Issuance of leases for wind resource data collection on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore Delaware and New Jersey, environmental assessment

The report details a Finding of No Significant Impact for the environmental assessment regarding issuance of leases for wind resource data collection. Bluewater Wind is proposing to install two meteorological towers off the coast of Delaware and New Jersey to collect wind resource data needed to support development of offshore wind parks. Installation of each tower requires impact pile driving a single pile into the seafloor. No impacts to ESA-listed marine mammals are expected to occur due to implementation of mitigation and monitoring measures. However, pile driving will continue if non ESA-listed marine mammals are in the area; hence Level B harassment may occur to such species. Impacts are expected to be short term and include avoidance, masking, and interruption of behavioral activities (e.g., feeding) at time of exposure. The National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) is proposing to issue an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to permit incidental take of marine mammals pursuant to Section 1 01 (a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammals Protection Act (MMPA).The publication code for this report is OCS EIS/EA MMS 2009-025