Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment for Commercial Wind Lease Issuance, Site Characterization Activities, and Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Maine Offshore the States of Maine and New Hampshire and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 73122 [2024-20225]

Download as PDF ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 73122 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 174 / Monday, September 9, 2024 / Notices developed within the range of design parameters outlined in the Maryland Offshore Wind COP, subject to the applicable mitigation measures. A notice of availability for the final EIS was published in the Federal Register on August 2, 2024. On August 22, 2024, BOEM published an errata on its website that included certain edits to chapter 2, chapter 3, and appendix G. None of these edits are substantive or affect the analysis or conclusions in the final EIS. The Project (full build-out) as proposed in the COP would include up to 121 wind turbine generators (WTGs), 1 meteorological tower, up to 4 offshore substations, and up to 4 offshore export cables, distributed across the lease area (OCS–A 0490). The lease area is located 10.1 statute miles (16.2 kilometers) off the coast of Maryland. The onshore components of the Project would include a cable landfall area in Sussex County, Delaware. From the landfall, onshore cables would continue along an inshore cable export route in Indian River Bay to connect to onshore substations adjacent to the point of interconnection in Millsboro, Delaware. After carefully considering public comments on the draft EIS and the alternatives described and analyzed in the final EIS, DOI selected Alternative B, ‘‘Proposed Action’’. Alternative B reduces the total number of WTGs from 121 to 114. Development of the wind energy facility would occur within the range of design parameters outlined in the COP, subject to applicable mitigation measures. The anticipated mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements, which will be included in BOEM’s COP approval as terms and conditions, are included in the ROD, which is available at https:// www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/stateactivities/maryland-offshore-wind. NMFS has adopted BOEM’s final EIS to support its decision about whether to promulgate the requested ITR and issue the associated LOA to US Wind. NMFS’ final decision will be documented in a separate Decision Memorandum prepared in accordance with internal NMFS policy and procedures. The final ITR and a notice of issuance of the LOA, if issued, will be published in the Federal Register. The LOA would authorize US Wind to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to Project construction and would set forth permissible methods of incidental taking; means of affecting the least practicable adverse impact on the species and their habitat; and requirements for monitoring and reporting. Pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), NMFS VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:19 Sep 06, 2024 Jkt 262001 issued a final Biological Opinion to BOEM on June 18, 2024, evaluating the effects of the proposed action on ESAlisted species. The proposed action in the Biological Opinion includes the associated permits, approvals, and authorizations that may be issued. The US Army Corps of Engineers plans to adopt the final EIS to support its decision whether to issue a Department of the Army permit under sections 10 and 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act at a later date under an independent ROD. Authority: National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); 40 CFR 1505.2. Karen Baker, Chief, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [FR Doc. 2024–20242 Filed 9–6–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4340–98–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [Docket No. BOEM–2024–0030] Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment for Commercial Wind Lease Issuance, Site Characterization Activities, and Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Maine Offshore the States of Maine and New Hampshire and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces the availability of the final environmental assessment (EA) and its finding that possible wind energy-related leasing, site assessment, and site characterization activities on the U.S. Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) (the Proposed Action) will not significantly impact the human environment. The draft EA analyzes the potential impacts of the Proposed Action and a No Action Alternative. The EA will inform BOEM’s decision about whether it will issue commercial wind energy leases in the Gulf of Maine offshore the States of Maine and New Hampshire and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its subsequent review of site assessment plans in the lease areas. ADDRESSES: The final EA and detailed information about proposed commercial SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 leases can be found on BOEM’s website at: https://www.boem.gov/renewableenergy/state-activities/maine/gulfmaine. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandi Sangunett, BOEM, Environment Branch for Renewable Energy, 45600 Woodland Road, Mail Stop VAM–OREP, Sterling, VA 20166, (703) 787–1015 or brandi.sangunett@boem.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed Action: The final EA analyzes the Proposed Action, which is to issue commercial wind energy leases in the Gulf of Maine wind energy area (WEA) and grant rights-of-way (ROWs) and rights-of-use and easement (RUEs). A BOEM-issued lease provides lessees the exclusive right to submit plans to BOEM for possible approval. The EA considers the reasonably foreseeable environmental consequences associated with site characterization activities (geophysical, geotechnical, archaeological, and biological surveys) and site assessment activities (including the installation and operation of meteorological buoys). BOEM prepared an EA for this proposed action to inform its planning and decision-making (40 CFR 1501.5(b)). Alternative: In addition to the Proposed Action, BOEM considered a No Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, BOEM would neither issue commercial wind energy leases nor grant ROWs and RUEs in the Gulf of Maine WEA. BOEM’s preferred alternative is the Proposed Action. Finding of no significant impact: After carefully considering the alternatives and comments from the public and cooperating and consulting agencies on the draft EA, BOEM finds that issuing commercial wind energy leases and granting ROWs and RUEs in the Gulf of Maine WEA would not significantly impact the environment. Availability of the final EA: The final EA and associated information are available on BOEM’s website at: https:// www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/stateactivities/maine/gulf-maine. Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231 et seq. (NEPA, as amended) and 40 CFR 1506.6. Karen Baker, Chief, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [FR Doc. 2024–20225 Filed 9–6–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4340–98–P E:\FR\FM\09SEN1.SGM 09SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 174 (Monday, September 9, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 73122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20225]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Docket No. BOEM-2024-0030]


Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment for 
Commercial Wind Lease Issuance, Site Characterization Activities, and 
Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf in 
the Gulf of Maine Offshore the States of Maine and New Hampshire and 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces the 
availability of the final environmental assessment (EA) and its finding 
that possible wind energy-related leasing, site assessment, and site 
characterization activities on the U.S. Atlantic Outer Continental 
Shelf (OCS) (the Proposed Action) will not significantly impact the 
human environment. The draft EA analyzes the potential impacts of the 
Proposed Action and a No Action Alternative. The EA will inform BOEM's 
decision about whether it will issue commercial wind energy leases in 
the Gulf of Maine offshore the States of Maine and New Hampshire and 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its subsequent review of site 
assessment plans in the lease areas.

ADDRESSES: The final EA and detailed information about proposed 
commercial leases can be found on BOEM's website at: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/maine/gulf-maine.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandi Sangunett, BOEM, Environment 
Branch for Renewable Energy, 45600 Woodland Road, Mail Stop VAM-OREP, 
Sterling, VA 20166, (703) 787-1015 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Proposed Action: The final EA analyzes the Proposed Action, which 
is to issue commercial wind energy leases in the Gulf of Maine wind 
energy area (WEA) and grant rights-of-way (ROWs) and rights-of-use and 
easement (RUEs). A BOEM-issued lease provides lessees the exclusive 
right to submit plans to BOEM for possible approval. The EA considers 
the reasonably foreseeable environmental consequences associated with 
site characterization activities (geophysical, geotechnical, 
archaeological, and biological surveys) and site assessment activities 
(including the installation and operation of meteorological buoys). 
BOEM prepared an EA for this proposed action to inform its planning and 
decision-making (40 CFR 1501.5(b)).
    Alternative: In addition to the Proposed Action, BOEM considered a 
No Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, BOEM would 
neither issue commercial wind energy leases nor grant ROWs and RUEs in 
the Gulf of Maine WEA. BOEM's preferred alternative is the Proposed 
Action.
    Finding of no significant impact: After carefully considering the 
alternatives and comments from the public and cooperating and 
consulting agencies on the draft EA, BOEM finds that issuing commercial 
wind energy leases and granting ROWs and RUEs in the Gulf of Maine WEA 
would not significantly impact the environment.
    Availability of the final EA: The final EA and associated 
information are available on BOEM's website at: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/maine/gulf-maine.
    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231 et seq. (NEPA, as amended) and 40 CFR 
1506.6.

Karen Baker,
Chief, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management.
[FR Doc. 2024-20225 Filed 9-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340-98-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.