The Responsible Offshore Development Alliance (RODA) in the US is suing the Bureau of Ocean Management (BOEM) in relation to the 800MW Vineyard Wind project.
RODA, a membership-based coalition of fishing industry associations and fishing companies, filed a Petition for Review in the First Circuit US Court of Appeals regarding the Secretary of the Interior’s 15 July 2021 decision approving the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind energy project.
“This is a precedent-setting decision by BOEM, and it is critical that they get it right so that future projects are following a trusted roadmap instead of a flawed and dangerous example,” said Anne Hawkins, executive director of RODA.
“Unfortunately, this lawsuit is the only recourse fishermen have to ensure the fishing communities’ concerns are addressed.”
RODA said that the project design approved by BOEM would endanger fishermen by placing turbines too close together for fishing vessels to safely navigate in inclement weather or heavy seas.
The group stated: “Based on their understanding of the connectivity of marine systems, fishermen have also repeatedly requested a cumulative impact assessment of offshore wind development to fish and protected resources.
“Unfortunately, BOEM has not taken a holistic approach to address the cumulative impact of offshore wind on the ocean ecosystem and shoreside communities.
“It is impossible to effectively plan a new ocean industry without such an analysis, especially one with such a large environmental footprint.”
BOEM declined to comment.