Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment for Commercial Wind Lease Issuance on the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf, Oregon, 35220-35221 [2024-09360]

Download as PDF 35220 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 1, 2024 / Notices BOEM reserves the right to not issue the lease to that bidder. In such a case, the provisional winner will forfeit its bid deposit. Also, in such a case, BOEM reserves the right to offer the lease to the next highest eligible bidder as determined by BOEM. Within 45-calendar days after receiving the lease copies, the provisional winner must pay the first year’s rent using the ‘‘ONRR Renewable Energy Initial Rental Payments’’ form available at: https://www.pay.gov/ public/form/start/27797604/. Subsequent annual rent payments must be made following the detailed instructions available on ONRR’s website at: https://onrr.gov/paying/ payment-options?tabs=rent-payments. XVI. Non-Procurement Debarment and Suspension Regulations Pursuant to 43 CFR part 42, subpart C, an OCS renewable energy lessee must comply with the Department of the Interior’s non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations at 2 CFR parts 180 and 1400. The lessee must also communicate this requirement to persons with whom the lessee does business relating to this lease by including this requirement as a term or condition in their contracts and other transactions. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 XVII. Final Sale Notice The development of the FSN will be informed through the EA, related consultations, and comments received during the PSN comment period. The FSN will provide the final details concerning the offering and issuance of an OCS commercial wind energy lease for the Lease Areas offshore Oregon. The FSN will be published in the Federal Register at least 30-calendar days before the lease sale is conducted and will provide the date and time of the auction. XVIII. Changes to Auction Details BOEM has the discretion to change any auction detail specified in the FSN, including the date and time, if events outside BOEM’s control have been found to interfere with a fair and proper lease sale. Such events may include, but are not limited to, natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and blizzards), wars, riots, acts of terrorism, fire, strikes, civil disorder, Federal Government shutdowns, cyberattacks against relevant information systems, or other events of a similar nature. In case of such events, BOEM will notify all qualified bidders via email, phone, and BOEM’s website at: https:// www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/stateactivities/oregon. Bidders should call VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:59 Apr 30, 2024 Jkt 262001 BOEM’s Auction Manager at (703) 787– 1121 if they have concerns. XIX. Appeals Reconsideration of rejected bid procedures are provided in BOEM’s regulations at 30 CFR 585.118(c) and 585.225. BOEM’s decision on a bid is the final action of the Department of the Interior, and is not subject to appeal to the Office of Hearings and Appeals, but an unsuccessful bidder may apply for reconsideration by the Director under 30 CFR 585.225 as follows: a. If BOEM rejects your bid, BOEM will provide a written statement of the reasons and will refund any money deposited with your bid, without interest. b. You may ask the BOEM Director for reconsideration, in writing, within 15business days of bid rejection. The Director will send you a written response either affirming or reversing the rejection. XX. Public Participation BOEM will make all comments publicly available on https:// www.regulations.gov under the docket number and will consider each comment prior to publication of the FSN. BOEM discourages anonymous comments; please include your name, address, and telephone number or email address as part of your comment. You should be aware that your entire comment, including your name, address, and any other personally identifiable information (PII) included in your comment, may be made publicly available at any time. For BOEM to consider withholding from disclosure your PII, you must identify, in a cover letter, any information contained in the submittal of 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 PSN, your comment is subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). If your submission is requested under FOIA, BOEM will withhold your information only if it determines that one of the FOIA’s exemptions to disclosure applies. BOEM will make such a determination in accordance with the Department of the Interior’s FOIA regulations and applicable law. BOEM will make available for public inspection, in their entirety, all comments submitted by organizations and businesses, or by individuals PO 00000 Frm 00188 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 identifying themselves as representatives of organizations or businesses. XXI. Protection of Privileged and Confidential Information BOEM will protect privileged and confidential information that you submit consistent with FOIA and 30 CFR 585.113. Exemption 4 of FOIA applies to ‘‘trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person’’ that are privileged or confidential. (5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4)). If you wish to protect the confidentiality of any information, clearly mark it ‘‘Contains Privileged or Confidential Information’’ and consider submitting such information as a separate attachment. BOEM will not disclose such information, except as required by FOIA. Information that is not labeled as privileged or confidential may be regarded by BOEM as suitable for public release. Further, BOEM will not treat as confidential aggregate summaries of otherwise nonconfidential information. Access to Information (54 U.S.C. 307103): BOEM may, after consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, withhold the location, character, or ownership of historic properties 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. Tribes and other interested parties should designate such information that they wish to be withheld as confidential and provide the reasons why BOEM should do so. Authority: 43 U.S.C. 1337(p); 30 CFR 585.211 and 585.216. Elizabeth Klein, Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [FR Doc. 2024–09391 Filed 4–30–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4340–98–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [Docket No. BOEM–2023–0065] Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment for Commercial Wind Lease Issuance on the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf, Oregon Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\01MYN1.SGM 01MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 85 / Wednesday, May 1, 2024 / Notices The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces the availability of a draft environmental assessment (EA) to consider the potential environmental impacts associated with possible wind energyrelated leasing and grant issuance, site assessment, and site characterization activities on the U.S. Pacific Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore Oregon. This notice of availability (NOA) announces the start of the public review and comment period, as well as the dates and times for public meetings on the draft EA. After BOEM holds a public meeting and addresses public comments submitted during the review period, BOEM will publish a final EA. The EA will inform BOEM’s decision on whether to issue wind energy leases and grants in the Pacific wind energy areas (WEAs) offshore Oregon. DATES: Comments must be received no later than 30 days after publication date. BOEM’s virtual public meeting will be held on the following date at the time (Pacific time) indicated. • Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 1 p.m. Please go to https://www.boem.gov/ oregon for meeting link, dates, times and for additional information and updates. Meetings are open to the public and free to attend. Pre-registration is not required to attend. ADDRESSES: The draft EA and detailed information about BOEM’s actions related to offshore wind energy planning in Oregon can be found on BOEM’s website at https:// www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/stateactivities/oregon. Comments can be submitted in any of the following ways: • Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to https:// www.regulations.gov and search for docket no. BOEM–2023–0065. Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ button below the document link and follow online instructions. Enter your information and comment, then click ‘‘Submit Comment.’’ A commenter’s checklist is available on the comment web page; • Orally during the public meetings identified in this announcement; or • In written form by mail or any other delivery service, enclosed in an envelope labeled ‘‘Oregon Wind Leasing EA’’ and addressed to Chief, Environmental Analysis Section, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Camarillo, California Office, 760 Paseo Camarillo, Suite 102, Camarillo, CA 93010. For more information about submitting comments, please see ‘‘Information on Submitting Comments’’ under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION heading below. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:59 Apr 30, 2024 Jkt 262001 Lisa Gilbane, Chief, Environmental Analysis Section, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Camarillo, California Office, 760 Paseo Camarillo, Suite 102, Camarillo, CA 93010, (805) 384–6387 or lisa.gilbane@boem.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft EA analyzes the proposed action, which is the issuance of wind energy leases within the Oregon WEAs, and the no action alternative. The lease sale itself would not authorize any activities on the OCS. Therefore, the EA considers the reasonably foreseeable environmental consequences of site characterization surveys (i.e., biological, archeological, geological and geophysical surveys, and core samples) and site assessment activities (i.e., installation of meteorological buoys), which are expected to take place following lease issuance. Under the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations, BOEM is preparing an EA for this proposed action to assist the agency’s planning and decision-making (40 CFR 1501.5(b)). Availability of the Draft EA: The draft EA and associated information are available on BOEM’s website at: https:// www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/stateactivities/oregon. Information on Submitting Comments: All interested parties are requested to comment on the EA document and appendices. For information on how to submit comments, see the ADDRESSES section above. Freedom of Information Act: BOEM will protect privileged or confidential information that you submit as 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. BOEM will not treat as confidential any aggregate summaries of information or any comments not containing privileged or confidential information. Information that is not labeled as privileged or confidential may be regarded by BOEM as suitable for public release. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: PO 00000 Frm 00189 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 35221 Personally Identifiable Information: BOEM encourages you not to submit 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 personally identifiable information (PII) included in your comment, may be made publicly available. All submissions from identified individuals, businesses, and organizations will be available for public viewing at https:// www.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. Except for clearly identified privileged and confidential information, BOEM will make available for public inspection all comments, in their entirety, submitted by organizations and businesses, or by individuals identifying themselves as representatives of organizations or businesses. 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 NHPA as confidential. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231 et seq. (NEPA, as amended) and 40 CFR 1506.6. Richard Yarde, Pacific Regional Supervisor, Office of Environment, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [FR Doc. 2024–09360 Filed 4–30–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4340–98–P E:\FR\FM\01MYN1.SGM 01MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35220-35221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09360]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Docket No. BOEM-2023-0065]


Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment for 
Commercial Wind Lease Issuance on the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf, 
Oregon

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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[[Page 35221]]

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces the 
availability of a draft environmental assessment (EA) to consider the 
potential environmental impacts associated with possible wind energy-
related leasing and grant issuance, site assessment, and site 
characterization activities on the U.S. Pacific Outer Continental Shelf 
(OCS) offshore Oregon. This notice of availability (NOA) announces the 
start of the public review and comment period, as well as the dates and 
times for public meetings on the draft EA. After BOEM holds a public 
meeting and addresses public comments submitted during the review 
period, BOEM will publish a final EA. The EA will inform BOEM's 
decision on whether to issue wind energy leases and grants in the 
Pacific wind energy areas (WEAs) offshore Oregon.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than 30 days after 
publication date.
    BOEM's virtual public meeting will be held on the following date at 
the time (Pacific time) indicated.
     Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 1 p.m.
    Please go to https://www.boem.gov/oregon for meeting link, dates, 
times and for additional information and updates. Meetings are open to 
the public and free to attend. Pre-registration is not required to 
attend.

ADDRESSES: The draft EA and detailed information about BOEM's actions 
related to offshore wind energy planning in Oregon can be found on 
BOEM's website at https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/oregon. Comments can be submitted in any of the following 
ways:
     Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to 
https://www.regulations.gov and search for docket no. BOEM-2023-0065. 
Click on the ``Comment'' button below the document link and follow 
online instructions. Enter your information and comment, then click 
``Submit Comment.'' A commenter's checklist is available on the comment 
web page;
     Orally during the public meetings identified in this 
announcement; or
     In written form by mail or any other delivery service, 
enclosed in an envelope labeled ``Oregon Wind Leasing EA'' and 
addressed to Chief, Environmental Analysis Section, Bureau of Ocean 
Energy Management, Camarillo, California Office, 760 Paseo Camarillo, 
Suite 102, Camarillo, CA 93010.
    For more information about submitting comments, please see 
``Information on Submitting Comments'' under the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION heading below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Gilbane, Chief, Environmental 
Analysis Section, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Camarillo, 
California Office, 760 Paseo Camarillo, Suite 102, Camarillo, CA 93010, 
(805) 384-6387 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft EA analyzes the proposed action, 
which is the issuance of wind energy leases within the Oregon WEAs, and 
the no action alternative. The lease sale itself would not authorize 
any activities on the OCS. Therefore, the EA considers the reasonably 
foreseeable environmental consequences of site characterization surveys 
(i.e., biological, archeological, geological and geophysical surveys, 
and core samples) and site assessment activities (i.e., installation of 
meteorological buoys), which are expected to take place following lease 
issuance. Under the National Environmental Policy Act and its 
implementing regulations, BOEM is preparing an EA for this proposed 
action to assist the agency's planning and decision-making (40 CFR 
1501.5(b)).
    Availability of the Draft EA: The draft EA and associated 
information are available on BOEM's website at: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/oregon.
    Information on Submitting Comments: All interested parties are 
requested to comment on the EA document and appendices. For information 
on how to submit comments, see the ADDRESSES section above.
    Freedom of Information Act: BOEM will protect privileged or 
confidential information that you submit as 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.
    BOEM will not treat as confidential any aggregate summaries of 
information or any comments not containing privileged or confidential 
information. Information that is not labeled as privileged or 
confidential may be regarded by BOEM as suitable for public release.
    Personally Identifiable Information: BOEM encourages you not to 
submit 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 personally identifiable 
information (PII) included in your comment, may be made publicly 
available. All submissions from identified individuals, businesses, and 
organizations will be available for public viewing at https://www.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.
    Except for clearly identified privileged and confidential 
information, BOEM will make available for public inspection all 
comments, in their entirety, submitted by organizations and businesses, 
or by individuals identifying themselves as representatives of 
organizations or businesses.
    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 NHPA as confidential.
    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231 et seq. (NEPA, as amended) and 40 CFR 
1506.6.

Richard Yarde,
Pacific Regional Supervisor, Office of Environment, Bureau of Ocean 
Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2024-09360 Filed 4-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340-98-P

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