[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 83 (Friday, April 29, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25529-25539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-09000]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

[Docket No. BOEM-2022-0009]


Call for Information and Nominations--Commercial Leasing for Wind 
Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore Oregon

AGENCY: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior.

ACTION: Call for information and nominations; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This call for information and nominations (Call or notice) 
invites public comment on and assesses interest in possible commercial 
wind energy leasing on the OCS offshore the Oregon coast. BOEM will 
consider information received in response to this Call to determine 
whether to schedule a competitive lease sale or to issue a 
noncompetitive lease for any portion of the areas described in this 
Call (Call Areas). Those interested in providing comments and 
information regarding site conditions, resources, and multiple uses in 
close proximity to or within the

[[Page 25530]]

Call Areas should provide the information requested in section 5, 
``Requested Information from Interested or Affected Parties,'' under 
the Supplementary Information heading of this Call. Those interested in 
leasing within the Call Areas for a commercial wind energy project 
should provide the information described in section 6, ``Required 
Nomination Information,'' under Supplementary Information. BOEM may or 
may not offer a lease for a commercial offshore wind energy project 
within the Call Areas after further government consultations, public 
participation, and environmental analyses.

DATES: Submissions indicating your nomination of interest in or 
providing comments on commercial leasing within the Call Areas must be 
received no later than June 28, 2022. Late submissions may not be 
considered.

ADDRESSES: Please submit nomination information for commercial leasing 
as discussed in section 6 entitled ``Required Nomination Information'' 
via U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS, or another mail carrier to: Bureau 
of Ocean Energy Management, Office of Strategic Resources, 760 Paseo 
Camarillo (Suite 102), Camarillo, California 93010. In addition to a 
paper copy, please include an electronic copy on any digital data 
storage device. Do not submit nominations via the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal. BOEM will list the parties that submitted nominations and the 
aggregated locations of nominated areas on the BOEM website after BOEM 
has completed its review of the nominations.
    Please submit all other comments and information by either of the 
following two methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the 
search box at the top of the web page, enter BOEM-2022-0009 and then 
click ``search.'' Follow the instructions to submit public comments and 
view supporting and related materials.
    2. U.S. Postal Service or other mail delivery service. Send your 
comments and other information to the following address: Bureau of 
Ocean Energy Management, Office of Strategic Resources, 760 Paseo 
Camarillo (Suite 102), Camarillo, California 93010.
    For further information about submitting public comments, please 
see section 7 entitled ``Protection of Privileged, Personal, or 
Confidential Information.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Whitney Hauer, Renewable Energy 
Specialist, BOEM, Office of Strategic Resources, 760 Paseo Camarillo 
(Suite 102), Camarillo, California 93010, (805) 384-6263 or 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4c3b24253822293562242d39293e0c2e232921622b233a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6e1906071a000b1740060f1b0b1c2e0c010b0340090118">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Authority

    This Call is published under subsection 8(p)(3) of the Outer 
Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), 43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3), and its 
implementing regulations at 30 CFR 585.210 and 585.211.

2. Purpose

    An essential part of BOEM's renewable energy leasing process is 
working closely with State and local governments, Tribes, industry, and 
ocean users to identify areas that may be suitable for potential 
offshore wind energy development to power the Nation. This Call serves 
two important purposes. The first is to collect information and 
feedback on site conditions, resources, and ocean uses within the 
identified area. The second is to help BOEM determine competitive 
interest. BOEM has not yet determined which areas, if any, within the 
Call Area may be offered for lease. Your input is essential and will 
help BOEM determine areas that may be suitable for offshore wind energy 
development. While this is not the only opportunity to provide 
feedback, it is an important one. There will be multiple opportunities 
to provide feedback throughout the renewable energy process including 
if BOEM receives any proposed projects in the future. An explanation of 
the development of the Call Areas and their detailed descriptions may 
be found below in sections 3 and 4. For more information about BOEM's 
competitive and noncompetitive leasing process, please see section 9.

3. Development of the Call Area

    BOEM coordinates OCS renewable energy activities offshore Oregon 
with its Federal, State, local, and federally recognized Tribal 
government partners through the BOEM Oregon Intergovernmental Renewable 
Energy Task Force (Task Force). The current Task Force roster and past 
meeting materials are available at https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/boem-oregon-intergovernmental-renewable-energy-task-force.
    Following a Task Force meeting in September 2019, BOEM and the 
Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) drafted 
the ``Data Gathering and Engagement Plan for Offshore Wind Energy in 
Oregon'' (Plan). This Plan outlines how BOEM and the State of Oregon 
(State) would engage with research organizations and potentially 
interested and affected parties to gather data and information to 
inform potential offshore wind energy leasing decisions offshore 
Oregon. At its meeting in June 2020, the Task Force discussed the Plan, 
and BOEM and the State committed to conduct offshore wind energy 
planning. The offshore wind energy planning area within which data and 
information were to be collected for potential leasing encompassed the 
OCS offshore Oregon in water depths less than 4,265 feet (1,300 meters) 
and with average wind speed of at least 15.7 miles per hour (7 meters 
per second). The area offshore Oregon within these fundamental 
parameters represents about 6,982,015 acres (10,909 square miles).\1\ 
The Plan was finalized in October 2020 and is available at https://www.boem.gov/BOEM-OR-OSW-Engagement-Plan.
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    \1\ All references to miles in this notice are statute miles 
unless noted otherwise.
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    Once an initial area was defined as described above, BOEM and the 
State, in coordination with DLCD, conducted offshore wind energy 
planning to inform the identification of the Call Areas and held 75 
outreach and engagement meetings from October 2020 through December 
2021. BOEM invited nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon, two 
federally recognized Tribes in California and five federally recognized 
Tribes in Washington to engage on the topic of offshore wind energy 
planning in Oregon. In addition, meetings were held with potentially 
interested and affected parties, including coastal communities, ocean 
users, industry, elected officials, environmental organizations, 
research organizations, and the general public. Six public webinars and 
workshops were hosted by BOEM in 2021. The webinar recordings and other 
information are available at https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/2021-oregon-offshore-wind-energy-planning-public-webinars. BOEM and DLCD also engaged with councils, commissions, and 
other organizations at their standing meetings when possible. Examples 
include city councils, Oregon Ocean Policy Advisory Council, Pacific 
Fishery Management Council, county boards of commissioners, some of the 
Oregon Seafood Commodity Commissions, and non-governmental 
organizations. Additional information on those meetings is publicly 
available and posted at https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/oregon/boem-and-state-oregon-participation-standing-meetings.
    The Oregon Offshore Wind Mapping Tool (OROWindMap) was created by

[[Page 25531]]

DLCD within the West Coast Ocean Data Portal in partnership with BOEM. 
This is the data catalog and data visualization tool BOEM used to 
leverage existing geospatial data to curate a catalog of information 
specific to offshore wind energy planning on the OCS offshore Oregon 
and to generate thematic maps that highlight information about natural 
resources, the physical environment, and human uses on the OCS. 
OROWindMap is available for public access at https://offshorewind.westcoastoceans.org. Public webinars were included in the 
outreach effort to introduce the mapping tool and data catalog 
functions and to provide the public with opportunities to comment, 
provide feedback, or identify additional data resources for inclusion 
in the system.
    At its October 2021 meeting, the Task Force discussed the data 
gathering and engagement efforts. The final ``Data Gathering and 
Engagement Summary Report,'' available at https://www.boem.gov/OregonDataandEngagementReport2022, outlines the outcome of BOEM's and 
DLCD's data gathering and engagement efforts undertaken from October 
2020 through December 2021. The report also includes input and concerns 
received from public stakeholders, ocean users, and Tribal engagement 
meetings regarding offshore wind energy planning in Oregon. In 2022, 
BOEM continued engagement with over 10 stakeholder meetings.
    At its February 2022 meeting, the Task Force discussed the 
rationale for the identification of Call Areas. BOEM and the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council's Marine Planning Committee hosted an online 
work session in March 2022 and solicited public comment.
    The identification of the Call Areas is a result of data and 
information received throughout the planning effort from 2020 through 
2022. The Call Areas are focused offshore the south central and 
southern Oregon coast where the high wind energy resource would 
contribute to an estimated lower cost of energy and greater potential 
for commercial viability. The Call Areas are of a sufficient size to 
allow for refinement during area identification, the next step in the 
leasing process after the Call. The wind energy areas (WEA) that result 
from area identification will be smaller than the Call Areas in this 
notice. The WEA will be the subject of environmental review, including 
public participation, for possible commercial leasing. In coordination 
with the State, BOEM is considering 3 gigawatts of near-team commercial 
development for the first leasing activities offshore Oregon.
    BOEM considered the following parameters in the development of Call 
Areas.

a. Demand for Renewable Energy

    The Oregon 100% Clean Energy Law requires Oregon's investor-owned 
utilities and service suppliers to supply 100 percent greenhouse gas-
free electricity by 2040. Commercial offshore wind energy development 
may contribute to the State and regional energy goals.

b. Suitability for Offshore Wind

i. Wind Resource and Cost of Energy
    BOEM considered wind resource modeling from the National Renewable 
Energy Laboratory (NREL), which indicates that the wind resource 
offshore Oregon is viable for energy development where the annual 
average wind speed varies from about 8 meters per second (17.9 miles 
per hour) in the north to over 11 meters per second (24.6 miles per 
hour) in the south. These are some of the strongest offshore winds in 
the country. A map of the average annual wind speed is available at 
https://bit.ly/3HGBkph. BOEM considered NREL's estimated cost of 
electricity produced by floating wind energy facilities offshore 
Oregon, reported as the levelized cost of energy. BOEM identified the 
Call Areas offshore the south central and southern Oregon coast as 
likely economically viable for offshore wind energy development based 
on both the estimated wind resource and cost modeling. Additional 
information on the cost modeling is available at https://www.boem.gov/PR-20-OWC-presentation.
ii. Seafloor Conditions
    The slope of the seafloor affects the suitability of an area for 
offshore wind energy development. BOEM removed the Rouge canyon system, 
including canyon floors and walls, from consideration for the Call 
Areas due to the anticipated engineering challenges. Canyon systems 
have complex bathymetry and a density of slopes of greater than ten 
degrees that correlate with increased project cost and complexity. A 
map of the Rouge canyon delineation with the canyon floors and walls is 
available at https://bit.ly/3MxdNL9. BOEM is requesting industry 
feedback on considerations for offshore energy development of mooring 
systems and subsea transmission cables in areas of steep slope.
iii. Water Depth
    Outreach and data gathering efforts conducted by BOEM and the State 
focused on areas with water depths up to 1,300 meters as a reasonable 
limit for near-term development of floating offshore wind energy 
facilities, based on the current technoeconomic feasibility as 
suggested by NREL in offshore wind cost modeling studies on the West 
Coast (see Wind resource and cost of energy section). On the westward 
boundary, partial OCS blocks within the Call Areas include 1,300 meter 
water depths. Future planning may consider additional areas in water 
depths greater than 1,300 meters.
iv. Transmission Availability
    NREL estimated that approximately 2.6 gigawatts of offshore wind 
could be physically integrated into Oregon's onshore power system 
without major trans-coastal upgrades or curtailments if it were 
distributed along five existing points of interconnection along the 
Oregon coast. Of the five points of interconnection studied by NREL, 
Wendson and Fairview are closest to the Call Areas. The NREL study 
report is available at https://www.boem.gov/BOEM-2021-064.

c. Maritime Navigation

    In coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard, BOEM excluded the lanes 
established for towboats in the long-standing Crabber/Towboat lane 
agreement, updated in 2019, from Call Area consideration. A map of the 
lanes established by the agreement is available at https://bit.ly/3HQl0lX. Also, BOEM and the State coordinated on the development of an 
exclusion buffer where the Call Areas are located beyond 13.8 miles (12 
nautical miles) from shore. This reduces potential impacts from wind 
turbine generators installed offshore to existing nearshore maritime 
traffic use. This exclusion buffer from shore generally reduces 
potential visual impacts and many nearshore conflicts with human uses, 
wildlife, and habitat described below.

d. Subsea Cables

    Areas with high concentrations of subsea cables were removed from 
consideration for the development of the Call Areas. However, areas 
with individual existing subsea cables were not excluded as they may be 
avoided within a lease area during project siting. A map of both these 
cable locations is available at https://bit.ly/3Cad2CD.

e. Commercial Fishing

    Fishing activities were considered during the identification of 
Call Areas to

[[Page 25532]]

reduce space-use conflicts to the extent practicable. Economic 
productivity of Oregon's invertebrate fisheries reflects biological 
productivity and is higher on the continental shelf when compared to 
the continental slope. Substantial portions of the fishing grounds for 
Dungeness crab and pink shrimp, the two highest-value fisheries landed 
in Oregon ports, are avoided by the 13.8 mile exclusion buffer from 
shore. A map of the Dungeness crab and pink shrimp fishing effort is 
available at https://bit.ly/36HDgS1. Five offshore banks, some of which 
are important fishing grounds, were also excluded from Call Area 
consideration (see Wildlife and habitat section). In the future, vessel 
monitoring system data and other datasets will be used to identify 
important fishing ground(s) for fisheries relevant to the Call Areas. 
Coordination with the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 
the fishing industry and individual members of the fishing community is 
ongoing and will assist in further reduction of existing space-use 
conflicts during the planning and leasing process.

f. Wildlife and Habitat

i. Marine Mammals
    Potential impacts to multiple protected species and habitats are 
reduced with the 13.8 mile exclusion buffer from shore. BOEM's current 
understanding of marine mammal use of Oregon coastal waters includes 
the following: (a) Gray whale migratory routes are most dense within 
6.9 miles from shore; (b) Southern Resident killer whale habitat occurs 
within 11.5 miles from shore along the Oregon coastline to 656 feet 
(200 meters) water depths; (c) humpback whales are generally 
concentrated in water depths up to 328 feet (100 meters), with highest 
densities of occurring near the Farallones, offshore central 
California, and in Monterey Bay. A map of the gray whale migration 
corridor and the Southern Resident killer whale critical habitat is 
available at https://bit.ly/3MkWMmW. Other Endangered Species Act (ESA) 
protected species include sperm, blue, fin, and sei whales, which will 
be further considered during the planning and leasing process.
ii. Sea Turtles
    Leatherback sea turtle critical habitat includes approximately 
16,910 square miles (43,798 square kilometers) stretching along the 
California coast from Point Arena to Cape Blanco, Oregon, east of the 
6,561 foot (2,000 meter) depth contour. A map is available at https://bit.ly/3tFOQEm. Other ESA protected species include loggerhead and 
olive ridley sea turtles. Potential impacts are reduced with the 13.8 
mile exclusion buffer from shore, however, potential impacts to sea 
turtles will be further evaluated during the planning and leasing 
process.
iii. Marine Birds
    Avian diversity and density generally decrease with distance from 
shore. The National Audubon Society identified Heceta, Stonewall, and 
Perpetua Banks as ``Important Bird Areas,'' (http://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas) citing the combination of productive waters and 
the activity of fishing boats drawing a diversity of seabirds. These 
three banks were removed from consideration for the Call Areas. ESA 
protected bird species offshore or along the coast of Oregon include 
the endangered Short-tailed Albatross and Hawaiian Petrel; threatened 
species include the Marbled Murrelet and Western Snowy Plover. 
Potential impacts to all these species will be further considered 
during the planning and leasing process.
iv. Marine Habitats
    The majority of the seabed within the Call Areas consists of soft 
sediments, with sandy habitats more common in shallow depths and mud 
habitats becoming dominant as depth increases. Rock outcrops may form 
reefs at any depth and occur over a much smaller percentage of the 
seabed, but are often concentrated in offshore banks. Carbonate reefs 
can form where methane seeps occur. Biodiversity and biological 
productivity show the highest values in reef habitats and in nearshore 
environments. Therefore, in addition to Heceta, Stonewall, and Perpetua 
Banks, Siltcoos and Coquille Banks were also excluded from 
consideration for the Call Areas due to their biodiversity. BOEM will 
continue to coordinate with DLCD on the definition and locations of 
sensitive or highly productive habitats and anticipates removing such 
areas during the planning and leasing process.

g. Submerged Landforms

    During the Late Pleistocene, at the Last Glacial Maximum (20,000 
years before present), the glaciers that covered vast portions of the 
Earth's surface sequestered massive amounts of water as ice and lowered 
global sea level approximately 426 feet (130 meters). Federally 
recognized Tribes, including the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower 
Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, expressed the importance of avoiding 
terrestrial archeological resources that may be associated with 
submerged landforms features on the OCS. Based on the current 
understanding of sea level rise and modelling of the potential for 
locating intact submerged landform features, the majority of the 
identified Call Areas are in water depths greater than 130 meters, 
thereby avoiding most potential submerged landform features. Prior to 
approving any seafloor disturbing activities, archaeological surveys 
would be required to identify potential intact submerged landform 
features and further avoid or minimize impacts to those areas. An 
inventory and analysis of the occurrence of submerged archaeological 
site potential on the Pacific OCS is available at https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/environmental-stewardship/Environmental-Studies/Pacific-Region/Studies/pc-11-01.pdf.

h. Viewshed

    The Oregon coastline contains various natural areas, lighthouses, 
beaches, and other public spaces with viewsheds that include the Call 
Areas. Certain areas along the Oregon coast and offshore are also 
significant to the creation stories and religious beliefs of Native 
Americans. Excluding areas inshore of 13.8 miles of the coast reduces 
but may not eliminate viewshed concerns. A map of the State's special 
area viewsheds and scenic class value viewsheds are available at 
https://bit.ly/3Cc0RFn. Viewshed will continue to be evaluated and 
considered during the planning and leasing process.

i. Tribal Considerations

    The Call Areas were chosen in part to minimize the potential 
impacts identified by federally recognized Tribes, including impacts to 
submerged landforms, resident and migratory species use, viewshed, and 
traditional cultural properties. Federally recognized Tribes with 
ancestral territory in Oregon or interest in Oregon offshore wind 
energy planning are invited to engage in government-to-government 
consultation with BOEM during the planning and leasing process to 
inform potential leasing decisions.

j. Department of Defense Considerations

    The Department of Defense conducts offshore military training and 
operations within the Call Areas. The Department of Defense is 
currently assessing the mission compatibility of potential development 
in the Oregon Call Areas. BOEM will continue coordinating with the 
Department of Defense to explore mission compatible areas within the 
Call Areas.

[[Page 25533]]

    BOEM will use information and feedback resulting from this Call to 
inform the delineation of WEAs for environmental reviews for potential 
offshore wind leasing. BOEM anticipates developing and imposing terms 
and conditions--including any measures necessary to mitigate potential 
impacts--at the leasing, site assessment, and/or construction and 
operations phases of its authorization process. The terms and 
conditions for offshore renewable energy leases granted and approved 
plans are available to the public and are posted to the BOEM State 
Activity web pages available at https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities.

4. Description of Call Areas

    Two Call Areas are included in this notice. From north to south, 
they are the Coos Bay Call Area and the Brookings Call Area, which 
total about 1,159,298 acres (1,811 square miles) located offshore 
south-central and southern Oregon, respectively. The estimated offshore 
wind capacity of both Call Areas is about 14 gigawatts, assuming a 
power density of approximately 0.012 megawatts per acre (3 megawatts 
per square kilometer). The Call Areas are described geographically in 
this section. A map of the Call Areas and associated geographic 
information system (GIS) files can be found at https://www.boem.gov/Oregon.

a. Coos Bay Call Area

    The boundary of the Coos Bay Call Area begins 13.8 miles offshore 
Charleston, Oregon, and extends to about 65 miles offshore. The eastern 
boundary water depth ranges from about 394 to 722 feet (120 to 220 
meters). The area is about 67 miles in length from north to south and 
about 41 miles in width from east to west. The entire area is 
approximately 872,854 acres (1,364 square miles) and is described in 
the table below. The estimated offshore wind power capacity is about 
10.6 gigawatts.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Official protraction
 Official protraction diagram name       diagram No.         Block No.                   Sub-block
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6017  P.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6018  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6019  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6020  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6021  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6022  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6023  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6024  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6025  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6026  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6027  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6028  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6067  D.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6068  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6069  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6070  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6071  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6072  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6073  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6074  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6075  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6076  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6077  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6078  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6118  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6119  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6120  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6121  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6122  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6123  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6124  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6125  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6126  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6127  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6128  A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6168  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, O,
                                                                           P.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6169  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6170  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6171  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6172  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6173  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6174  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6175  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6176  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6177  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6178  A, B, E, F, I, J, M, N.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6218  C, D, G, H, K, L, O, P.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6219  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6220  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6221  All.

[[Page 25534]]

 
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6222  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6223  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6224  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6225  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6226  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6227  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6228  A, B, E, I, M.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6267  P.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6268  B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N,
                                                                           O, P.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6269  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6270  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6271  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6272  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6273  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6274  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6275  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6276  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6277  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6278  A.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6317  D, H, K, L, O, P.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6318  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6319  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6320  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6321  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6322  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6323  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6324  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6325  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6326  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6327  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, M, N,
                                                                           O.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6367  B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, N, O, P.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6368  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6369  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6370  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6371  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6372  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6373  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6374  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6375  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6376  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6377  A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6417  B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, O, P.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6418  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6419  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6420  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6421  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6422  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6423  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6424  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6425  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6426  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6427  A, B, E, F, I, M.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6467  B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6468  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6469  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6470  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6471  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6472  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6473  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6474  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6475  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6476  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6477  A, E.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6516  H, L, P.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6517  C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O,
                                                                           P.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6518  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6519  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6520  All.

[[Page 25535]]

 
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6521  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6522  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6523  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6524  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6525  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6526  A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, M.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6567  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6568  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6569  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6570  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6571  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6572  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6573  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6574  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6575  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, I, J, M, N.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6617  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, N, O,
                                                                           P.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6618  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6619  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6620  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6621  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6622  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6623  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6624  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6625  A, E.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6667  O, P.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6668  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6669  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6670  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6671  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6672  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6673  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6674  A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6717  B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N,
                                                                           O, P.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6718  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6719  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6720  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6721  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6722  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6723  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6724  A, B, E, F, I, J, M, N.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6767  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6768  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6769  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6770  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6771  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6772  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6773  All.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6774  A, B, E, F, I, J, M, N.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6823  D.
Coos Bay..........................  NK10-01.............            6824  A, B, C.
Newport Valley....................  NL10-10.............            7167  M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley....................  NL10-10.............            7168  M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley....................  NL10-10.............            7169  M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley....................  NL10-10.............            7170  M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley....................  NL10-10.............            7171  M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley....................  NL10-10.............            7172  M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley....................  NL10-10.............            7173  M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley....................  NL10-10.............            7174  M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley....................  NL10-10.............            7175  M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley....................  NL10-10.............            7176  M, N, O, P.
Newport Valley....................  NL10-10.............            7177  M, N, O, P.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 25536]]

b. Brookings Call Area

    The boundary of the Brookings Call area begins 13.8 miles offshore 
Gold Beach and Brookings, Oregon, and extends to about 46 miles 
offshore. The eastern boundary water depth ranges from about 410 to 
1,115 feet (125 to 340 meters). The area is about 46 miles in length 
from north to south and about 22 miles in width from east to west. The 
entire area is approximately 286,444 acres (448 square miles) and is 
described in the table below. The offshore wind energy capacity of the 
Brookings Call Area is about 3.5 gigawatts.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Official protraction
 Official protraction diagram name       diagram No.         Block No.                   Sub-block
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6522  P.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6523  M, N, O.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6572  C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, P.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6573  A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6622  D, H, K, L, O, P.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6623  A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6672  B, C, D, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O,
                                                                           P.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6673  A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6721  D, G, H, K, L, N, O, P.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6722  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6723  A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6768  P.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6769  G, H, J, K, L, M, N, O, P.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6770  E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6771  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6772  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6773  A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6818  D, G, H, K, L, O, P.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6819  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6820  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6821  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6822  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6823  A, B, C, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N,
                                                                           O, P.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6868  C, D, G, H, K, L, P.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6869  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6870  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6871  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6872  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6873  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6874  M.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6918  D.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6919  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6920  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6921  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6922  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6923  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6924  A, E, F, I, J, M, N, O.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6969  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6970  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6971  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6972  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6973  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            6974  A, B, C, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, N, O, P.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7017  P.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7018  D, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7019  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7020  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7021  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7022  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7023  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7024  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7067  D, G, H, K, L, N, O, P.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7068  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7069  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7070  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7071  All.

[[Page 25537]]

 
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7072  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7073  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7074  All.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7075  E, I, M, N.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7117  A, B, C, D.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7118  A, B, C, D.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7119  A, B, C, D.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7120  A, B, C, D.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7121  A, B, C, D.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7122  A, B, C, D.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7123  A, B, C, D, F, G, H.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7124  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H.
Cape Blanco.......................  NK10-04.............            7125  A, B, E, F, G.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A map of the Call Areas and associated GIS files are available at 
https://www.boem.gov/Oregon.

5. Requested Information From Interested or Affected Parties

    As mentioned previously, your feedback is essential to help BOEM 
identify areas that may be suitable for potential offshore wind 
development. BOEM requests specific and detailed comments from the 
public and interested or affected parties regarding the following 
features, activities, or concerns in or around the Call Areas. Where 
applicable, spatial information should be submitted in a format 
compatible with ArcGIS in a coordinate system based on NAD 83 or WGS 84 
datums.
    a. Geological, geophysical, and biological conditions (including 
bottom and shallow hazards and live bottom).
    b. Known archaeological and/or cultural resource sites on the 
seabed. Please note that BOEM is required to protect from disclosure 
certain information related to archaeological and cultural resources. 
See section 7(c) below with further information about section 304 of 
the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
    c. Historic properties potentially affected by site 
characterization (e.g., surveys), site assessment (e.g., buoy 
installation), or commercial wind development. This information will 
inform BOEM's review of future undertakings under section 106 of the 
NHPA and under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
    d. Other uses of the OCS in or near the Call Areas, particularly 
with regard to vessel navigation. Additional information regarding 
recreational and commercial fisheries including, but not limited to, 
the use of the areas, the fishing gear types used, seasonal use, and 
recommendations for reducing use conflicts.
    e. Available and pertinent data and information concerning 
renewable energy resources and environmental conditions.
    f. Information relating to visual resources and aesthetics, the 
potential impacts of wind turbines to those resources, and potential 
strategies to help mitigate or minimize any visual effects.
    g. Other relevant socioeconomic, cultural, biological, and 
environmental information.
    h. Environmental justice information.
    i. Offshore wind energy industry feedback on the considerations for 
offshore energy development in deep waters, including greater than 
1,300 meters water depths, and in areas where the seafloor slope is 
greater than 10 degrees with respect to mooring configurations and 
subsea transmission cables. Feedback on other development 
considerations in deep waters, such as available floating technology, 
transmission distance, water depth, seafloor conditions, and operations 
and maintenance feasibility and costs.
    j. Information on coastal or onshore activities needed to support 
offshore wind development, such as port and transmission 
infrastructure, and associated potential impacts to recreation, scenic, 
cultural, historic, and natural resources, relating to those 
activities.
    k. Any other relevant information BOEM should consider during its 
planning and decision-making process for the purpose of identifying 
areas to lease in the Call Areas.

6. Required Nomination Information

    If you wish to nominate one or more areas within the Call Areas for 
a commercial wind energy lease, you must provide the following 
information for each nomination. BOEM will consider it along with any 
information received in response to this notice.
    a. The BOEM leasing map name and number, or official protraction 
diagram number, and the specific whole or partial OCS blocks within the 
Call Areas that you are interested in leasing. For context, BOEM would 
consider the nomination of an area comprising approximately 82,370 
acres (approximately 129 square miles) reasonable, as it would likely 
be able to support a 1-gigawatt wind facility, assuming a power density 
of approximately 0.012 megawatts per acre. Nominations that 
considerably exceed approximately 82,370 acres may be deemed 
unreasonable and not accepted by BOEM. This information should be 
submitted as a spatial file compatible with ArcGIS in a coordinate 
system based on NAD 83 or WGS 84 datums in addition to your hard copy 
submittal. If your nomination includes one or more partial blocks, 
please describe those partial blocks in terms of sixteenths (i.e., sub-
block) of an OCS block.
    b. A description of your objectives and the facilities that you 
would use to achieve those objectives.
    c. A preliminary schedule of proposed activities, including those 
leading to commercial operations.
    d. Available and pertinent data and information concerning 
renewable energy resources and environmental conditions in each area 
that you wish to lease, including energy and resource data and 
information used to evaluate the area. Where applicable, spatial 
information should be submitted in a format compatible with ArcGIS in a 
coordinate system based on NAD 83 or WGS 84 datums.
    e. Documentation demonstrating that you are legally, technically, 
and financially qualified to hold a lease in accordance with the 
requirements in 30 CFR 585.106 and 585.107. Qualification materials 
should be developed in accordance with the guidelines available at 
https://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Qualification-Guidelines/. Legal, 
technical and financial qualification documents that you provide to 
BOEM may be made available for public review. If you wish that any part 
of your qualification

[[Page 25538]]

documentation be kept confidential, clearly identify what should be 
kept confidential, explain the basis on which we could do so in the 
event of a Freedom of Information Act request, and submit it under 
separate cover (see section 7 entitled ``Protection of Privileged, 
Personal, or Confidential Information,'' below).
    It is not required to submit a nomination in response to this Call 
in order to participate in a potential future competitive lease sale 
offshore Oregon, if BOEM determines that competitive interest exists. 
You will not be able to participate in such a competitive lease sale, 
however, unless you demonstrate prior to the sale that you are legally, 
technically, and financially qualified to hold a BOEM renewable energy 
lease. To ensure that BOEM has sufficient time to process your 
qualifications package, you should submit this package during the 
proposed sale notice 60-day public comment period (see section 9 
entitled ``BOEM's Planning and Leasing Process,'' below).

7. Protection of Privileged, Personal, or Confidential Information

a. Freedom of Information Act

    BOEM will protect your privileged or confidential information in 
accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Exemption 4 of 
FOIA applies to trade secrets and commercial or financial information 
that is privileged or confidential. If you wish to protect the 
confidentiality of such information, clearly label it and request that 
BOEM treat it as confidential. BOEM will not disclose such information 
if BOEM determines under 30 CFR 585.113(b) that it qualifies for 
exemption from disclosure under FOIA. Please label privileged or 
confidential information with the words ``Contains Confidential 
Information'' and consider submitting such information as a separate 
attachment.
    BOEM will not treat as confidential any aggregate summaries of such 
information or comments not containing such privileged or confidential 
information. Additionally, BOEM will not treat as confidential (1) the 
legal title of the nominating entity (for example, the name of your 
company), or (2) the list of whole or partial blocks that you are 
nominating. Information that is not labeled as privileged or 
confidential may be regarded by BOEM as suitable for public release.

b. Personally Identifiable Information

    BOEM does not consider anonymous comments; please include your name 
and address as part of your comment. You should be aware that your 
entire comment, including your name, address, and any personally 
identifiable information (PII) included in your comment may be made 
publicly available. All submissions from identified individuals, 
businesses, and organizations will be available for public viewing on 
regulations.gov. For BOEM to withhold your PII from disclosure, you 
must identify any information contained in your comments that, if 
released, would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of your 
personal privacy. You must also briefly describe any possible harmful 
consequences of the disclosure of information, such as embarrassment, 
injury, or other harm. BOEM is unable to guarantee that it will be able 
to withhold your information from public view under current law.

c. Section 304 of NHPA (54 U.S.C. 307103(a))

    After consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, BOEM is 
required to withhold the location, character, or ownership of historic 
resources if it determines that disclosure may, among other things, 
risk harm to the historic resources or impede the use of a traditional 
religious site by practitioners. Tribal entities should designate in 
their submissions information they believe is entitled to protection 
from disclosure under section 304 of NHPA.

8. BOEM's Environmental Review Process

    Before deciding whether and where leases may be issued, BOEM will 
conduct the planning and leasing process described in section 9. After 
designating WEAs, BOEM will conduct an environmental analysis under 
NEPA and is committed to including public scoping periods and a public 
review and comment period for the analysis. Previously when deciding 
whether and where renewable energy leases may be issued, BOEM has 
prepared an environmental assessment (EA) to consider the reasonably 
foreseeable environmental consequences of activities that take place 
after leasing, such as site characterization activities (including 
geophysical, geotechnical, archaeological, and biological surveys) and 
site assessment activities (including installation of a meteorological 
tower or meteorological buoy). BOEM may also conduct consultations. 
These consultations may include, but are not limited to, those required 
by the Coastal Zone Management Act, the Endangered Species Act, the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, section 106 
of NHPA, and Executive Order 13175--``Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments.'' Through the NEPA and consultation 
process, BOEM may identify mitigation measures to minimize possible 
environmental impacts resulting from project activities, such as 
impacts to migratory birds, marine mammals, and sea turtles.
    Before BOEM allows a lessee to begin construction of a wind energy 
project on a lease issued within the Call Areas, BOEM will consider the 
potential environmental consequences of the construction and operation 
of any wind energy facility under a separate, project-specific 
environmental review under NEPA. This review will include additional 
opportunities for public involvement and likely will result in the 
publication of an environmental impact statement.

9. BOEM's Planning and Leasing Process

a. Determination of Competitive Interest

    Subsection 8(p)(3) of the OCSLA (43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3)) states that 
``the Secretary shall issue a lease, easement, or right-of-way . . . on 
a competitive basis unless the Secretary determines after public notice 
of a proposed lease, easement, or right-of-way that there is no 
competitive interest.'' Accordingly, BOEM must first determine whether 
there is competitive interest in acquiring a lease to develop offshore 
wind energy within the Call Area. At the conclusion of the comment 
period for this Call, BOEM will review the Call nominations received 
and determine if competitive interest exists in any part area of the 
Call Areas.
    For areas with two or more valid nominations, BOEM may consider 
proceeding with competitive leasing as described in section 9.b below, 
``Competitive Leasing Process.'' For areas where BOEM determines that 
there is only one interested entity, BOEM may consider proceeding with 
noncompetitive leasing, as described in section 9c below, 
``Noncompetitive Leasing Process.'' However, BOEM may also determine 
there is competitive interest in an area with only a single nomination 
based on input received in response to this notice, market conditions, 
and the amount of area available for leasing.
    If BOEM determines that competitive interest in certain areas 
exists and that those areas are appropriate to lease, BOEM may hold one 
or more competitive lease sales for those areas. In the event BOEM 
holds a lease sale, all qualified bidders, including bidders

[[Page 25539]]

that did not submit a nomination in response to this Call, will be 
eligible to participate in the lease sale.
    BOEM reserves the right to not lease nominated areas or to modify 
nominated areas before offering them for lease.

b. Competitive Leasing Process

    BOEM will follow the steps required by 30 CFR 585.211 through 
585.225 if it decides to proceed with the competitive leasing process 
after analyzing the responses to this Call. Those steps are:
    (1) Area Identification: Based on the information received in 
response to this Call, BOEM will determine the level of commercial 
interest and continue with Area Identification. Area Identification is 
the process in which BOEM establishes WEAs based on information 
received on this Call, Task Force input, Tribal input, ocean user 
input, and stakeholder input. BOEM considers all information received 
in response to the Call during area identification, including 
information pertaining to wildlife (including endangered species), 
Department of Defense, navigational safety, visual impacts, and 
fishing. BOEM may conduct visual simulations of hypothetical projects 
to inform the designation of WEAs.
    The Call Areas are of a sufficient size to allow for refinement. 
BOEM, in coordination with the State, is considering 3 gigawatts for 
near-team commercial development for the first leasing activities 
offshore Oregon, less than one-fourth of the estimated 14 gigawatts of 
potential capacity within the Call Areas. The WEAs will be subject to 
environmental review as described in section 8 above, in consultation 
with appropriate Federal agencies, federally recognized Tribes, State 
and local governments, and other interested parties.
    (2) Proposed Sale Notice (PSN): If BOEM decides to proceed with a 
competitive lease sale within the WEA, BOEM will publish a PSN in the 
Federal Register with a comment period of 60 days. The PSN will 
describe the areas BOEM intends to offer for leasing and the proposed 
conditions of sale, auction format, and lease instrument, including 
lease addenda. Additionally, the PSN will describe the criteria and 
process for evaluating bids in the auction.
    (3) Final Sale Notice (FSN): After considering the comments on the 
PSN and completion of its NEPA review, if BOEM decides to proceed with 
a competitive lease sale, it will publish a FSN in the Federal Register 
at least 30 days before the date of the lease sale.
    (4) Bid Submission and Evaluation: Following publication of the FSN 
in the Federal Register, BOEM will offer the lease areas through a 
competitive sale process, using procedures specified in the FSN. BOEM 
will review the sale, including bids and bid deposits, for technical 
and legal adequacy. BOEM will ensure that bidders have complied with 
the FSN and all applicable regulations. BOEM reserves the right to 
reject any or all bids and to withdraw its offer to lease an area, even 
after bids have been submitted.
    (5) Issuance of a Lease: Following identification of the winning 
bid on a lease area, BOEM will notify the successful bidder and will 
provide lease documents for signature. BOEM requires a successful 
bidder to sign and return the lease documents, pay the remainder of the 
bid, if applicable, and file the required financial assurance within 
10-business days of receiving the lease documents. Upon receipt of the 
required payments, financial assurance, and properly signed lease 
documents, BOEM may execute a lease with the successful bidder.

c. Noncompetitive Leasing Process

    BOEM's noncompetitive leasing process includes the following steps 
under 30 CFR 585.231 and 585.232:
    (1) Determination of No Competitive Interest: If, after evaluating 
all relevant responses to this Call, BOEM determines competitive 
interest does not exist in all or a portion of the Call Areas, it may 
proceed with noncompetitive leasing. BOEM will seek to determine if the 
sole respondent who nominated a particular area intends to proceed with 
acquiring the lease. If so, the respondent must submit an acquisition 
fee. After the acquisition fee is paid, BOEM will publish a 
determination of no competitive interest in the Federal Register.
    (2) Review of Lease Request: BOEM will complete a NEPA review and 
required consultations as discussed in section 8 entitled ``BOEM's 
Environmental Review Process'' before issuing a lease noncompetitively. 
Specifically, BOEM will coordinate and consult, as appropriate, with 
relevant Federal agencies, federally recognized Tribes, affected State 
and local governments, and other affected or interested parties in 
formulating lease terms, conditions, and stipulations.
    (3) Lease Issuance: After completing its review of the lease 
request, BOEM may offer a noncompetitive lease. Within 10-business days 
of receiving the lease documents, the respondent must sign them and 
provide a $100,000 bond to guarantee compliance with all terms and 
conditions of the lease. Within 45 days of receiving the lease 
documents, the respondent must pay the first 12 months' rent.

Amanda Lefton,
Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
[FR Doc. 2022-09000 Filed 4-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P


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