🌊Changes to LOA for Marine Mammals Impacting Empire Wind Project
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, its implementing regulations, and NMFS' MMPA Regulations for Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Construction of the Empire Wind Offshore Wind Project Offshore of New York, notification is hereby given that upon request from Empire Wind, LLC (Empire Wind), NMFS has modified a Letter of Authorization (LOA) issued to Empire Wind for the take of marine mammals incidental to activities associated with construction of the Empire Wind Offshore Wind Energy Project (hereafter known as the "Project") in Federal and State waters offshore New York. Specifically, NMFS has modified the LOA Holder's name as well as mitigation and monitoring measures related to vessel strike avoidance, sound field verification reporting, and requirements for passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). NMFS has also made modifications to additional measures to improve clarify and better align with the Biological Opinion. NMFS has determined that these modifications do not change the findings made for the regulations and does not result in any change in the total estimated number of takes of marine mammals.
Learn More🎨Notice on Culturally Significant Objects for Exhibition by State Department
Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: I hereby determine that certain objects being imported from abroad pursuant to agreements with their foreign owners or custodians for temporary display in the exhibition "Monstrous Beauty: A Feminist Revision of Chinoiserie" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, are of cultural significance, and, further, that their temporary exhibition or display within the United States as aforementioned is in the national interest. I have ordered that Public Notice of these determinations be published in the Federal Register.
Learn More🌊Vineyard Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind Project
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces its intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) (Unique Identification Number DOI-BOEM-OREP-2025-0001-EIS) for a construction and operations plan (COP) of an offshore wind energy facility submitted by Vineyard Mid-Atlantic, LLC (hereinafter referred to as Vineyard Mid- Atlantic or Proponent). This notice of intent (NOI) initiates the public scoping and comment process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and under section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Vineyard Mid-Atlantic proposes to construct and operate the facility in Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0544 (Lease Area), which is approximately 43,056 acres and located approximately 24 statute miles (mi) offshore, south of Fire Island, New York, and approximately 60 statute mi offshore New Jersey. Vineyard Mid-Atlantic proposes to develop the entire Lease Area.
Learn More⚖️Federal Consistency Appeal Notice for Shoreline Project in New York
This announcement provides notice that the Department of Commerce (DOC) has received a "Notice of Appeal" filed by Robert Hagopian, (Appellant) requesting that the Secretary override an objection by the New York State Department of State to a consistency certification for a proposed project to perform shoreline stabilization, dock installation, and dredging at a property along the Hudson River in Ulster, New York.
Learn More🎨Notice of Determinations for Culturally Significant Exhibition
On July 12, 2023, notice was published in the Federal Register of determinations pertaining to certain objects to be included in an exhibition entitled "Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction." Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: I hereby determine that certain of those objects being re-imported from abroad, and certain additional objects being imported from abroad, pursuant to agreements with their foreign owners or custodians for temporary display in the aforesaid exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art, New York, New York, and at possible additional exhibitions or venues yet to be determined, are of cultural significance, and, further, that their temporary exhibition or display within the United States as aforementioned is in the national interest. I have ordered that Public Notice of these determinations be published in the Federal Register.
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