Notice2022-09000
Call for Information and Nominations-Commercial Leasing for Wind Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore Oregon
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
April 29, 2022
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentOcean Energy Management Bureau
Abstract
This call for information and nominations (Call or notice) invites public comment on and assesses interest in possible commercial wind energy leasing on the OCS offshore the Oregon coast. BOEM will consider information received in response to this Call to determine whether to schedule a competitive lease sale or to issue a noncompetitive lease for any portion of the areas described in this Call (Call Areas). Those interested in providing comments and information regarding site conditions, resources, and multiple uses in close proximity to or within the Call Areas should provide the information requested in section 5, "Requested Information from Interested or Affected Parties," under the Supplementary Information heading of this Call. Those interested in leasing within the Call Areas for a commercial wind energy project should provide the information described in section 6, "Required Nomination Information," under Supplementary Information. BOEM may or may not offer a lease for a commercial offshore wind energy project within the Call Areas after further government consultations, public participation, and environmental analyses.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 83 (Friday, April 29, 2022)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 83 (Friday, April 29, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25529-25539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-09000]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM-2022-0009]
Call for Information and Nominations--Commercial Leasing for Wind
Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore Oregon
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.
ACTION: Call for information and nominations; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This call for information and nominations (Call or notice)
invites public comment on and assesses interest in possible commercial
wind energy leasing on the OCS offshore the Oregon coast. BOEM will
consider information received in response to this Call to determine
whether to schedule a competitive lease sale or to issue a
noncompetitive lease for any portion of the areas described in this
Call (Call Areas). Those interested in providing comments and
information regarding site conditions, resources, and multiple uses in
close proximity to or within the
[[Page 25530]]
Call Areas should provide the information requested in section 5,
``Requested Information from Interested or Affected Parties,'' under
the Supplementary Information heading of this Call. Those interested in
leasing within the Call Areas for a commercial wind energy project
should provide the information described in section 6, ``Required
Nomination Information,'' under Supplementary Information. BOEM may or
may not offer a lease for a commercial offshore wind energy project
within the Call Areas after further government consultations, public
participation, and environmental analyses.
DATES: Submissions indicating your nomination of interest in or
providing comments on commercial leasing within the Call Areas must be
received no later than June 28, 2022. Late submissions may not be
considered.
ADDRESSES: Please submit nomination information for commercial leasing
as discussed in section 6 entitled ``Required Nomination Information''
via U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS, or another mail carrier to: Bureau
of Ocean Energy Management, Office of Strategic Resources, 760 Paseo
Camarillo (Suite 102), Camarillo, California 93010. In addition to a
paper copy, please include an electronic copy on any digital data
storage device. Do not submit nominations via the Federal eRulemaking
Portal. BOEM will list the parties that submitted nominations and the
aggregated locations of nominated areas on the BOEM website after BOEM
has completed its review of the nominations.
Please submit all other comments and information by either of the
following two methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. In the
search box at the top of the web page, enter BOEM-2022-0009 and then
click ``search.'' Follow the instructions to submit public comments and
view supporting and related materials.
2. U.S. Postal Service or other mail delivery service. Send your
comments and other information to the following address: Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management, Office of Strategic Resources, 760 Paseo
Camarillo (Suite 102), Camarillo, California 93010.
For further information about submitting public comments, please
see section 7 entitled ``Protection of Privileged, Personal, or
Confidential Information.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Whitney Hauer, Renewable Energy
Specialist, BOEM, Office of Strategic Resources, 760 Paseo Camarillo
(Suite 102), Camarillo, California 93010, (805) 384-6263 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4c3b24253822293562242d39293e0c2e232921622b233a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6e1906071a000b1740060f1b0b1c2e0c010b0340090118">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Authority
This Call is published under subsection 8(p)(3) of the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), 43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3), and its
implementing regulations at 30 CFR 585.210 and 585.211.
2. Purpose
An essential part of BOEM's renewable energy leasing process is
working closely with State and local governments, Tribes, industry, and
ocean users to identify areas that may be suitable for potential
offshore wind energy development to power the Nation. This Call serves
two important purposes. The first is to collect information and
feedback on site conditions, resources, and ocean uses within the
identified area. The second is to help BOEM determine competitive
interest. BOEM has not yet determined which areas, if any, within the
Call Area may be offered for lease. Your input is essential and will
help BOEM determine areas that may be suitable for offshore wind energy
development. While this is not the only opportunity to provide
feedback, it is an important one. There will be multiple opportunities
to provide feedback throughout the renewable energy process including
if BOEM receives any proposed projects in the future. An explanation of
the development of the Call Areas and their detailed descriptions may
be found below in sections 3 and 4. For more information about BOEM's
competitive and noncompetitive leasing process, please see section 9.
3. Development of the Call Area
BOEM coordinates OCS renewable energy activities offshore Oregon
with its Federal, State, local, and federally recognized Tribal
government partners through the BOEM Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable
Energy Task Force (Task Force). The current Task Force roster and past
meeting materials are available at <a href="https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/boem-oregon-intergovernmental-renewable-energy-task-force">https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/boem-oregon-intergovernmental-renewable-energy-task-force</a>.
Following a Task Force meeting in September 2019, BOEM and the
Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) drafted
the ``Data Gathering and Engagement Plan for Offshore Wind Energy in
Oregon'' (Plan). This Plan outlines how BOEM and the State of Oregon
(State) would engage with research organizations and potentially
interested and affected parties to gather data and information to
inform potential offshore wind energy leasing decisions offshore
Oregon. At its meeting in June 2020, the Task Force discussed the Plan,
and BOEM and the State committed to conduct offshore wind energy
planning. The offshore wind energy planning area within which data and
information were to be collected for potential leasing encompassed the
OCS offshore Oregon in water depths less than 4,265 feet (1,300 meters)
and with average wind speed of at least 15.7 miles per hour (7 meters
per second). The area offshore Oregon within these fundamental
parameters represents about 6,982,015 acres (10,909 square miles).\1\
The Plan was finalized in October 2020 and is available at <a href="https://www.boem.gov/BOEM-OR-OSW-Engagement-Plan">https://www.boem.gov/BOEM-OR-OSW-Engagement-Plan</a>.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ All references to miles in this notice are statute miles
unless noted otherwise.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once an initial area was defined as described above, BOEM and the
State, in coordination with DLCD, conducted offshore wind energy
planning to inform the identification of the Call Areas and held 75
outreach and engagement meetings from October 2020 through December
2021. BOEM invited nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon, two
federally recognized Tribes in California and five federally recognized
Tribes in Washington to engage on the topic of offshore wind energy
planning in Oregon. In addition, meetings were held with potentially
interested and affected parties, including coastal communities, ocean
users, industry, elected officials, environmental organizations,
research organizations, and the general public. Six public webinars and
workshops were hosted by BOEM in 2021. The webinar recordings and other
information are available at <a href="https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/2021-oregon-offshore-wind-energy-planning-public-webinars">https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/2021-oregon-offshore-wind-energy-planning-public-webinars</a>. BOEM and DLCD also engaged with councils, commissions, and
other organizations at their standing meetings when possible. Examples
include city councils, Oregon Ocean Policy Advisory Council, Pacific
Fishery Management Council, county boards of commissioners, some of the
Oregon Seafood Commodity Commissions, and non-governmental
organizations. Additional information on those meetings is publicly
available and posted at <a href="https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/oregon/boem-and-state-oregon-participation-standing-meetings">https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/oregon/boem-and-state-oregon-participation-standing-meetings</a>.
The Oregon Offshore Wind Mapping Tool (OROWindMap) was created by
[[Page 25531]]
DLCD within the West Coast Ocean Data Portal in partnership with BOEM.
This is the data catalog and data visualization tool BOEM used to
leverage existing geospatial data to curate a catalog of information
specific to offshore wind energy planning on the OCS offshore Oregon
and to generate thematic maps that highlight information about natural
resources, the physical environment, and human uses on the OCS.
OROWindMap is available for public access at <a href="https://offshorewind.westcoastoceans.org">https://offshorewind.westcoastoceans.org</a>. Public webinars were included in the
outreach effort to introduce the mapping tool and data catalog
functions and to provide the public with opportunities to comment,
provide feedback, or identify additional data resources for inclusion
in the system.
At its October 2021 meeting, the Task Force discussed the data
gathering and engagement efforts. The final ``Data Gathering and
Engagement Summary Report,'' available at <a href="https://www.boem.gov/OregonDataandEngagementReport2022">https://www.boem.gov/OregonDataandEngagementReport2022</a>, outlines the outcome of BOEM's and
DLCD's data gathering and engagement efforts undertaken from October
2020 through December 2021. The report also includes input and concerns
received from public stakeholders, ocean users, and Tribal engagement
meetings regarding offshore wind energy planning in Oregon. In 2022,
BOEM continued engagement with over 10 stakeholder meetings.
At its February 2022 meeting, the Task Force discussed the
rationale for the identification of Call Areas. BOEM and the Pacific
Fishery Management Council's Marine Planning Committee hosted an online
work session in March 2022 and solicited public comment.
The identification of the Call Areas is a result of data and
information received throughout the planning effort from 2020 through
2022. The Call Areas are focused offshore the south central and
southern Oregon coast where the high wind energy resource would
contribute to an estimated lower cost of energy and greater potential
for commercial viability. The Call Areas are of a sufficient size to
allow for refinement during area identification, the next step in the
leasing process after the Call. The wind energy areas (WEA) that result
from area identification will be smaller than the Call Areas in this
notice. The WEA will be the subject of environmental review, including
public participation, for possible commercial leasing. In coordination
with the State, BOEM is considering 3 gigawatts of near-team commercial
development for the first leasing activities offshore Oregon.
BOEM considered the following parameters in the development of Call
Areas.
a. Demand for Renewable Energy
The Oregon 100% Clean Energy Law requires Oregon's investor-owned
utilities and service suppliers to supply 100 percent greenhouse gas-
free electricity by 2040. Commercial offshore wind energy development
may contribute to the State and regional energy goals.
b. Suitability for Offshore Wind
i. Wind Resource and Cost of Energy
BOEM considered wind resource modeling from the National Renewable
Energy Laboratory (NREL), which indicates that the wind resource
offshore Oregon is viable for energy development where the annual
average wind speed varies from about 8 meters per second (17.9 miles
per hour) in the north to over 11 meters per second (24.6 miles per
hour) in the south. These are some of the strongest offshore winds in
the country. A map of the average annual wind speed is available at
<a href="https://bit.ly/3HGBkph">https://bit.ly/3HGBkph</a>. BOEM considered NREL's estimated cost of
electricity produced by floating wind energy facilities offshore
Oregon, reported as the levelized cost of energy. BOEM identified the
Call Areas offshore the south central and southern Oregon coast as
likely economically viable for offshore wind energy development based
on both the estimated wind resource and cost modeling. Additional
information on the cost modeling is available at <a href="https://www.boem.gov/PR-20-OWC-presentation">https://www.boem.gov/PR-20-OWC-presentation</a>.
ii. Seafloor Conditions
The slope of the seafloor affects the suitability of an area for
offshore wind energy development. BOEM removed the Rouge canyon system,
including canyon floors and walls, from consideration for the Call
Areas due to the anticipated engineering challenges. Canyon systems
have complex bathymetry and a density of slopes of greater than ten
degrees that correlate with increased project cost and complexity. A
map of the Rouge canyon delineation with the canyon floors and walls is
available at <a href="https://bit.ly/3MxdNL9">https://bit.ly/3MxdNL9</a>. BOEM is requesting industry
feedback on considerations for offshore energy development of mooring
systems and subsea transmission cables in areas of steep slope.
iii. Water Depth
Outreach and data gathering efforts conducted by BOEM and the State
focused on areas with water depths up to 1,300 meters as a reasonable
limit for near-term development of floating offshore wind energy
facilities, based on the current technoeconomic feasibility as
suggested by NREL in offshore wind cost modeling studies on the West
Coast (see Wind resource and cost of energy section). On the westward
boundary, partial OCS blocks within the Call Areas include 1,300 meter
water depths. Future planning may consider additional areas in water
depths greater than 1,300 meters.
iv. Transmission Availability
NREL estimated that approximately 2.6 gigawatts of offshore wind
could be physically integrated into Oregon's onshore power system
without major trans-coastal upgrades or curtailments if it were
distributed along five existing points of interconnection along the
Oregon coast. Of the five points of interconnection studied by NREL,
Wendson and Fairview are closest to the Call Areas. The NREL study
report is available at <a href="https://www.boem.gov/BOEM-2021-064">https://www.boem.gov/BOEM-2021-064</a>.
c. Maritime Navigation
In coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard, BOEM excluded the lanes
established for towboats in the long-standing Crabber/Towboat lane
agreement, updated in 2019, from Call Area consideration. A map of the
lanes established by the agreement is available at <a href="https://bit.ly/3HQl0lX">https://bit.ly/3HQl0lX</a>. Also, BOEM and the State coordinated on the development of an
exclusion buffer where the Call Areas are located beyond 13.8 miles (12
nautical miles) from shore. This reduces potential impacts from wind
turbine generators installed offshore to existing nearshore maritime
traffic use. This exclusion buffer from shore generally reduces
potential visual impacts and many nearshore conflicts with human uses,
wildlife, and habitat described below.
d. Subsea Cables
Areas with high concentrations of subsea cables were removed from
consideration for the development of the Call Areas. However, areas
with individual existing subsea cables were not excluded as they may be
avoided within a lease area during project siting. A map of both these
cable locations is available at <a href="https://bit.ly/3Cad2CD">https://bit.ly/3Cad2CD</a>.
e. Commercial Fishing
Fishing activities were considered during the identification of
Call Areas to
[[Page 25532]]
reduce space-use conflicts to the extent practicable. Economic
productivity of Oregon's invertebrate fisheries reflects biological
productivity and is higher on the continental shelf when compared to
the continental slope. Substantial portions of the fishing grounds for
Dungeness crab and pink shrimp, the two highest-value fisheries landed
in Oregon ports, are avoided by the 13.8 mile exclusion buffer from
shore. A map of the Dungeness crab and pink shrimp fishing effort is
available at <a href="https://bit.ly/36HDgS1">https://bit.ly/36HDgS1</a>. Five offshore banks, some of which
are important fishing grounds, were also excluded from Call Area
consideration (see Wildlife and habitat section). In the future, vessel
monitoring system data and other datasets will be used to identify
important fishing ground(s) for fisheries relevant to the Call Areas.
Coordination with the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Pacific
Fishery Management Council, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife,
the fishing industry and individual members of the fishing community is
ongoing and will assist in further reduction of existing space-use
conflicts during the planning and leasing process.
f. Wildlife and Habitat
i. Marine Mammals
Potential impacts to multiple protected species and habitats are
reduced with the 13.8 mile exclusion buffer from shore. BOEM's current
understanding of marine mammal use of Oregon coastal waters includes
the following: (a) Gray whale migratory routes are most dense within
6.9 miles from shore; (b) Southern Resident killer whale habitat occurs
within 11.5 miles from shore along the Oregon coastline to 656 feet
(200 meters) water depths; (c) humpback whales are generally
concentrated in water depths up to 328 feet (100 meters), with highest
densities of occurring near the Farallones, offshore central
California, and in Monterey Bay. A map of the gray whale migration
corridor and the Southern Resident killer whale critical habitat is
available at <a href="https://bit.ly/3MkWMmW">https://bit.ly/3MkWMmW</a>. Other Endangered Species Act (ESA)
protected species include sperm, blue, fin, and sei whales, which will
be further considered during the planning and leasing process.
ii. Sea Turtles
Leatherback sea turtle critical habitat includes approximately
16,910 square miles (43,798 square kilometers) stretching along the
California coast from Point Arena to Cape Blanco, Oregon, east of the
6,561 foot (2,000 meter) depth contour. A map is available at <a href="https://bit.ly/3tFOQEm">https://bit.ly/3tFOQEm</a>. Other ESA protected species include loggerhead and
olive ridley sea turtles. Potential impacts are reduced with the 13.8
mile exclusion buffer from shore, however, potential impacts to sea
turtles will be further evaluated during the planning and leasing
process.
iii. Marine Birds
Avian diversity and density generally decrease with distance from
shore. The National Audubon Society identified Heceta, Stonewall, and
Perpetua Banks as ``Important Bird Areas,'' (<a href="http://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas">http://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas</a>) citing the combination of productive waters and
the activity of fishing boats drawing a diversity of seabirds. These
three banks were removed from consideration for the Call Areas. ESA
protected bird species offshore or along the coast of Oregon include
the endangered Short-tailed Albatross and Hawaiian Petrel; threatened
species include the Marbled Murrelet and Western Snowy Plover.
Potential impacts to all these species will be further considered
during the planning and leasing process.
iv. Marine Habitats
The majority of the seabed within the Call Areas consists of soft
sediments, with sandy habitats more common in shallow depths and mud
habitats becoming dominant as depth increases. Rock outcrops may form
reefs at any depth and occur over a much smaller percentage of the
seabed, but are often concentrated in offshore banks. Carbonate reefs
can form where methane seeps occur. Biodiversity and biological
productivity show the highest values in reef habitats and in nearshore
environments. Therefore, in addition to Heceta, Stonewall, and Perpetua
Banks, Siltcoos and Coquille Banks were also excluded from
consideration for the Call Areas due to their biodiversity. BOEM will
continue to coordinate with DLCD on the definition and locations of
sensitive or highly productive habitats and anticipates removing such
areas during the planning and leasing process.
g. Submerged Landforms
During the Late Pleistocene, at the Last Glacial Maximum (20,000
years before present), the glaciers that covered vast portions of the
Earth's surface sequestered massive amounts of water as ice and lowered
global sea level approximately 426 feet (130 meters). Federally
recognized Tribes, including the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower
Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, expressed the importance of avoiding
terrestrial archeological resources that may be associated with
submerged landforms features on the OCS. Based on the current
understanding of sea level rise and modelling of the potential for
locating intact submerged landform features, the majority of the
identified Call Areas are in water depths greater than 130 meters,
thereby avoiding most potential submerged landform features. Prior to
approving any seafloor disturbing activities, archaeological surveys
would be required to identify potential intact submerged landform
features and further avoid or minimize impacts to those areas. An
inventory and analysis of the occurrence of submerged archaeological
site potential on the Pacific OCS is available at <a href="https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/environmental-stewardship/Environmental-Studies/Pacific-Region/Studies/pc-11-01.pdf">https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/environmental-stewardship/Environmental-Studies/Pacific-Region/Studies/pc-11-01.pdf</a>.
h. Viewshed
The Oregon coastline contains various natural areas, lighthouses,
beaches, and other public spaces with viewsheds that include the Call
Areas. Certain areas along the Oregon coast and offshore are also
significant to the creation stories and religious beliefs of Native
Americans. Excluding areas inshore of 13.8 miles of the coast reduces
but may not eliminate viewshed concerns. A map of the State's special
area viewsheds and scenic class value viewsheds are available at
<a href="https://bit.ly/3Cc0RFn">https://bit.ly/3Cc0RFn</a>. Viewshed will continue to be evaluated and
considered during the planning and leasing process.
i. Tribal Considerations
The Call Areas were chosen in part to minimize the potential
impacts identified by federally recognized Tribes, including impacts to
submerged landforms, resident and migratory species use, viewshed, and
traditional cultural properties. Federally recognized Tribes with
ancestral territory in Oregon or interest in Oregon offshore wind
energy planning are invited to engage in government-to-government
consultation with BOEM during the planning and leasing process to
inform potential leasing decisions.
j. Department of Defense Considerations
The Department of Defense conducts offshore military training and
operations within the Call Areas. The Department of Defense is
currently assessing the mission compatibility of potential development
in the Oregon Call Areas. BOEM will continue coordinating with the
Department of Defense to explore mission compatible areas within the
Call Areas.
[[Page 25533]]
BOEM will use information and feedback resulting from this Call to
inform the delineation of WEAs for environmental reviews for potential
offshore wind leasing. BOEM anticipates developing and imposing terms
and conditions--including any measures necessary to mitigate potential
impacts--at the leasing, site assessment, and/or construction and
operations phases of its authorization process. The terms and
conditions for offshore renewable energy leases granted and approved
plans are available to the public and are posted to the BOEM State
Activity web pages available at <a href="https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities">https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities</a>.
4. Description of Call Areas
Two Call Areas are included in this notice. From north to south,
they are the Coos Bay Call Area and the Brookings Call Area, which
total about 1,159,298 acres (1,811 square miles) located offshore
south-central and southern Oregon, respectively. The estimated offshore
wind capacity of both Call Areas is about 14 gigawatts, assuming a
power density of approximately 0.012 megawatts per acre (3 megawatts
per square kilometer). The Call Areas are described geographically in
this section. A map of the Call Areas and associated geographic
information system (GIS) files can be found at <a href="https://www.boem.gov/Oregon">https://www.boem.gov/Oregon</a>.
a. Coos Bay Call Area
The boundary of the Coos Bay Call Area begins 13.8 miles offshore
Charleston, Oregon, and extends to about 65 miles offshore. The eastern
boundary water depth ranges from about 394 to 722 feet (120 to 220
meters). The area is about 67 miles in length from north to south and
about 41 miles in width from east to west. The entire area is
approximately 872,854 acres (1,364 square miles) and is described in
the table below. The estimated offshore wind power capacity is about
10.6 gigawatts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Official protraction
Official protraction diagram name diagram No. Block No. Sub-block
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6017 P.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6018 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6019 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6020 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6021 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6022 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6023 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6024 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6025 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6026 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6027 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6028 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6067 D.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6068 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6069 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6070 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6071 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6072 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6073 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6074 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6075 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6076 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6077 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6078 A, B, C, D, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6118 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6119 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6120 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6121 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6122 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6123 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6124 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6125 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6126 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6127 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6128 A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6168 A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, O,
P.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6169 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6170 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6171 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6172 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6173 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6174 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6175 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6176 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6177 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6178 A, B, E, F, I, J, M, N.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6218 C, D, G, H, K, L, O, P.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6219 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6220 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6221 All.
[[Page 25534]]
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6222 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6223 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6224 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6225 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6226 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6227 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6228 A, B, E, I, M.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6267 P.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6268 B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N,
O, P.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6269 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6270 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6271 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6272 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6273 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6274 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6275 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6276 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6277 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6278 A.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6317 D, H, K, L, O, P.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6318 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6319 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6320 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6321 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6322 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6323 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6324 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6325 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6326 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6327 A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, M, N,
O.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6367 B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, N, O, P.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6368 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6369 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6370 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6371 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6372 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6373 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6374 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6375 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6376 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6377 A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6417 B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, O, P.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6418 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6419 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6420 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6421 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6422 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6423 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6424 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6425 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6426 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6427 A, B, E, F, I, M.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6467 B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6468 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6469 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6470 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6471 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6472 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6473 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6474 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6475 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6476 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6477 A, E.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6516 H, L, P.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6517 C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O,
P.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6518 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6519 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6520 All.
[[Page 25535]]
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6521 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6522 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6523 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6524 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6525 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6526 A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, M.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6567 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6568 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6569 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6570 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6571 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6572 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6573 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6574 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6575 A, B, C, D, E, F, G, I, J, M, N.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6617 A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, N, O,
P.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6618 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6619 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6620 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6621 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6622 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6623 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6624 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6625 A, E.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6667 O, P.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6668 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6669 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6670 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6671 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6672 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6673 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6674 A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6717 B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N,
O, P.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6718 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6719 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6720 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6721 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6722 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6723 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6724 A, B, E, F, I, J, M, N.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6767 A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6768 A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6769 A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6770 A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6771 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6772 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6773 All.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6774 A, B, E, F, I, J, M, N.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6823 D.
Coos Bay.......................... NK10-01............. 6824 A, B, C.
Newport Valley.................... NL10-10............. 7167 M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley.................... NL10-10............. 7168 M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley.................... NL10-10............. 7169 M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley.................... NL10-10............. 7170 M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley.................... NL10-10............. 7171 M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley.................... NL10-10............. 7172 M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley.................... NL10-10............. 7173 M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley.................... NL10-10............. 7174 M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley.................... NL10-10............. 7175 M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley.................... NL10-10............. 7176 M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley.................... NL10-10............. 7177 M, N, O, P.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 25536]]
b. Brookings Call Area
The boundary of the Brookings Call area begins 13.8 miles offshore
Gold Beach and Brookings, Oregon, and extends to about 46 miles
offshore. The eastern boundary water depth ranges from about 410 to
1,115 feet (125 to 340 meters). The area is about 46 miles in length
from north to south and about 22 miles in width from east to west. The
entire area is approximately 286,444 acres (448 square miles) and is
described in the table below. The offshore wind energy capacity of the
Brookings Call Area is about 3.5 gigawatts.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Official protraction
Official protraction diagram name diagram No. Block No. Sub-block
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6522 P.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6523 M, N, O.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6572 C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, P.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6573 A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6622 D, H, K, L, O, P.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6623 A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6672 B, C, D, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O,
P.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6673 A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6721 D, G, H, K, L, N, O, P.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6722 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6723 A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6768 P.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6769 G, H, J, K, L, M, N, O, P.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6770 E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6771 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6772 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6773 A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6818 D, G, H, K, L, O, P.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6819 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6820 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6821 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6822 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6823 A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N,
O, P.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6868 C, D, G, H, K, L, P.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6869 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6870 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6871 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6872 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6873 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6874 M.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6918 D.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6919 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6920 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6921 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6922 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6923 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6924 A, E, F, I, J, M, N, O.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6969 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6970 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6971 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6972 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6973 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 6974 A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O, P.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7017 P.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7018 D, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7019 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7020 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7021 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7022 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7023 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7024 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7067 D, G, H, K, L, N, O, P.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7068 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7069 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7070 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7071 All.
[[Page 25537]]
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7072 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7073 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7074 All.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7075 E, I, M, N.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7117 A, B, C, D.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7118 A, B, C, D.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7119 A, B, C, D.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7120 A, B, C, D.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7121 A, B, C, D.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7122 A, B, C, D.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7123 A, B, C, D, F, G, H.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7124 A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H.
Cape Blanco....................... NK10-04............. 7125 A, B, E, F, G.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A map of the Call Areas and associated GIS files are available at
<a href="https://www.boem.gov/Oregon">https://www.boem.gov/Oregon</a>.
5. Requested Information From Interested or Affected Parties
As mentioned previously, your feedback is essential to help BOEM
identify areas that may be suitable for potential offshore wind
development. BOEM requests specific and detailed comments from the
public and interested or affected parties regarding the following
features, activities, or concerns in or around the Call Areas. Where
applicable, spatial information should be submitted in a format
compatible with ArcGIS in a coordinate system based on NAD 83 or WGS 84
datums.
a. Geological, geophysical, and biological conditions (including
bottom and shallow hazards and live bottom).
b. Known archaeological and/or cultural resource sites on the
seabed. Please note that BOEM is required to protect from disclosure
certain information related to archaeological and cultural resources.
See section 7(c) below with further information about section 304 of
the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
c. Historic properties potentially affected by site
characterization (e.g., surveys), site assessment (e.g., buoy
installation), or commercial wind development. This information will
inform BOEM's review of future undertakings under section 106 of the
NHPA and under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
d. Other uses of the OCS in or near the Call Areas, particularly
with regard to vessel navigation. Additional information regarding
recreational and commercial fisheries including, but not limited to,
the use of the areas, the fishing gear types used, seasonal use, and
recommendations for reducing use conflicts.
e. Available and pertinent data and information concerning
renewable energy resources and environmental conditions.
f. Information relating to visual resources and aesthetics, the
potential impacts of wind turbines to those resources, and potential
strategies to help mitigate or minimize any visual effects.
g. Other relevant socioeconomic, cultural, biological, and
environmental information.
h. Environmental justice information.
i. Offshore wind energy industry feedback on the considerations for
offshore energy development in deep waters, including greater than
1,300 meters water depths, and in areas where the seafloor slope is
greater than 10 degrees with respect to mooring configurations and
subsea transmission cables. Feedback on other development
considerations in deep waters, such as available floating technology,
transmission distance, water depth, seafloor conditions, and operations
and maintenance feasibility and costs.
j. Information on coastal or onshore activities needed to support
offshore wind development, such as port and transmission
infrastructure, and associated potential impacts to recreation, scenic,
cultural, historic, and natural resources, relating to those
activities.
k. Any other relevant information BOEM should consider during its
planning and decision-making process for the purpose of identifying
areas to lease in the Call Areas.
6. Required Nomination Information
If you wish to nominate one or more areas within the Call Areas for
a commercial wind energy lease, you must provide the following
information for each nomination. BOEM will consider it along with any
information received in response to this notice.
a. The BOEM leasing map name and number, or official protraction
diagram number, and the specific whole or partial OCS blocks within the
Call Areas that you are interested in leasing. For context, BOEM would
consider the nomination of an area comprising approximately 82,370
acres (approximately 129 square miles) reasonable, as it would likely
be able to support a 1-gigawatt wind facility, assuming a power density
of approximately 0.012 megawatts per acre. Nominations that
considerably exceed approximately 82,370 acres may be deemed
unreasonable and not accepted by BOEM. This information should be
submitted as a spatial file compatible with ArcGIS in a coordinate
system based on NAD 83 or WGS 84 datums in addition to your hard copy
submittal. If your nomination includes one or more partial blocks,
please describe those partial blocks in terms of sixteenths (i.e., sub-
block) of an OCS block.
b. A description of your objectives and the facilities that you
would use to achieve those objectives.
c. A preliminary schedule of proposed activities, including those
leading to commercial operations.
d. Available and pertinent data and information concerning
renewable energy resources and environmental conditions in each area
that you wish to lease, including energy and resource data and
information used to evaluate the area. Where applicable, spatial
information should be submitted in a format compatible with ArcGIS in a
coordinate system based on NAD 83 or WGS 84 datums.
e. Documentation demonstrating that you are legally, technically,
and financially qualified to hold a lease in accordance with the
requirements in 30 CFR 585.106 and 585.107. Qualification materials
should be developed in accordance with the guidelines available at
<a href="https://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Qualification-Guidelines/">https://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Qualification-Guidelines/</a>. Legal,
technical and financial qualification documents that you provide to
BOEM may be made available for public review. If you wish that any part
of your qualification
[[Page 25538]]
documentation be kept confidential, clearly identify what should be
kept confidential, explain the basis on which we could do so in the
event of a Freedom of Information Act request, and submit it under
separate cover (see section 7 entitled ``Protection of Privileged,
Personal, or Confidential Information,'' below).
It is not required to submit a nomination in response to this Call
in order to participate in a potential future competitive lease sale
offshore Oregon, if BOEM determines that competitive interest exists.
You will not be able to participate in such a competitive lease sale,
however, unless you demonstrate prior to the sale that you are legally,
technically, and financially qualified to hold a BOEM renewable energy
lease. To ensure that BOEM has sufficient time to process your
qualifications package, you should submit this package during the
proposed sale notice 60-day public comment period (see section 9
entitled ``BOEM's Planning and Leasing Process,'' below).
7. Protection of Privileged, Personal, or Confidential Information
a. Freedom of Information Act
BOEM will protect your privileged or confidential information in
accordance with 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 585.113(b) that it qualifies for
exemption from disclosure under FOIA. Please label privileged or
confidential information with the words ``Contains Confidential
Information'' and consider submitting such information as a separate
attachment.
BOEM will not treat as confidential any aggregate summaries of such
information or comments not containing such privileged or confidential
information. Additionally, BOEM will not treat as confidential (1) the
legal title of the nominating entity (for example, the name of your
company), or (2) the list of whole or partial blocks that you are
nominating. Information that is not labeled as privileged or
confidential may be regarded by BOEM as suitable for public release.
b. Personally Identifiable Information
BOEM does not consider 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 on
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. For BOEM to withhold 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. BOEM is unable to guarantee that it will be able
to withhold your information from public view under current law.
c. Section 304 of NHPA (54 U.S.C. 307103(a))
After consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, 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 in
their submissions information they believe is entitled to protection
from disclosure under section 304 of NHPA.
8. BOEM's Environmental Review Process
Before deciding whether and where leases may be issued, BOEM will
conduct the planning and leasing process described in section 9. After
designating WEAs, BOEM will conduct an environmental analysis under
NEPA and is committed to including public scoping periods and a public
review and comment period for the analysis. Previously when deciding
whether and where renewable energy leases may be issued, BOEM has
prepared an environmental assessment (EA) to consider the reasonably
foreseeable environmental consequences of activities that take place
after leasing, such as site characterization activities (including
geophysical, geotechnical, archaeological, and biological surveys) and
site assessment activities (including installation of a meteorological
tower or meteorological buoy). BOEM may also conduct consultations.
These consultations may include, but are not limited to, those required
by the Coastal Zone Management Act, the Endangered Species Act, the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, section 106
of NHPA, and Executive Order 13175--``Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments.'' Through the NEPA and consultation
process, BOEM may identify mitigation measures to minimize possible
environmental impacts resulting from project activities, such as
impacts to migratory birds, marine mammals, and sea turtles.
Before BOEM allows a lessee to begin construction of a wind energy
project on a lease issued within the Call Areas, BOEM will consider the
potential environmental consequences of the construction and operation
of any wind energy facility under a separate, project-specific
environmental review under NEPA. This review will include additional
opportunities for public involvement and likely will result in the
publication of an environmental impact statement.
9. BOEM's Planning and Leasing Process
a. Determination of Competitive Interest
Subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCSLA (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3)) states that
``the Secretary shall issue a lease, easement, or right-of-way . . . on
a competitive basis unless the Secretary determines after public notice
of a proposed lease, easement, or right-of-way that there is no
competitive interest.'' Accordingly, BOEM must first determine whether
there is competitive interest in acquiring a lease to develop offshore
wind energy within the Call Area. At the conclusion of the comment
period for this Call, BOEM will review the Call nominations received
and determine if competitive interest exists in any part area of the
Call Areas.
For areas with two or more valid nominations, BOEM may consider
proceeding with competitive leasing as described in section 9.b below,
``Competitive Leasing Process.'' For areas where BOEM determines that
there is only one interested entity, BOEM may consider proceeding with
noncompetitive leasing, as described in section 9c below,
``Noncompetitive Leasing Process.'' However, BOEM may also determine
there is competitive interest in an area with only a single nomination
based on input received in response to this notice, market conditions,
and the amount of area available for leasing.
If BOEM determines that competitive interest in certain areas
exists and that those areas are appropriate to lease, BOEM may hold one
or more competitive lease sales for those areas. In the event BOEM
holds a lease sale, all qualified bidders, including bidders
[[Page 25539]]
that did not submit a nomination in response to this Call, will be
eligible to participate in the lease sale.
BOEM reserves the right to not lease nominated areas or to modify
nominated areas before offering them for lease.
b. Competitive Leasing Process
BOEM will follow the steps required by 30 CFR 585.211 through
585.225 if it decides to proceed with the competitive leasing process
after analyzing the responses to this Call. Those steps are:
(1) Area Identification: Based on the information received in
response to this Call, BOEM will determine the level of commercial
interest and continue with Area Identification. Area Identification is
the process in which BOEM establishes WEAs based on information
received on this Call, Task Force input, Tribal input, ocean user
input, and stakeholder input. BOEM considers all information received
in response to the Call during area identification, including
information pertaining to wildlife (including endangered species),
Department of Defense, navigational safety, visual impacts, and
fishing. BOEM may conduct visual simulations of hypothetical projects
to inform the designation of WEAs.
The Call Areas are of a sufficient size to allow for refinement.
BOEM, in coordination with the State, is considering 3 gigawatts for
near-team commercial development for the first leasing activities
offshore Oregon, less than one-fourth of the estimated 14 gigawatts of
potential capacity within the Call Areas. The WEAs will be subject to
environmental review as described in section 8 above, in consultation
with appropriate Federal agencies, federally recognized Tribes, State
and local governments, and other interested parties.
(2) Proposed Sale Notice (PSN): If BOEM decides to proceed with a
competitive lease sale within the WEA, BOEM will publish a PSN in the
Federal Register with a comment period of 60 days. The PSN will
describe the areas BOEM intends to offer for leasing and the proposed
conditions of sale, auction format, and lease instrument, including
lease addenda. Additionally, the PSN will describe the criteria and
process for evaluating bids in the auction.
(3) Final Sale Notice (FSN): After considering the comments on the
PSN and completion of its NEPA review, if BOEM decides to proceed with
a competitive lease sale, it will publish a FSN in the Federal Register
at least 30 days before the date of the lease sale.
(4) Bid Submission and Evaluation: Following publication of the FSN
in the Federal Register, BOEM will offer the lease areas through a
competitive sale process, using procedures specified in the FSN. BOEM
will review the sale, including bids and bid deposits, for technical
and legal adequacy. BOEM will ensure that bidders have complied with
the FSN and all applicable regulations. BOEM reserves the right to
reject any or all bids and to withdraw its offer to lease an area, even
after bids have been submitted.
(5) Issuance of a Lease: Following identification of the winning
bid on a lease area, BOEM will notify the successful bidder and will
provide lease documents for signature. BOEM requires a successful
bidder to sign and return the lease documents, pay the remainder of the
bid, if applicable, and file the required financial assurance within
10-business days of receiving the lease documents. Upon receipt of the
required payments, financial assurance, and properly signed lease
documents, BOEM may execute a lease with the successful bidder.
c. Noncompetitive Leasing Process
BOEM's noncompetitive leasing process includes the following steps
under 30 CFR 585.231 and 585.232:
(1) Determination of No Competitive Interest: If, after evaluating
all relevant responses to this Call, BOEM determines competitive
interest does not exist in all or a portion of the Call Areas, it may
proceed with noncompetitive leasing. BOEM will seek to determine if the
sole respondent who nominated a particular area intends to proceed with
acquiring the lease. If so, the respondent must submit an acquisition
fee. After the acquisition fee is paid, BOEM will publish a
determination of no competitive interest in the Federal Register.
(2) Review of Lease Request: BOEM will complete a NEPA review and
required consultations as discussed in section 8 entitled ``BOEM's
Environmental Review Process'' before issuing a lease noncompetitively.
Specifically, BOEM will coordinate and consult, as appropriate, with
relevant Federal agencies, federally recognized Tribes, affected State
and local governments, and other affected or interested parties in
formulating lease terms, conditions, and stipulations.
(3) Lease Issuance: After completing its review of the lease
request, BOEM may offer a noncompetitive lease. Within 10-business days
of receiving the lease documents, the respondent must sign them and
provide a $100,000 bond to guarantee compliance with all terms and
conditions of the lease. Within 45 days of receiving the lease
documents, the respondent must pay the first 12 months' rent.
Amanda Lefton,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2022-09000 Filed 4-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 29, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.