Notice2024-20225
Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment for Commercial Wind Lease Issuance, Site Characterization Activities, and Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Maine Offshore the States of Maine and New Hampshire and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Primary source
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Published
September 9, 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) and its finding that possible wind energy-related leasing, site assessment, and site characterization activities on the U.S. Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) (the Proposed Action) will not significantly impact the human environment. The draft EA analyzes the potential impacts of the Proposed Action and a No Action Alternative. The EA will inform BOEM's decision about whether it will issue commercial wind energy leases in the Gulf of Maine offshore the States of Maine and New Hampshire and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its subsequent review of site assessment plans in the lease areas.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 174 (Monday, September 9, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 174 (Monday, September 9, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 73122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20225]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
[Docket No. BOEM-2024-0030]
Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment for
Commercial Wind Lease Issuance, Site Characterization Activities, and
Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf in
the Gulf of Maine Offshore the States of Maine and New Hampshire and
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces the
availability of the final environmental assessment (EA) and its finding
that possible wind energy-related leasing, site assessment, and site
characterization activities on the U.S. Atlantic Outer Continental
Shelf (OCS) (the Proposed Action) will not significantly impact the
human environment. The draft EA analyzes the potential impacts of the
Proposed Action and a No Action Alternative. The EA will inform BOEM's
decision about whether it will issue commercial wind energy leases in
the Gulf of Maine offshore the States of Maine and New Hampshire and
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its subsequent review of site
assessment plans in the lease areas.
ADDRESSES: The final EA and detailed information about proposed
commercial leases can be found on BOEM's website at: <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>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandi Sangunett, BOEM, Environment
Branch for Renewable Energy, 45600 Woodland Road, Mail Stop VAM-OREP,
Sterling, VA 20166, (703) 787-1015 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d2b0a0b3bcb6bbfca1b3bcb5a7bcb7a6a692b0bdb7bffcb5bda4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="593b2b38373d30772a38373e2c373c2d2d193b363c34773e362f">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposed Action: The final EA analyzes the Proposed Action, which
is to issue commercial wind energy leases in the Gulf of Maine wind
energy area (WEA) and grant rights-of-way (ROWs) and rights-of-use and
easement (RUEs). A BOEM-issued lease provides lessees the exclusive
right to submit plans to BOEM for possible approval. The EA considers
the reasonably foreseeable environmental consequences associated with
site characterization activities (geophysical, geotechnical,
archaeological, and biological surveys) and site assessment activities
(including the installation and operation of meteorological buoys).
BOEM prepared an EA for this proposed action to inform its planning and
decision-making (40 CFR 1501.5(b)).
Alternative: In addition to the Proposed Action, BOEM considered a
No Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, BOEM would
neither issue commercial wind energy leases nor grant ROWs and RUEs in
the Gulf of Maine WEA. BOEM's preferred alternative is the Proposed
Action.
Finding of no significant impact: After carefully considering the
alternatives and comments from the public and cooperating and
consulting agencies on the draft EA, BOEM finds that issuing commercial
wind energy leases and granting ROWs and RUEs in the Gulf of Maine WEA
would not significantly impact the environment.
Availability of the final EA: The final EA and associated
information are available on BOEM's website at: <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: 42 U.S.C. 4231 et seq. (NEPA, as amended) and 40 CFR
1506.6.
Karen Baker,
Chief, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management.
[FR Doc. 2024-20225 Filed 9-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340-98-P
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