November 7, 2023 — The following was released by the BOEM:
On Nov. 7, BOEM will publish a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) to consider additional site assessment activities submitted via an amendment by Beacon Wind in March 2023 that were not covered under its Site Assessment Plan (SAP) for its lease (OCS-A 0520) that BOEM approved on Sept. 24, 2021. The original SAP and EA can be found on BOEM’s webpage.
The EA will analyze the environmental impacts of site assessment and foundation testing activities in the lease area, as described by Beacon Wind’s amendment.
The publication of the NOI in the Federal Register on Nov. 7, 2023, opens a 30-day public comment period that ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 7, 2023.
BOEM seeks public input on important environmental issues and the identification of reasonable alternatives that should be considered in the EA.
You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
- Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket No. BOEM-2023-062 to submit public comments and view supporting and related materials available for this notice. Click on the “Comment” button below the document link. Enter your information and comment, then click “Submit Comment”; or
- By U.S. Postal Service or other delivery service: Send your comments and information to the following address: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, Mail Stop VAM-OREP, Sterling, VA 20166.
The public comment period for the NOI will help identify what BOEM may consider as part of its environmental assessment of Beacon Wind’s SAP. The comments received will help BOEM determine the important resources and issues, impact-producing factors, reasonable alternatives, and potential mitigating measures that should be analyzed in the EA. Following the comment period, BOEM will review the comments to include information for consideration in the Beacon Wind Draft EA.
See more on BOEM’s website.