Important BOEM Public Meetings on Wind Energy Areas Off the South Coast of Oregon in Gold Beach, Coos Bay, & Brookings September 26, 27, and 28, 2023
Venue Change for September 26 Gold Beach public meeting on Oregon Draft Wind Energy Area! Due to local wildfire response staging needs, the Gold Beach public meeting has been moved to a new location. The public meeting will now be held at the Gold Beach Community Center at 29841 Airport Way in Gold Beach. Meeting time remains from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
On Aug.15, 2023, BOEM announced a 60-day public comment period on two draft Wind Energy Areas located in the existing Call Areas offshore southern Oregon. The draft WEAs cover approximately 219,568 acres offshore southern Oregon with their closest points ranging from approximately 18 – 32 miles off the coast. BOEM will host an Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force meeting and public meetings to discuss data used to inform the draft wind energy areas and next steps for Oregon offshore wind energy planning.
We hope you can join us. All times are Pacific:
Virtual Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force Meeting
Monday, September 18, 2023: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00p.m. Register for the meeting at https://kearnswest.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EjXGOMUmSlKt8R-GWcLO4A#/registration
Informational Fishing Webinar (fishing data focus):
Thursday, September 21, 2023: 5:00 pm – 8:00 p.m. Register for the meeting at https://kearnswest.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvdOmqpzMtHdZmkW0EY21zY5ivywv3NLEV#/registration
In-person public meetings:
VENUE CHANGE - Gold Beach, Oregon: Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Gold Beach Community Center
29841 Airport Way
4:00p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Coos Bay, Oregon: Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Coos Bay Public Library, Myrtlewood Room
525 Anderson Avenue
4:00p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Brookings, Oregon: Thursday, September 28, 2023
Southwest Oregon Community College - Curry Campus, Commons Room
96082 Lone Ranch Pkwy
4:00p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
BOEM will accept public comments at the in-person and virtual meetings. Comments received during the comment period will inform potential designation of final WEAs for further analysis and review for possible offshore wind energy leasing.
How to Provide Comments
To comment on the draft WEAs please go to regulations.gov, docket number BOEM-2023-0033. BOEM will accept comments through 11:59 pm ET on October 16, 2023.
About the Draft Wind Energy Areas
BOEM used a comprehensive process to identify the potential offshore locations that appear most suitable for floating offshore wind energy leasing and potential development, taking into consideration possible impacts to local coastal and marine resources and ocean users. In addition to coordinating with the State of Oregon, BOEM collaborated with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) to use an ocean planning model that seeks to identify and minimize conflicts.
Maps
Engagement Opportunities
During the 60-day public comment period, BOEM will hold an intergovernmental renewable energy task force meeting and in-person public meetings on the Oregon coast to discuss data used to inform the draft wind energy areas and next steps.
Next Steps
Input will be considered before formally designating Oregon final WEAs. Final WEAs may be further modified after incorporating feedback collected during the comment period. If final WEAs are designated, BOEM will conduct a review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for potential leasing, including site characterization and site assessment activities. The NEPA process includes multiple public input opportunities.