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 the Mayflower Wind Project (Project) proposed by Mayflower Wind Energy LLC (Mayflower Wind), in its Construction and Operations Plan (COP). The proposed Project described in the COP and this Draft EIS would have a capacity of up to 2,400 megawatts (MW) and would be sited offshore Massachusetts, within Commercial Lease OCS-A 0521 (Lease Area). The Project is designed to provide renewable wind energy to the northeast United States, including Massachusetts.
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.
Additional copies of this Draft EIS may be obtained by writing the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Attn: Genevieve Brune (address above); by telephone at (703) 787-1553; or by downloading from the BOEM website at https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/mayflower-wind.&…;