🌊🐋US Wind Seeks Incidental Take Regulations for Maryland Offshore Wind Project

🌊🐋 US Wind Seeks Incidental Take Regulations for Maryland Offshore Wind Project

US Wind has submitted a request to NOAA for Incidental Take Regulations related to the Maryland Offshore Wind Project. The proposed regulations aim to govern the authorization of the take of a small number of 19 marine mammal species, with “small” defined as less than one-third of estimated populations. Take includes actions like harassing, hunting, capturing, or killing marine mammals. While intentional take is prohibited, incidental take of small numbers can be allowed through an application process.

Project activities, such as pile driving and site assessment surveys, are identified as potential sources of incidental take. The regulations, if approved, would be in effect from 2025 to 2029, covering the construction period of the wind farm off Maryland’s shore. The proposed wind farm involves three construction campaigns: MarWin (2025), Momentum Wind (2026), and Future Development (2027), totaling 114 wind turbine generators, four substations, and one meteorological tower.

The proposal includes provisions like a seasonal moratorium on pile driving from Dec. 1 to April 30, considering the presence of North Atlantic right whales. Public comment is open until Feb. 5, and if issued, the regulations would be effective from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2029. To learn more and participate in public comment, visit regulations.gov. 🗣️📆 #MarylandWindProject #MarineMammalsProtection #PublicComment 🌎💙