The Vineyard Wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts is once again facing scrutiny due to concerns about its potential effects on marine wildlife. As the project approaches its final stages, with 15 wind turbines still to be installed, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries has been investigating how construction operations might be impacting nearby animals.
The process of pile driving, which involves pounding large turbine foundations into the ocean floor, has been identified as a significant source of underwater noise. NOAA’s experts recently issued a new opinion on the matter, acknowledging that the construction is likely to adversely affect marine life, including fish, sea turtles and whales.
However, the agency emphasized that the disturbances are expected to be temporary, and it does not anticipate any serious injuries or fatalities among endangered species.
This conclusion is crucial for the continuation of the project. Under the Endangered Species Act, federal agencies are prohibited from authorizing any actions that could jeopardize the existence of listed species. NOAA’s assessment, which suggests no long-term harm to endangered animals, allows the Vineyard Wind project to proceed.
Yet, despite the assertion that no significant harm is expected, in the same opinion which stated that, NOAA has also issued an exemption allowing for the possibility that a small number of endangered whale species might be killed during the wind farm’s installation. NOAA has stated that the full opinion, including details of its findings and the rationale behind the exemption, will be released to the public and published in its library in about 10 days.
