In March 2019, RODA co-hosted a workshop with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in order to identify the most critical transit routes for fishing vessels in advance of the next anticipated wind energy lease sale in the New York Bight. Thank you again to all the fishermen who completed survey documents and provided other input at, and in advance of, the meeting, and to NYSERDA for convening this important effort. Details from this workshop, including a final summary, can be found here.
Timeline of USCG Port Access Route Studies in the Mid Atlantic
- Following the workshop, RODA requested USCG to conduct a formal Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study (PARS) including a full analysis of fishing vessel transit as it relates to existing, proposed, and potential offshore wind energy areas in the appropriate study ranges throughout the Mid-Atlantic region (see letter here).
- On May 5, 2020 USCG announced a Notice of Study for a PARS to determine whether existing or additional vessel routing measures are necessary along the Seacoast of New Jersey and Approaches to the Delaware Bay. RODA requested a public hearing in advance of the study, and submitted a full comment letter.
- On June 29, 2020 USCG announced a Notice of Study for an additional PARS focused on the Northern New York Bight. RODA submitted comments to the NNY PARS in August 2020.
- In August 2020, USCG reopened the New Jersey and Approaches to Delaware Bay public comment requesting specific industry input. RODA’s comment letter can be viewed here.