Surveying Commercial Fish Species And Habitat In Wind Farm Areas Using A Suite Of Non-Lethal Survey Methods - NEPA Determination Summary

Sep 12, 2026

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NEPA Compliance Officer determination covering an energy research proposal to fund Coonamessett Farm Foundation for designing, fabricating, and testing non-lethal, non-extractive survey tools. The document defines applicable categorical exclusions and appendix classes for information gathering, aquatic pilot research, and small-scale temporary surveying, site characterization, and mapping. It specifies permitted survey instruments and data activities, control technologies, consultation triggers for high-biological-sensitivity areas, and excludes drilling resource exploration or extraction wells.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time4 min

AccessFree to download

Project Title

NEPA Compliance Determination

Covered Activities and Exclusions

Rationale for Determination

RECIPIENT: Coonamessett Farm Foundation STATE: MA PROJECT TITLE : Surveying Commercial Fish Species And Habitat In Wind Farm Areas Using A Suite Of Non-Lethal Survey Methods Funding Opportunity Announcement Number Procurement Instrument Number NEPA Control Number CID Number DE-FOA-0002237 DE-EE0009799 GFO-0009799-003 GO9799 Based on my review of the information concerning the proposed action, as NEPA Compliance Officer (authorized under DOE Policy 451.1), I have made the following determination: CX, EA, EIS APPENDIX AND NUMBER: Description: A9 Information gathering, analysis, and dissemination B3 .6 Small-scale research and development, laboratory operations, and pilot projects B3 .16 Research activities in aquatic environments Information gathering (including, but not limited to, literature surveys, inventories, site visits, and audits), data analysis (including, but not limited to, computer modeling), document preparation (including, but not limited to, conceptual design, feasibility studies, and analytical energy supply and demand studies), and information dissemination (including, but not limited to, document publication and distribution, and classroom training and informational programs), but not including site characterization or environmental monitoring. (See also B3 .1 of appendix B to this subpart. ) Siting, construction, modification, operation, and decommissioning of facilities for smallscale research and development projects; conventional laboratory operations (such as preparation of chemical standards and sample analysis); and small-scale pilot projects (generally less than 2 years) frequently conducted to verify a concept before demonstration actions, provided that construction or modification would be within or contiguous to a previously disturbed or developed area (where active utilities and currently used roads are readily accessible) . Not included in this category are demonstration actions, meaning actions that are undertaken at a scale to show whether a technology would be viable on a larger scale and suitable for commercial deployment. Small-scale, temporary surveying, site characterization, and research activities in aquatic environments, limited to: (a) Acquisition of rights-of-way, easements, and temporary use permits; (b) Installation, operation, and removal of passive scientific measurement devices, including, but not limited to, antennae, tide gauges, flow testing equipment for existing wells, weighted hydrophones, salinity measurement devices, and water quality measurement devices; (c) Natural resource inventories, data and sample collection, environmental monitoring, and basic and applied research, excluding (1) large-scale vibratory coring techniques and (2) seismic activities other than passive techniques; and (d) Surveying and mapping. These activities would be conducted in accordance with, where applicable, an approved spill prevention, control, and response plan and would incorporate appropriate control technologies and best management practices. None of the activities listed above would occur within the boundary of an established marine sanctuary or wildlife refuge, a governmentally proposed marine sanctuary or wildlife refuge, or a governmentally recognized area of high biological sensitivity, unless authorized by the agency responsible for such refuge, sanctuary, or area (or after consultation with the responsible agency, if no authorization is required) . If the proposed activities would occur outside such refuge, sanctuary, or area and if the activities would have the potential to cause impacts within such refuge, sanctuary, or area, then the responsible agency shall be consulted in order to determine whether authorization is required and whether such activities would have the potential to cause significant impacts on such refuge, sanctuary, or area. Areas of high biological sensitivity include, but are not limited to, areas of known ecological importance, whale

FAQs

What project is being evaluated in the NEPA determination?

The action proposes surveying commercial fish species and habitat in wind farm areas using a suite of non-lethal survey methods, including design, fabrication, and testing of survey tools.

What types of activities are covered under the stated categories?

Covered activities include information gathering, data analysis, document preparation, and small-scale temporary surveying and site characterization in aquatic environments using passive measurement devices and surveying/mapping.

What activities are explicitly excluded or limited?

The document excludes drilling of resource exploration or extraction wells and limits certain actions such as large-scale vibratory coring and seismic activities other than passive techniques; it also requires consultation/authorization for high-biological-sensitivity areas.

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Fahsai