Dear Colleagues, On Thursday, October 19, 2023, NOAA Fisheries will publish the final incidental take regulations related to Revolution Wind’s Revolution Wind Project <https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/revolution-wind>. The effective dates for these regulations are November 20, 2023 through November 19, 2028. The project would be located offshore Rhode Island within the Rhode Island/Massachusetts Wind Energy Area. Under power purchase agreements, the project would deliver an estimated 704 megawatts of clean energy to Rhode Island.
Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, these regulations will govern the “take” of small numbers of marine mammals exposed to elevated underwater noise generated by the project’s activities over a five-year period. NOAA Fisheries has determined the take authorized in a Letter of Authorization will have a negligible impact on all affected marine mammal species and stocks. No take by mortality, serious injury, or non-auditory injury is anticipated to occur nor is it authorized. The final regulations include mandatory mitigation measures undertaken by the wind developer that ensure the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammals and their habitat, as well monitoring and reporting measures to better understand those impacts. Impacts to a small number of North Atlantic right whales are expected to be limited to short-term behavioral disturbance (Level B harassment). Documents associated with this final action will be available on our website <https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-revolution-wind-llc-construction-revolution-wind-energy> tomorrow. NOAA Fisheries is committed to careful review and use of the best available scientific information in satisfying the requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thank you, Kelsey - - - - - *Kelsey Potlock, M.Phil* *(she/her/hers)* *Marine Resources Management Specialist* Permits and Conservation Division Office of Protected Resources NOAA Fisheries | U.S. Department of Commerce www.fisheries.noaa.gov Google Voice Phone Number: (301) 427-8410 Email: *[email protected] <[email protected]>*><((((º>·.¸. ·.¸.·´¯`·...¸.·´¯`·...¸.·><((((º> ·.¸.·´¯`·...¸.·´¯`·...¸.·><((((º>·.¸.·´¯`·...¸.·´¯`·...¸.·><((((º> [image: icon-facebook.png] <https://www.facebook.com/NOAAFisheries>[image: icon-twitter.png] <http://www.twitter.com/noaafisheries>[image: icon-youtube.png] <http://www.youtube.com/usnoaafisheriesgov>[image: icon-instagram.png] <http://www.instagram.com/noaafisheries>[image: icon-linkedin.png] <http://www.linkedin.com/company/noaa-fisheries>
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