Supporting National Environmental Policy Act Documentation for Offshore Wind Energy Development Related to Munitions and Explosives of Concern and Unexploded Ordnances

Report

Title: Supporting National Environmental Policy Act Documentation for Offshore Wind Energy Development Related to Munitions and Explosives of Concern and Unexploded Ordnances

Author:

Middleton, P.; Salerno, J.; Barnhart, B.

Publication Date:

November 1, 2021

Document Number:

BOEM 2022-012

Place Published:

Washington DC

Affiliation

Booz Allen Hamilton

Sponsoring Organization:

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)

Technology:

Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind

Receptor:

Legal & Policy

Document Access

Website:

External Link

Attachment:

Access File

Citation

Middleton, P.; Salerno, J.; Barnhart, B. (2021). Supporting National Environmental Policy Act Documentation for Offshore Wind Energy Development Related to Munitions and Explosives of Concern and Unexploded Ordnances (Report No. BOEM 2022-012). Report by Booz Allen Hamilton. Report for Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).

@techreport{Middleton-2021-,
author = {Middleton, P and Salerno, J and Barnhart, B},
title = {Supporting National Environmental Policy Act Documentation for Offshore Wind Energy Development Related to Munitions and Explosives of Concern and Unexploded Ordnances},
institution = {Booz Allen Hamilton},
year = {2021},
month = {nov},
number = {BOEM 2022-012},
address = {Washington DC},
url = {https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/state-activities/MEC-UXO_WhitePaper_Final.pdf},
keywords = {Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind, Legal & Policy},
}

Export Citation to BibTex

TY - RPRT
TI - Supporting National Environmental Policy Act Documentation for Offshore Wind Energy Development Related to Munitions and Explosives of Concern and Unexploded Ordnances
AU - Middleton, P
AU - Salerno, J
AU - Barnhart, B
AB - Munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) and unexploded ordnances (UXO) are a concern in offshore wind development. The risk can be greatly reduced or eliminated through procedures in place such as research, surveys, and risk analysis. Mapped UXO disposal areas have already been excluded from potential offshore wind development, thereby reducing the likelihood of a leaseholder encountering UXO within their lease area. Applying the “As Low As Reasonably Practical (ALARP)” risk mitigation process is the method of investigation BOEM recommends to identify UXO. Overall, UXO are not a major risk for an offshore wind developer, but still one to take seriously due to the number of military activities that have taken place in U.S. waters.The purpose of this white paper is to provide a brief overview of the typical steps to taken by a lessee in consideration of UXO when preparing a Construction and Operations Plan (COP) and potential mitigation measures for incorporation by reference in BOEM’s environmental impact statements (EIS) for proposed offshore wind projects.
CY - Washington DC
DA - 2021/11//
PY - 2021
PB - Booz Allen Hamilton
SN - BOEM 2022-012
UR - https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/state-activities/MEC-UXO_WhitePaper_Final.pdf
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Fixed Offshore Wind
KW - Floating Offshore Wind
KW - Legal & Policy
ER -

Export Citation to RIS

Abstract

Munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) and unexploded ordnances (UXO) are a concern in offshore wind development. The risk can be greatly reduced or eliminated through procedures in place such as research, surveys, and risk analysis. Mapped UXO disposal areas have already been excluded from potential offshore wind development, thereby reducing the likelihood of a leaseholder encountering UXO within their lease area. Applying the “As Low As Reasonably Practical (ALARP)” risk mitigation process is the method of investigation BOEM recommends to identify UXO. Overall, UXO are not a major risk for an offshore wind developer, but still one to take seriously due to the number of military activities that have taken place in U.S. waters.

The purpose of this white paper is to provide a brief overview of the typical steps to taken by a lessee in consideration of UXO when preparing a Construction and Operations Plan (COP) and potential mitigation measures for incorporation by reference in BOEM’s environmental impact statements (EIS) for proposed offshore wind projects.