80 FR 73817 - Environmental Assessment for Commercial Wind Leasing and Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore South Carolina; MMAA104000
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 227 (November 25, 2015)
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 227 (November 25, 2015)
| Page Range | 73817-73818 | |
| FR Document | 2015-29907 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 227 (Wednesday, November 25, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 73817-73818] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-29907] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [Docket No. BOEM-2015-0125] Environmental Assessment for Commercial Wind Leasing and Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore South Carolina; MMAA104000 AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior. ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: BOEM is announcing its intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for potential commercial wind leasing and site assessment activities on the Atlantic OCS offshore South Carolina. The EA will address environmental and socioeconomic effects related to the proposed action, issuance of commercial wind energy leases, and approval of site assessment activities on those leases. This notice serves to announce the beginning of the formal scoping process. The scope of the EA is the range of issues, alternatives, impacts, and mitigation measures to be considered. Scoping will help identify reasonable alternatives and focus the analysis in the EA on potentially significant issues and eliminate from detailed consideration those issues that are insignificant, irrelevant, or that have not changed from previous analyses. BOEM will also use the scoping process to seek public comment and input under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Additional information on the proposed action may be found at http://www.boem.gov/South-Carolina/. DATES: Comments should be submitted no later than January 25, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Morin, BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, VAM-OREP, Sterling, Virginia 20166, (703) 787-1722, or [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Proposed Action The proposed action that will be the subject of the EA is the issuance of wind energy leases within all or some of the Call Areas offshore South Carolina and the approval of site assessment activities (including the installation and operation of a meteorological tower and/or buoys) on those leases. BOEM will also consider the environmental impacts associated with the site characterization activities (including geophysical, geotechnical, archaeological, and biological surveys) that it anticipates lessees might eventually undertake to fulfill the information requirements for Site Assessment Plans and Construction and Operations Plans found at 30 CFR 585.610 and 585.626 respectively. 2. Description of the Call Areas A detailed description of the Call Areas can be found in the Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf Offshore South Carolina--Call for Information and Nominations that is being published concurrently with this notice. A map of the Call Areas can be found at: http://www.boem.gov/South-Carolina/. BOEM identified the four Call Areas in consultation with other Federal agencies and the BOEM South Carolina Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force. 3. National Historic Preservation Act BOEM will use the NEPA process to inform the Section 106 consultation process of the NHPA (54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq.), as provided for in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). BOEM is seeking public comment and input regarding the identification of historic properties or potential impacts to historic properties from the proposed action, as defined by the NHPA. [[Page 73818]] 4. Cooperating Agencies BOEM invites other Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments to consider becoming cooperating agencies in the preparation of this EA. We invite qualified government entities to inquire about cooperating agency status. You may contact OREP (listed above). 5. Public Scoping Meetings BOEM will hold public scoping meetings in South Carolina on the following dates:Tuesday, January 5, 2016; Mason Preparatory School; 56 Halsey Boulevard, Charleston, South Carolina 29401; 6:00-8:00 p.m.; Wednesday, January 6, 2016; St. James High School; 10800 SC-707, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina 29576; 6:00-8:00 p.m.; and Thursday, January 7, 2016; Boulineau's (Second Floor Meeting Room); 212 Sea Mountain Highway, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29582; 6:00-8:00 p.m. 6. Comments Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments and/or agencies and the public are requested to send their written comments regarding environmental issues and the identification of reasonable alternatives related to the proposed action described in this notice through one of the following methods: 1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the field entitled ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter BOEM-2015-0125, and then click ``search.'' Follow the instructions to submit public comments and view supporting and related materials available for this notice; 2. U.S. mail in an envelope labeled ``Comments on South Carolina EA'' and addressed to Program Manager, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, VAM- OREP, Sterling, Virginia 20166. Comments must be postmarked by the last day of the comment period to be considered. This date is January 25, 2016. Before including your address, phone number, email address or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comments to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority: This Notice of Intent to prepare an EA is in compliance with NEPA, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4231 et seq.), and is published pursuant to 43 CFR 46.305. Dated: November 18, 2015. Abigail Ross Hopper, Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [FR Doc. 2015-29907 Filed 11-24-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 227 / Wednesday, November 25, 2015 / Notices 73817
ADDRESSES: Nominations for the Coeur the geographical area of the RAC. analysis in the EA on potentially
d’Alene RAC should be sent to Coeur Nominees should demonstrate a significant issues and eliminate from
d’Alene RAC, Attn. Suzanne Endsley, commitment to collaborative resource detailed consideration those issues that
BLM Coeur d’Alene District Office, 3815 decision-making. Current Presidential are insignificant, irrelevant, or that have
Schreiber Way, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho policies prohibit individuals who are not changed from previous analyses.
83835, (208) 769–5004. currently federally registered lobbyists BOEM will also use the scoping process
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: from being appointed or re-appointed to to seek public comment and input
Suzanne Endsley, U.S. Department of FACA and non-FACA boards, under the National Historic Preservation
the Interior, Bureau of Land committees, or councils. Act (NHPA). Additional information on
Management, Coeur d’Alene District The following must accompany all the proposed action may be found at
Public Affairs Officer, 3815 Schreiber nominations for the RAC: http://www.boem.gov/South-Carolina/.
Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815, 208– —Letters of reference from represented DATES: Comments should be submitted
769–5004. interests or organizations; no later than January 25, 2016.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
—A completed Resource Advisory
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Federal Land Policy and Management Council application; and
Michelle Morin, BOEM Office of
—Any other information that addresses
Act (FLPMA) directs the Secretary of the Renewable Energy Programs, 45600
the nominee’s qualifications.
Interior to involve the public in Woodland Road, VAM–OREP, Sterling,
Simultaneous with this notice, the
planning and issues related to Virginia 20166, (703) 787–1722, or
BLM Idaho State Office will issue news
management of lands administered by michelle.morin@boem.gov.
releases providing additional
the BLM. Section 309 of FLPMA (43 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
information for submitting nominations,
U.S.C. 1739) directs the Secretary to
with specifics about the number and 1. Proposed Action
establish 10- to 15-member citizen-
categories of member positions available
based advisory councils that are The proposed action that will be the
for the RAC. If you have already
consistent with the Federal Advisory subject of the EA is the issuance of wind
submitted your RAC nomination
Committee Act (FACA). As required by energy leases within all or some of the
materials for 2015, you will not need to
FACA, Resource Advisory Council Call Areas offshore South Carolina and
resubmit.
(RAC) membership must be balanced the approval of site assessment activities
and representative of the various Authority: 43 CFR 1784.4–1 (including the installation and operation
interests concerned with the Jeffery L. Foss, of a meteorological tower and/or buoys)
management of the public lands. The Acting BLM Idaho State Director. on those leases. BOEM will also
rules governing RACs are found at 43 consider the environmental impacts
[FR Doc. 2015–30012 Filed 11–24–15; 8:45 am]
CFR 1784 and include the following associated with the site characterization
BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P
three membership categories: activities (including geophysical,
Category One—Holders of Federal geotechnical, archaeological, and
grazing permits and representatives of DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR biological surveys) that it anticipates
organizations associated with energy lessees might eventually undertake to
and mineral development, timber Bureau of Ocean Energy Management fulfill the information requirements for
industry, transportation or rights-of- Site Assessment Plans and Construction
way, developed outdoor recreation, off- [Docket No. BOEM–2015–0125]
and Operations Plans found at 30 CFR
highway vehicle use, and commercial 585.610 and 585.626 respectively.
Environmental Assessment for
recreation;
Commercial Wind Leasing and Site 2. Description of the Call Areas
Category Two—Representatives of
Assessment Activities on the Atlantic
nationally or regionally recognized A detailed description of the Call
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)
environmental organizations, Areas can be found in the Commercial
Offshore South Carolina; MMAA104000
archaeological and historic Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer
organizations, dispersed recreation AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Continental Shelf Offshore South
activities, and wild horse and burro Management (BOEM), Interior. Carolina—Call for Information and
organizations; and ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Nominations that is being published
Category Three—Representatives of Environmental Assessment. concurrently with this notice. A map of
State, county, or local elected office, the Call Areas can be found at: http://
employees of a state agency responsible SUMMARY: BOEM is announcing its www.boem.gov/South-Carolina/. BOEM
for management of natural resources, intent to prepare an Environmental identified the four Call Areas in
representatives of Indian tribes within Assessment (EA) for potential consultation with other Federal agencies
or adjacent to the area for which the commercial wind leasing and site and the BOEM South Carolina
council is organized, representatives of assessment activities on the Atlantic Intergovernmental Renewable Energy
academia who are employed in natural OCS offshore South Carolina. The EA Task Force.
sciences, and the public-at-large. will address environmental and
Those who have already submitted a socioeconomic effects related to the 3. National Historic Preservation Act
nomination in response to the first or proposed action, issuance of BOEM will use the NEPA process to
second call for nominations (published commercial wind energy leases, and inform the Section 106 consultation
in the Federal Register on February 3, approval of site assessment activities on process of the NHPA (54 U.S.C. 300101
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
2015 and on May 21, 2015, respectively) those leases. This notice serves to et seq.), as provided for in 36 CFR
do not need to resubmit. Individuals announce the beginning of the formal 800.2(d)(3). BOEM is seeking public
may nominate themselves or others. scoping process. The scope of the EA is comment and input regarding the
Nominees must be residents of the State the range of issues, alternatives, identification of historic properties or
of Idaho. The BLM will evaluate impacts, and mitigation measures to be potential impacts to historic properties
nominees based on their education, considered. Scoping will help identify from the proposed action, as defined by
training, experience, and knowledge of reasonable alternatives and focus the the NHPA.
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![73818 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 227 / Wednesday, November 25, 2015 / Notices
4. Cooperating Agencies amended (42 U.S.C. 4231 et seq.), and is 43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3), which was added
published pursuant to 43 CFR 46.305. by section 388 of the Energy Policy Act
BOEM invites other Federal, State,
Tribal, and local governments to Dated: November 18, 2015. of 2005 (EPAct), as well as the
consider becoming cooperating agencies Abigail Ross Hopper, implementing regulations at 30 CFR part
in the preparation of this EA. We invite Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy 585.
qualified government entities to inquire Management. The Call Areas described in this
about cooperating agency status. You [FR Doc. 2015–29907 Filed 11–24–15; 8:45 am]
notice are located on the OCS offshore
may contact OREP (listed above). South Carolina and are delineated as
BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
Grand Strand, Cape Romain, Winyah,
5. Public Scoping Meetings and Charleston. The four Call Areas
BOEM will hold public scoping DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR include 110 whole OCS blocks and 84
meetings in South Carolina on the partial blocks in total and comprise
following dates: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management approximately 1,007.56 square nautical
• Tuesday, January 5, 2016; Mason [Docket No. BOEM–2015–0134]
miles (nmi) (345,584 hectares). These
Preparatory School; 56 Halsey Call Areas were established in
Boulevard, Charleston, South Carolina Commercial Leasing for Wind Power consultation with the BOEM South
29401; 6:00–8:00 p.m.; on the Outer Continental Shelf Carolina Intergovernmental Renewable
• Wednesday, January 6, 2016; St. Offshore South Carolina—Call for Energy Task Force (Task Force). A
James High School; 10800 SC–707, Information and Nominations (Call) detailed description of the areas and
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina 29576; MMAA104000 how they were developed is described
6:00–8:00 p.m.; and in the section of this Call entitled,
• Thursday, January 7, 2016; AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy ‘‘Description of the Area.’’
Boulineau’s (Second Floor Meeting Management (BOEM), Interior. DATES: BOEM must receive nominations
Room); 212 Sea Mountain Highway, ACTION: Call for Information and describing your interest in one or more,
North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Nominations for Commercial Leasing for or any portion of the Call Areas, by a
29582; 6:00–8:00 p.m. Wind Power on the Outer Continental postmarked date of January 25, 2016
6. Comments Shelf, Offshore South Carolina. January 25, 2016 for your nomination to
be considered. BOEM requests
Federal, State, Tribal, and local SUMMARY: BOEM invites the submission comments or submissions of
governments and/or agencies and the of nominations for commercial wind information to be postmarked or
public are requested to send their leases that would allow a lessee to delivered by this same date. BOEM will
written comments regarding propose the construction of a wind consider only those nominations
environmental issues and the energy project on the Outer Continental received that conform to this
identification of reasonable alternatives Shelf (OCS) offshore South Carolina, requirement.
related to the proposed action described and to develop the project if approved Submission Procedures: If you are
in this notice through one of the after further environmental review. submitting a nomination for a lease in
following methods: Although this announcement is not response to this Call, please submit your
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// itself a leasing announcement, the Call nomination to the following address:
www.regulations.gov. In the field Areas described herein, or portions BOEM, Office of Renewable Energy
entitled ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID,’’ enter thereof, may be available for future Programs, 45600 Woodland Road
BOEM–2015–0125, and then click leasing. BOEM will use responses to this (VAM–OREP), Sterling, Virginia 20166.
‘‘search.’’ Follow the instructions to Call for Information and Nominations In addition to a paper copy of the
submit public comments and view (Call) to gauge specific interest in nomination, include an electronic copy
supporting and related materials acquiring commercial wind leases in of the nomination on a data storage
available for this notice; some or all of the Call Areas, as required device. BOEM will list the parties that
2. U.S. mail in an envelope labeled by 43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3). submitted nominations and the location
‘‘Comments on South Carolina EA’’ and Parties wishing to submit a of the proposed lease areas (i.e., OCS
addressed to Program Manager, Office of nomination in response to this Call blocks nominated) on the BOEM Web
Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of should submit detailed and specific site after the 60-day comment period
Ocean Energy Management, 45600 information in response to the has closed.
Woodland Road, VAM–OREP, Sterling, requirements described in the section Comments and other submissions of
Virginia 20166. Comments must be entitled, ‘‘Required Nomination information may be submitted by either
postmarked by the last day of the Information.’’ of the following two methods:
comment period to be considered. This This announcement also requests 1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
date is January 25, 2016. comments and information from www.regulations.gov. In the entry titled
Before including your address, phone interested and affected parties about site ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID,’’ enter BOEM–
number, email address or other personal conditions, resources, and multiple uses 2015–0134, and then click ‘‘search.’’
identifying information in your in close proximity to, or within, the Call Follow the instructions to submit public
comment, you should be aware that Areas that would be relevant to BOEM’s comments and view supporting and
your entire comment, including your review of any nominations submitted related materials available for this
personal identifying information, may and/or to BOEM’s subsequent decision notice.
be made publicly available at any time. to offer all or part of the Call Areas for 2. U.S. Postal Service or other
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
While you can ask us in your comments commercial wind leasing. The delivery service. Send your comments
to withhold your personal identifying information that BOEM is requesting is and information to the following
information from public review, we described in the section of this Call address: Bureau of Ocean Energy
cannot guarantee that we will be able to entitled, ‘‘Requested Information from Management, Office of Renewable
do so. Interested or Affected Parties.’’ Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland
Authority: This Notice of Intent to prepare This Call is published pursuant to Road (VAM–OREP), Sterling, Virginia
an EA is in compliance with NEPA, as subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCS Lands Act, 20166.
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Document Created: 2018-03-01 11:14:51
Document Modified: 2018-03-01 11:14:51
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment. | |
| Dates | Comments should be submitted no later than January 25, 2016. | |
| Contact | Michelle Morin, BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, VAM-OREP, Sterling, Virginia 20166, (703) 787-1722, or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 73817 |
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