US Army Corps of EngineersBUILDING STRONG®

US Army Corps of EngineersBUILDING STRONG®

U.S. Army Corps of EngineersU.S. Army Corps of EngineersRegulatory ProgramRegulatory Program

Hull Offshore Wind Workshop

Hull, Massachusetts

12 May 2011

Presented by:James W. HaggertyRegulatory Program ManagerNorth Atlantic Division

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Applicable Corps RegulatoryApplicable Corps Regulatory AuthoritiesAuthorities

Section 10 Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899• Structures in Navigable Waters and devices on

seabed of Outer Continental Shelfe.g. Wind turbine structures and transmission lines

Section 404 Clean Water Act• Discharges of Dredged or Fill Material into Waters of

the United Statese.g. Backfilling of trenches for transmission lines

Not applicable beyond three-mile limit of state waters

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Other Major Laws/AuthoritiesOther Major Laws/Authorities

Coastal Zone Management ActEndangered Species ActNational Historic Preservation ActFish & Wildlife Coordination ActOuter Continental Shelf Lands ActMarine Mammal Protection ActNational Environmental Policy ActMagnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management Act (Essential Fish Habitat)

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Corps Permit RequirementsCorps Permit RequirementsTitle 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 320-332 prescribe the statutory authorities and general/special policies and procedures applicable to the review of applications for Department of the Army (DA) permitsSection 404(b)(1) of the Clean Water Act Guidelines (promulgated by USEPA) • Applicable to discharges of dredged/fill material into

waters of the United States• Rebuttable presumption that practicable alternatives

exist for proposed discharges into special aquatic sites for non-water dependent activities

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Public Interest Review FactorsPublic Interest Review FactorsBalancing process • Navigation• General environmental concerns• Conservation• Fish and wildlife values• Recreation• Economics• Energy Needs• Historic and cultural resources• Safety• Wetland values• Aesthetics• More listed at 33 CFR 320.4(a)(1)…

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Types of PermitsTypes of PermitsGeneral Permits• Nationwide Permits• Regional Permits• Programmatic Permits

Individual Permits• Standard Permits• Letters of Permission

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Standard Permits Standard Permits Public ParticipationPublic Participation

Public notices posted on districts’ websitesComments best in writing (letter or e-mail)Not a voteMay request e-mail notification when notices are publishedNotices sent to state and federal agencies, immediately adjoining properties, and interested parties as requested

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Interaction with BOEMREInteraction with BOEMREBOEMRE is Lead Federal Agency under the National Environmental Policy Act for projects on Outer Continental ShelfCorps is Cooperating AgencyWorking on Memorandum of Understanding to synchronize administrative processes for authorizing renewable energy projects on OCS

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Potential Windfarm IssuesPotential Windfarm IssuesNavigationMigratory Birds/BatsAcoustic/Vibration Disruption (fisheries and marine mammal impacts)AestheticsPublic Perception/OpinionOthers may arise on a case by case basisTie-ins to power transmission gridInterference with existing cables

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Potential Windfarm Projects Potential Windfarm Projects on Outer Continental Shelfon Outer Continental Shelf

Deepwater WindLong Island—NY City Offshore Wind ProjectBluewater Wind New JerseyGarden State Offshore Energy/PSEGOffshore MW LLCFisherman’s Energy of NJBluewater Wind Delaware

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RecommendationsRecommendations

Come to the Corps Early!Be Prepared to Engage Other AgenciesPublic OutreachBe FlexibleCommunication is Key

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Contact InformationContact InformationNortheast U.S. Region: James W. HaggertyRegulatory Program Manager, North Atlantic DivisionJames.W.Haggerty@usace.army.milPhone: 347-370-4650New England District: Jennifer McCarthyRegulatory Division ChiefJennifer.L.McCarthy@usace.army.milPhone: 978-318-8330New York District: MaryAnn MillerRegulatory Project ManagerMaryAnn.Miller@usace.army.milPhone: 917-790-8516

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Contact InformationContact InformationPhiladelphia District: Larry SlavitterRegulatory Project ManagerLawrence.M.Slavitter@usace.army.milPhone: 215-656-6734Baltimore District: Woody FrancisRegulatory Project ManagerWoody,Francis@usace.army.milPhone: 410-962-5689Norfolk District: John EvansRegulatory Project ManagerJohn.D.Evans@usace.army.milPhone: 757-201-7794

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Questions?

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