Abstract
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) prepared this environmental assessment (EA) to analyze whether the issuance of leases and grants within the wind energy areas (WEAs) offshore Oregon (Figure 1-1) would result in significant impacts on the environment and therefore require preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) prior to lease issuance. This EA is prepared to evaluate the Proposed Action in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] § 4331 et seq.) and the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) regulations of the implementing NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] § 1500-1508).
The Proposed Action for this EA is the issuance of commercial wind energy lease(s) within the Oregon WEAs (Figure 1-1) on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and granting of rights-of-way (ROWs) and rightsof-use and easements (RUEs) supporting wind energy development. Issuing leases or grants allows for site characterization activities, including surveys, to gather data and information to support submittal of a Construction and Operations Plan (COP) for BOEM’s consideration and approval.
In accordance with 30 CFR § 585.113 and 585.200, a lease issued under this part confers on the lessee the right to apply for one or more project easements, without further competition, for the purpose of installing, maintaining, repairing and replacing: gathering, transmission, and distribution, and inter-array cables; power and pumping stations; facility anchors; pipelines; and associated facilities and other appurtenances on the OCS as necessary for the full enjoyment of the lease. Issuance of a lease does not constitute an irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources.
The lessee must apply for the project easement (30 CFR 585.200 (b)), and BOEM conduct additional analysis under NEPA, usually part of a COP review, and incorporate, if approved, the project easement into the associated lease as an addendum. If/when BOEM receives a project easement application, BOEM will invite government-to-government consultation with potentially affected federally recognized Tribes, as well as undertake any necessary consultation under other applicable laws.
Therefore, this environmental analysis focuses on the effects of site characterization and site assessment activities expected to occur after the issuance of commercial wind energy leases. The purpose is to allow lessees access to the WEAs to gather the physical and biological data required to submit a COP. BOEM is responsible for offshore renewable energy development in Federal waters. BOEM requires information from lease holders to evaluate future offshore wind plans. The issuance of a lease by BOEM to a lessee conveys no right to proceed with construction of a wind energy facility. BOEM may decide to issue leases within all, a portion, or none of the WEAs analyzed in the EA; BOEM’s decision regarding lease issuance is memorialized in a Final Sale Notice.
On February 13, 2024, BOEM released the Announcement of Area Identification Memorandum (Memorandum). This Memorandum documents the analysis and rationale supporting the recommended designation of two WEAs offshore Oregon for environmental analysis and leasing consideration. BOEM partnered with the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) to compile relevant data and develop spatial models to identify suitable areas for offshore wind energy development in the region (Carlton et al. 2024). The Oregon WEAs encompass approximately 194,995 acres offshore southern Oregon; their closest points to shore range from approximately 18–32 miles (mi), and water depths are 567–1,531 meters (m) (1,860–5,023 feet [ft]; Table 1-1).
Appendices to the Oregon EA (here)