The US Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is to carry out assessments on potential offshore wind lease areas off the Pacific coast.
The agency has filed a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare two environmental studies under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) on the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) off the coast of northern and central California.
The step paves the way for future commercial wind lease issuance off the coast of the California counties of Humboldt and San Luis Obispo.
After gathering data and feedback from ocean users, tribes, local communities and the general public, BOEM has identified sites suitable for commercial development located within Call Areas identified in 2018.
The Humboldt wind energy area (WEA) is identical to the site area identified in 2018.
The Morro Bay WEA (WEA) comprises a portion of the Morro Bay Call Area identified at the same time.
Publication of the NOI also opens a 45-day public comment period.
During this time, BOEM will accept written comments and virtual public scoping meetings will be held.
Input received during the comment period will be used to inform preparation of the NEPA document.
BOEM intends to consider biological, archeological, geological, and geophysical surveys and core samples and site assessment activities off California.
The scoping process provides the public an opportunity to assist BOEM in determining important resources and issues, impact-producing factors, reasonable alternatives, and potential mitigating measures to be analyzed under NEPA.
BOEM is also filing a Call for Information and Nominations (Call) for a new commercial leasing area for wind power development on the OCS offshore central California.
It is inviting submissions of information and nominations for commercial wind leases on areas off the coast of San Luis Obispo County.
These areas are located near but outside the existing Morro Bay Call Area identified in 2018.
The Call also opens a 45-day public comment period, and BOEM will use responses to the Call to gauge specific interest in acquiring commercial wind leases in some or all of the Call Areas, as required by law.