Ocean Wind 1 DEIS Virtual Public Hearings

Virtual Meeting Room
Virtual Public Hearing Schedule
How to Comment
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources
Videos

Welcome to the Ocean Wind 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) Virtual Meeting Room. Your participation is an essential part of BOEM’s environmental review process.

The comment period is now closed. Find the comments on http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket No. BOEM-2022-0021.

BOEM has prepared a DEIS for the Ocean Wind 1 Offshore Wind Farm Project. The following documents are available for your viewing:

Meeting Presentation:

BOEM Project Overview, NEPA Process Overview, DEIS Findings, Next Steps

In addition to the virtual meeting room, we will be hosting virtual public hearings where you can learn more about the DEIS, ask questions, and provide oral testimony. These virtual public hearings will also serve as public hearings for the Army Corps of Engineers Section 10 and Section 404 permit review. The Army Corps of Engineers Public Notice NAP-2017-00135-84, dated June 17, 2022, describing work proposed for Department of the Army authorization, may be found at https://www.nap.usace.army.mil/missions/regulatory/public-notices/.

We want to hear from you. In addition to the virtual meeting room, we will be hosting virtual public hearings where you can learn more about the DEIS, ask questions, and provide oral testimony. Virtual public hearings will be held on:

Thursday, July 14, 2022, 1:00 pm ET
- Ocean Wind 1 DEIS Virtual Public Hearing Recording - July 14, 2022
Wednesday, July 20, 2022, 5:00 pm ET
- Ocean Wind 1 DEIS Virtual Public Hearing Recording - July 20, 2022
Tuesday, July 26, 2022, 5:00 pm ET
- Ocean Wind 1 DEIS Virtual Public Hearing Recording - July 26, 2022

Please find additional instructions for participating in the virtual meetings below:

For those participating through the webinar:

Prior to attending a virtual public hearing, we recommend registering using the links provide above. Webinar information will be sent to the email address provided.

During each meeting, everyone will be muted until the public testimony portion of the meeting, but you will be able to interact with BOEM staff through the chat and Q&A features on the webinar.

For those participating through the phone line only:

If you plan to participate in the meeting by phone only, we ask that you submit your questions to BOEM in advance by emailing boempublicaffairs@boem.gov or calling 703-787-1520.

Public hearing format:

Each public hearing will begin with a presentation by BOEM which will be recorded and posted here. After the presentation, you will have the opportunity to provide comments/statements and ask questions. We will answer questions after public testimony. All comments and questions received during the public hearing will be part of the public record. If you require a paper copy of the DEIS or public hearing materials, please contact us at 703-787-1520

Your feedback is an essential part of this process. Starting on June 24, 2022, BOEM will accept comments on the Draft EIS in any of the following ways:

During any of the virtual public hearings, you may provide oral testimony. BOEM will limit such testimony to five minutes per speaker. Any speaker who wishes to provide more information than the five minutes allowed is encouraged to do so as a written comment.
You may submit written comments electronically via http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. BOEM-2022-0021 and clicking on “Comment” Comments must be submitted by 11:59 PM on August 23, 2022.
You may also submit written comments by mail. Enclose your comment in an envelope labeled, “Ocean Wind 1 DEIS” addressed to “Program Manager, Office of Renewable Energy, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, VAM-OREP, Sterling, Virginia 20166.” Comments must be postmarked no later than August 23, 2022.
After the public comment period ends, you can find the comments on http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket No. BOEM-2022-0021.

What is BOEM's mission?

BOEM is the bureau within the Department of the Interior that oversees the environmentally and economically responsible development of our energy and mineral resources on almost 2.5 billion acres of the nation’s Outer Continental Shelf, or OCS. All our activities are underlain by our robust environmental program, which ensures that we develop and use the best available science in our decision making.

We also consider public input to be a critical component of safe and responsible offshore resource management. We solicit public comments from a host of stakeholders and ocean users, including the fishing community, mariners, and coastal communities, in our environmental reviews and regulatory programs.

Why have meetings during this time?

To the greatest extent possible, we are working to maintain services to the American people and our stakeholders, consistent with evolving guidance provided by the CDC and state and local health authorities. As such, we are planning to hold three virtual public hearings. The public hearings are an opportunity for public involvement and an opportunity to provide comments on the DEIS.

What is the process for finalizing BOEM’s decision on the proposed Project?

Following the comment period, BOEM will analyze all comments received during the Draft EIS public comment period and will prepare a Final EIS.

After the Final EIS is published, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires BOEM to wait a minimum of 30 days before issuing a Record of Decision (ROD). The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) may adopt the Final EIS and issue a joint ROD with BOEM, or issue a separate ROD. The USACE and NOAA are both Cooperating Agencies on the environmental review of the project.

For BOEM’s decision, the ROD will state whether BOEM intends to approve the Ocean Wind 1 Construction and Operations Plan for the proposed project within Lease Area OCS-A 0498.

How can stakeholders comment on this DEIS?

Your feedback is an essential part of this process. Starting on June 24, 2022, BOEM will accept comments on the DEIS in any of the following ways:

During any of the virtual public hearings, you may provide oral testimony. BOEM will limit such testimony to five minutes per speaker. Any speaker who wishes to provide more information than five minutes allow should do so as a written comment.
You may submit written comments electronically via http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. BOEM-2022-0021 and clicking on “Comment” Comments must be submitted by 11:59 PM on August 23, 2022.
You may also submit written comments by mail. Enclose your comment in an envelope labeled, “Ocean Wind 1 COP EIS” addressed to “Program Manager, Office of Renewable Energy, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, VAM-OREP, Sterling, Virginia 20166.” Comments must be postmarked no later than August 23, 2022.

How to Comment (Update: Please note that the DEIS public comment period has been extended by 15 days. Comments must be received electronically or postmarked no later than August 23, 2022.)