February 29, 2024 — The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on Feb. 26 extended its public comment period for the proposed development of six wind lease areas, totaling more than 488,000 acres of the Atlantic Ocean off New Jersey and New York.
Members of the public will now have until 11:59 p.m. March 13 to provide their feedback on a 1,429-page draft of the programmatic environmental impact statement for the anticipated projects in what is known as the New York Bight.
“A large portion of the recreational fishing effort occurs within the popular fishing areas that have been leased out for offshore wind development,” said Greg Cudnik, owner of Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom and a member of the N.J. Marine Fisheries Advisory Board for Offshore Wind. “The diversity of fisheries and the threat of offshore wind development are not bound by lease area borders.”
Cudnik’s comments came during a citizen hearing hosted by Clean Ocean Action in Long Branch on Feb. 20. He was one of many speakers from along the Jersey coast.
“The speed of development is outpacing the speed of science and the needs of the sea,” he said, noting the area in question includes historic fishing grounds. “Top scientists are and have been working on these topics and acknowledge vital data gaps with regard to potential impacts.”