83 FR 63184 - Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Vineyard Wind LLC's Proposed Wind Energy Facility Offshore Massachusetts
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 235 (December 7, 2018)
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 235 (December 7, 2018)
| Page Range | 63184-63185 | |
| FR Document | 2018-26573 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 235 (Friday, December 7, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 63184-63185] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-26573] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [Docket No. BOEM-2018-0069] Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Vineyard Wind LLC's Proposed Wind Energy Facility Offshore Massachusetts AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Consistent with the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is announcing the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Construction and Operation Plan (COP) submitted by Vineyard Wind LLC (Vineyard Wind). The Draft EIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action described in the Vineyard Wind COP and reasonable alternatives to the proposed action. This Notice of Availability (NOA) announces the start of the public review and comment period, as well as the dates and locations of public hearings on the Draft EIS. After BOEM holds the public hearings and addresses comments on the Draft EIS, BOEM will prepare a Final EIS. DATES: Comments should be submitted no later than January 22, 2019. BOEM's public hearings will be held at the following dates and times. Please see the ADDRESSES section for the specific locations. [ssquf] New Bedford, Massachusetts: Tuesday, January 8, 2019 [ssquf] Narragansett, Rhode Island: Wednesday: January 9, 2019 [ssquf] Hyannis, Massachusetts: Tuesday, January 15, 2019 [ssquf] Nantucket, Massachusetts: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 [ssquf] Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts: Thursday, January 17, 2019 ADDRESSES: The Draft EIS and detailed information about the proposed wind energy facility, including the COP, can be found on BOEM's website at: https://www.boem.gov/Vineyard-Wind/. Comments can be submitted in any of the following ways:In written form, delivered by hand or by mail, enclosed in an envelope labeled ``Vineyard Wind COP Draft EIS'' and addressed to Program Manager, Office of Renewable Energy, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166. Comments must be received or postmarked no later than January 22, 2019; or Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to htttp://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket No. BOEM-2018-0069. Click on the ``Comment Now!'' button to the right of the document link. Enter your information and comment, then click ``Submit.'' BOEM will hold public hearings for the Draft EIS for the Vineyard Wind COP at the following places and times: [ssquf] New Bedford, Massachusetts: Tuesday, January 8, 2019; New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, Massachusetts 02740; Open House 5:00-8:00 p.m.; Presentation and Q&A 6:00 p.m. [ssquf] Narragansett, Rhode Island: Wednesday: January 9, 2019; Narragansett Town Hall, 25 5th Avenue, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882; Open [[Page 63185]] House 5:00-8:00 p.m.; Presentation and Q&A 6:00 p.m. [ssquf] Hyannis, Massachusetts: Tuesday, January 15, 2019; Double Tree Hotel, Cape Cod Room, 287 Iyannough Road, Hyannis, Massachusetts 02601; Open House 5:00-8:00 p.m.; Presentation and Q&A 6:00 p.m. [ssquf] Nantucket, Massachusetts: Wednesday, January 16, 2019; Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street, Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554; Open House 5:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; Presentation and Q&A 6:00 p.m. [ssquf] Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts: Thursday, January 17, 2019; Martha's Vineyard Hebrew Center, 130 Center Street, Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts 02568; Open House 5:00-8:00 p.m.; Presentation and Q&A 6:00 p.m. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the Vineyard Wind COP EIS, the submission of comments, or BOEM's policies associated with this notice, please contact Michelle Morin, BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166, (703) 787-1722 or [email protected] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed Action: The proposed action is approval of the construction and operation of a wind energy facility as described in the COP submitted by Vineyard Wind on Lease Area OCS-A 0501. The COP proposes to construct, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission an up to 800 MW wind energy facility on the OCS offshore Massachusetts within the proposed Project area. Vineyard Wind's COP proposes installing up to 100 wind turbine generators, each with a capacity of between 8 and 10 MW. Foundations would be 100 monopiles or up to 10 jacket foundations and the remainder monopiles. The proposed facility would also include one or two offshore substations or electrical service platforms. The Vineyard Wind COP also proposes an export cable from the wind energy facility to shore that would occur within the range of design parameters outlined in the COP. Vineyard Wind has identified two potential export cable landfalls: One near the town of Yarmouth and one near the town of Barnstable, both in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Onshore construction and staging would take place at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal facility. At its nearest point, the project area is approximately 12 nautical miles from the southeast corner of Martha's Vineyard and a similar distance from the southwest side of Nantucket. The turbines would be located in water depths ranging from approximately 37 to 49 meters (approximately 121 to 161 feet). Alternatives: In preparing the Draft EIS and in consideration of scoping comments, BOEM conducted an initial evaluation of a full range of alternatives. BOEM eliminated from further consideration alternatives that were technically or economically infeasible, did not provide environmental benefits, or otherwise did not meet BOEM's purpose and need. BOEM's Draft EIS carries forward for full evaluation a reasonable range of alternatives to the proposed action. The alternatives include the proposed action, a different cable landfall location, a reduction in project size, several options for modified wind turbine layouts, and a no-action alternative to disapprove the COP. This Draft EIS analyzes each alternative in detail, including direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental effects. The Draft EIS also considers proposed mitigation measures that BOEM may select. Compliance with existing laws and regulations by Vineyard Wind and BOEM may require additional measures or modifications to the measures described in the Draft EIS. Once BOEM completes the Final EIS and associated consultations, BOEM will decide whether to approve, approve with modification, or disapprove the Vineyard Wind COP. If BOEM approves the COP and the proposed facility is constructed, the lessee must submit a plan to decommission the facilities before the lease term ends. Availability of the Draft EIS: The Draft EIS, Vineyard Wind COP, and associated information are available on BOEM's website at: https://www.boem.gov/Vineyard-Wind/. BOEM will distribute digital copies of the Draft EIS to interested parties upon request. If you require a paper copy, BOEM will provide one upon request, as long as copies are available. You may request a CD, paper copy, or the location of a library with a paper copy of the Draft EIS by calling (703) 787-1346. Cooperating Agencies: On March 30, 2018, BOEM published in the Federal Register a Notice of Intent to prepare the Draft EIS. Nine agencies are participating as cooperating agencies in the preparation of the Draft EIS: The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the Rhode Island Coastal Resource Management Council, and the Narragansett Indian Tribe. BOEM does not consider anonymous comments. Please include your name and address as part of your submittal. BOEM makes all comments, including the name and addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that BOEM withhold their names or addresses from the public record; however, BOEM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so. If you wish your name or address to be withheld, you must state your preference prominently at the beginning of your comment. All submissions from organizations or businesses and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. Authority: This NOA was prepared pursuant to NEPA and implementing regulations at 40 CFR 1506.6 and 43 CFR 46.435. Dated: December 3, 2018. William Yancey Brown, Chief Environmental Officer, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. [FR Doc. 2018-26573 Filed 12-6-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P
![63184 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 235 / Friday, December 7, 2018 / Notices
who wish to have printed material collaboration with the Secretary of Vineyard Wind LLC (Vineyard Wind).
distributed to PACHA members at the Agriculture and the Commissioner of The Draft EIS analyzes the potential
meeting are asked to submit, at a Food and Drugs, to seek input on the environmental impacts of the proposed
minimum, 1 copy of the material(s) to draft report by the 21st Century Cures action described in the Vineyard Wind
Caroline Talev, no later than close of Act, Section 2034(d) Working Group on COP and reasonable alternatives to the
business on Thursday, March 7, 2019. Reducing Administrative Burden to proposed action. This Notice of
Dated: November 27, 2018. Researchers for Animal Care and Use in Availability (NOA) announces the start
B. Kaye Hayes,
Research. of the public review and comment
Section 2034(d) of the 21st Century period, as well as the dates and
Executive Director, Presidential Advisory
Council on HIV/AIDS.
Cures Act (Pub. L. 114–255) was locations of public hearings on the Draft
enacted December 13, 2016 and requires EIS. After BOEM holds the public
[FR Doc. 2018–26568 Filed 12–6–18; 8:45 am]
that the NIH, in collaboration with the hearings and addresses comments on
BILLING CODE 4150–43–P
United States Department of Agriculture the Draft EIS, BOEM will prepare a
(USDA) and the Food and Drug Final EIS.
Administration (FDA), complete a DATES: Comments should be submitted
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
review of applicable regulations and no later than January 22, 2019. BOEM’s
HUMAN SERVICES
policies for the care and use of public hearings will be held at the
National Institutes of Health laboratory animals and make revisions following dates and times. Please see
to reduce administrative burden on the ADDRESSES section for the specific
Laboratory Animal Welfare: Draft investigators. NIH OLAW, USDA, and locations.
Report on Recommendations To FDA formed a Working Group to: (1) D New Bedford, Massachusetts:
Reduce Administrative Burden on Identify overlapping regulations and Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Researchers policies; (2) take steps to reduce such D Narragansett, Rhode Island:
identified regulations and policies; and Wednesday: January 9, 2019
AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, (3) take actions to improve coordination,
HHS. D Hyannis, Massachusetts: Tuesday,
as directed by the U.S. Congress. Input January 15, 2019
ACTION: Notice; request for comments. is sought on the draft report of the D Nantucket, Massachusetts:
Working Group and others within the Wednesday, January 16, 2019
SUMMARY: The National Institutes of federal government and the proposed
Health (NIH) is seeking input on the D Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts:
recommendations to reduce the Thursday, January 17, 2019
draft report by the 21st Century Cures administrative burden associated with
Act Working Group on Reducing ADDRESSES: The Draft EIS and detailed
research activities with laboratory information about the proposed wind
Administrative Burden to Researchers animals while maintaining appropriate
for Animal Care and Use in Research. energy facility, including the COP, can
protections and scientific integrity. The be found on BOEM’s website at: https://
The draft report is a coordinated effort draft report is available at https://
of the Director of the National Institutes www.boem.gov/Vineyard-Wind/.
olaw.nih.gov/sites/default/files/21CCA_ Comments can be submitted in any of
of Health, in collaboration with the draft_report.pdf.
Secretary of Agriculture and the the following ways:
Commissioner of Food and Drugs. It Dated: November 16, 2018. • In written form, delivered by hand
describes the proposed actions that the Francis S. Collins, or by mail, enclosed in an envelope
working group has identified to reduce Director, National Institutes of Health. labeled ‘‘Vineyard Wind COP Draft EIS’’
administrative burden on investigators [FR Doc. 2018–26557 Filed 12–6–18; 8:45 am] and addressed to Program Manager,
while maintaining the integrity and BILLING CODE 4140–01–P
Office of Renewable Energy, Bureau of
credibility of research findings and Ocean Energy Management, 45600
protection of research animals. Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia
DATES: The Request for Information DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 20166. Comments must be received or
regarding the proposed actions that the postmarked no later than January 22,
working group has identified is open for Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 2019; or
public comment for a period of 60 days. • Through the regulations.gov web
[Docket No. BOEM–2018–0069] portal: Navigate to htttp://
Comments must be submitted
electronically at https://grants.nih.gov/ www.regulations.gov and search for
Notice of Availability of a Draft
grants/rfi/rfi.cfm?ID=83 and must be Docket No. BOEM–2018–0069. Click on
Environmental Impact Statement for
received by February 5, 2019 to ensure the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ button to the right
Vineyard Wind LLC’s Proposed Wind
consideration. of the document link. Enter your
Energy Facility Offshore
information and comment, then click
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Massachusetts
‘‘Submit.’’
Patricia Brown, Office of Laboratory AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy BOEM will hold public hearings for
Animal Welfare (OLAW), Office of Management, Interior. the Draft EIS for the Vineyard Wind
Extramural Research, National Institutes COP at the following places and times:
ACTION: Notice of availability of a Draft
of Health, Suite 2500, 6700B Rockledge D New Bedford, Massachusetts:
Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892–6910, Environmental Impact Statement.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019; New Bedford
phone: 301–496–7163, email: olaw@ SUMMARY: Consistent with the Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill,
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES
od.nih.gov. regulations implementing the National New Bedford, Massachusetts 02740;
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Open House 5:00–8:00 p.m.;
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Presentation and Q&A 6:00 p.m.
I. Background (BOEM) is announcing the availability D Narragansett, Rhode Island:
This request for information is a of a Draft Environmental Impact Wednesday: January 9, 2019;
coordinated effort of the Director of the Statement (EIS) for the Construction and Narragansett Town Hall, 25 5th Avenue,
National Institutes of Health, in Operation Plan (COP) submitted by Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882; Open
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 235 / Friday, December 7, 2018 / Notices 63185
House 5:00–8:00 p.m.; Presentation and to 49 meters (approximately 121 to 161 BOEM does not consider anonymous
Q&A 6:00 p.m. feet). comments. Please include your name
D Hyannis, Massachusetts: Tuesday, Alternatives: In preparing the Draft and address as part of your submittal.
January 15, 2019; Double Tree Hotel, EIS and in consideration of scoping BOEM makes all comments, including
Cape Cod Room, 287 Iyannough Road, comments, BOEM conducted an initial the name and addresses of respondents,
Hyannis, Massachusetts 02601; Open evaluation of a full range of alternatives. available for public review during
House 5:00–8:00 p.m.; Presentation and BOEM eliminated from further regular business hours. Individual
Q&A 6:00 p.m. consideration alternatives that were respondents may request that BOEM
D Nantucket, Massachusetts: technically or economically infeasible, withhold their names or addresses from
Wednesday, January 16, 2019; did not provide environmental benefits, the public record; however, BOEM
Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street, or otherwise did not meet BOEM’s cannot guarantee that it will be able to
Nantucket, Massachusetts 02554; Open purpose and need. BOEM’s Draft EIS do so. If you wish your name or address
House 5:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.; Presentation carries forward for full evaluation a to be withheld, you must state your
and Q&A 6:00 p.m. reasonable range of alternatives to the preference prominently at the beginning
D Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts: proposed action. The alternatives of your comment. All submissions from
Thursday, January 17, 2019; Martha’s include the proposed action, a different organizations or businesses and from
Vineyard Hebrew Center, 130 Center cable landfall location, a reduction in individuals identifying themselves as
Street, Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts project size, several options for representatives or officials of
02568; Open House 5:00–8:00 p.m.; modified wind turbine layouts, and a organizations or businesses will be
Presentation and Q&A 6:00 p.m. no-action alternative to disapprove the made available for public inspection in
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For COP. This Draft EIS analyzes each their entirety.
information on the Vineyard Wind COP alternative in detail, including direct,
Authority: This NOA was prepared
EIS, the submission of comments, or indirect, and cumulative environmental
pursuant to NEPA and implementing
BOEM’s policies associated with this effects. The Draft EIS also considers regulations at 40 CFR 1506.6 and 43 CFR
notice, please contact Michelle Morin, proposed mitigation measures that 46.435.
BOEM Office of Renewable Energy BOEM may select. Compliance with
existing laws and regulations by Dated: December 3, 2018.
Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, William Yancey Brown,
Sterling, Virginia 20166, (703) 787–1722 Vineyard Wind and BOEM may require
additional measures or modifications to Chief Environmental Officer, Bureau of Ocean
or michelle.morin@boem.gov Energy Management.
the measures described in the Draft EIS.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Once BOEM completes the Final EIS [FR Doc. 2018–26573 Filed 12–6–18; 8:45 am]
Proposed Action: The proposed action and associated consultations, BOEM BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P
is approval of the construction and will decide whether to approve, approve
operation of a wind energy facility as with modification, or disapprove the
described in the COP submitted by Vineyard Wind COP. If BOEM approves
Vineyard Wind on Lease Area OCS–A INTERNATIONAL TRADE
the COP and the proposed facility is
0501. The COP proposes to construct, COMMISSION
constructed, the lessee must submit a
operate, maintain, and eventually plan to decommission the facilities
decommission an up to 800 MW wind [USITC SE–18–059]
before the lease term ends.
energy facility on the OCS offshore Availability of the Draft EIS: The Draft Change of Date of Government in the
Massachusetts within the proposed EIS, Vineyard Wind COP, and Sunshine Act Meeting; Issuance of
Project area. Vineyard Wind’s COP associated information are available on Revised Agenda for Meeting of
proposes installing up to 100 wind BOEM’s website at: https:// December 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.
turbine generators, each with a capacity www.boem.gov/Vineyard-Wind/. BOEM
of between 8 and 10 MW. Foundations will distribute digital copies of the Draft AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING: United
would be 100 monopiles or up to 10 EIS to interested parties upon request. If States International Trade Commission.
jacket foundations and the remainder you require a paper copy, BOEM will ORIGINAL TIME AND DATE: December 5,
monopiles. The proposed facility would provide one upon request, as long as 2018 at 11:00 a.m.
also include one or two offshore copies are available. You may request a
NEW DATE: December 7, 2018 at 11:00
substations or electrical service CD, paper copy, or the location of a
platforms. The Vineyard Wind COP also a.m.
library with a paper copy of the Draft
proposes an export cable from the wind EIS by calling (703) 787–1346. PLACE: Room 100, 500 E Street SW,
energy facility to shore that would occur Cooperating Agencies: On March 30, Washington, DC 20436, Telephone:
within the range of design parameters 2018, BOEM published in the Federal (202) 205–2000.
outlined in the COP. Vineyard Wind has Register a Notice of Intent to prepare the STATUS: Open to the public.
identified two potential export cable Draft EIS. Nine agencies are In accordance with 19 CFR 201.35
landfalls: One near the town of participating as cooperating agencies in (d)(2)(i), the Commission hereby gives
Yarmouth and one near the town of the preparation of the Draft EIS: The notice that the Commission has
Barnstable, both in the Commonwealth Bureau of Safety and Environmental determined to change the date of the
of Massachusetts. Onshore construction Enforcement, the U.S. Environmental meeting originally scheduled for
and staging would take place at the New Protection Agency, the National Oceanic December 5, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. to
Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal and Atmospheric Administration, the December 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. to
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES
facility. At its nearest point, the project U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. consider Inv. Nos. 701–TA–591 and
area is approximately 12 nautical miles Coast Guard, the Massachusetts Office 731–TA–1399 (Final) (Common Alloy
from the southeast corner of Martha’s of Coastal Zone Management, the Rhode Aluminum Sheet from China).
Vineyard and a similar distance from Island Department of Environmental In accordance with Commission
the southwest side of Nantucket. The Management, the Rhode Island Coastal policy, subject matter listed above, not
turbines would be located in water Resource Management Council, and the disposed of at the scheduled meeting,
depths ranging from approximately 37 Narragansett Indian Tribe. may be carried over to the agenda of the
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Document Created: 2018-12-07 01:52:56
Document Modified: 2018-12-07 01:52:56
| 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 availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement. | |
| Dates | Comments should be submitted no later than January 22, 2019. BOEM's public hearings will be held at the following dates and times. | |
| Contact | For information on the Vineyard Wind COP EIS, the submission of comments, or BOEM's policies associated with this notice, please contact Michelle Morin, BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166, (703) 787-1722 or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 63184 |
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