Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Vineyard Northeast Project on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf Offshore Massachusetts, 20691-20696 [2024-06161]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 58 (Monday, March 25, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20691-20696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06161]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Docket No. BOEM-2024-0009]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Proposed Vineyard Northeast Project on the U.S. Outer Continental 
Shelf Offshore Massachusetts

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement; 
request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces its 
intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a 
construction and operations plan (COP) of a proposed offshore wind 
energy project submitted by Vineyard Northeast, LLC (Vineyard 
Northeast). This notice of intent (NOI) initiates the public scoping 
and comment process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 
section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and their 
respective implementing regulations. Vineyard Northeast proposes to 
construct and operate the project in Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 
0522 (Lease Area), which encompasses approximately 132,370 acres and is 
located approximately 29 miles from Nantucket and approximately 39 
miles from Martha's Vineyard, offshore of Massachusetts. Vineyard 
Northeast proposes to develop the entire Lease Area.

DATES: Your comments must be received by BOEM no later than May 9, 2024 
for timely consideration. BOEM will hold two in-person and two virtual 
public scoping meetings at the following dates and times (eastern 
time):
    In Person:
     Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Clark 
Auditorium, Mitchell

[[Page 20692]]

College, 437 Pequot Avenue, New London, Connecticut 06320; and
     Thursday, April 18, 2024, 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Westport High 
School Cafeteria, 17 Main Road, Westport, Massachusetts 02790.
    Virtual:
     Monday, April 15, 2024, 1 p.m.-ending; and
     Monday, April 22, 2024, 5 p.m.-ending.
    Registration for the virtual public meetings may be completed here: 
https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/vineyard-northeast or by calling (888) 788-0099 (toll free). Registration for 
in-person meetings will occur on site. The meetings are open to the 
public and free to attend.

ADDRESSES: Written comments can be submitted in any of the following 
ways:
     Delivered by U.S. mail or other delivery service, enclosed 
in an envelope labeled ``Vineyard Northeast EIS'' and addressed to 
Heather Schultz, NEPA Coordinator, Environment Branch for Renewable 
Energy, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, VAM-
OREP, Sterling, Virginia 20166; or
     Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to 
https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket No. BOEM-2024-0009. 
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 more information about submitting comments, please see the 
``Public Participation'' heading under Supplementary Information.
    Detailed information about the proposed Project, including the COP, 
and instructions for making written comments, can be found on BOEM's 
website at: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/vineyard-northeast.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Schultz, Office of Renewable 
Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland 
Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166, telephone (571) 396-1485, 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 Joseph R. Biden stated 
that the policy of his administration is ``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 Vineyard Northeast the Lease Area OCS-A 0522, 
covering an area on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore 
Massachusetts. Vineyard Northeast has the exclusive right to submit a 
COP for activities within the Lease Area. Vineyard Northeast has 
submitted a COP to BOEM proposing the construction, operation, and 
conceptual decommissioning of an offshore wind energy facility in Lease 
Area OCS-A 0522 (the Project).
    Vineyard Northeast's goal is to develop a commercial-scale, 
offshore wind energy project in the Lease Area. The proposed action 
includes a maximum of 160 positions occupied by up to 160 WTGs and up 
to 3 ESPs, or some combination thereof, within the Lease Area. Up to 
three of those positions would be occupied by ESPs and the remaining 
positions would be occupied by WTGs. In addition, the proposed action 
includes a potential booster station in the northwestern part of Lease 
Area OCS-A 0534. Three ESP concepts are included in the project design 
envelope: high voltage, direct current (HVDC) ESP; high voltage, 
alternating current ESP + booster station; and integrated ESP. If two 
or three ESPs are used, they may be co-located at the same grid 
position (co-located ESPs would only be installed on monopiles).
    The integrated ESP concept entails placing ESP equipment on one or 
more expanded WTG foundation platforms rather than having a separate 
ESP situated on its own foundation. With this concept, the ESP 
electrical equipment may be placed on numerous (i.e., more than three) 
WTG foundations.
    The proposed project would have a minimum nameplate capacity of 
2,600 megawatts (MW) and two offshore export cable corridors (OECCs)--
one to Connecticut and one to Massachusetts--and associated onshore 
transmission systems.
    Vineyard Northeast is actively seeking one or more offshore 
renewable energy certificate (OREC) or power purchase agreement (PPA) 
awards for this project. Vineyard Northeast is seeking approval of 
phase 1 in this COP, and the EIS to which this NOI applies covers only 
phase 1 as described above.
    Vineyard Northeast has also provided BOEM with a high-level 
description of potential future activities they may undertake as a 
latter phase 2. However, those activities are not under consideration 
in this EIS and are not subject to a final BOEM decision on this COP. 
Rather, phase 2 is discussed as a potential future activity for which 
Vineyard Northeast would need to submit a revised or additional COP, 
which would be subject to additional review under NEPA and other 
relevant laws.
    This proposed Project is intended to contribute to Connecticut's 
mandate of 2,000 MW of offshore wind energy by 2030, as outlined in 
Connecticut Public Act 19-71, and to Massachusetts's goal to solicit 
proposals to contract for 5,600 MW of offshore wind energy by 2027, a 
goal that was substantially increased from the 1,600 MW target 
announced in the 2016 Act to Promote Energy Diversity (in accordance 
with section 83C of Massachusetts's Green Communities Act as added by 
Chapter 188 of the Acts of 2016, An Act to Promote Energy Diversity 
[section 83C]). This Project may also contribute to the clean energy 
mandates of Rhode Island (pursuant to the Affordable Clean Energy 
Security Act, R.I. Gen. Laws 39-31-5, as amended effective July 1, 
2022) and New York State (pursuant to the Climate Leadership and 
Community Protection Act).
    Based on BOEM's authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands 
Act (OCSLA) to authorize renewable energy activities on the OCS, 
Executive Order 14008, and the goal of the administration to deploy 30 
gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind in the United States by 2030, while 
protecting biodiversity and promoting ocean co-use,\1\ and in 
consideration of the goals of the applicant, the purpose of BOEM's 
action is to determine whether to approve, approve with modifications, 
or disapprove Vineyard Northeast's COP. BOEM will make this 
determination

[[Page 20693]]

after weighing the factors in subsection 8(p)(4) of OCSLA that are 
applicable to plan decisions and in consideration of the above goals. 
BOEM's action is needed to fulfill its duties under the lease, which 
require BOEM to make a decision on the lessee's plan to construct and 
operate a commercial-scale offshore wind energy facility in the Lease 
Area, in accordance with the relevant regulations in 30 CFR part 585.
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    \1\ Fact Sheet: Biden Administration Jumpstarts Offshore Wind 
Energy Projects to Create Jobs [verbar] Interior, Energy, Commerce, 
and Transportation Departments Announce New Leasing, Funding, and 
Development Goals to Accelerate and Deploy Offshore Wind Energy and 
Jobs [verbar] The White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/03/29/fact-sheet-biden-administration-jumpstarts-offshore-wind-energy-projects-to-create-jobs/.
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    In addition, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 
(NOAA's) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) anticipates one or 
more requests for authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
(MMPA) to take marine mammals incidental to construction activities 
related to the Project. NMFS' issuance of an MMPA incidental take 
authorization would be a major Federal action connected to BOEM's 
action (40 CFR 1501.9(e)(1)). The purpose of the NMFS action--which is 
a direct outcome of Vineyard Northeast's request for authorization to 
take marine mammals incidental to specified activities associated with 
the proposed Project (e.g., pile driving)--is to evaluate Vineyard 
Northeast'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 permit or authorization. NMFS needs to render a 
decision regarding the request for authorization due to NMFS' 
responsibilities under the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)(A)) and its 
implementing regulations. If NMFS makes the findings necessary to issue 
the requested authorization, NMFS intends to adopt, after independent 
review, BOEM's EIS to support that decision and fulfill its NEPA 
requirements.
    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New England District 
anticipates requests for authorizing 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), section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. 1344), and, 
as required, section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research, and 
Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1413). In addition, it is 
anticipated that a section 408 permission may 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 projects. The USACE considers issuance of permits/
permissions under these four delegated authorities to be a major 
Federal action connected to BOEM's action (40 CFR 1501.9(e)(1)). The 
need for the project, as provided by the applicant in section 1.2 of 
the COP and reviewed by USACE for NEPA purposes, is to provide a 
commercially viable offshore wind energy project within Lease OCS-A 
0522 to meet northeastern states' and other users' demand for clean 
energy. 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 in Lease OCS-A 0522 within the Massachusetts Wind Energy 
Area and transmission/distribution to the Connecticut and Massachusetts 
energy grids.
    The purpose of USACE section 408 action as determined by Engineer 
Circular 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 a USACE project. 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, section 14 of the RHA, and section 103 of the MPRSA. 
The USACE would adopt the EIS per 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.

Proposed Action and Preliminary Alternatives

    Vineyard Northeast proposes to develop, construct, and operate 
offshore renewable wind energy facilities BOEM Lease Area OCS-A 0522 
along with associated offshore and onshore transmission systems. The 
proposed action includes a maximum of 160 positions occupied by up to 
160 WTGs and up to 3 ESPs, or some combination thereof, within the 
Lease Area. Up to three of those positions would be occupied by ESPs 
and the remaining positions would be occupied by WTGs. In addition, the 
proposed action includes a potential booster station in the 
northwestern aliquot of Lease Area OCS-A 0534. Two offshore OECCs--the 
Massachusetts OECC and the Connecticut OECC--would connect the 
renewable wind energy facilities to onshore transmission systems in 
Massachusetts and Connecticut.
    Vineyard Northeast is considering monopile and piled-jacket 
foundation types to support the WTGs and ESPs. Each ESP and booster 
station topside would be supported by a monopile or a piled jacket 
foundation. The ESP(s) may be located at any proposed position. If two 
or three ESPs are used, they may be located at separate positions or 
two of the ESPs may be co-located at one of the potential grid 
positions. Up to two HVDC cable bundles or up to three high voltage 
alternating current (HVAC) cables may be installed within the 
Massachusetts OECC. Up to two HVDC offshore export cable bundles may be 
installed within the Connecticut OECC. If HVAC offshore export cables 
are installed within the Massachusetts OECC, the cables would connect 
to the above-noted booster station.
    BOEM will evaluate reasonable alternatives to the proposed action 
that are identified during the scoping period and included in the draft 
EIS, including a No Action Alternative. Under the No Action 
Alternative, BOEM would disapprove the Vineyard Northeast COP, and the 
proposed wind energy facility described in the COP would not be built 
within the Lease Area.
    In addition to the proposed action and the no action alternative 
(i.e., disapproval of the COP), potential alternatives that the draft 
EIS could analyze include the following preliminary alternatives:
     Modified Layout Alternative: Design layout to minimize 
potential impacts to cultural, visual, navigation, and other resource 
values.
     Nantucket Shoals Minimization Alternative: BOEM intends to 
design an alternative to avoid and minimize potential impacts to 
protected species and habitats around Nantucket Shoals.
     Habitat/Fisheries Impact Minimization Alternative: BOEM 
intends to examine alternatives that would reduce potential impacts to 
fish habitats and fishing activities.
    After completing the EIS and associated consultations, BOEM will 
decide through a record of decision (ROD) whether to approve, approve 
with modification, or disapprove the Vineyard Northeast Project COP. If 
BOEM approves the COP, Vineyard Northeast must comply with all 
conditions of approval.

[[Page 20694]]

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. 
Those potential effects must be reasonably foreseeable and must have a 
reasonably close causal relationship to the proposed action and the 
alternatives. Such effects include those that occur at the same time 
and place as the proposed action and alternatives, as well as those 
that are later in time or occur in a different place. Potential effects 
include, but are not limited to, beneficial or adverse impacts 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, Tribal issues of concern, 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 effects will be analyzed 
in the draft and final EIS.
    Based on a preliminary evaluation of the resources listed in the 
preceding paragraph, 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. The EIS will analyze all significant 
impacts, as well as potential measures that would avoid, minimize, or 
mitigate identified non-beneficial impacts.
    Beneficial impacts are also expected by facilitating achievement of 
State renewable energy goals, increasing job opportunities, improving 
air quality, and addressing climate change. The construction of 
Vineyard Northeast is also estimated to generate at least ~$1.63 
billion in total labor income and ~$4.65 billion in output. The 
operation of Vineyard Northeast is projected to generate approximately 
17,046 full-time equivalent (FTE) job-years assuming a 30-year 
operational life (equivalent to 568 direct, indirect, and induced FTEs 
annually), as well as at least ~$1.19 billion in total annual labor 
income and ~$4.62 billion in output.
(i) 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, Clean Air Act section 328, 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 
https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/vineyard-northeast.
    (ii) BOEM has chosen to use the NEPA process to fulfill its 
obligations under the NHPA. While BOEM's obligations under the NHPA and 
NEPA are independent, regulations implementing section 106 of the NHPA 
allow the NEPA process and documentation to substitute for various 
aspects of the NHPA review. See 36 CFR 800.8(c). This process is 
intended to improve efficiency, promote transparency and 
accountability, and support a broadened discussion of potential effects 
that the 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.
(iii) 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 for the draft EIS in May 2025. 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 February 2026. 
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: https://www.permits.performance.gov/permitting-project/fast-41-covered-projects/vineyard-northeast.

Scoping Process

    This NOI commences the public scoping process to identify issues 
and potential alternatives for consideration in the Vineyard Northeast 
EIS. BOEM will hold two in-person and two virtual public scoping 
meetings at the times and dates described above under the DATES 
heading. Throughout the scoping process, Federal agencies, Tribes, 
State and local governments, and the public will 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 the 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 the 
NHPA. BOEM will consider all written requests from individuals and 
organizations to participate as consulting parties under the NHPA and, 
as discussed below, will determine who among those parties will be a 
consulting party in accordance with NHPA regulations.

NEPA Cooperating Agencies

    BOEM invites other Federal agencies and State and local governments 
to consider becoming cooperating agencies and invites federally 
recognized Tribes to become cooperating Tribal governments in the 
preparation of this EIS. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) 
NEPA regulations specify that cooperating 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.
    BOEM has provided potential cooperating agencies with a written

[[Page 20695]]

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 that this summary will form the basis for a memorandum 
of agreement between BOEM and any non-Department of the Interior 
cooperating agency. Agencies should also 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 at: https://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 SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA), the 
third-party EIS contractor supporting BOEM in its administration of 
this review. SWCA's NHPA contact for this review is Jonathan Libbon at 
[email protected]. BOEM will determine which interested parties should 
be consulting parties.

Public Participation

    Federal agencies, Tribes, 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.

Information on Submitting Comments

a. Freedom of Information Act
    BOEM will protect privileged or confidential information that you 
submit when required by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). 
Exemption 4 of FOIA applies to trade secrets and commercial or 
financial information that is privileged or confidential. If you wish 
to protect the confidentiality of such information, clearly label it 
and request that BOEM treat it as confidential. BOEM will not disclose 
such information if BOEM determines under 30 CFR 585.114(b) that it 
qualifies for exemption from disclosure under FOIA. Please label 
privileged or confidential information ``Contains Confidential 
Information'' and consider submitting such information as a separate 
attachment. Information that is not labeled as privileged or 
confidential may be regarded by BOEM as suitable for public release.
    BOEM will not treat as confidential any aggregate summaries of such 
information or comments not containing such privileged or confidential 
information.
b. Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
    BOEM discourages anonymous comments. Please include your name and 
address as part of your comment. You should be aware that your entire 
comment, including your name, address, and any other personally 
identifiable information included in your comment, may be made publicly 
available. All comments from individuals, businesses, and organizations 
will be available for public viewing on regulations.gov.
    For BOEM to consider withholding your PII from disclosure, you must 
identify any information contained in your comments that, if released, 
would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of your personal 
privacy. You must also briefly describe any possible harmful 
consequences of the disclosure of information, such as embarrassment, 
injury, or other harm. Even if BOEM withholds your information in the 
context of this notice, your submission is subject to FOIA. If your 
submission is requested under FOIA, your information will only be 
withheld if a determination is made that one of FOIA's exemptions to 
disclosure applies. Such a determination will be made in accordance 
with the Department of the Interior's FOIA regulations and applicable 
law.
c. Section 304 of the NHPA (54 U.S.C. 307103(a))
    After consultation with the Secretary, BOEM is required to withhold 
the location, character, or ownership of historic resources if it 
determines that disclosure may, among other things, risk harm to the 
historic resources or impede the use of a traditional religious site by 
practitioners. Tribal entities should designate information that falls 
under section 304 of the NHPA as confidential.
(iv) 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 on biological resources, including bats, 
birds, coastal fauna, finfish, invertebrates, essential fish habitat, 
marine mammals, and sea turtles.
    2. Potential effects on physical resources and conditions including 
air quality, water quality, wetlands, and other waters of the United 
States.
    3. Potential effects 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

[[Page 20696]]

information regarding known historic properties during the public 
scoping period at https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/vineyard-northeast. BOEM's effects analysis for historic 
properties will be available for public and consulting party comment 
with the draft EIS.
    6. Information on other current or planned activities in, or in the 
vicinity of, the Project, 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 process for 
consideration by BOEM and the cooperating agencies.

(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., and 40 CFR 1501.9)

Karen Baker,
Chief, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management.
[FR Doc. 2024-06161 Filed 3-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340-98-P