic Wind Lease Sale 9 (ATLW–9)
for Commercial Leasing for Wind
Power on the Outer Continental Shelf
in the Carolina Long Bay Area—
Proposed Sale Notice
Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed sale notice; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
This document is the
proposed sale notice (PSN) for the sale
of a commercial wind energy lease on
the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the
Carolina Long Bay area offshore North
Carolina (Lease Area). The Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
proposes to offer a single lease using a
multiple-factor bidding auction format.
The PSN contains information
pertaining to the areas available for
leasing, certain provisions and
conditions of the lease, auction details,
lease forms, criteria for evaluating
competing bids, award procedures,
appeal procedures, and lease execution
procedures. The issuance of a lease
resulting from this sale, if any, would
not constitute an approval of projectspecific plans to develop offshore wind
energy. Such plans, if submitted by the
lessee, would be subject to subsequent
environmental, technical, and public
reviews prior to a decision on whether
the proposed development should be
authorized.
DATES: Comments should be submitted
electronically or postmarked no later
than January 3, 2022.
Prospective bidders in the proposed
lease sale must submit qualification
materials by the end of the 60-day
comment period for this PSN.
Qualification materials must be
postmarked no later than January 3,
2022.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments on the
PSN in one of the following ways:
• Federal eRulmaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. In the search box
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:03 Oct 29, 2021
Jkt 256001
on web page, enter BOEM–2021–0078
and click ‘‘search.’’ Follow the
instructions to submit public comments.
• Mail: In written form, delivered by
mail or delivery service, enclosed in an
envelope labeled ‘‘Comments on
Carolina Long Bay PSN’’ and addressed
to: Office of Renewable Energy
Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, 45600 Woodland Road,
VAM–OREP, Sterling, Virginia 20166.
Qualifications Materials: Prospective
bidders submit qualification materials to
Casey Reeves, BOEM Office of
Renewable Energy Programs, 45600
Woodland Road, VAM–OREP, Sterling,
Virginia 20166, (703) 787–1671, or
casey.reeves@boem.gov.
For more information regarding the
submission of public comments and
qualification materials, see section V
under the caption SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Casey Reeves, BOEM Office of
Renewable Energy Programs, 45600
Woodland Road, VAM–OREP, Sterling,
Virginia 20166, (703) 787–1671, or
casey.reeves@boem.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
a. Call for Information and
Nominations: On December 13, 2012,
BOEM published a North Carolina call
for information and nominations (77 FR
74204) (‘‘Call’’). On February 5, 2013,
BOEM reopened the comment period for
the Call to allow for additional public
input. The Call contained three
proposed call areas entitled
‘‘Wilmington-East,’’ ‘‘WilmingtonWest,’’ and ‘‘Kitty Hawk.’’ BOEM
received comments from the general
public, the fishing industry, industry
groups, offshore wind developers, nongovernmental organizations,
universities, other stakeholders, and
Federal, State, and local agencies. The
subjects receiving the most comments
were impacts to military operations,
impacts to North Atlantic right whale
critical habitat, visual impacts, and
impacts to tourism from the
Wilmington-West Call Area. Four
offshore wind developers submitted
nominations for the Wilmington-East
Call Area.
b. Area Identification: After the close
of the Call comment period on March 7,
2013, BOEM initiated the area
identification process (Area ID) by
reviewing the input received. Through
the Area ID process, BOEM considered
the following non-exclusive list of
information sources: Comments and
nominations received on the Call;
information from the Regional Carolina
PO 00000
Frm 00077
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Long Bay Intergovernmental Task Force;
input from North Carolina and South
Carolina State agencies; input from
Federal agencies; comments from
relevant stakeholders and ocean users,
including the maritime community,
offshore wind developers, and the
commercial fishing industry; State and
local renewable energy goals; and
domestic and global offshore wind
market and technological trends.
BOEM also considered multiple
existing uses of the North Carolina
offshore area in developing the call
areas and wind energy areas (WEAs).
BOEM found that existing uses having
the highest potential to interact with
offshore wind energy development in
the call areas are (i) North Atlantic right
whale migration routes; (ii) maritime
navigation; and (iii) Department of
Defense (DoD) activities.
BOEM completed the Area ID on
August 7, 2014, by identifying the
following three WEAs within the call
areas: Wilmington East, Wilmington
West, and Kitty Hawk. The Area ID
announcement and map of the WEAs
are available at: https://www.boem.gov/
sites/default/files/renewable-energyprogram/State-Activities/NC/NC_
AreaID_Announcement_.pdf.
c. Environmental Reviews: On
December 13, 2012, BOEM published a
notice of intent to prepare an
environmental assessment (EA) to
consider potential environmental
consequences of site characterization
activities (e.g., biological, archeological,
geological, and geophysical surveys and
core samples) and site assessment
activities (e.g., installation of
meteorological towers or buoys)
associated with issuing wind energy
leases in the call areas. As part of the
EA process, BOEM sought comments on
the issues and alternatives that should
inform the EA and received
approximately 47 comments, which can
be found at https://www.regulations.gov
under Docket No. BOEM–2012–0090. A
notice of availability of the EA was
published on January 23, 2015, to
initiate a 30-day public comment period
(80 FR 3621). The EA was subsequently
revised based on comments received
during the comment period and public
information meetings. The revised EA
and the finding of no significant impact
are available at: https://www.boem.gov/
sites/default/files/renewable-energyprogram/State-Activities/NC/NC-EACamera-FONSI.pdf.
Concurrently with its preparation of
the EA, BOEM conducted consultations
under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA), the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act, and
the Coastal Zone Management Act.
E:\FR\FM\01NON1.SGM
01NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 208 (Monday, November 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60270-60274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23806]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM 2021-0062]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed Mayflower Wind Project on the Northeast Atlantic Outer
Continental Shelf
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS); request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Mayflower Wind Energy, LLC (Mayflower Wind) for the
construction and operation of a wind energy facility offshore
Massachusetts with proposed interconnection locations at Falmouth,
Massachusetts, and at Brayton Point in Somerset, Massachusetts. This
NOI announces the EIS scoping process for the Mayflower 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 wind energy
facility, including the COP, can be found on BOEM's website at:
www.boem.gov/mayflower-wind.
DATES: Comments received by December 1, 2021, will be considered.
BOEM will hold virtual public scoping meetings for the Mayflower
Wind EIS at the following dates and times (eastern time):
Wednesday, November 10, 5 p.m.;
Monday, November 15, 1 p.m.; and
Thursday, November 18, 5 p.m.
Registration for the virtual public meetings may be completed here:
www.boem.gov/Mayflower-Wind-Scoping-Virtual-Meetings or by calling
(703) 787-1553.
ADDRESSES: Written comments can be submitted in any of the following
ways:
Delivered by mail or delivery service, enclosed in an
envelope labeled, ``MAYFLOWER WIND COP EIS'' and addressed to Program
Manager, Office of Renewable Energy, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management,
45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166; or
Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to
www.regulations.gov and search for Docket No. BOEM-2021-0062. 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: Genevieve Brune, BOEM Office of
Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia
20166, telephone (703) 787-1553, or email [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 his administration ``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.''
Mayflower Wind has the exclusive right to submit a COP for
activities located offshore Massachusetts in the
[[Page 60271]]
area covered by BOEM Renewable Energy Lease OCS-A 0521 (Lease Area).
Mayflower Wind has submitted a COP to BOEM proposing the construction,
operation, and conceptual decommissioning of an offshore wind energy
facility in the Lease Area (the Project).
Mayflower Wind's goal is to develop a commercial-scale, offshore
wind energy generation facility in the Lease Area, with up to 149 total
foundation locations to be occupied by a combination of up to 147 wind
turbine generators (WTGs) and up to 5 offshore substation platforms
(OSPs). The Project would include two export cable corridors, one
making landfall and interconnecting to the ISO New England Inc. (ISO-
NE) grid in Falmouth, Massachusetts, and one making landfall and
interconnecting to the ISO-NE grid at Brayton Point in Somerset,
Massachusetts (See Section 1.3 of the COP).
The Project would provide between 1,600 to 2,400 megawatts (MW) of
clean, renewable wind energy to the northeast United States, including
Massachusetts, in accordance with section 83C of the Massachusetts'
Green Communities Act, which allows electric distribution companies
(EDCs) to solicit proposals for offshore wind energy generation
(Chapter 188 of the Acts of 2016, An Act to Promote Energy Diversity).
In October 2019, the EDCs selected Mayflower Wind's low-cost energy bid
for a power purchase agreement (PPA) to generate 804 MW of offshore
wind energy that will serve Massachusetts customers (Massachusetts
Clean Energy, 2020). In addition to the 804 MW PPA, Mayflower Wind is
actively exploring additional offtake opportunities. The Project is
intended to address the needs identified by the Massachusetts EDCs for
new sources of power generation that are cost-effective and reliable,
as well as to contribute to the section 83C offshore wind mandate.
Based on Mayflower Wind's goals and BOEM's authority, the purpose
of BOEM's action is to respond to Mayflower Wind's COP proposal and
determine whether to approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove
the Mayflower Wind COP (the Proposed Action). BOEM's approval of the
COP and any modifications is needed to construct and install, operate
and maintain, and decommission a commercial-scale offshore wind energy
facility within the Lease Area. BOEM's purpose and need is consistent
with the United States' policy to make Outer Continental Shelf 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
(NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) anticipates receipt of
a request for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to
construction-related activities related to the Project 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 Mayflower
Wind's request for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to
specified activities associated with the Project (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, New England 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 USACE federally
authorized Civil Works projects. The USACE considers issuance of a
permit/permission under these three delegated authorities a major
Federal action connected to BOEM's Proposed Action (40 CFR
1501.9(e)(1)).
As described in Section 1.3 of the COP, the applicant's stated
purpose and need for the Project, is to provide a commercially viable
offshore wind energy project (1,600 to 2,400 MW) within Lease OCS-A
0521 to help states achieve their renewable energy goals. The basic
project purpose, as determined by USACE for section 404(b)(1)
guidelines evaluation, is offshore wind energy generation. The overall
project purpose for section 404(b)(1) guidelines evaluation, as
determined by USACE, is the construction and operation of a commercial-
scale offshore wind energy project for renewable energy generation and
distribution to the New England energy grid. The purpose of 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/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, USACE would issue a Record of
Decision (ROD) to formally document its decision on the Proposed
Action.
Proposed Action and Preliminary Alternatives
As noted above, Mayflower Wind is proposing to construct and
operate 149 total foundation locations to be occupied by a combination
of up to 147 WTGs and up to 5 OSPs. The Project would also include two
export cable corridors, one making landfall and interconnecting to the
ISO-NE grid in Falmouth, Massachusetts, and one making landfall and
interconnecting to the ISO-NE grid at Brayton Point in Somerset,
Massachusetts. The WTG foundations may be monopiles, piled jackets,
suction-bucket jackets, or gravity-based structures or some
combination. The WTGs, OSPs, foundations, and inter-array cables would
be located within the Lease Area on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf
approximately 30 statute miles (mi) (26 nautical miles [nm], 48
kilometers [km]) south of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, and
approximately 23 mi (20 nm, 37 km) south of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
The offshore export cables would be buried in the U.S. Outer
Continental Shelf and in the seabed under State waters of Massachusetts
and Rhode Island.
If any reasonable alternatives to the Proposed Action are
identified during
[[Page 60272]]
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 proposed
wind energy facility would not be built.
Once BOEM completes the EIS and associated consultations, BOEM will
decide whether to approve, approve with modification, or disapprove the
Mayflower Wind COP. If BOEM approves the COP, Mayflower Wind must
comply with all conditions of its approval.
Summary of Potential Impacts
The draft EIS will identify and describe the potential 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 the alternatives. This includes
such effects that occur at the same time and place as the Proposed
Action and alternatives and effects that are later in time or occur in
a different place. Potential impacts to resources include, but are not
limited to, impacts (whether beneficial or 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. These potential impacts will be analyzed in the draft and
final EIS.
Based on a preliminary evaluation of these resources, BOEM expects
potential impacts on sea turtles and marine mammals from underwater
noise caused by construction and from collision risks with Project-
related vessel traffic. Structures installed by the Project could
permanently change benthic and fish habitats (e.g., creation of
artificial reefs). Commercial fisheries and for-hire recreational
fishing could be impacted. Project structures above the water could
affect the visual character defining historic properties and
recreational and tourism areas. Project 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
Project could cause conflicts with military activities, 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.
Specifically, for increasing job opportunities, the Mayflower Wind
project is estimated to support up to an estimated 4,970 job-years
during the development and construction phases of the project. During
the operations and maintenance phase the Mayflower offshore wind
project will support about 11,440 jobs-years during its 30 years of
operation (with decommissioning). The EIS will analyze measures that
would avoid, minimize, or mitigate identified impacts.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
In addition to the requested COP approval, various other Federal,
State, and local authorizations will be required for the Project.
Applicable Federal laws include the Endangered Species Act,
Magnuson[hyphen]Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, MMPA,
RHA, CWA, and the Coastal Zone Management Act. BOEM will also conduct
government-to-government Tribal consultations. For a detailed listing
of regulatory requirements applicable to the Project, please see the
COP, volume I, available at www.boem.gov/Mayflower-Wind.
BOEM has chosen to use the NEPA process to fulfill its obligations
under NHPA. While BOEM's obligations under NHPA and NEPA are
independent, regulations implementing section 106 of NHPA, at 36 CFR
800.8(c), allow the NEPA process and documentation to substitute for
various aspects of the NHPA review. This process is intended to improve
efficiency, promote transparency and accountability, and support a
broadened discussion of potential effects that a project could have on
the human environment. During preparation of the EIS, BOEM will ensure
that the NEPA process will fully meet all NHPA obligations.
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
currently expects to issue the NOA in January 2023. After the public
comment period ends, BOEM will review and respond to comments received
and will develop the final EIS. BOEM currently expects to make the
final EIS available to the public in September 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 Project 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 Project, visit: www.permits.performance.gov/permitting-project/mayflower-wind-energy-project.
Scoping Process
This NOI commences the public scoping process to identify issues
and potential alternatives for consideration in the Mayflower Wind EIS.
BOEM will hold virtual public scoping meetings at the times and dates
described above under the Dates caption. Throughout the scoping
process, Federal agencies, Tribal, State, and local governments, and
the general public have the opportunity to help BOEM identify
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.
As noted above, BOEM will use the NEPA process to comply with NHPA.
BOEM will consider all written requests from individuals and
organizations to participate as consulting parties under NHPA and, as
discussed below, will determine who among those parties will be a
consulting party in accordance with the NHPA regulations.
NEPA Cooperating Agencies
BOEM invites other Federal agencies and Tribal, 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.
[[Page 60273]]
Upon request, BOEM will provide potential cooperating agencies with
a written summary of expectations for cooperating agencies, including
schedules, milestones, responsibilities, scope and detail of
cooperating agencies' expected 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 the CEQ memorandum
entitled, ``Cooperating Agencies in Implementing the Procedural
Requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act,'' dated January
30, 2002. This document is available on the internet at:
www.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. Governmental entities that are not cooperating
agencies will have opportunities to provide information and comments to
BOEM during the public input stages of the NEPA process.
NHPA Consulting Parties
Individuals and organizations with a demonstrated interest in the
Project can request to participate as NHPA consulting parties under 36
CFR 800.2(c)(5) based on their legal or economic stake in historic
properties affected by the Project.
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 by the
requested response date.
Interested individuals and organizations that did not receive a
written invitation can request to be consulting parties by writing to
the staff NHPA contact at ICF International, Inc., the third party EIS
contractor supporting BOEM in its administration of this review. ICF's
NHPA contact for this review is Karen Crawford at
[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
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, analysis,
alternatives, or suggestions relevant to 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 and conditions including air quality, water quality,
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 and its
implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800), BOEM seeks comment and
input from the public and consulting parties regarding the
identification of historic properties within the Proposed Action's area
of potential effects, the potential effects on those historic
properties from the activities proposed in the COP, and any information
that supports identification of historic properties under 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 www.boem.gov/Mayflower-Wind. 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
Project, 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 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 possible
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 of all alternatives,
information, and analyses submitted during the scoping
[[Page 60274]]
process for consideration by BOEM and the cooperating agencies.
Authority: This NOI is published in accordance with NEPA, 42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq., and 40 CFR 1501.9.
William Yancey Brown,
Chief Environmental Officer, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2021-23806 Filed 10-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
