In August, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the availability of a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) that assesses the potential impacts of the issuance of commercial and research leases within the nearly 800,000-acre wind energy areas of the New York Bight. The EA also takes a look at the granting of rights-of-way and rights-of-use and easement in the region.
BOEM said that many stakeholders requested more time to review the draft EA. Additionally, recent weather events in the region and technical issues with the BOEM website may have affected some stakeholders’ ability to review. As a result, BOEM is extending the comment period for the draft EA until Sept. 23, 2021.
The draft EA, detailed information about the proposed leasing in the New York Bight, and how to comment, can be found on BOEM’s website at https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/new-york-bight.
