Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind South Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

Abstract

This Draft 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 two wind energy facilities (Project 1 and Project 2). Collectively these projects are referred to as the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind South Project (Atlantic Shores South), as proposed by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC (Atlantic Shores) in its Construction and Operations Plan (COP). The proposed Atlantic Shores South Project (consisting of Project 1 and Project 2) described in the COP and this Draft EIS would be approximately 1,510 megawatts (MW) for Project 1; the number of MW is yet to be determined for Project 2. Atlantic Shores has a goal for Project 2 of 1,327 MW, which would align with the interconnection service agreements and interconnection construction service agreements Atlantic Shores intends to execute for both projects with the regional transmission organization, PJM. The Atlantic Shores South Project is proposed to be located 8.7 miles (14 kilometers) from the New Jersey shoreline at its closest point within the area covered by Renewable Energy Lease Number OCS-A 0499 (Lease Area). The Project is designed to meet the demand for renewable energy in New Jersey.

This Draft 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). This Draft EIS will inform the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in deciding whether to approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove the COP (30 CFR 585.628). Publication of the Draft EIS initiates a 45-day public comment period open to all, after which all the comments received will be assessed and considered by BOEM in preparation of a Final EIS.

Volume I 

Volume II:  Appendices

  • 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 or Unavailable Information 
  • Appendix F:  Assessment of Resources with Minor (or Lower) Impacts 
  • Appendix G:  Mitigation and Monitoring 
  • Appendix H: Seascape, Landscape, and Visual Impact Assessment (SLVIA) (Note:  Images in this file were processed to be compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, resulting in lower resolution visual simulations. 
  • Appendix I: Finding of Adverse Effect for NHPA Section 106 Consultation 
  • Appendix J: References Cited 
  • Appendix K: Glossary 
  • Appendix L: List of Preparers and Reviewers 
  • Appendix M: Distribution List 
This document is related to the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind South Project Site.