Notice2021-21300
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Projects Offshore New Jersey
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 30, 2021
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentOcean Energy Management Bureau
Abstract
Consistent with the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), BOEM announces its intent to prepare an EIS for the review of a construction and operations plan (COP) submitted by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC, (Atlantic Shores) for its Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Projects. The COP proposes the development, construction, and operation of two wind energy projects (Project 1 and Project 2 or, collectively, the Projects) offshore New Jersey with transmission cables making landfall in either Atlantic City, New Jersey, Sea Girt, New Jersey, or both. This NOI announces the EIS scoping process for the Atlantic Shores COP. Additionally, this NOI seeks public comment and input under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulations. Detailed information about the proposed Projects, including the COP, can be found on BOEM's website at: https://www.boem.gov/atlantic- shores.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 187 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 187 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54231-54235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21300]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM-2021-0057]
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Projects Offshore New Jersey
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS).
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SUMMARY: Consistent with the regulations implementing the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), BOEM announces its intent to prepare
an EIS for the review of a construction and operations plan (COP)
submitted by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC, (Atlantic Shores) for
its Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Projects. The COP proposes the
development, construction, and operation of two wind energy projects
(Project 1 and Project 2 or, collectively, the Projects) offshore New
Jersey with transmission cables making landfall in either Atlantic
City, New Jersey, Sea Girt, New Jersey, or both. This NOI announces the
EIS scoping process for the Atlantic Shores COP. Additionally, this NOI
seeks public comment and input under section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulations.
Detailed information about the proposed Projects, including the COP,
can be found on BOEM's website at: <a href="https://www.boem.gov/atlantic-shores">https://www.boem.gov/atlantic-shores</a>.
DATES: Comments received by November 1, 2021, will be considered.
[[Page 54232]]
BOEM will hold virtual public scoping meetings for the Atlantic
Shores EIS at the following dates and times (eastern time):
<bullet> Tuesday, October 19, 5:00 p.m.
<bullet> Thursday, October 21, 1:00 p.m.; and
<bullet> Monday, October 25, 5:00 p.m.
Registration for the virtual public meetings may be completed here:
<a href="https://www.boem.gov/Atlantic-Shores-Scoping-Virtual-Meetings">https://www.boem.gov/Atlantic-Shores-Scoping-Virtual-Meetings</a>.
ADDRESSES: Written comments can be submitted in any of the following
ways:
<bullet> Delivered by mail or delivery service, enclosed in an
envelope labeled ``ATLANTIC SHORES COP EIS,'' and addressed to Program
Manager, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166; or
<bullet> Through the <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> web portal: Navigate to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for Docket No. BOEM-2021-0057. Select
the document in the search results on which you want to comment, click
on the ``Comment'' button, and follow the online instructions for
submitting your comment. A commenter's checklist is available on the
comment web page. Enter your information and comment, then click
``Submit.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Morin, Office of Renewable
Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland
Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166, (703) 787-1722 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#91fcf8f2f9f4fdfdf4bffcfee3f8ffd1f3fef4fcbff6fee7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="84e9ede7ece1e8e8e1aae9ebf6edeac4e6ebe1e9aae3ebf2">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Action
In Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and
Abroad, issued on January 27, 2021, President Biden stated that it is
the policy of the United States ``to organize and deploy the full
capacity of its agencies to combat the climate crisis to implement a
Government-wide approach that reduces climate pollution in every sector
of the economy; increases resilience to the impacts of climate change;
protects public health; conserves our lands, waters, and biodiversity;
delivers environmental justice; and spurs well-paying union jobs and
economic growth, especially through innovation, commercialization, and
deployment of clean energy technologies and infrastructure.''
Through a competitive leasing process conducted under 30 CFR
585.211, BOEM awarded US Wind, LLC, the Commercial Lease OCS-A 0499
covering an area offshore New Jersey (the Lease Area). The lease was
subsequently assigned to EDF Renewables Development, Inc., on November
16, 2018, and then to Atlantic Shores on August 13, 2019. Atlantic
Shores has the exclusive right to submit a COP for activities within
the Lease Area. Atlantic Shores submitted a COP to BOEM proposing the
construction and installation, operations and maintenance, and
conceptual decommissioning of two electrically distinct offshore wind
energy Projects in the Lease Area.
Atlantic Shores' purpose and need is to develop two offshore wind
energy generation Projects in the Lease Area to provide clean,
renewable energy to the New Jersey electrical grid. The Projects would
include up to 200 total wind turbine generators (WTGs) (between 105-136
WTGs for Project 1 and between 64-95 WTGs for Project 2), up to 10
offshore substations (up to five in each project), one permanent
meteorological (met) tower, up to four temporary meteorological and
oceanographic (metocean) buoys (one met tower and up to three metocean
buoys in Project 1 and one metocean buoy in Project 2), inter-array and
inter-link cables, up to two onshore substations, one operations and
maintenance facility, and up to eight transmission cables making
landfall at up to two New Jersey locations: The Atlantic Landfall site
in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Monmouth Landfall site in Sea Girt, New
Jersey, or both.
The Projects would contribute to New Jersey's goal of 7.5 gigawatts
(GW) of offshore wind energy generation by 2035 as outlined in New
Jersey Governor's Executive Order No. 92, issued on November 19, 2019.
Project 1 would fulfill the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
September 10, 2020, solicitation and subsequent June 30, 2021, award to
Atlantic Shores for 1,510 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind capacity.
Atlantic Shores is actively seeking additional offshore wind renewable
energy certificate awards or purchase power agreements for Project 2.
The Projects are intended to contribute substantially to the region's
electrical reliability and to help New Jersey achieve its renewable
energy goals.
Based on the goals of the applicant, BOEM's authority, and
Executive Order 14008, the purpose of BOEM's action is to determine
whether to approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove Atlantic
Shores COP to construct and install, operate and maintain, and
decommission two electrically distinct, commercial-scale, offshore wind
energy Projects within the Lease Area (the Proposed Action). BOEM's
action is needed to further the United States policy to make Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) energy resources available for expeditious and
orderly development, subject to environmental safeguards (43 U.S.C.
1332(3)), including consideration of natural resources, safety of
navigation, and existing ocean uses.
In addition, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's
(NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) anticipates receipt of
one or more requests for authorization to take marine mammals
incidental to activities related to the Projects under the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). NMFS issuance of an MMPA incidental take
authorization is a major Federal action and, in relation to BOEM's
action, is considered a connected action (40 CFR 1501.9(e)(1)). The
purpose of the NMFS action--which is a direct outcome of Atlantic
Shores' request for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to
specified activities associated with the Projects (e.g., pile
driving)--is to evaluate the applicant's request pursuant to specific
requirements of the MMPA and its implementing regulations administered
by NMFS, considering impacts of the applicant's activities on relevant
resources, and if appropriate, issue the authorization. NMFS needs to
render a decision regarding the request for authorization due to its
responsibilities under the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)(D)) and its
implementing regulations. If, after independent review, NMFS makes the
findings necessary to issue the requested authorization, NMFS intends
to adopt BOEM's EIS to support that decision and fulfill its NEPA
requirements.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, (USACE)
anticipates a permit action to be undertaken, through authority
delegated to the District Engineer by 33 CFR 325.8, under section 10 of
the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (RHA) (33 U.S.C. 403) and section
404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. 1344). In addition, it is
anticipated that a section 408 permission will be required pursuant to
section 14 of the RHA (33 U.S.C. 408) for any proposed alterations that
have the potential to alter, occupy, or use any federally authorized
civil works project. The USACE considers issuance of a permit or
permission under these three delegated authorities a major Federal
action connected to BOEM's Proposed Action (40 CFR 1501.9(e)(1)).
The applicant's stated purpose and need for the projects as
indicated above is to provide two commercially viable
[[Page 54233]]
offshore wind energy Projects within Lease OCS-A 0499 to help New
Jersey achieve its renewable energy goals. The basic Projects' purpose,
as determined by USACE for section 404(b)(1) guidelines evaluation, is
offshore wind energy generation. The overall Projects' purpose for
section 404(b)(1) guidelines evaluation, as determined by USACE, is the
construction and operation of commercial-scale, offshore wind energy
Projects for renewable energy generation and distribution to the New
Jersey energy grid. The purpose of the USACE section 408 action, as
determined by EC 1165-2-220, is to evaluate the applicant's request and
determine whether the proposed alterations are injurious to the public
interest or impair the usefulness of the USACE project. The USACE
section 408 permission is needed to ensure that congressionally
authorized projects continue to provide their intended benefits to the
public.
USACE intends to adopt BOEM's EIS to support its decision on any
permits and permissions requested under section 10 of the RHA, section
404 of the CWA, and section 14 of the RHA. The USACE would adopt the
EIS pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.3 if, after its independent review of the
document, it concludes that the EIS satisfies the USACE's comments and
recommendations. Based on its participation as a cooperating agency and
its consideration of the final EIS, the USACE would issue a record of
decision to formally document its decision on the Proposed Action.
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
The Proposed Action is to develop two electrically distinct,
offshore, wind energy generation Projects in the Lease Area to provide
clean, renewable energy to the New Jersey electrical grid. The Proposed
Action would include up to 200 total WTGs (between 105-136 WTGs for
Project 1 and between 64-95 WTGs for Project 2), up to 10 offshore
substations (up to five in each Project), one permanent met tower, up
to four temporary metocean buoys (one met tower and up to three
metocean buoys in Project 1 and one metocean buoy in Project 2), inter-
array and inter-link cables, up to two onshore substations, one
operations and maintenance facility, and up to eight transmission
cables making landfall at up to two New Jersey locations: The Atlantic
Landfall site in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Monmouth Landfall site
in Sea Girt, New Jersey, or both.
Atlantic Shores expects WTG and offshore substation foundations to
consist of either gravity-based jackets, monopiles, suction buckets, or
a combination of them. The WTGs, offshore substations, array cables,
and substation interconnector cables would be located on the OCS
approximately 8.7 miles (mi) (14 kilometers (km)) from the New Jersey
shoreline at its closest point. The offshore transmission cables would
be buried below the seabed of both the OCS and New Jersey state waters.
If any reasonable alternatives are identified during the scoping
period, BOEM will evaluate those alternatives in the draft EIS, which
will also include a no action alternative. Under the no action
alternative, BOEM would disapprove the COP and the Atlantic Shores'
Projects described in the COP would not be built in the Lease Area.
After BOEM completes the EIS, BOEM will decide whether to approve,
approve with modification, or disapprove the Atlantic Shores COP. If
BOEM approves the COP and the Projects are constructed, the lessee must
submit a plan to decommission the Projects before the end of the lease
term.
Summary of Expected Impacts
The draft EIS will identify and describe the effects of the
Proposed Action and the alternatives on the human environment that are
reasonably foreseeable and have a reasonably close causal relationship
to the Proposed Action and alternatives. This includes such effects
that occur at the same time and place as the Proposed Action and
alternatives and such effects that are later in time or not at the same
place. Expected impacts include, but are not limited to, impacts (both
beneficial and adverse) on air quality, water quality, bats, benthic
habitat, essential fish habitat, invertebrates, finfish, birds, marine
mammals, terrestrial and coastal habitats and fauna, sea turtles,
wetlands and other waters of the United States, commercial fisheries
and for-hire recreational fishing, cultural resources, demographics,
employment, economics, environmental justice, land use and coastal
infrastructure, navigation and vessel traffic, other marine uses,
recreation and tourism, and visual resources. The effects of these
expected impacts will be analyzed in the draft and final EIS.
Based on a preliminary evaluation of these resources, BOEM expects
impacts on sea turtles and marine mammals from underwater noise caused
by construction and from collisions with vessel traffic associated with
the Projects. Structures installed for the Projects could permanently
change benthic habitat and other fish habitat. Commercial fisheries and
for-hire recreational fishing could be impacted. The Projects'
structures above the water could affect the visual character defining
historic properties and recreational and tourism areas. The Projects'
structures also would pose an allision and height hazard to vessels
passing close by, and vessels would in turn pose a hazard to the
structures. Additionally, the Projects could adversely impact mineral
extraction, military use, air traffic, land-based radar services,
cables and pipelines, and scientific surveys. Beneficial impacts are
also expected by facilitating achievement of State renewable energy
goals, increasing job opportunities, improving air quality, and
reducing carbon emissions. The EIS will analyze measures that would
avoid, minimize, or mitigate environmental effects.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
In addition to the requested COP approval, various other Federal,
State, and local authorizations will be required for the Projects.
These include authorizations under the Endangered Species Act,
Magnuson[hyphen]Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, MMPA,
NHPA, RHA, CWA, Coastal Zone Management Act, and other laws and
regulations determined to be applicable to the Projects. BOEM will also
conduct government-to-government Tribal consultations. For a full
listing of regulatory requirements applicable to the Projects, please
see the COP, volume I, available at <a href="https://www.boem.gov/atlantic-shores">https://www.boem.gov/atlantic-shores</a>.
BOEM has chosen to use the NEPA substitution process to fulfill its
obligations under NHPA. While BOEM's obligations under NHPA and NEPA
are independent, the regulations implementing NHPA allow for the use of
NEPA review to substitute for various aspects of NHPA's section 106 (54
U.S.C. 306108) review to improve efficiency, promote transparency and
accountability, and support a broadened discussion of potential effects
that a project could have on the human environment. As provided in 36
CFR 800.8(c), the NEPA process and documentation required for the
preparation of an EIS and record of decision (ROD) can be used to
fulfill a lead Federal agency's NHPA section 106 review obligations in
lieu of the procedures set forth in 36 CFR 800.3 through 800.6. During
preparation of the EIS, BOEM will ensure that the NEPA substitution
process will meet its NHPA obligations necessary to successfully use
this alternative process.
[[Page 54234]]
Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
After the draft EIS is completed, BOEM will publish a notice of
availability (NOA) and request public comments on the draft EIS. BOEM
expects to issue the NOA in November 2022. After the public comment
period ends, BOEM will review and respond to comments received and will
develop the final EIS. BOEM expects to make the final EIS available to
the public in August 2023. A ROD will be completed no sooner than 30
days after the final EIS is released, in accordance with 40 CFR
1506.11.
This COP is a ``covered project'' under section 41 of the Fixing
America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41). FAST-41 provides
increased transparency and predictability by requiring Federal agencies
to publish comprehensive permitting timetables for all covered
projects. FAST-41 also provides procedures for modifying permitting
timetables to address the unpredictability inherent in the
environmental review and permitting process for significant
infrastructure projects. To view the FAST-41 Permitting Dashboard for
the Projects, visit: <a href="https://www.permits.performance.gov/permitting-project/atlantic-shores-project-1">https://www.permits.performance.gov/permitting-project/atlantic-shores-project-1</a>.
Scoping Process
This NOI commences the public scoping process to identify issues
and potential alternatives for consideration in the Atlantic Shores
EIS. Throughout the scoping process, Federal agencies; Tribal, State,
and local governments; and the general public have the opportunity to
help BOEM determine significant resources and issues, impact-producing
factors, reasonable alternatives (e.g., size, geographic, seasonal, or
other restrictions on construction and siting of facilities and
activities), and potential mitigation measures to be analyzed in the
EIS, as well as to provide additional information. In the interests of
efficiency, completeness, and facilitating public involvement, BOEM
will use the NEPA process to fulfill public involvement requirements
established in 36 CFR 800.2(d).
BOEM will hold virtual public scoping meetings for the Atlantic
Shores EIS at the following dates and times (eastern time):
<bullet> Tuesday, October 19, 5:00 p.m.;
<bullet> Thursday, October 21, 1:00 p.m.; and
<bullet> Monday, October 25, 5:00 p.m.
Registration for the virtual public meetings may be completed here:
<a href="https://www.boem.gov/atlantic-shores">https://www.boem.gov/atlantic-shores</a>-Scoping-Virtual-Meetings.
NEPA Cooperating Agencies
BOEM invites other Federal agencies, Tribes, and State and local
governments to consider becoming cooperating agencies in the
preparation of this EIS. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
NEPA regulations specify that qualified agencies and governments are
those with ``jurisdiction by law or special expertise.'' Potential
cooperating agencies should consider their authority and capacity to
assume the responsibilities of a cooperating agency and should be aware
that an agency's role in the environmental analysis neither enlarges
nor diminishes the final decision-making authority of any other agency
involved in the NEPA process.
Upon request, BOEM will provide potential cooperating agencies with
a written summary of expectations for cooperating agencies, including
schedules, milestones, responsibilities, scope and details of
cooperating agencies' contributions, and availability of pre-decisional
information. BOEM anticipates this summary will form the basis for a
memorandum of agreement between BOEM and any non-Department of the
Interior cooperating agency. Agencies also should consider the factors
for determining cooperating agency status in CEQ's memorandum titled
``Cooperating Agencies in Implementing the Procedural Requirements of
the National Environmental Policy Act'' of January 30, 2002. This
document is available on the internet at: <a href="http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/nepapub/nepa_documents/RedDont/G-CEQ-CoopAgenciesImplem.pdf">http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/nepapub/nepa_documents/RedDont/G-CEQ-CoopAgenciesImplem.pdf</a>.
BOEM, as the lead agency, does not provide financial assistance to
cooperating agencies. Even if a governmental entity is not a
cooperating agency, it will have opportunities to provide information
and comments to BOEM during the public input stages of the NEPA
process.
NHPA Consulting Parties
Certain individuals and organizations with a demonstrated interest
in the Projects can request to participate as NHPA consulting parties
under 36 CFR 800.2(c)(5) based on their legal or economic stake in, or
concern for, historic properties affected by the Projects. Before
issuing this NOI, BOEM compiled a list of potential consulting parties
and invited them to become consulting parties. To become a consulting
party, those invited must respond in writing, preferably by the
requested response date.
Interested individuals or organizations that did not receive a
written invitation can request to be consulting parties by writing to
the appropriate staff at ICF International, Inc., which is supporting
BOEM in its administration of this review. ICF's contact for this
review is Neil Sullivan. He can be reached at 9300 Lee Highway,
Fairfax, VA 22031 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bdfcc9d1dcd3c9d4deeed5d2cfd8ceeed8dec9d4d2d38c8d8bfdd4dedb93ded2d0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="df9eabb3beb1abb6bc8cb7b0adbaac8cbabcabb6b0b1eeefe99fb6bcb9f1bcb0b2">[email protected]</span></a>. BOEM will
determine which interested parties should be consulting parties.
Comments
Federal agencies; Tribal, State, and local governments; and other
interested parties are requested to comment on the scope of this EIS,
significant issues that should be addressed, and alternatives that
should be considered. For information on how to submit comments, see
the ADDRESSES section above.
BOEM does not consider anonymous comments. Please include your name
and address as part of your comment. BOEM makes all comments, including
the names, addresses, and other personally identifiable information
included in the comment, available for public review online.
Individuals can request that BOEM withhold their names, addresses, or
other personally identifiable information included in their comment
from the public record; however, BOEM cannot guarantee that it will be
able to do so. To help BOEM determine whether to withhold from
disclosure your personally identifiable information, you must identify
any information contained in your comments that, if released, would
constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of your privacy. You also
must briefly describe any possible harmful consequences of the
disclosure of information, such as embarrassment, injury, or other
harm.
Additionally, under section 304 of NHPA, BOEM is required, after
consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, to withhold the
location, character, or ownership of historic resources if it
determines that disclosure may, among other things, cause a significant
invasion of privacy, risk harm to the historic resources, or impede the
use of a traditional religious site by practitioners. Tribal entities
and other parties providing information on historic resources should
designate information that they wish to be held as confidential and
provide the reasons why BOEM should do so.
All submissions from organizations or businesses and from
individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of
[[Page 54235]]
organizations or businesses will be made available for public
inspection in their entirety.
Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and
Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action
BOEM requests data, comments, views, information, analyses,
alternatives, or suggestions on the Proposed Action from the public;
affected Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments, agencies, and
offices; the scientific community; industry; or any other interested
party. Specifically, BOEM requests information on the following topics:
1. Potential effects that the Proposed Action could have on
biological resources, including bats, birds, coastal fauna, finfish,
invertebrates, essential fish habitat, marine mammals, and sea turtles.
2. Potential effects that the Proposed Action could have on
physical resources, including air quality, water quality, and wetlands
and other waters of the United States.
3. Potential effects that the Proposed Action could have on
socioeconomic and cultural resources, including commercial fisheries
and for-hire recreational fishing, demographics, employment, economics,
environmental justice, land use and coastal infrastructure, navigation
and vessel traffic, other uses (marine minerals, military use,
aviation), recreation and tourism, and scenic and visual resources.
4. Other possible reasonable alternatives to the Proposed Action
that BOEM should consider, including additional or alternative
avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures.
5. As part of its compliance with NHPA section 106 (54 U.S.C.
306108) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800), BOEM seeks
public comment and input regarding the identification of historic
properties within the Proposed Action's area of potential effects and
the potential effects on those historic properties from the activities
proposed in the COP. BOEM requests feedback from the public and
consulting parties on the aforementioned information and any
information that supports identification of historic properties under
the NHPA. BOEM also solicits proposed measures to avoid, minimize, or
mitigate any adverse effects on historic properties. BOEM will present
available information regarding known historic properties during the
public scoping period at <a href="https://www.boem.gov/atlantic-shores">https://www.boem.gov/atlantic-shores</a>. BOEM's
effects analysis for historic properties will be available for public
and consulting party comment in the draft EIS.
6. Information on other current or planned activities in, or in the
vicinity of, the Proposed Action, their possible impacts on the
Projects, and the Project's possible impacts on those activities.
7. Other information relevant to the Proposed Action and its
impacts on the human environment.
To promote informed decision-making, comments should be as specific
as possible and should provide as much detail as necessary to
meaningfully participate and fully inform BOEM of the commenter's
position. Comments should explain why the issues raised are important
to the consideration of potential environmental impacts and
alternatives to the Proposed Action as well as economic, employment,
and other impacts affecting the quality of the human environment.
The draft EIS will include a summary that identifies all
alternatives, information, and analyses submitted by Federal agencies,
Tribal, State, and local governments, and other public commenters
during the scoping process for consideration by BOEM, cooperating
agencies, and the consulting parties.
Authority: This NOI is published pursuant to NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321
et seq., and implementing regulations at 40 CFR 1501.9.
William Yancey Brown,
Chief Environmental Officer, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2021-21300 Filed 9-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
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