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This notice is being sent as a courtesy to help raise awareness of a comment opportunity and public meetings being held by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regarding a Draft Wind Energy Area (WEA) in the Gulf of Maine. It is critically important that members of the fishing industry comment on this proposal.

DMR also encourages fishing industry members to click on this link to read the statement from Governor Mills and Maine's Congressional Delegation, expressing opposition to inclusion of draft WEAs in LMA1.

On October 19, 2023, BOEM announced a Draft Wind Energy Area (Draft WEA) in the Gulf of Maine and an accompanying 30-day public comment period. The Draft WEA covers around 3.5 million acres offshore Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, ranging from 23-120 miles off the coast.  BOEM invites you to attend virtual public meetings where BOEM will outline the data and the information used to inform the Draft WEA and provide opportunity for feedback from the fishing community and public-at-large.

The Draft WEA (see map below) represents a 64% reduction from the Call Area, which BOEM announced for comment in April 2023. Final WEAs are expected to occupy approximately two million acres in the Gulf of Maine, so additional substantial reductions are expected based on input at this stage of the siting process.

BOEM has also identified three Secondary Areas for Further Analysis (also indicated in the map below), which include areas within LMA 1. These areas are not part of the Draft WEA; however, BOEM seeks additional comment from the public on whether these areas (or a certain portion of them) should receive consideration as Final WEAs, and if so, under what recommended conditions. 

To find out more: https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/maine/gulf-maine

For questions: Zachary Jylkka at [email protected] or Seth Theuerkauf at [email protected]

November Public Meetings: 

Meetings and registration information

  • General Public
    • Date: Wed., Nov. 1, 2023
    • Time: 5-7pm EST
    • Register
  • Fisheries Meetings
    • Recreational and Highly Migratory Species
      • Date: Thur., Nov. 2, 2023
      • Time: 10am-12pm EST
      • Register
    • Mobile Gear (e.g., Scallop, Groundfish)
      • Date: Thur., Nov. 2, 2023
      • Time: 5-7pm EST
      • Register
    • Fixed Gear (e.g., Lobster)
      • Date: Fri., Nov. 3, 2023
      • Time: 2-4pm EST
      • Register
  • Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (eNGOs)
    • Date: Thur., Nov. 2, 2023
    • Time: 2-4pm EST
    • Register
  • Shipping & Commercial Maritime
    • Date: Fri., Nov. 3, 2023
    • Time: 10am-12pm EST
    • Register

 How to submit written comments to BOEM:

To comment on the Draft WEA please go to regulations.gov and search for docket number BOEM-2023-0054. BOEM will accept comments through 11:59 pm ET on Nov. 20, 2023.

Draft WEA with Secondary Areas for Consideration

 

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