Abstract
This Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) assesses the potential biological, socioeconomic, physical, and cultural impacts that could result from the construction, operations and maintenance (O&M), and conceptual decommissioning of the Maryland Offshore Wind Project (Project) proposed by US Wind, Inc. (US Wind), in its Construction and Operations Plan (COP). The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has prepared this Draft EIS under the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321–4370f) and implementing regulations. This Draft EIS will inform BOEM’s decision on whether to approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove the COP (30 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 585.628).
Cooperating agencies may rely on this Draft EIS to support their decision-making. In conjunction with submitting its COP, US Wind applied to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for an incidental take authorization in the form of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) for Incidental Take Regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), for incidental take of marine mammals during Project construction. Under the MMPA, NMFS is required to review applications and, if appropriate, issue an incidental take authorization. NMFS intends to adopt the Final EIS if, after independent review and analysis, NMFS determines the Final EIS to be sufficient to support its separate proposed action and decision to issue the authorization, if appropriate. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) similarly intends to adopt the Final EIS to meet its responsibilities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (RHA).
- Volume I: Draft Environmental Impact Statement
- Appendix A: Required Environmental Permits and Consultations
- Appendix B: Supplemental Information
- Appendix C: Project Design Envelope and Maximum-Case Scenario
- Appendix D: Planned Activities Scenario
- Appendix E: Analysis of Incomplete and Unavailable Information
- Appendix F: Impact-Producing Factor Tables and Assessment of Resources with Minor (or Lower) Impacts
- Appendix G: Mitigation and Monitoring
- Appendix H: Cumulative Seascape, Landscape, and Visual Impact Assessment (SLVIA)
- Appendix I: Cumulative Historic Resource Visual Assessment (HRVEA)
- Appendix J: Finding of Adverse Effect under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
- Appendix K: References Cited
- Appendix L: Glossary
- Appendix M: List of Preparers and Reviewers
- Appendix N: Distribution List