WASHINGTON, D.C. – With offshore wind projects being blamed for the increase in deaths in whale species in New Jersey and along the East Coast in 2023, the NOAA has issued a final determination on the effects of sonar mapping and wind farms on marine wildlife.
This week, the federal agency issued a ruling on a Virginia offshore wind project. The opinion says effects the wind farm projects has on whales is only ‘temporary behavioral changes’, adding that the uptick in whale deaths is unrelated to projects being touted by the Biden administration.
NOAA Fisheries has issued a final Biological Opinion under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regarding the proposed Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project. The opinion states that while the project is likely to have some adverse effects, it will not jeopardize the survival of any ESA-listed species, including whales, sea turtles, and fish, or harm any designated critical habitats.
The CVOW project, aimed at producing offshore wind energy, has implemented several measures to minimize its impact on endangered and threatened species.
According to the Biological Opinion’s Incidental Take Statement, additional precautions are in place to reduce the effects of any incidental harm caused by the project. Notably, no injury or death to any ESA-listed whales is expected, and any impact on North Atlantic right whales will be restricted to temporary behavioral changes.
BOEM is the primary federal agency responsible for the approval, operation, and decommissioning of the CVOW project. In addition, NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Protected Resources is proposing to issue regulations and a Letter of Authorization in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act, based on findings from the Biological Opinion. Other federal agencies will also be involved in providing necessary permits and authorizations.
NOAA Fisheries has committed to ongoing collaboration with BOEM and other federal agencies to ensure the CVOW project’s impacts are minimized. This Biological Opinion represents a significant step in aligning energy production goals with wildlife protection mandates.