Saving Seafood

BOEM Invites Public Comment on Draft Environmental Analysis for Proposed Wind Energy Project Offshore New Jersey

June 17, 2022 — The following was released by the Bureau of Ocean Management:

As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is announcing the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Ocean Wind 1 wind energy project offshore New Jersey.

BOEM’s DEIS for the proposed Ocean Wind 1 Offshore Wind Farm analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action described in Ocean Wind’s project plan for constructing and operating an offshore wind energy facility. This is the first DEIS published by this Administration for an offshore wind energy project.

The Notice of Availability for the DEIS will publish in the Federal Register on June 24, opening a 45-day public comment period, which ends on August 8. During the comment period, BOEM will conduct three virtual public meetings and accept comments on the DEIS. The input received via this process will inform preparation of the Final EIS.

“BOEM remains committed to an environmental review process that establishes a strong foundation for offshore wind projects in the U.S. while promoting ocean co-use and avoiding or reducing potential conflicts,” said BOEM Director Amanda Lefton. “The feedback provided by ocean users and our many stakeholders will help inform the Final EIS and provide invaluable insight to decision makers.”

Over the past year, the Biden-Harris administration and the Interior Department have launched the American offshore wind industry by approving and celebrating the groundbreaking of the nation’s first two commercial-scale offshore wind projects in federal waters. The Department also announced plans to potentially hold up to seven new offshore lease sales by 2025, including the  record-breaking New York Bight auction and Carolina Long Bay auction held earlier this year. BOEM also expects to complete the review of at least 16 plans to construct and operate commercial, offshore wind energy facilities by 2025, which would represent more than 22 GW of clean energy for the nation.

Ocean Wind proposes to construct up to 98 wind turbines generators (WTGs) and up to three offshore substations within the lease area, located 15 statute miles southeast of Atlantic City, New Jersey, with export cables making landfall in Ocean County and Cape May County, New Jersey. If all 98 WTGs are approved for installation, the estimated capacity range will be from 1,215 to 1,440 megawatts, capable of powering up to 504,000 homes per year.

BOEM will use the findings of the EIS to inform its decision on whether to approve Ocean Wind’s proposed project.

Public Meetings

During the comment period, BOEM will hold three virtual public meetings, where the public can learn more about: the review process, the EIS schedule, potential impacts from the proposed project, and proposals to reduce potential impacts. There will also be an opportunity for participants to provide comments on the DEIS.
The public meetings will be held on the following dates and times. All times are Eastern:

•Thursday, July 14, 2022; 1:00 p.m.

•Wednesday, July 20, 2022; 5:00 p.m.

•Tuesday, July 26, 2022; 5:00 p.m.

Registration for the virtual meetings is encouraged.

A virtual meeting room, information about how to register for the virtual meetings and instructions for how to submit comments will be published on BOEM’s website on June 24, 2022: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/ocean-wind-1.

The virtual meeting room will be available throughout the 45-day comment period and will include a copy of the DEIS, fact sheets, posters, and pre-recorded presentations.

If you require a paper copy of the DEIS or public meeting materials, or require call-in information for the virtual meetings (for those without reliable internet access), please contact BOEM at boempublicaffairs@boem.gov.

 

Atlantic Herring: NEFMC to Conduct Seven Public Hearings on Amendment 8 in May and June from Maine to Pennsylvania

May 3, 2018 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:   

The New England Fishery Management Council has scheduled a series of public hearings on Amendment 8 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan. The purpose of the hearings is to solicit comments on the amendment’s two major components, which include: (Part 1) 10 alternatives to establish a long-term acceptable biological catch (ABC) control rule that “may explicitly account for herring’s role in the ecosystem” plus “address the biological and ecological requirements of the stock;” and (Part 2) nine primary alternatives to address potential localized depletion and user conflicts, with several spatial and seasonal sub-options designed to help minimizing biological and socioeconomic impacts.

Public Hearing Schedule:

  • Narragansett, RI – Tuesday, May 22, University of Rhode Island, Coastal Institute Building, Hazard Room, 215 S. Ferry Road, 6 p.m.
  • Rockport, ME – Thursday, May 24, Samoset Resort, 220 Warrenton Street, 6 p.m. • Gloucester, MA – Wednesday, May 30, Beauport Hotel, 55 Commercial Street, 6 p.m.
  • Philadelphia, PA – Tuesday, June 5, DoubleTree by Hilton, 237 South Broad Street, 4 p.m., NOTE: This hearing will begin immediately following the close of business at the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting
  • Portland, ME – Tuesday, June 12, Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street, 4 p.m., NOTE: This hearing will begin immediately following the close of business at the New England Fishery Management Council meeting
  • Chatham, MA – Tuesday, June 19, Chatham Community Center, 702 Main Street, 6 p.m.
  • Webinar Hearing – Wednesday, June 20, starting at 2 p.m. Registration is required to participate. Here’s how:

Follow the registration instructions at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6985865165132506115. In addition, a call-in option is available to join the webinar. Dial 1 (415) 930-5321 and, when prompted, plug in the following access code: 346-818-026. Be aware that regular phone charges may apply. The public hearing document will be available soon at https://www.nefmc.org/library/amendment-8-2. All other Amendment 8 materials are available at this link as well, including the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). A copy of the meeting notice with the full schedule of public hearings and webinar instructions can be downloaded at http://s3.amazonaws.com/nefmc.org/A-8-Public-Hearing-Notice.pdf.

As for the ABC control rule alternatives in Amendment 8, the Council conducted an extensive Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) to collect stakeholder input from the bottom up and assess the performance of different management approaches. The MSE also helped gauge the tradeoffs between the various alternatives, spelling out the pros and cons of each proposal. Amendment 8 proposes that future modifications to the ABC control rule be made through a framework adjustment or an amendment.

What Will Happen Next Following the public hearing process, the Council’s Herring Committee, Herring Plan Development Team, and Herring Advisory Panel will review comments over the summer and develop recommendations for the full Council to consider.

View the release in its entirety here.