Please take notice that Ocean Wind, LLC (Ocean Wind 1) will hold a public hearing on Monday, November 14, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. This hearing was originally scheduled for October 3, 2022 but was canceled due to a coastal flood warning issued by the National Weather Service and concern for the safety of the public.  This hearing will be conducted virtually.  Members of the public may participate in the hearing via video conference or by telephone. Those who wish to participate via video conference may access the hearing at https://bit.ly/ocw1-ga-pub-hearing (note: if manually typing, please use all lowercase text), or go to https://zoom.us/join and enter Webinar ID: 845 6140 0881; Passcode:  407304.  Those planning to offer comments at the hearing may sign up to do so during the hearing. A dial-in option will be available, as well. If using one-tap mobile: +16469313860,,84561400881# or for telephone, (646) 931-3860 or (888) 788-0099 (Toll Free); Webinar ID: 845 6140 0881; Passcode: 407304.

The purpose of the hearing will be to receive public comment on the proposed diversion of an approximately +/- 0.647-acre portion of Ocean City-owned parkland.  The affected properties owned by the City are as follows:

1. Block 611.11, Lots 137 and 145 – Beach lots at the end of 35^th Street
2. Block 3500, Lot 1 (Including riparian grant) – Beach lot south of Block 611.11, Lot 137 
3. Block 3350.01, Lot 17 – North of Roosevelt Boulevard Bridge

As to said lands, Ocean Wind 1 filed a petition with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) pursuant to N.J.S.A. 48:3-87.1(f)(2) to acquire, among other things, permanent rights of way and easements needed to install an underground cable in connection with its proposed Ocean Wind 1 Offshore Wind Farm Project (Project).  On September 28, 2022, BPU granted the relief requested in Ocean Wind 1’s petition.  Once complete, the Project will fulfill the requirements of the State’s Offshore Wind Economic Development Act, which mandates the development of a minimum of 1,100 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind resources. The Project will also contribute to meeting the goals of both Executive Order 8 (2018), which set a goal of 3,500 MW of renewable energy by 2030, and Executive Order 92, which in November 2019 increased the goal to 7,500 MW by 2035.  Additional information about the Project may be found at:  www.OceanWindOne.com.

The lands listed above are encumbered by State of New Jersey Green Acres restrictions.  Based on the filing of the BPU petition, an application for the major diversion of said lands has been submitted by Ocean Wind 1 to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Green Acres Program, for approval by the Department’s Commissioner and by the State House Commission.  Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 48:3-87.1(f)(2), Ocean Wind 1 proposes to pay to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, a local government unit, or a qualifying tax-exempt nonprofit organization $205,000.00 to be used for the acquisition of 1.941 acres of replacement land, which is three times the area proposed for diversion.

You may appear via video conference or by telephone in order to comment on the proposed diversion and/or you may submit written comments.  In accordance with Green Acres rules, all written comments must be submitted by November 28, 2022 to Tom Suthard at Orsted Ocean Wind 1, 600 Atlantic Ave., Suite 2, Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401 or Info@OceanWind.com.  Please reference “Proposed Diversion” in the subject line.  A copy of any written comments must also be submitted to the Green Acres Program at PublicLandCompliance@dep.nj.gov.  Please include “Ocean Wind 1” in the subject line.  Email comments are preferred, but comments may also be mailed to:  New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Green Acres Program, Bureau of Legal Services and Stewardship, 401 East State Street, 7th Floor, Mail Code 401-07B, P.O. Box 420, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420 Attn:  Ocean Wind 1 Application.           

Copies of the diversion application are available to the public for inspection at Ocean City, City Hall, located at 861 Asbury Ave, Ocean City, New Jersey and at the Ocean City Free Public Library, located at 1735 Simpson Ave, Ocean City, New Jersey.  The diversion application can also be accessed online through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s website at https://dep.nj.gov/otpla/diversion-application-information-page-ocean-city-ocean-wind-project/.