Gulf of Maine Proposed Sale Notice (PSN) Public Meetings

During the 60-day public comment period (May 1 – July 1, 2024) on the Proposed Sale Notice (PSN), BOEM will hold a series of in-person and virtual public meetings to describe the different elements of the PSN, answer questions, and collect public comments.

Agendas will be posted in the coming weeks

In-Person Meetings

Open House Meetings: BOEM will host three “open-house” style meetings to allow the public to talk with BOEM’s scientists and other personnel. This informal format allows people to ask questions and share information directly with BOEM employees on the Proposed Sale Notice.

At the meetings, there will also be official presentations followed by an opportunity for questions and answers focused on the Proposed Sale Notice. While the meeting will not be recorded, the Q&A session will be summarized thematically and later entered as a meeting summary on the Proposed Sale Notice docket on Regulations.gov. The majority of the meeting time will be focused on providing the public with opportunities to engage directly with BOEM subject matter experts at poster stations.    

Attendees can submit official public comments for Regulations.gov, either in writing or via oral recording and transcription at a Comment Station

  • Open House – Portland, Maine
    • Date: Tuesday, May 28, 2024
    • Time: 5-8 p.m.
    • Location: Holiday Inn Portland-by the Bay (88 Spring Street Portland, ME 04101)
    • Registration
  • Open House – Portsmouth, New Hampshire
    • Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
    • Time: 5-8 p.m.
    • Location: Urban Forestry Center (45 Elwyn Rd, Portsmouth, NH 03801)
    • Registration
  • Open House – Danvers, Massachusetts
    • Date: Thursday, May 30, 2024
    • Time: 5-8 p.m.
    • Location: DoubleTree by Hilton, North Shore (50 Ferncroft Rd, Danvers, MA 01923)
    • Registration

Gulf of Maine Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force Meeting: BOEM will host the fourth Gulf of Maine Task Force in Plymouth, MA. This meeting will be in-person and also livestreamed; however, virtual attendees will only be able to watch and listen, and not actively participate.  

As with prior Task Force Meetings, agenda sessions will include time for facilitated dialog among Task Force members, both in plenary and table discussions. Members of the public are invited to observe all plenary discussions. The agenda will include significant time for public input. Comments or questions during public input opportunities will be captured in a high-level meeting summary that is entered on the Proposed Sale Notice docket on Regulations.gov.

Members of the public interested in submitting individual public comments on the Regulations.gov docket will have the opportunity to do so (in writing or via oral recording and transcription) at a Comment Station.

  • Task Force Meeting – Plymouth, MA
    • Date: Friday, May 31, 2024
    • Time: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
    • Location: Hotel 1620 (180 Water St, Plymouth, MA 02360)
    • Registration

Virtual Meetings

BOEM will host a series of virtual meetings for various target audiences, ranging from the general public to specific ocean user and stakeholder groups. Members of the public are welcome to attend any of the meetings below, however, user specific meetings will focus conversation on the stated topics and prioritize participation by those from the sector of focus.  All virtual meetings will be recorded, with recordings later posted on this web page. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers focused on the Proposed Sale Notice. Comments or questions during public input opportunities will be captured in a high-level meeting summary that is entered on the Proposed Sale Notice docket on Regulations.gov; however, we will not be transcribing individual comments during virtual meetings.

  • General Public
  • Commercial Fishing (Mobile & Fixed Gear)
  •  Recreational Fishing and Highly Migratory Species
  • Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (eNGOs)
    • Date: Monday, June 10, 2024
    • Time: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
    • Registration
       
  • Commercial Maritime (Shipping)

How to Submit Comments

  • Through the regulations.gov web portal: Navigate to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket No. BOEM-2024-0026 to submit public comments and view supporting and related materials available for this notice.  Click on the “Comment” button below the document link.  Enter your information and comment, then click “Submit Comment”; or
  • By U.S. Postal Service or other delivery service: Send your comments and information to the following address: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 45600 Woodland Road, Mail Stop VAM-OREP, Sterling, VA 20166.