On April 6, 2022, BOEM announced the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment for the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area (WEA) located approximately 20 miles off San Luis Obispo County, California. The following documents are available for your viewing:
- News Release - BOEM Seeks Public Comment on Draft Environmental Analysis of Central California Offshore Wind Energy Area
- Morro Bay WEA EA and Appendices: Commercial Wind Lease and Grant Issuance and Site Assessment Activities on the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf Morro Bay Wind Energy Area
The publication of the EA initiated a 30-day public comment period. The public comment period will end at 11:59 pm ET/8:59 pm PT on Friday, May 6, 2022. We look forward to hearing from you!
During the public comment period, BOEM will host two virtual public meetings to allow the public to learn more about the EA, ask questions, and provide oral testimony, at the following dates and times:
- Thursday, April 14, 2022 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time - Register in advance for this webinar:
https://kearnswest.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f-urEkfcRmChfgsdI-6KVw - Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 9:00 AM Pacific Time - Register in advance for this webinar: https://kearnswest.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_A71WPOIARn2lbAnrbQyjXw
In addition to this virtual meeting room, BOEM will host two virtual public meetings to share information about BOEM’s environmental review process and to solicit public input on the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area Environmental Assessment (EA). Each meeting will be recorded and posted to this site. All comments and questions received during the meetings are part of the public record.
Virtual Public Scoping Meetings:
April 14, 2022, 5:00 – 8:00 PM:
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Apr 14, 2022
Time: 5:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: BOEM CA Morro Bay Draft EA Meeting
Register in advance for this webinar: https://kearnswest.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_f-urEkfcRmChfgsdI-6KVw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
April 19, 2022, 9:00 – Noon:
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Apr 19, 2022
Time: 9:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: BOEM CA Morro Bay Draft EA Meeting
Register in advance for this webinar: https://kearnswest.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_A71WPOIARn2lbAnrbQyjXw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Comments can be submitted in the following ways:
- Through the federal commenting system web portal, Regulations.gov: Navigate to Regulations.gov and search for Docket No. BOEM-2021-0044. (Click on the blue “Comment” button in the upper left-hand corner of the page. Enter your information and comment, then click “Submit Comment.”
- In written form, delivered by hand or by traditional mail: Enclose comment in an envelope labeled “Morro Bay Wind Energy Area Environmental Assessment” and addressed to: Office of the Environment, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 760 Paseo Camarillo, Camarillo, California 93010.
- During a BOEM virtual scoping meeting to be held within the public comment period. BOEM does not consider anonymous comments. Please include your name and address as part of your submittal. All comments submitted will be made part of the public record and will be posted publicly without change. Comments must be sent by or postmarked no later than 11:59 PM on Friday, May 6, 2022.
Meeting Background and Resources:
- Agenda (coming soon)
- Morro Bay Area ID Memo
- Morro Bay WEA Map
- Morro Bay WEA NOAA Nautical Chart Map
- Morro Bay WEA Shapefiles
- BOEM's California Renewable Energy
Announcements:
- BOEM News Release: BOEM Seeks Public Comment on Draft Environmental Analysis of Central California Offshore Wind Energy Area (April 6, 2022)
- BOEM News Release: BOEM Advances Offshore Wind Leasing Process in California, Public Input Sought on Offshore Wind Areas off California North and Central Coasts
Background:
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for future commercial wind lease issuance on the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) off the coast of San Luis Obispo County, California. A 30-day public comment period to review and comment on the EA closes on Friday, May 6, 2022. The input received during the comment period will be used to inform final preparation of the NEPA document.
The boundary of the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area (WEA), which is located approximately 20 miles offshore the central California coastline and contains approximately 240,898 acres (376 square miles). The area now identified as the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area was initially analyzed in BOEM’s Call for Information and Nominations (Call) published on October 19, 2018.
BOEM preparing the NEPA analysis on the WEA to consider the environmental consequences associated with issuing commercial wind leases, and associated site characterization activities (i.e., biological, archeological, geological, and geophysical surveys and core samples) and site assessment activities (i.e., installation of meteorological buoys) off northern California.
