SouthCoast Wind Project Final Environmental Impact Statement

This Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) assesses the potential biological, socioeconomic, physical, and cultural impacts that could result from the construction and installation, operations and maintenance, and conceptual decommissioning of the SouthCoast Wind Project (Project) proposed by SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC (SouthCoast Wind), in its Construction and Operations Plan (COP). The proposed Project described in the COP and this Final EIS would have a capacity of up to 2,400 megawatts (MW) and would be sited offshore Massachusetts, within Commercial Lease OCS-A 0521 (Lease Area). The Project is designed to provide renewable wind energy to the northeast United States, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, and/or Rhode Island. 

This Final EIS was prepared in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 United States Code 4321 et seq.) and implementing regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Parts 1500–1508). Upon completion of our technical and environmental reviews and other reviews required by federal law, BOEM will approve, disapprove, or approve the COP with conditions (30 CFR 585.628).

The Final EIS includes the following components: 

• Volume I: Chapters 1-4
• Notice of Availability
• Volume II: Appendices A-O
  • Appendix A: Required Environmental Permits and Consultations
  • Appendix B: Supplemental Information and Additional Figures and Tables
  • Appendix C: Project Design Envelope and Maximum-Case Scenario
  • Appendix D: Planned Activities Scenario
  • Appendix E: Analysis of Incomplete and Unavailable Information
  • Appendix F: USACE 404(b)(1) Analysis
  • Appendix G: Mitigation and Monitoring
  • Appendix H: Seascape, Landscape, and Visual Impact Assessment
  • Appendix I: Finding of Adverse Effect for the SouthCoast Wind Construction and Operations Plan
  • Appendix J: References Cited
  • Appendix K: Glossary
  • Appendix L: List of Preparers and Reviewers
  • Appendix M: Distribution List
  • Appendix N: Responses to Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement
  • Appendix O: Assessment of Resources with Moderate Impacts (or Lower) Impacts