83_FR_14948 83 FR 14881 - Request for Feedback on BOEM's Proposed Path Forward for Future Offshore Renewable Energy Leasing on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf

83 FR 14881 - Request for Feedback on BOEM's Proposed Path Forward for Future Offshore Renewable Energy Leasing on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 67 (April 6, 2018)

Page Range14881-14884
FR Document2018-07106

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) invites the public to contribute to the development of a path forward for future renewable leasing offshore the United States Atlantic Coast. Thus far, BOEM has issued 13 commercial leases on the Atlantic from North Carolina to Massachusetts. BOEM is now conducting a high-level assessment of all waters offshore the United States Atlantic Coast for potential additional lease locations. BOEM proposes to rely on various factors described below to help it assess which geographic areas along the Atlantic are the most likely to have highest potential for successful offshore wind development in the next three to five years. BOEM is seeking input on all aspects of its proposed path forward, but particularly on the merits of these factors and any other factors BOEM should consider. This Atlantic assessment is intended to inform future area identification processes, not replace them. Accordingly, after reviewing the comments it receives pursuant to this notice, BOEM plans to coordinate with its intergovernmental renewable energy task forces, and conduct further stakeholder outreach as a part of its continuing area identification efforts.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 67 (Friday, April 6, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 67 (Friday, April 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14881-14884]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07106]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Docket No. BOEM-2018-0018]


Request for Feedback on BOEM's Proposed Path Forward for Future 
Offshore Renewable Energy Leasing on the Atlantic Outer Continental 
Shelf

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior.

ACTION: Request for feedback.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) invites the 
public to contribute to the development of a path forward for future 
renewable leasing offshore the United States Atlantic Coast. Thus far, 
BOEM has issued 13 commercial leases on the Atlantic from North 
Carolina to Massachusetts. BOEM is now conducting a high-level 
assessment of all waters offshore the United States Atlantic Coast for 
potential additional lease locations. BOEM proposes to rely on various 
factors described below to help it assess which geographic areas along 
the Atlantic are the most likely to have highest potential for 
successful offshore wind development in the next three to five years. 
BOEM is seeking input on all aspects of its proposed path forward, but 
particularly on the merits of these factors and any other factors BOEM 
should consider. This Atlantic assessment is intended to inform future 
area identification processes, not replace them. Accordingly, after 
reviewing the comments it receives pursuant to this notice, BOEM plans 
to coordinate with its intergovernmental renewable energy task forces, 
and conduct further stakeholder outreach as a part of its continuing 
area identification efforts.

DATES: Stakeholders should submit comments electronically or postmarked 
no later than May 21, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted in one of the two following 
ways:
    1. Electronically: http://www.regulations.gov. In the entry 
entitled, ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' search for BOEM-2018-0018. Follow 
the instructions to submit public comments in response to this 
document.
    2. Written Comments: In written form, delivered by hand or by mail, 
enclosed in an envelope labeled, ``Comments on Request for Feedback'' 
to: Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management, 45600 Woodland Road, VAM-OREP, Sterling, Virginia 20166.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Browning, BOEM Office of 
Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, VAM-OREP, Sterling, 
Virginia 20166, (703) 787-1577 or [email protected]; Wright 
Frank, BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, 
VAM-OREP, Sterling, Virginia 20166, (703) 787-1325 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Authority: This notice is published pursuant to subsection 8(p) of 
the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)), 
added by section 388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and the 
implementing regulations at 30 CFR 585.116.

    Overview: In this notice, BOEM has initially identified the 
following factors to be considered in the analysis contemplated in this 
notice:


[[Page 14882]]


 Areas prohibited by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 
(OCSLA) for leasing
 Department of Defense (DoD) conflict areas
 Maritime navigation conflict areas
 Areas not previously removed from BOEM leasing consideration
 Areas greater than 10 nautical miles from shore
 Areas shallower than 60 meters in depth
 Areas adjacent to states with offshore wind economic 
incentives
 Areas adjacent to states that have an interest in identifying 
additional lease areas
 Areas for which industry has expressed interest

    BOEM is aware of many other factors that affect the appropriateness 
of offshore development, including commercial and recreational 
fisheries concerns, endangered species critical habitat, recreation and 
tourism, and other environmental and multiple use concerns. However, 
unlike the factors identified above, evaluation of these factors 
requires a detailed, site-specific analysis that would not be 
practicable on a landscape scale for the entire Atlantic Coast. 
Accordingly, these factors will be thoroughly evaluated on a case-by-
case basis during future Calls for Information and Nominations and Area 
Identification stages of BOEM's leasing process. This Atlantic 
assessment, and the development of ``forecast areas'' as discussed 
below, will help identify areas where BOEM may focus its leasing 
efforts over the next three to five years as it collects more detailed, 
site-specific information to ensure responsible leasing and development 
of OCS renewable energy resources.
    Background and Purpose: BOEM has now completed seven offshore wind 
lease sales for wind energy areas in the Atlantic Ocean offshore 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, 
and North Carolina. Each of these sales were the result of processes 
that BOEM undertook over a period of years to identify and reduce 
potential conflicts between offshore wind leases and incompatible ocean 
uses. BOEM has issued thirteen commercial leases (competitively or 
noncompetitively) in every state with territorial waters bordering the 
OCS from Massachusetts to North Carolina.
    BOEM has received feedback from state and industry stakeholders 
requesting that BOEM propose additional lease areas. This feedback has 
been reinforced by increased competition in BOEM's most recent lease 
sales in New York and North Carolina, as well as a recent increase in 
the number of unsolicited lease applications submitted to BOEM. In 
addition, stakeholders have requested that BOEM evaluate the next phase 
of offshore wind leasing using a regional approach.
    BOEM's intent in publishing this Notice is to start a conversation 
surrounding its approach to future renewable energy leasing on the 
Atlantic OCS. BOEM believes that additional areas of the Atlantic may 
be viable for responsible and informed commercial wind development. 
BOEM seeks input from stakeholders regarding areas where development 
may or may not be appropriate, and what factors BOEM should consider in 
the early stages of its future planning processes. This planning 
exercise is not a replacement for BOEM's existing area identification 
processes to determine Wind Energy Areas and issue leases through site-
specific analysis and stakeholder outreach. BOEM will continue to 
pursue an area identification process in the future that is more 
narrowly focused on specifically bounded offshore areas, utilizing 
extensive analysis of site-specific conditions (e.g., fisheries, 
navigation, seafloor conditions, etc.). Please refer to the following 
web page (https://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy/Path-Forward/) for 
details on other opportunities to comment on this Request for Feedback 
(RFF).
    Proposed Factors for Identification of Offshore Wind Forecast 
Areas: BOEM has preliminarily identified factors that, in BOEM's 
experience, are likely to help it assess whether a given area is 
appropriate for offshore wind energy development. Applying these 
factors to the Atlantic OCS, BOEM plans to identify ``forecast areas'' 
along the Atlantic Coast that have the highest probability for offshore 
wind development. The forecast areas would be those geographic 
locations on the Atlantic OCS that have multiple positive factors 
(i.e., factors that may facilitate offshore wind development), thereby 
indicating a strong likelihood that offshore wind leasing may be 
feasible in that area. Maps illustrating the application of each of the 
factors geographically are available at: https://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy/Path-Forward/.

Exclusionary Factors

    The following factors would be considered exclusionary. At this 
time, BOEM would consider them as creating ``no-go'' areas for offshore 
wind.
    OCSLA prohibited areas: Pursuant to the OCSLA, BOEM is prohibited 
from leasing within the exterior boundaries of a unit of the National 
Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, National Marine Sanctuary 
System, or any National Monument.
    DoD conflict areas: At this time, BOEM would not consider leasing 
areas in the Atlantic designated as ``red'' by the DoD in its color-
coded assessments. DoD has designated these areas as incompatible with 
wind energy development because of potential conflicts with mission 
critical operations, training, or testing activities.
    Maritime navigation conflict areas: At this time, BOEM would not 
consider leasing areas within official (i.e., charted) marine vessel 
traffic routing measures. Later in the Area Identification process, 
BOEM would conduct a case-specific analysis of maritime vessel traffic 
information (e.g., automatic identification system data) and might 
further refine and delineate areas of high traffic use outside of 
official traffic separation schemes and other routing measures.

Positive Factors

    The factors discussed in this section would help BOEM identify the 
locations that would be considered more favorable for wind energy 
development. The greater the number of positive factors a location 
exhibits, the greater the likelihood that location would fall within a 
forecast area.
    Areas not previously removed: Some areas of the OCS were removed 
from consideration for leasing in BOEM's past Area Identification 
processes for a variety of different reasons. In most cases, they were 
removed for reasons that remain applicable today, such as certain high 
value fishing areas off the coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 
essential fish habitat offshore New York, and vessel traffic offshore 
Maryland and New Jersey. Other areas of the OCS have not been removed 
from leasing consideration, primarily because they have not been 
previously evaluated, and may have potential for future wind energy 
development. The areas that have not been removed from leasing 
consideration previously are the focus of this factor. However, BOEM 
asks that stakeholders review the removed areas and comment if they 
believe BOEM should reconsider their prior removal.
    Areas greater than 10 nautical miles (nm) from shore: BOEM 
recognizes that an offshore wind energy facility may present viewshed 
concerns for coastal stakeholders. In BOEM's previous area 
identification efforts, it has imposed

[[Page 14883]]

various buffer distances from shore to address concerns about potential 
visual impacts of wind development. The buffers are typically greater 
than or equal to 10 nm from shore. BOEM requests feedback on whether 
the 10 nm distance is a reasonable positive factor for this planning 
exercise.
    Areas shallower than 60 meters (m) in depth: Although fixed-bottom 
substructures currently dominate the global offshore wind market, these 
structures may not be economically feasible in water depths exceeding 
60 m. Therefore, BOEM has chosen 60 m depth as a factor in identifying 
forecast areas. However, BOEM recognizes the recent development of 
floating wind turbine technologies that may be deployed in deeper 
waters. BOEM is specifically requesting comments from stakeholders 
regarding 60 m depth as a positive factor for the appropriateness of an 
area for wind energy development, as well as the existence of specific 
areas or OCS blocks deeper than 60 m that may be appropriate for 
offshore renewable energy development.
    Areas adjacent to states with offshore wind economic incentives: 
BOEM recognizes that offshore wind development incentives offered by 
coastal states, such as offshore renewable energy credits or other 
offtake mechanisms, influence the demand for such development. BOEM has 
identified the States of Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New 
York, and New Jersey as examples of states that have either a 
legislative or policy mandate incentivizing additional offshore wind 
development. Power generation at locations within 60 nm of the coasts 
of these states may feed into their electric grids, and the state 
incentives therefore may facilitate offshore wind development.
    Areas adjacent to states that have an interest in identifying 
additional lease areas: State interest in offshore renewable energy 
leasing has been an important element in BOEM's past identification of 
Wind Energy Areas. State interest is often expressed through active 
state engagement with stakeholders through BOEM intergovernmental task 
forces and other venues. Proactive efforts by coastal states to 
facilitate stakeholder engagement and discussion of key issues help 
inform BOEM's identification of Wind Energy Areas. BOEM has identified 
Massachusetts (only the remaining Massachusetts wind energy areas), New 
York, and South Carolina as states that have an established 
intergovernmental task force and are also facilitating stakeholder 
engagement in support of future offshore wind leasing. BOEM invites 
Atlantic Coast states to respond to this RFF by specifying their level 
of interest in future offshore wind leasing within OCS areas adjacent 
to their coastline.
    Areas for which industry has expressed interest: This factor 
includes areas where offshore wind developers have expressed interest 
in leasing a specific location. BOEM received these expressions of 
interest either in response to a Call for Information and Nominations 
or via an unsolicited lease request. With respect to this factor, BOEM 
has received two unsolicited lease requests for two wind energy areas 
offshore Massachusetts (the same areas that did not receive bids in 
Lease Sale ATLW-4 on January 29, 2015); an unsolicited application for 
further development offshore New York; and expressions of commercial 
interest in areas that BOEM has identified offshore North and South 
Carolina (the Wilmington East and West Wind Energy Areas and the Grand 
Strand Call Area). As part of this RFF, BOEM requests that developers 
identify areas along the Atlantic Coast that may be of interest for 
future offshore wind leasing. This request is not a formal Request for 
Interest, but rather to inform BOEM's planning efforts for future 
potential offshore wind leasing.
    Areas with resource and locational potential (potential factor): 
BOEM acknowledges that certain areas of the OCS may have greater 
commercial potential than others. As described in a recent March 2017 
publication (located at http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy17osti/67675.pdf), 
the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has developed a model 
predicting the economic potential for specific portions of the OCS. 
BOEM has identified this as a potential additional factor and has not 
included it in the evaluation of forecast areas at this time. We are 
requesting comments on the utility of this study in our planning 
efforts--and, in particular, which parameter(s) of the NREL models 
(energy potential, levelized cost of electricity, etc.), if any, would 
be the most useful in identifying forecast areas.
    BOEM is aware of many other factors that affect the appropriateness 
of offshore development, including commercial and recreational 
fisheries concerns, endangered species critical habitat, recreation and 
tourism, and other environmental and multiple use concerns. However, 
these factors are typically site-specific and will be thoroughly 
evaluated on a case-by-case basis during any future Calls for 
Information and Nominations and subsequent Area Identification stages 
of BOEM's leasing process. BOEM will consider the information received 
in response to this RFF to finalize the factors it will consider when 
assessing the areas within which BOEM will focus future planning and 
leasing efforts. A map of all factors applied to the waters offshore 
the Atlantic Coast is available at: https://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy/Path-Forward/.
    Separately, BOEM will continue to consider unsolicited lease 
requests pursuant to 30 CFR 585.230 for areas both inside and outside 
of the forecast areas.
    Regional Ocean Plans and Data Portals: BOEM encourages commenters 
to consult the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portals, which are 
key components of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Ocean Plans developed 
by the intergovernmental Regional Planning Bodies (RPB). These data 
portals are located at http://www.northeastoceandata.org/data-explorer/ 
and http://portal.midatlanticocean.org/. BOEM believes the use of the 
Data Portals will lead to a better shared understanding of who or what 
might be affected by a given proposed activity. In addition to the maps 
characterizing existing energy and infrastructure activities, the Data 
Portals contain a range of maps of marine life, habitat areas, cultural 
resources, transportation, fishing, and other human uses to be 
considered when new energy or other infrastructure developments are 
proposed. The Data Portals also help to identify important user groups 
for further engagement by BOEM during the leasing process, such as 
commercial and recreational fishermen, commercial transportation 
providers, and the military, who are most likely to interact with new 
offshore energy developments.
    Protection of Privileged or Confidential Information: BOEM will 
protect privileged or confidential information that you submit, as 
provided in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Exemption 4 of FOIA 
applies to trade secrets and commercial or financial information. If 
you wish to protect the confidentiality of such information, clearly 
mark it and request that BOEM treat it as confidential. BOEM will not 
disclose such information, except as provided in FOIA. Please label 
privileged or confidential information ``Contains Confidential 
Information'' and consider submitting such information as a separate 
attachment.
    BOEM will not treat as confidential any aggregate summaries of such 
information or comments not containing such information. Additionally, 
BOEM may not treat as confidential the legal

[[Page 14884]]

title of the commenting entity (e.g., the name of your company). 
Information that is not labeled as privileged or confidential may be 
regarded by BOEM as suitable for public release.

    Dated: April 3, 2018.
Walter D. Cruickshank,
Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2018-07106 Filed 4-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P



                                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 67 / Friday, April 6, 2018 / Notices                                                                                    14881

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Completion
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Annual            time per                Total annual
                                                                                                        Regulation/activity                                                                        number of          response                burden hours *
                                                                                                                                                                                                   responses            (hours)

                                               Government .................................................................................................................................               800                       0.25                200

                                                                                                                21.51—Agricultural Depredation Order (Recordkeeping)

                                               Private Sector ..............................................................................................................................              600                         0.5               300

                                                                                                                 21.51—Agricultural Depredation Order (Annual Report)

                                               Government .................................................................................................................................                20                           8               160

                                                                                                                                  21.52—Public Health Control Order

                                               Government .................................................................................................................................                20                           1                20

                                                                                                         21.49, 21.50, 21.51, & 21.52—Report Take of Endangered Species

                                               Private Sector ..............................................................................................................................                   2                    0.25                   1

                                                                                           21.61—Population Control Approval Request (Annual Report and Recordkeeping)

                                               Annual Report—Gov’t ..................................................................................................................                       3                          12                36
                                               Recordkeeping—Gov’t .................................................................................................................                       12                          36

                                                                                        21.61—Population Control Approval Request (Population and Distribution Estimates)

                                               Government .................................................................................................................................                    3                     160                480

                                                     Totals ....................................................................................................................................         8,698     ........................           3,360
                                                  * Rounded


                                                 An agency may not conduct or                                             issued 13 commercial leases on the                                       for BOEM–2018–0018. Follow the
                                               sponsor and a person is not required to                                    Atlantic from North Carolina to                                          instructions to submit public comments
                                               respond to a collection of information                                     Massachusetts. BOEM is now                                               in response to this document.
                                               unless it displays a currently valid OMB                                   conducting a high-level assessment of                                      2. Written Comments: In written form,
                                               control number.                                                            all waters offshore the United States                                    delivered by hand or by mail, enclosed
                                                 The authority for this action is the                                     Atlantic Coast for potential additional                                  in an envelope labeled, ‘‘Comments on
                                               Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44                                        lease locations. BOEM proposes to rely                                   Request for Feedback’’ to: Office of
                                               U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).                                                      on various factors described below to                                    Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of
                                                 Dated: April 3, 2018.                                                    help it assess which geographic areas                                    Ocean Energy Management, 45600
                                                                                                                          along the Atlantic are the most likely to                                Woodland Road, VAM–OREP, Sterling,
                                               Madonna Baucum,
                                                                                                                          have highest potential for successful                                    Virginia 20166.
                                               Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S.
                                                                                                                          offshore wind development in the next
                                               Fish and Wildlife Service.                                                                                                                          FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                                          three to five years. BOEM is seeking
                                               [FR Doc. 2018–07046 Filed 4–5–18; 8:45 am]                                                                                                          Jeffrey Browning, BOEM Office of
                                                                                                                          input on all aspects of its proposed path
                                               BILLING CODE 4333—15—P
                                                                                                                          forward, but particularly on the merits                                  Renewable Energy Programs, 45600
                                                                                                                          of these factors and any other factors                                   Woodland Road, VAM–OREP, Sterling,
                                                                                                                          BOEM should consider. This Atlantic                                      Virginia 20166, (703) 787–1577 or
                                               DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR                                                                                                                          Jeffrey.Browning@boem.gov; Wright
                                                                                                                          assessment is intended to inform future
                                                                                                                          area identification processes, not                                       Frank, BOEM Office of Renewable
                                               Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
                                                                                                                          replace them. Accordingly, after                                         Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland
                                               [Docket No. BOEM–2018–0018]                                                reviewing the comments it receives                                       Road, VAM–OREP, Sterling, Virginia
                                                                                                                          pursuant to this notice, BOEM plans to                                   20166, (703) 787–1325 or
                                               Request for Feedback on BOEM’s                                             coordinate with its intergovernmental                                    Wright.Frank@boem.gov.
                                               Proposed Path Forward for Future                                           renewable energy task forces, and                                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                               Offshore Renewable Energy Leasing                                          conduct further stakeholder outreach as
                                               on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf                                                                                                               Authority: This notice is published
                                                                                                                          a part of its continuing area
                                                                                                                                                                                                   pursuant to subsection 8(p) of the Outer
                                               AGENCY:  Bureau of Ocean Energy                                            identification efforts.
                                                                                                                                                                                                   Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA)
                                               Management, Interior.                                                      DATES: Stakeholders should submit
                                                                                                                                                                                                   (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)), added by section
                                               ACTION: Request for feedback.                                              comments electronically or postmarked                                    388 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005,
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                                                                                                                          no later than May 21, 2018.                                              and the implementing regulations at 30
                                               SUMMARY:   The Bureau of Ocean Energy                                      ADDRESSES: Comments should be                                            CFR 585.116.
                                               Management (BOEM) invites the public                                       submitted in one of the two following
                                               to contribute to the development of a                                      ways:                                                                      Overview: In this notice, BOEM has
                                               path forward for future renewable                                             1. Electronically: http://                                            initially identified the following factors
                                               leasing offshore the United States                                         www.regulations.gov. In the entry                                        to be considered in the analysis
                                               Atlantic Coast. Thus far, BOEM has                                         entitled, ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID,’’ search                                contemplated in this notice:


                                          VerDate Sep<11>2014         22:21 Apr 05, 2018         Jkt 244001       PO 00000       Frm 00040        Fmt 4703       Sfmt 4703       E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM     06APN1


                                               14882                             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 67 / Friday, April 6, 2018 / Notices

                                               • Areas prohibited by the Outer                         lease sales in New York and North                       OCSLA prohibited areas: Pursuant to
                                                  Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA)                  Carolina, as well as a recent increase in             the OCSLA, BOEM is prohibited from
                                                  for leasing                                          the number of unsolicited lease                       leasing within the exterior boundaries of
                                               • Department of Defense (DoD) conflict                  applications submitted to BOEM. In                    a unit of the National Park System,
                                                  areas                                                addition, stakeholders have requested                 National Wildlife Refuge System,
                                               • Maritime navigation conflict areas                    that BOEM evaluate the next phase of                  National Marine Sanctuary System, or
                                               • Areas not previously removed from                     offshore wind leasing using a regional                any National Monument.
                                                  BOEM leasing consideration                           approach.                                               DoD conflict areas: At this time,
                                               • Areas greater than 10 nautical miles                     BOEM’s intent in publishing this                   BOEM would not consider leasing areas
                                                  from shore                                           Notice is to start a conversation                     in the Atlantic designated as ‘‘red’’ by
                                               • Areas shallower than 60 meters in                     surrounding its approach to future                    the DoD in its color-coded assessments.
                                                  depth                                                renewable energy leasing on the                       DoD has designated these areas as
                                               • Areas adjacent to states with offshore                Atlantic OCS. BOEM believes that                      incompatible with wind energy
                                                  wind economic incentives                             additional areas of the Atlantic may be               development because of potential
                                               • Areas adjacent to states that have an                 viable for responsible and informed                   conflicts with mission critical
                                                  interest in identifying additional lease             commercial wind development. BOEM                     operations, training, or testing activities.
                                                  areas                                                seeks input from stakeholders regarding                 Maritime navigation conflict areas: At
                                               • Areas for which industry has                          areas where development may or may                    this time, BOEM would not consider
                                                  expressed interest                                   not be appropriate, and what factors                  leasing areas within official (i.e.,
                                                                                                       BOEM should consider in the early                     charted) marine vessel traffic routing
                                                  BOEM is aware of many other factors                                                                        measures. Later in the Area
                                               that affect the appropriateness of                      stages of its future planning processes.
                                                                                                                                                             Identification process, BOEM would
                                               offshore development, including                         This planning exercise is not a
                                                                                                                                                             conduct a case-specific analysis of
                                               commercial and recreational fisheries                   replacement for BOEM’s existing area
                                                                                                                                                             maritime vessel traffic information (e.g.,
                                               concerns, endangered species critical                   identification processes to determine
                                                                                                                                                             automatic identification system data)
                                               habitat, recreation and tourism, and                    Wind Energy Areas and issue leases
                                                                                                                                                             and might further refine and delineate
                                               other environmental and multiple use                    through site-specific analysis and
                                                                                                                                                             areas of high traffic use outside of
                                               concerns. However, unlike the factors                   stakeholder outreach. BOEM will
                                                                                                                                                             official traffic separation schemes and
                                               identified above, evaluation of these                   continue to pursue an area
                                                                                                                                                             other routing measures.
                                               factors requires a detailed, site-specific              identification process in the future that
                                               analysis that would not be practicable                  is more narrowly focused on specifically              Positive Factors
                                               on a landscape scale for the entire                     bounded offshore areas, utilizing                        The factors discussed in this section
                                               Atlantic Coast. Accordingly, these                      extensive analysis of site-specific                   would help BOEM identify the locations
                                               factors will be thoroughly evaluated on                 conditions (e.g., fisheries, navigation,              that would be considered more
                                               a case-by-case basis during future Calls                seafloor conditions, etc.). Please refer to           favorable for wind energy development.
                                               for Information and Nominations and                     the following web page (https://                      The greater the number of positive
                                               Area Identification stages of BOEM’s                    www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy/Path-                   factors a location exhibits, the greater
                                               leasing process. This Atlantic                          Forward/) for details on other                        the likelihood that location would fall
                                               assessment, and the development of                      opportunities to comment on this                      within a forecast area.
                                               ‘‘forecast areas’’ as discussed below,                  Request for Feedback (RFF).                              Areas not previously removed: Some
                                               will help identify areas where BOEM                        Proposed Factors for Identification of             areas of the OCS were removed from
                                               may focus its leasing efforts over the                  Offshore Wind Forecast Areas: BOEM                    consideration for leasing in BOEM’s
                                               next three to five years as it collects                 has preliminarily identified factors that,            past Area Identification processes for a
                                               more detailed, site-specific information                in BOEM’s experience, are likely to help              variety of different reasons. In most
                                               to ensure responsible leasing and                       it assess whether a given area is                     cases, they were removed for reasons
                                               development of OCS renewable energy                     appropriate for offshore wind energy                  that remain applicable today, such as
                                               resources.                                              development. Applying these factors to                certain high value fishing areas off the
                                                  Background and Purpose: BOEM has                     the Atlantic OCS, BOEM plans to                       coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode
                                               now completed seven offshore wind                       identify ‘‘forecast areas’’ along the                 Island, essential fish habitat offshore
                                               lease sales for wind energy areas in the                Atlantic Coast that have the highest                  New York, and vessel traffic offshore
                                               Atlantic Ocean offshore Massachusetts,                  probability for offshore wind                         Maryland and New Jersey. Other areas
                                               Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey,                     development. The forecast areas would                 of the OCS have not been removed from
                                               Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.                 be those geographic locations on the                  leasing consideration, primarily because
                                               Each of these sales were the result of                  Atlantic OCS that have multiple positive              they have not been previously
                                               processes that BOEM undertook over a                    factors (i.e., factors that may facilitate            evaluated, and may have potential for
                                               period of years to identify and reduce                  offshore wind development), thereby                   future wind energy development. The
                                               potential conflicts between offshore                    indicating a strong likelihood that                   areas that have not been removed from
                                               wind leases and incompatible ocean                      offshore wind leasing may be feasible in              leasing consideration previously are the
                                               uses. BOEM has issued thirteen                          that area. Maps illustrating the                      focus of this factor. However, BOEM
                                               commercial leases (competitively or                     application of each of the factors                    asks that stakeholders review the
                                               noncompetitively) in every state with                   geographically are available at: https://             removed areas and comment if they
                                               territorial waters bordering the OCS                    www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy/Path-                   believe BOEM should reconsider their
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                                               from Massachusetts to North Carolina.                   Forward/.                                             prior removal.
                                                  BOEM has received feedback from                                                                               Areas greater than 10 nautical miles
                                                                                                       Exclusionary Factors
                                               state and industry stakeholders                                                                               (nm) from shore: BOEM recognizes that
                                               requesting that BOEM propose                               The following factors would be                     an offshore wind energy facility may
                                               additional lease areas. This feedback has               considered exclusionary. At this time,                present viewshed concerns for coastal
                                               been reinforced by increased                            BOEM would consider them as creating                  stakeholders. In BOEM’s previous area
                                               competition in BOEM’s most recent                       ‘‘no-go’’ areas for offshore wind.                    identification efforts, it has imposed


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                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 67 / Friday, April 6, 2018 / Notices                                         14883

                                               various buffer distances from shore to                  offshore wind leasing. BOEM invites                   consider the information received in
                                               address concerns about potential visual                 Atlantic Coast states to respond to this              response to this RFF to finalize the
                                               impacts of wind development. The                        RFF by specifying their level of interest             factors it will consider when assessing
                                               buffers are typically greater than or                   in future offshore wind leasing within                the areas within which BOEM will focus
                                               equal to 10 nm from shore. BOEM                         OCS areas adjacent to their coastline.                future planning and leasing efforts. A
                                               requests feedback on whether the 10 nm                     Areas for which industry has                       map of all factors applied to the waters
                                               distance is a reasonable positive factor                expressed interest: This factor includes              offshore the Atlantic Coast is available
                                               for this planning exercise.                             areas where offshore wind developers                  at: https://www.boem.gov/Renewable-
                                                  Areas shallower than 60 meters (m) in                have expressed interest in leasing a                  Energy/Path-Forward/.
                                               depth: Although fixed-bottom                            specific location. BOEM received these                   Separately, BOEM will continue to
                                               substructures currently dominate the                    expressions of interest either in                     consider unsolicited lease requests
                                               global offshore wind market, these                      response to a Call for Information and                pursuant to 30 CFR 585.230 for areas
                                               structures may not be economically                      Nominations or via an unsolicited lease               both inside and outside of the forecast
                                               feasible in water depths exceeding 60 m.                request. With respect to this factor,                 areas.
                                               Therefore, BOEM has chosen 60 m                         BOEM has received two unsolicited                        Regional Ocean Plans and Data
                                               depth as a factor in identifying forecast               lease requests for two wind energy areas              Portals: BOEM encourages commenters
                                               areas. However, BOEM recognizes the                     offshore Massachusetts (the same areas                to consult the Northeast and Mid-
                                               recent development of floating wind                     that did not receive bids in Lease Sale               Atlantic Ocean Data Portals, which are
                                               turbine technologies that may be                        ATLW–4 on January 29, 2015); an                       key components of the Northeast and
                                               deployed in deeper waters. BOEM is                      unsolicited application for further                   Mid-Atlantic Ocean Plans developed by
                                               specifically requesting comments from                   development offshore New York; and                    the intergovernmental Regional
                                               stakeholders regarding 60 m depth as a                  expressions of commercial interest in                 Planning Bodies (RPB). These data
                                               positive factor for the appropriateness of              areas that BOEM has identified offshore               portals are located at http://
                                               an area for wind energy development, as                 North and South Carolina (the                         www.northeastoceandata.org/data-
                                               well as the existence of specific areas or              Wilmington East and West Wind Energy                  explorer/ and http://
                                               OCS blocks deeper than 60 m that may                    Areas and the Grand Strand Call Area).                portal.midatlanticocean.org/. BOEM
                                               be appropriate for offshore renewable                   As part of this RFF, BOEM requests that               believes the use of the Data Portals will
                                               energy development.                                     developers identify areas along the                   lead to a better shared understanding of
                                                  Areas adjacent to states with offshore               Atlantic Coast that may be of interest for            who or what might be affected by a
                                               wind economic incentives: BOEM                          future offshore wind leasing. This                    given proposed activity. In addition to
                                               recognizes that offshore wind                           request is not a formal Request for                   the maps characterizing existing energy
                                               development incentives offered by                       Interest, but rather to inform BOEM’s                 and infrastructure activities, the Data
                                               coastal states, such as offshore                        planning efforts for future potential                 Portals contain a range of maps of
                                               renewable energy credits or other                       offshore wind leasing.                                marine life, habitat areas, cultural
                                               offtake mechanisms, influence the                          Areas with resource and locational                 resources, transportation, fishing, and
                                               demand for such development. BOEM                       potential (potential factor): BOEM                    other human uses to be considered
                                               has identified the States of Maryland,                  acknowledges that certain areas of the                when new energy or other infrastructure
                                               Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York,                  OCS may have greater commercial                       developments are proposed. The Data
                                               and New Jersey as examples of states                    potential than others. As described in a              Portals also help to identify important
                                               that have either a legislative or policy                recent March 2017 publication (located                user groups for further engagement by
                                               mandate incentivizing additional                        at http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy17osti/                 BOEM during the leasing process, such
                                               offshore wind development. Power                        67675.pdf), the National Renewable                    as commercial and recreational
                                               generation at locations within 60 nm of                 Energy Laboratory (NREL) has                          fishermen, commercial transportation
                                               the coasts of these states may feed into                developed a model predicting the                      providers, and the military, who are
                                               their electric grids, and the state                     economic potential for specific portions              most likely to interact with new offshore
                                               incentives therefore may facilitate                     of the OCS. BOEM has identified this as               energy developments.
                                               offshore wind development.                              a potential additional factor and has not                Protection of Privileged or
                                                  Areas adjacent to states that have an                included it in the evaluation of forecast             Confidential Information: BOEM will
                                               interest in identifying additional lease                areas at this time. We are requesting                 protect privileged or confidential
                                               areas: State interest in offshore                       comments on the utility of this study in              information that you submit, as
                                               renewable energy leasing has been an                    our planning efforts—and, in particular,              provided in the Freedom of Information
                                               important element in BOEM’s past                        which parameter(s) of the NREL models                 Act (FOIA). Exemption 4 of FOIA
                                               identification of Wind Energy Areas.                    (energy potential, levelized cost of                  applies to trade secrets and commercial
                                               State interest is often expressed through               electricity, etc.), if any, would be the              or financial information. If you wish to
                                               active state engagement with                            most useful in identifying forecast areas.            protect the confidentiality of such
                                               stakeholders through BOEM                                  BOEM is aware of many other factors                information, clearly mark it and request
                                               intergovernmental task forces and other                 that affect the appropriateness of                    that BOEM treat it as confidential.
                                               venues. Proactive efforts by coastal                    offshore development, including                       BOEM will not disclose such
                                               states to facilitate stakeholder                        commercial and recreational fisheries                 information, except as provided in
                                               engagement and discussion of key                        concerns, endangered species critical                 FOIA. Please label privileged or
                                               issues help inform BOEM’s                               habitat, recreation and tourism, and                  confidential information ‘‘Contains
                                               identification of Wind Energy Areas.                    other environmental and multiple use                  Confidential Information’’ and consider
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                                               BOEM has identified Massachusetts                       concerns. However, these factors are                  submitting such information as a
                                               (only the remaining Massachusetts wind                  typically site-specific and will be                   separate attachment.
                                               energy areas), New York, and South                      thoroughly evaluated on a case-by-case                   BOEM will not treat as confidential
                                               Carolina as states that have an                         basis during any future Calls for                     any aggregate summaries of such
                                               established intergovernmental task force                Information and Nominations and                       information or comments not containing
                                               and are also facilitating stakeholder                   subsequent Area Identification stages of              such information. Additionally, BOEM
                                               engagement in support of future                         BOEM’s leasing process. BOEM will                     may not treat as confidential the legal


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                                               14884                             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 67 / Friday, April 6, 2018 / Notices

                                               title of the commenting entity (e.g., the                  We are soliciting comments on the                  endanger actual operations under any
                                               name of your company). Information                      proposed ICR that is described below.                 lease maintained or granted pursuant to
                                               that is not labeled as privileged or                    We are especially interested in public                this subchapter, and which are not
                                               confidential may be regarded by BOEM                    comment addressing the following                      unduly harmful to aquatic life in such
                                               as suitable for public release.                         issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to            area.’’ Under 30 CFR part 580, G&G
                                                Dated: April 3, 2018.                                  the proper functions of BOEM? (2) Will                exploration to be performed by any
                                               Walter D. Cruickshank,
                                                                                                       this information be processed and used                person on unleased lands or lands
                                                                                                       in a timely manner? (3) Is the estimate               under lease to a third party requires
                                               Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy
                                               Management.
                                                                                                       of burden accurate? (4) How might                     issuance of a BOEM permit or
                                                                                                       BOEM enhance the quality, utility, and                submission of a scientific research
                                               [FR Doc. 2018–07106 Filed 4–4–18; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                       clarity of the information to be                      notice. Section 1340(g) further requires
                                               BILLING CODE P
                                                                                                       collected? and (5) How might BOEM                     that permits for geologic exploration
                                                                                                       minimize the burden of this collection                will only be issued if it is determined
                                                                                                       on the respondents, including                         that the applicant for such permit is
                                               DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                                                                                       minimizing the burden through the use                 qualified; the exploration will not
                                               Bureau of Ocean Energy Management                       of information technology?                            interfere with or endanger operations
                                                                                                          Comments that you submit in                        under any lease; and the exploration
                                               [MMAA104000; OMB Control Number 1010–                   response to this notice are a matter of               will not be unduly harmful to aquatic
                                               0072; Docket ID: BOEM–2017–0016]                        public record. We will include or                     life in the area, result in pollution,
                                                                                                       summarize each comment in our request                 create hazardous or unsafe conditions,
                                               Agency Information Collection
                                                                                                       to OMB for approval of this ICR. Before               unreasonably interfere with other uses
                                               Activities; Prospecting for Minerals
                                                                                                       including your address, phone number,                 of the area, or disturb any site, structure,
                                               Other Than Oil, Gas, and Sulphur on
                                                                                                       email address, or other personal                      or object of historical or archaeological
                                               the Outer Continental Shelf and
                                                                                                       identifying information in your                       significance.
                                               Authorizations of Noncommercial                         comment, you should be aware that                        Prospecting for marine minerals
                                               Geological and Geophysical Activities                   your entire comment—including your                    includes certain aspects of exploration
                                               AGENCY:  Bureau of Ocean Energy                         personal identifying information—may                  as defined in the OCS Lands Act at 43
                                               Management, Interior.                                   be made publicly available at any time.               U.S.C. 1331(k). That section defines the
                                               ACTION: Notice of Information                           While you can ask us in your comments                 term ‘‘exploration’’ to mean the process
                                               Collection; request for comment.                        to withhold your personal identifying                 of searching for minerals, including
                                                                                                       information from public review, we                    ‘‘geophysical surveys where magnetic,
                                               SUMMARY:   In accordance with the                       cannot guarantee that we will be able to              gravity, seismic, or other systems are
                                               Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the                    do so.                                                used to detect or characterize the
                                               Bureau of Ocean Energy Management                          Abstract: The information collection               presence of such minerals. . . .’’
                                               (BOEM) is proposing to renew an                         request concerns the paperwork                           As a Federal agency, BOEM has a
                                               information collection with revisions.                  requirements in the regulations under                 responsibility to comply with the
                                               DATES: Interested persons are invited to                30 CFR part 580, Prospecting for                      National Environmental Policy Act (42
                                               submit comments on or before June 5,                    Minerals Other than Oil, Gas, and                     U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), Endangered Species
                                               2018.                                                   Sulphur on the Outer Continental Shelf                Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and Marine
                                               ADDRESSES: Send your comments on                        (OCS), as well as authorizations of                   Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1361
                                               this information collection request (ICR)               noncommercial geological and                          et seq.), among other environmental
                                               by mail to the BOEM Information                         geophysical (G&G) prospecting and                     laws. Compliance with the Endangered
                                               Collection Clearance Officer, Anna                      scientific research activities issued                 Species Act includes a substantive duty
                                               Atkinson, Bureau of Ocean Energy                        pursuant to Section 11 of the Outer                   to carry out any agency action in a
                                               Management, 45600 Woodland Road,                        Continental Shelf Lands Act, as                       manner that is not likely to jeopardize
                                               Sterling, Virginia 20166; or by email to                amended (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq., and 43               protected species or result in adverse
                                               anna.atkinson@boem.gov. Please                          U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).                                 modification of designated critical
                                               reference OMB Control Number 1010–                         The OCS Lands Act authorizes the                   habitat, as well as a procedural duty to
                                                                                                       Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to              consult with the United States Fish and
                                               0072 in the subject line of your
                                                                                                       prescribe rules and regulations to                    Wildlife Service and National Oceanic
                                               comments.
                                                                                                       administer leasing of mineral resources               and Atmospheric Administration
                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To                     on the OCS. Section 1337(k)(1) of the                 Fisheries before engaging in a
                                               request additional information about                    OCS Lands Act authorizes the Secretary                discretionary action that may affect a
                                               this ICR, contact Anna Atkinson by                      ‘‘. . . to grant to the qualified persons             protected species.
                                               email, or by telephone at 703–787–1025.                 offering the highest cash bonuses on a                   Respondents are required to submit
                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In                           basis of competitive bidding leases of                form BOEM–0134 to provide the
                                               accordance with the Paperwork                           any mineral other than oil, gas, and                  information necessary to evaluate their
                                               Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the                   sulphur in any area of the [O]uter                    request to conduct G&G prospecting,
                                               general public and other Federal                        Continental Shelf not then under lease                exploration or scientific research
                                               agencies with an opportunity to                         for such mineral upon such royalty,                   activities, and upon approval,
                                               comment on new, proposed, revised,                      rental, and other terms and conditions                respondents are issued a permit or
                                               and continuing collections of                           as the Secretary may prescribe at the                 authorization. BOEM uses the
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                                               information. This helps us assess the                   time of offering the area for lease.’’                information to ensure there is no
                                               impact of our information collection                       Section 1340(a)(1) of the OCS Lands                adverse effect to the marine, coastal, or
                                               requirements and minimize the public’s                  Act states that ‘‘. . . any person                    human environment, personal harm,
                                               reporting burden. It also helps the                     authorized by the Secretary may                       unsafe operations and conditions, or
                                               public understand our information                       conduct geological and geophysical                    unreasonable interference with other
                                               collection requirements and provide the                 explorations in the [O]uter Continental               uses; to analyze and evaluate
                                               requested data in the desired format.                   Shelf, which do not interfere with or                 preliminary or planned mining


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Document Created: 2018-11-01 09:16:01
Document Modified: 2018-11-01 09:16:01
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionRequest for feedback.
DatesStakeholders should submit comments electronically or postmarked no later than May 21, 2018.
ContactJeffrey Browning, BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, VAM-OREP, Sterling, Virginia 20166, (703) 787-1577 or [email protected]; Wright Frank, BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, VAM-OREP, Sterling, Virginia 20166, (703) 787-1325 or [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 14881 

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