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NOAA Fisheries issued a Biological Opinion on the Arthur Kill Terminal project to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Biological Opinion considers the effects on threatened and endangered species from the construction, mitigation, and operation of the project in New York/New Jersey.
NOAA Fisheries concluded the proposed action, construction and operation of a purpose-built offshore wind staging and assembly port, is likely to adversely affect, but is not likely to jeopardize, the continued existence of any species of sea turtles or Atlantic sturgeon in the proposed area of development. It will have no effect on any designated critical habitat of these species. NOAA Fisheries does not anticipate injuries or mortalities of any ESA listed whale, including the North Atlantic right whale, or shortnose sturgeon related to the Arthur Kill Terminal Project.
The proposed project includes a number of measures designed to minimize, monitor, and report effects to ESA listed species. Additional measures are included through the Biological Opinion’s Incidental Take Statement.
The Biological Opinion will be submitted to our library in approximately 10 days and will be published shortly after.
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