Incidental Take Authorization: Ocean Wind, LCC Construction of the Ocean Wind 1 Wind Energy Facility off of New Jersey

NOAA Fisheries promulgates regulations to govern the incidental taking of marine mammals incidental to Ocean Wind, LLC, a subsidiary wholly owned by Orsted Wind Power North America, LLC, construction of the Ocean Wind 1 Offshore Wind Energy Project in Federal and State waters off of New Jersey, specifically within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Area OCS-A 0498 and along two export cable routes to sea-to-shore transition points, over the course of 5 years (October 13, 2023 through October 12, 2028). These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals during construction-related activities within the Project Area during the effective dates of the regulations, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.