[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 111 (Friday, June 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 48685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12563]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Docket No. BOEM-2024-0029]


Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment for 
Commercial Wind Lease and Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic 
Outer Continental Shelf of the Central Atlantic

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 a 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 EA analyses the potential impacts of the 
Proposed Action and a No Action alternative. The EA will inform BOEM's 
decision whether to issue leases on the OCS offshore the U.S. Central 
Atlantic coast and its subsequent review of site assessment plans in 
the lease areas.

ADDRESSES: The final EA and associated information are available on 
BOEM's website at: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/central-atlantic.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lorena Edenfield, BOEM Office of 
Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 
20166, (907) 231-7679 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Proposed Action: The final EA analyzes the Proposed Action, which 
is to approve commercial wind energy leases in the Central Atlantic 
Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) and grant rights-of-way (ROWs) and rights-of-
use and easement (RUEs). A BOEM-issued lease provides lessees the 
exclusive right to submit site assessment plans and construction and 
operations plans to BOEM for possible approval. A site assessment plan 
describes how the lessee will assess the physical characteristics of 
the lease area, which is a prerequisite to submitting a construction 
and operations plan. 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 in order 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 approve commercial wind energy leasing nor grant ROWs and RUEs 
in the Central Atlantic WEAs. 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 approval of 
commercial wind energy leasing and granting ROWs and RUEs in the lease 
area would not significantly impact 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/central-atlantic.
    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4231 et seq. (National Environmental Policy 
Act, as amended) and 40 CFR 1506.6.

Karen Baker,
Chief, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management.
[FR Doc. 2024-12563 Filed 6-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340-98-P