Abstract
BOEM has supplemented the Vineyard Wind Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS), released in December 2018, in consideration of the comments received during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and in coordination with cooperating agencies. This supplement analyzes reasonably foreseeable effects from an expanded cumulative activities scenario for offshore wind development, previously unavailable fishing data, a new transit lane alternative, and changes to the proposed Vineyard Wind 1 Project (proposed Project) since publication of the Draft EIS. BOEM has supplemented the Draft EIS pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA for a Supplemental EIS (SEIS) (40 CFR 1502.9(c)). BOEM will incorporate the updated cumulative scenario and effects analysis from the SEIS into the Final EIS before publication, along with consideration of comments received during the SEIS comment period and comments received on the Draft EIS. The EIS will inform BOEM in deciding whether to approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove the proposed Project. Cooperating agencies will rely on the EIS to support their decision making as well if they determine the analysis is sufficient to support its decision. BOEM’s action furthers U.S. policy to make the Outer Continental Shelf energy resources available for development in an expeditious and orderly manner, subject to environmental safeguards (43 USC § 1332(3)), including consideration of natural resources and existing ocean uses.