[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 174 (Monday, September 9, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 73122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20225]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Docket No. BOEM-2024-0030]


Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Assessment for 
Commercial Wind Lease Issuance, Site Characterization Activities, and 
Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf in 
the Gulf of Maine Offshore the States of Maine and New Hampshire and 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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) 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 draft EA analyzes the potential impacts of the 
Proposed Action and a No Action Alternative. The EA will inform BOEM's 
decision about whether it will issue commercial wind energy leases in 
the Gulf of Maine offshore the States of Maine and New Hampshire and 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its subsequent review of site 
assessment plans in the lease areas.

ADDRESSES: The final EA and detailed information about proposed 
commercial leases can be found on BOEM's website at: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/maine/gulf-maine.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandi Sangunett, BOEM, Environment 
Branch for Renewable Energy, 45600 Woodland Road, Mail Stop VAM-OREP, 
Sterling, VA 20166, (703) 787-1015 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Proposed Action: The final EA analyzes the Proposed Action, which 
is to issue commercial wind energy leases in the Gulf of Maine wind 
energy area (WEA) and grant rights-of-way (ROWs) and rights-of-use and 
easement (RUEs). A BOEM-issued lease provides lessees the exclusive 
right to submit plans to BOEM for possible approval. 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 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 issue commercial wind energy leases nor grant ROWs and RUEs in 
the Gulf of Maine WEA. 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 issuing commercial 
wind energy leases and granting ROWs and RUEs in the Gulf of Maine WEA 
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/maine/gulf-maine.
    Authority: 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. 2024-20225 Filed 9-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4340-98-P