2021-06520. Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Ocean Wind, LLC's Proposed Wind Energy Facility Offshore New Jersey
-
Start Preamble
AGENCY:
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.
ACTION:
Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
SUMMARY:
Consistent with the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the review of a construction and operations plan (COP) submitted by Ocean Wind, LLC, (Ocean Wind). The COP proposes the construction and operation of a wind energy facility offshore New Jersey with export cables connecting to the onshore electric grid in Ocean and Cape May Counties, New Jersey. This notice of intent (NOI) announces the EIS scoping process for the Ocean Wind COP. Additionally, this NOI seeks public comment and input under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (16 U.S.C. 470f) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800). Detailed information about the proposed wind energy facility, including the COP, can be found on BOEM's website at: https://www.boem.gov/Ocean-Wind/.
DATES:
Comments should be submitted no later than April 29, 2021.
BOEM will hold virtual public scoping meetings for the Ocean Wind EIS at the following dates and times (Eastern):
- Tuesday, April 13, 2021; 1:00 p.m.;
- Thursday, April 15, 2021; 5:30 p.m.; and
- Tuesday, April 20, 2021; 5:30 p.m.
ADDRESSES:
Comments can be submitted in any of the following ways:
- In written form, delivered by hand or by mail, enclosed in an envelope labeled, “Ocean Wind COP EIS” and addressed to Program Manager, Office of Renewable Energy, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166; or
- Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket No. BOEM-2021-0024. Click on the “Comment Now!” button to the right of the document link. Enter your information and comment, then click “Submit.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michelle Morin, BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166, (703) 787-1340 or michelle.morin@boem.gov.
End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental InformationSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action
In Executive Order 14008 President Biden stated that it is the policy of the United States “to organize and deploy the full capacity of its agencies to combat the climate crisis to implement a Government-wide approach that reduces climate pollution in every sector of the economy; increases resilience to the impacts of climate change; protects public health; conserves our lands, waters, and biodiversity; delivers environmental justice; and spurs well-paying union jobs and economic growth, especially through innovation, commercialization, and deployment of clean energy technologies and infrastructure.”
Through a competitive leasing process under 30 CFR 585.211, Ocean Wind was Start Printed Page 16631awarded Commercial Lease OCS-A 0498 (the Lease Area) offshore New Jersey. Ocean Wind has the exclusive right to submit a COP for activities within the Lease Area, and it has submitted a COP to BOEM proposing the construction and installation, operations and maintenance, and conceptual decommissioning of an offshore wind energy facility in the Lease Area (the Project).
The goal of Ocean Wind is to develop a commercial-scale, offshore wind energy facility in the Lease Area with up to 98 wind turbine generators, inter-array cables, up to three offshore substations, two onshore substations, and two transmission cables making landfall in Ocean County, NJ, and Cape May County, NJ. The Project would contribute to New Jersey's goal of 7.5 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy generation by 2035 as outlined in New Jersey Governor's Executive Order No. 92, issued on November 19, 2019. Furthermore, Ocean Wind's goal to construct and operate a commercial-scale offshore wind energy facility in the Lease Area is intended to fulfill the New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) September 20, 2018, solicitation for 1,100 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind that was awarded to Ocean Wind, via the New Jersey BPU on June 21, 2019 (BPU Docket No. QO18121289).
Based on the goals of the applicant and BOEM's authority, the purpose of BOEM's action is to respond to Ocean Wind's COP proposal and determine whether to approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove Ocean Wind's COP to construct and install, operate and maintain, and decommission a commercial-scale offshore wind energy facility within the Lease Area (the Proposed Action). BOEM's action is needed to further the United States policy to make Outer Continental Shelf energy resources available for expeditious and orderly development, subject to environmental safeguards (43 U.S.C. 1332(3)), including consideration of natural resources, safety of navigation, and existing ocean uses.
In addition, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) anticipates receipt of one or more requests for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to activities related to the Project pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). NMFS's issuance of an MMPA incidental take authorization is a major Federal action and, in relation to BOEM's action, is considered a connected action (40 CFR 1501.9(e)(1)). The purpose of the NMFS action—which is a direct outcome of Ocean Wind's request for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Project (specifically pile driving)—is to evaluate the information in Ocean Wind's application pursuant to the MMPA and 50 CFR part 216 and to issue the requested incidental take authorizations, if appropriate. The need for the NMFS action is to consider the impacts of authorizing the requested take on marine mammals and their habitat. NMFS responsibilities under the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)(D)) and its implementing regulations establish and frame the need for NMFS action. NMFS intends to adopt this EIS to support its decision on any requested MMPA incidental take authorizations.
Preliminary Proposed Action and Alternatives
The Proposed Action is the construction and operation of a wind energy facility as described in the COP submitted by Ocean Wind on Lease Area OCS-A 0498. In its COP, Ocean Wind is proposing the construction and operation of up to 98 wind turbine generators, up to three offshore substations, inter-array cables linking the individual turbines to the offshore substations, substation interconnector cables linking the substations to each other, and two offshore export cables that connect to onshore export cable systems and two onshore substations, providing connection to the existing electrical grid in New Jersey. Foundations of wind turbine generators would be monopiles. The wind turbine generators, offshore substations, array cables, and substation interconnector cables would be located on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) approximately 13 nautical miles (15 statute miles) southeast of Atlantic City. The offshore export cables would be buried below the seabed of both the OCS and New Jersey State waters. The onshore export cables, substations, and grid connections would be located in Ocean and Cape May Counties, New Jersey.
If any other reasonable alternatives are identified during the scoping period, BOEM will evaluate those alternatives in the draft EIS, which will also include a no action alternative. Under the no action alternative, BOEM would disapprove the COP, and Ocean Wind's wind energy facility described in the COP would not be built in the Lease Area.
Once BOEM completes the EIS and associated consultations, BOEM will decide whether to approve, approve with modification, or disapprove the Ocean Wind COP. If BOEM approves the COP and the Project is constructed, the lessee must submit a plan to decommission the facilities before the end of the lease term.
Summary of Expected Impacts
The draft EIS will identify and describe the effects of the Proposed Action on the human environment that are reasonably foreseeable and have a reasonably close causal relationship to the Proposed Action. This includes such effects that occur at the same time and place as the Proposed Action or alternatives and such effects that are later in time or not at the same place. Expected impacts include, but are not limited to, impacts (both beneficial and adverse) to air quality, water quality, bats, benthic habitat, essential fish habitat, invertebrates, finfish, birds, marine mammals, terrestrial and coastal habitats and fauna, sea turtles, wetlands and other waters of the United States, commercial fisheries and for-hire recreational fishing, cultural resources, demographics, employment, economics, environmental justice, land use and coastal infrastructure, navigation and vessel traffic, other marine uses, recreation and tourism, and visual resources. The effects of these expected impacts will be analyzed in the draft and final EIS.
Based on a preliminary evaluation of these resources, BOEM expects impacts to sea turtles and marine mammals from underwater noise caused by construction as well as collision risks from vessel traffic. Structures installed by the Project could permanently change benthic habitat and other fish habitat. Commercial fisheries and for-hire recreational fishing may be impacted. Infrastructure above the water may affect the visual character that defines historic properties as well as contributes to recreation and tourism. Project structures also would pose an allision and height hazard to vessels passing close by, and vessels would in turn pose a hazard to the structures. Additionally, the Project may adversely impact any future mineral extraction, military use, air traffic, land-based radar services, cables and pipelines, and scientific surveys. Beneficial impacts are also expected by facilitating achievement of state renewable energy goals, increased job opportunities, improving air quality, and reduced carbon emissions. The EIS will analyze measures that would avoid, minimize, or mitigate environmental effects.
The draft EIS is being prepared in compliance with the recently revised Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508) and DOI's existing regulations (43 CFR part 46). The Start Printed Page 16632revised CEQ NEPA regulations eliminate any explicit requirement to analyze cumulative impacts; however, the description of the affected environment in the EIS will include reasonably foreseeable environmental trends and planned actions other than the Project.
Anticipated Permits and Authorizations
In addition to the requested COP approval, various other Federal, State, and local authorizations will be required for the Ocean Wind Project. These include authorizations under the Endangered Species Act, Magnuson‐Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, Clean Water Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, and other laws and regulations determined to be applicable to the Project. BOEM will also conduct government-to-government tribal consultations. For a full listing of regulatory requirements applicable to the Ocean Wind Project, please see the COP, volume I available at https://www.boem.gov/Ocean-Wind/.
BOEM has chosen to utilize the NEPA substitution process to fulfill its obligations under NHPA. While BOEM's obligations under NHPA and NEPA are independent, the regulations implementing NHPA allow for the use of NEPA review to substitute for various aspects of NHPA's section 106 (16 U.S.C. 470f) review to improve efficiency, promote transparency and accountability, and support a broadened discussion of potential effects that a project may have on the human environment. As provided in 36 CFR 800.8(c), the NEPA process and documentation required for the preparation of an EIS and record of decision (ROD) can be used to fulfill a lead Federal agency's NHPA section 106 review obligations in lieu of the procedures set forth in 36 CFR 800.3 through 800.6. During preparation of the EIS, BOEM will ensure that the NEPA substitution process will meet its NHPA obligations in a manner that successfully utilizes this alternative process.
Schedule for the Decision-Making Process
After the draft EIS is completed, BOEM will publish a notice of availability (NOA) and request public comments on the draft EIS. BOEM expects to issue the NOA in May 2022. After the public comment period ends, BOEM will review and respond to comments received and will develop the final EIS. BOEM expects to make the final EIS available to the public in February 2023. A ROD will be completed no sooner than 30 days after the final EIS is released, in accordance with 40 CFR 1506.11.
Scoping Process: This NOI commences the public scoping process for identifying issues and potential alternatives for consideration in the Ocean Wind EIS. Throughout the scoping process, Federal agencies; State, tribal, and local governments; and the general public have the opportunity to help BOEM determine significant resources and issues, impact-producing factors, reasonable alternatives (e.g., size, geographic, seasonal, or other restrictions on construction and siting of facilities and activities), and potential mitigation measures to be analyzed in the EIS as well as provide additional information. In the interests of efficiency, completeness, and facilitating public involvement, BOEM will use the NEPA process to fulfill NHPA's public involvement requirements established in 36 CFR 800.2(d). BOEM will involve the public, local governments, Indian tribes, and Ocean Wind and will identify other consulting parties, including consideration of all written requests by individuals and organizations to participate as consulting parties. BOEM will hold virtual public scoping meetings for the Ocean Wind EIS at the following dates and times (Eastern):
- Tuesday, April 13, 2021; 1:00 p.m.;
- Thursday, April 15, 2021; 5:30 p.m.; and
- Tuesday, April 20, 2021; 5:30 p.m.
Registration for the virtual public meetings may be completed here: https://www.boem.gov/Ocean-Wind-Scoping-Virtual-Meetings or by calling (703) 787-1346.
NEPA Cooperating Agencies: BOEM invites other Federal agencies and State, tribal, and local governments to consider becoming cooperating agencies in the preparation of this EIS. CEQ NEPA regulations specify that qualified agencies and governments are those with “jurisdiction by law or special expertise.” Potential cooperating agencies should consider their authority and capacity to assume the responsibilities of a cooperating agency and should be aware that an agency's role in the environmental analysis neither enlarges nor diminishes the final decision-making authority of any other agency involved in the NEPA process.
Upon request, BOEM will provide potential cooperating agencies with a written summary of expectations for cooperating agencies, including time schedules, milestones, responsibilities, scope and detail of cooperating agencies' contributions, and availability of pre-decisional information. BOEM anticipates this summary will form the basis for a memorandum of agreement between BOEM and any non-Interior Department cooperating agency. Agencies also should consider the factors for determining cooperating agency status in CEQ's memorandum entitled “Cooperating Agencies in Implementing the Procedural Requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act” of January 30, 2002. This document is available on the internet at: http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/nepapub/nepa_documents//G-CEQ- CoopAgenciesImplem.pdf . BOEM, as the lead agency, will not provide financial assistance to cooperating agencies. Even if a governmental entity is not a cooperating agency, it will have opportunities to provide information and comments to BOEM during the public input stages of the NEPA process.
NHPA Consulting Parties: Certain individuals and organizations with a demonstrated interest in the Project may request to participate as NHPA consulting parties under 36 CFR 800.2(c)(5)) based on their legal or economic stake in historic properties affected by the Project. Additionally, the same provision allows those with concerns about the Project's effect on historic properties to request to be consulting parties. Before issuing this NOI, BOEM compiled a list of potential consulting parties and, in writing, invited these potential participants to become consulting parties. In order to become a consulting party, those invited must respond in writing, preferably by the requested response date. Interested individuals or organizations that did not receive an invitation may request to be consulting parties by writing to the appropriate staff at ICF, which is supporting BOEM in its administration of this review. ICF's contact for this Project is January Tavel at OceanWindSection106@icf.com or (415) 677-7107. BOEM will determine which interested parties should be consulting parties.
Comments: Federal agencies; tribal, State, and local governments; and other interested parties are requested to comment on the scope of this EIS, significant issues that should be addressed, and alternatives that should be considered. For information on how to submit comments, see the ADDRESSES section above.
BOEM does not consider anonymous comments. Please include your name and address as part of your comment. BOEM makes all comments, including the names, addresses, and other personally identifiable information Start Printed Page 16633included in the comment, available for public review online and during regular business hours. Individuals may request that BOEM withhold their names or addresses from the public record; however, BOEM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so. In order for BOEM to withhold from disclosure your personally identifiable information, you must identify any information contained in your comments that, if released, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of your privacy. You also must briefly describe any possible harmful consequences of the disclosure of information, such as embarrassment, injury, or other harm. All submissions from organizations or businesses and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses will be made available for public inspection in their entirety.
Request for Identification of Potential Alternatives, Information, and Analyses Relevant to the Proposed Action
BOEM requests data, comments, views, information, analysis, alternatives, or suggestions from the public; affected Federal, State, tribal, and local governments, agencies, and offices; the scientific community; industry; or any other interested party on the Proposed Action. Specifically:
1. Potential effects that the Proposed Action could have on biological resources, including bats, birds, coastal fauna, finfish, invertebrates, essential fish habitat, marine mammals, and sea turtles.
2. Potential effects that the Proposed Action could have on physical resources including air quality, water quality, and wetlands and other waters of the United States.
3. Potential effects that the Proposed Action could have on socioeconomic and cultural resources, including commercial fisheries and for-hire recreational fishing, demographics, employment, economics, environmental justice, land use and coastal infrastructure, navigation and vessel traffic, other uses (marine minerals, military use, aviation), recreation and tourism, and scenic and visual resources.
4. Other possible reasonable alternatives to the Proposed Action that BOEM should consider, including additional or alternative avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures.
5. As part of its compliance with NHPA section 106 and its implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800), BOEM seeks public comment and input regarding the identification of historic properties or potential effects to historic properties from the activities proposed under the COP. BOEM requests feedback from the public and consulting parties on the aforementioned information and any information that supports identification of historic properties under the NHPA. BOEM also solicits proposed measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects on historic properties. BOEM will, consistent with confidentiality requirements, present available information regarding known historic properties during the public scoping period and current summary information regarding historic properties identified will be available at https://www.boem.gov/Ocean-Wind/. BOEM's effects analysis for historic properties will be available for public and consulting party comment in the draft EIS.
6. Information on other current or planned activities in, or in the vicinity of, the Proposed Action and their possible impacts on the Project or the Project's impacts on those activities.
7. Other information relevant to the Proposed Action and its impacts on the human environment.
To promote informed decision making, comments should be as specific as possible and should provide as much detail as necessary to meaningfully participate and fully inform BOEM of the commenter's position. Comments should explain why the issues raised are important to the consideration of potential environmental impacts and alternatives to the Proposed Action as well as economic, employment, and other impacts affecting the quality of the human environment.
The draft EIS will include a summary that identifies all alternatives, information, and analyses submitted by State, tribal, and local governments and other public commenters during the scoping process for consideration by BOEM and the cooperating agencies.
Start SignatureWilliam Yancey Brown,
Chief Environmental Officer, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2021-06520 Filed 3-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
Document Information
- Published:
- 03/30/2021
- Department:
- Ocean Energy Management Bureau
- Entry Type:
- Notice
- Action:
- Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.
- Document Number:
- 2021-06520
- Dates:
- Comments should be submitted no later than April 29, 2021.
- Pages:
- 16630-16633 (4 pages)
- Docket Numbers:
- Docket No. BOEM-2021-0024
- PDF File:
- 2021-06520.pdf
- Supporting Documents:
- » Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.: Ocean Wind, LLC's Proposed Wind Energy Facility Offshore New Jersey