Abstract
On January 20, 2012, BOEM issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) based on the Mid-Atlantic EA (BOEM 2012). The Mid-Atlantic EA analyzed the reasonably foreseeable consequences associated with issuing commercial leases within Wind Energy Areas (WEAs), which include the Lease Area (Figure 1-1), as well as site assessment activities including the installation of meteorological towers and monitoring buoys. The Met Buoy and associated equipment proposed is consistent with the equipment that has been analyzed in the Mid Atlantic EA. BOEM identified several mitigation measures or Standard Operation Conditions (SOCs) in the Mid Atlantic EA for buoy installation, operation, and decommissioning. The SOCs were developed by BOEM in consultation with other Federal and State agencies to minimize the potential environmental risks to or conflicts with individual environmental and socioeconomic resources upon issuance of a commercial lease for site assessment and characterization activities. BOEM has issued stipulations for GSOE I’s lease-specific site characterization activities and site assessment activities in the Lease Area based upon these SOCs. Appendix A and Section 7 of this SAP demonstrate how GSOE I will conform to the stipulations outlined in the Commercial Lease documents.