[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46418-46419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[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 [email protected].

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: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/maine/gulf-maine.
    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