The EFH milestones "NOAA Determines EFH Assessment is Complete" and “NOAA Issues any EFH Conservation Recommendations" are dependent on BOEM’s EIS action milestones. A shift of BOEM’s EIS action milestones by 180 days results in a commensurate shift to these EFH action milestones. Therefore, an extension of the EFH milestones is requested based upon the extension of BOEM’s EIS milestones. The requested milestone changes are shown in the table below.
Cooperating under NEPA
Description:
Section 305(b)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) requires federal agencies to consult with NOAA Fisheries on any action or proposed action that may adversely affect Essential Fish Habitat (EFH). EFH exists throughout all of the coastal and offshore areas affected by the Empire Wind project and associated transmission system. The proposed action may adversely affect these resources, therefore EFH consultation is required. Based on anticipated adverse impacts to EFH, an expanded consultation will be required. The final consultation completion date is contingent upon NOAA Fisheries receiving sufficient information to initiate EFH consultation. Also note that NMFS has authorities under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act for this project. NMFS expects the coordination and consultation under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act to be concurrent with the EFH consultation.
Milestones:
All dates below are specific to the schedule of the Environmental Review and Permitting processes for this project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING STATUS
IN PROGRESS
ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING
03/29/2028
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING PROCESSES
COMPLETED
SECTOR
Renewable Energy Production
CATEGORY
Project Category
FAST-41 Covered Projects
LEAD AGENCY
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
View FAST-41 Postings by Agencies
Other Agencies with Actions or Authorizations:
Department of the Army, US Army Corps of Engineers - Regulatory
Department of the Army, US Army Corps of Engineers - Civil Works
Environmental Protection Agency
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service
Description:
Vineyard Mid-Atlantic LLC (the “Project Sponsor”) proposes to develop, construct, and operate an offshore renewable wind energy facility in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Lease Area Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)-A 0544. OCS-A 0544 is located approximately 38 kilometers (24 miles) offshore from Fire Island, New York. The Project would include a total of 118 wind turbine generators and offshore export cables routed to landfall sites in Long Island, New York to connect to onshore transmission systems in Nassau County, Suffolk County, and/or Queens County, New York.
The Executive Director granted a Bureau of Ocean Energy Management request to extend completion dates for all actions on October 10, 2025. The Executive Director Determination is posted here.
Original Target Date: 11/12/2026
Milestone: NOAA Issues any EFH Conservation Recommendations (Agency Action)
Requested extensions greater than 30 days for this Action are shown below:
NOAA Issues any EFH Conservation Recommendations (Agency Action) extended by 180
From: 11/12/2026
To: 05/11/2027