Notice2024-11766
Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment for a Wind Energy Research Lease on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf Offshore Maine
Primary source
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Published
May 29, 2024
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentOcean Energy Management Bureau
Abstract
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces the availability of the final environmental assessment (EA) for the potential issuance of a wind energy research lease to the State of Maine. The final EA analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the site characterization and site assessment activities that are expected to take place should this research lease be issued. This notice of availability (NOA) announces the availability of the final EA. The final EA will inform BOEM's decision whether to issue the research lease.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 104 (Wednesday, May 29, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46418-46419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-11766]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM-2023-0042]
Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment for a
Wind Energy Research Lease on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf
Offshore Maine
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces the
availability of the final environmental assessment (EA) for the
potential issuance of a wind energy research lease to the State of
Maine. The final EA analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the
site characterization and site assessment activities that are expected
to take place should this research lease be issued. This notice of
availability (NOA) announces the availability of the final EA. The
final EA will inform BOEM's decision whether to issue the research
lease.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandi Sangunett, BOEM Office of
Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia
20166, (703) 787-1015 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#81e3f3e0efe5e8aff2e0efe6f4efe4f5f5c1e3eee4ecafe6eef7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="325040535c565b1c41535c55475c57464672505d575f1c555d44">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposed Action: The final EA considers reasonably foreseeable
environmental consequences of routine and non-routine activities
associated with issuance of a wind energy research lease and related
site assessment and site characterization activities within and around
the lease and potential future project easements. The State of Maine
provided information about planned site assessment and site
characterization activities including the general location, timing, and
frequency of the activities and the types of equipment and vessels
likely to be used. BOEM has identified standard operating conditions
(SOCs) and mitigation to reduce or eliminate the potential risks to or
conflicts with specific environmental resources. These SOCs and
mitigation were developed through the analyses presented in Section 3
of the final EA and through consultations with other Federal agencies.
A summary of the SOCs and mitigation are listed in Appendix D of the
final EA. If the research lease is issued, BOEM will require the lessee
to comply with the SOCs and mitigation through lease stipulations and/
or as conditions of the Site Assessment Plan and Research Activities
Plan approval. This EA does not consider construction and operation of
any wind energy-related research facilities within the Gulf of Maine,
which, if proposed, would be evaluated by BOEM as a separate NEPA
action.
Alternatives: In addition to the Proposed Action, BOEM considered a
No Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, BOEM would not
issue a wind energy research lease to the State of Maine and site
assessment activities would not occur within the leased area of the
Gulf of Maine. BOEM's preferred alternative is the Proposed Action.
Finding of No Significant Impact: After carefully considering
alternatives described and analyzed in the final EA and comments from
the public and cooperating and consulting agencies on the draft EA,
BOEM finds that the issuance of a wind energy research lease within the
proposed lease area offshore
[[Page 46419]]
Maine and related site characterization and site assessment activities
would have no significant impact on the environment.
Availability of the Final EA: The final EA and associated
information are available on BOEM's website at: <a href="https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/maine/gulf-maine">https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/maine/gulf-maine</a>.
Authority: This NOA is published in accordance with regulations at
42 U.S.C. 4231 et seq. (NEPA, as amended) and 40 CFR 1506.6.
Karen Baker,
Chief, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management.
[FR Doc. 2024-11766 Filed 5-28-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340-98-P
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