e-Poster: Advice from Regulators to Address Challenges in U.S. Wildlife Permitting for Offshore Wind Development
(Room Station 1)
16 Oct 18
12:50 PM
-
1:00 PM
Tracks:
Continuing Permitting & Leasing Momentum, Posters
Development of offshore wind in the U.S. includes permitting, consultation, and environmental assessment by agencies. For wildlife, the main federal agencies are Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Within NOAA and USFWS, there are multiple offices that address different laws, such as those related to marine mammals, fisheries, birds, etc. Findings that must be made under each law are different, and determining information needs, timelines, and how to create efficiencies requires understanding the roles of agencies and the public and the expectations for industry. The large scale of offshore wind projects are beyond what most agencies have encountered in the past, so there is a need for reciprocal learning between agencies, stakeholders, and industry. This panel will include BOEM, NOAA, and USFWS discussing relevant statutes, agency roles, lessons learned, challenges, and advice.