Hydrokinetic News
Massachusetts issues America’s first marine spatial plan
The new Ocean Plan has set out areas suitable for development and areas set aside for conservation
Massachusetts has published a new Ocean Plan to lay out parameters for the development of offshore wind energy in its waters.
As wind developers and Native American tribes clash over the Cape Wind project being proposed for Nantucket Sound, the State’s Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Department released the plan it says will both “protect critical marine resources” and foster “sustainable uses” of the marine environment.
The first such plan in the country, it sets out standards for both community-scale developments and commercial-scale infrastructure projects, not limited to offshore wind farms.
Regional planning authorities will be given formal responsibilities over wind energy planning, with the power to designate areas as suitable for “appropriate” scale wind projects.
Communities will be encouraged to host their share of wind turbines, depending on the length of their coastlines.
As well as defining development requirements, the Ocean Plan also contains available information on current uses and priorities for Massachusetts waters.
State agencies will start to implement the Plan from this month.
Governor Deval Patrick said: “Just as we do with our development on land, we can and must plan for the long term when it comes to the development of the Commonwealth’s waters. With this ocean plan, Massachusetts is setting a national precedent as we protect our ocean environment while harnessing its renewable energy potential.”
“Best available science”
Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles, who laid out the new Ocean Plan this week, said it represented the “best available science”, culmination of more than a year’s work.
Previously, development in Massachusetts waters was carried out on an ad-hoc basis, but under the Ocean Plan, now has a “comprehensive framework” to follow.
Three categories of development zone are defined in the Plan, from coastal waters out to 0.3 nautical miles of mean high water and then to the three-mile limit of state jurisdiction.
The Plan also sets out an area in which development is prohibited – around the lower end of Cape Cod set aside for conservation.
Click here for the two-volume final ocean plan, as well as the draft plan and other background documents.
Two areas – including 2% of the total planning area – are identified specifically as “suitable for commercial-scale wind energy development”, according to the Department. These are an area off the Elizabeth Islands, and an area south of Nomans Land, off Martha’s Vineyard.
A federal-state task force is currently looking into the possible leasing of federal waters for large-scale wind energy development.
“The plan released today is a first significant step in marine spatial planning in the United States, setting Massachusetts on a path toward comprehensive ecosystem-based ocean management,” said Deerin Babb-Brott, EEA Assistant Secretary for Oceans.
“The intent of the ocean plan is to serve as a vital, adaptive, living document that will guide stakeholders and user groups, resource managers and the public in the protection and balanced use of our marine waters.”
Massachusetts issues America’s first marine spatial plan
Massachusetts has published a new Ocean Plan to lay out parameters for the development of offshore wind energy in its waters.
As wind developers and Native American tribes clash over the Cape Wind project being proposed for Nantucket Sound, the State’s Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Department released the plan it says will both “protect critical marine resources” and foster “sustainable uses” of the marine environment.
The first such plan in the country, it sets out standards for both community-scale developments and commercial-scale infrastructure projects, not limited to offshore wind farms.
Regional planning authorities will be given formal responsibilities over wind energy planning, with the power to designate areas as suitable for “appropriate” scale wind projects.
Communities will be encouraged to host their share of wind turbines, depending on the length of their coastlines.
As well as defining development requirements, the Ocean Plan also contains available information on current uses and priorities for Massachusetts waters.
State agencies will start to implement the Plan from this month.
Governor Deval Patrick said: “Just as we do with our development on land, we can and must plan for the long term when it comes to the development of the Commonwealth’s waters. With this ocean plan, Massachusetts is setting a national precedent as we protect our ocean environment while harnessing its renewable energy potential.”
Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles, who laid out the new Ocean Plan this week, said it represented the “best available science”, culmination of more than a year’s work.
Previously, development in Massachusetts waters was carried out on an ad-hoc basis, but under the Ocean Plan, now has a “comprehensive framework” to follow.
Three categories of development zone are defined in the Plan, from coastal waters out to 0.3 nautical miles of mean high water and then to the three-mile limit of state jurisdiction.
The Plan also sets out an area in which development is prohibited – around the lower end of Cape Cod set aside for conservation.
Click here for the two-volume final ocean plan, as well as the draft plan and other background documents.
Two areas – including 2% of the total planning area – are identified specifically as “suitable for commercial-scale wind energy development”, according to the Department. These are an area off the Elizabeth Islands, and an area south of Nomans Land, off Martha’s Vineyard.
A federal-state task force is currently looking into the possible leasing of federal waters for large-scale wind energy development.
“The plan released today is a first significant step in marine spatial planning in the United States, setting Massachusetts on a path toward comprehensive ecosystem-based ocean management,” said Deerin Babb-Brott, EEA Assistant Secretary for Oceans.
“The intent of the ocean plan is to serve as a vital, adaptive, living document that will guide stakeholders and user groups, resource managers and the public in the protection and balanced use of our marine waters.”
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