Atlantic Shores DEIS Virtual Meetings

Virtual Meeting Room
Public Meetings Schedule
How to comment
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources
Videos

Welcome to the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind South Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) Virtual Meeting Room. Your participation is an essential part of BOEM’s environmental review process.

On May 15, 2023: BOEM announced the availability for the Draft EIS for the proposed Atlantic Shores South Wind Project. The following documents are available for viewing:

The Notice of Availability initiated a 45-day public comment period that ended on Jul. 3, 2023.

In addition to the virtual meeting room, BOEM hosted two in-person and two virtual public meetings, where the public could learn more about Draft EIS, ask questions, and provide oral or written comment. These public meetings will also serve as public meetings for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 10 and Section 404 permit review.

During the comment period, BOEM held two in-person and two virtual public meetings. The comment period ended on Jul. 3, 2023.

The public meetings were held on the following dates and times. All times are Eastern:

In-person public meetings:

Wed., Jun. 21, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn Manahawkin/Long Beach Island, 151 Route 72 West, Manahawkin, NJ 08050

Thu., Jun. 22, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
Atlantic City Convention Center, 1 Convention Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

The in-person meetings followed an informal open house format with a series of Project information posters staffed by BOEM subject matter experts who shared information with individual attendees.

What to Expect at the In-Person Open House Public Meetings.

Virtual public meetings:

Mon., Jun. 26, 2023: Recording
Wed., Jun. 28, 2023: Recording

Starting on May 19, 2023, BOEM accepted comments on the draft EIS. The comment period ended on Jul. 3, 2023:

In written form by mail, enclosed in an envelope labeled “Atlantic Shores South Wind COP DEIS” and addressed to Program Chief, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166.
Oral or written comments during any of the public meetings listed in the Notice of Availability and Virtual Meeting Room.
Through the regulations.gov web portal by navigating to https://www.regulations.gov/ and search for Docket No. BOEM-2023-0030. Click on the “Comment” button below the document link. Enter your information and comment, then click “Submit Comment.”

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 both virtual and in person 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 Atlantic Shores South Construction and Operations Plan for the proposed project within Lease Area OCS-A 0499.

How can stakeholders comment on this DEIS?

Your feedback is an essential part of BOEM's decision-making process. BOEM accepted public comment during the period May 19, 2023, to Jul.3, 2023. The comment period is now closed.