The Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) convened a meeting of the Fishermen’s Advisory Board (established under the CRMC’s Ocean Special Area Management Plan) to meet with representatives of Vineyard Wind. The meeting was held on Monday, November 19, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. in the Coastal Hazards Room, University of Rhode Island, Bay Campus, South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI.

1. WELCOME/UPDATE – Grover J. Fugate, CRMC Executive Director

Mr. Fugate welcomed everyone to the meeting stating that CRMC is acting as facilitator but that it is a Fishermen’s Advisory Board (FAB) Meeting with Lanny Dellinger as the Chair.

Mr. Fugate introduced Vineyard Wind for their presentation on the adjustments to the windfarm layout.

Introductions were made throughout the room.

3. VINEYARD WIND PRESENTATION

Present and speaking for Vineyard Wind:

Lars Pedersen, CEO of Vineyard Wind (VW)
Erich Stephens, Vineyard Wind’s Chief Development Officer
Rachel Pachter, Vice President of Permitting Affairs for Vineyard Wind

Mr. Pedersen gave a brief welcoming to meeting participants stating that he appreciated the feedback VW had received on the offshore wind project. Mr. Pedersen acknowledged that the project has been a long process for everyone and looks to have further discussions with RI’s fishing industry regarding solutions to their project’s current layout. Mr. Pedersen stated that although they were not able to change their layout to east west as preferred, they minimized the area through several options which will be presented. Mr. Pedersen stated that they will commit to an east west layout with transit lanes of 1 nautical mile on their future projects and also talked about compensation for challenges for the RI fishermen. Mr. Pedersen talked about creating space and minimizing the project area by using the market’s newest technology and largest turbine available thereby reducing the number of turbines from 106 to 84. Mr. Pedersen asked to be able to further discussions regarding alternatives and as the fishing industry and offshore wind industry should be able to coexist. Mr. Pedersen again asked that their request for a stay until the end of January be an option.

In Vineyard Wind’s presentation, Ms. Pachter explained that by using the largest wind turbine
that is available to date, they are able to reduce the amount of turbines from 106 to 84. There will also be a reduction of the substations from 2-4 to 1-2. Ms. Pachter explained that changing the project to east-west configuration was not a feasible alternative for VW because 80% of the turbines would need to be moved. Ms. Pachter also explained that the data collection and analysis required by BOEM could not be done in order to keep their time schedule which is important to them to be able to take advantage of a tax program offered by MA allowing them to issue a competitive bid, and offering a lower rate for the price. Taking advantage of the tax program will allow for 1 billion in rate savings to tax payers of MA. Ms. Pachter explained the three options that VW has devised for the fishermen to review none of which are an east/west layout. Ms. Pachter concluded stating that Vineyard Wind would like to continue the conversations with the fishing industry to come to an agreement that meets everyone’s needs.

Fishermen Advisory Board Members present:
Lanny Dellinger, Chair
Brian Thibeault
Greg Mataronas
Rick Bellevance
Mike Marchetti

It was the consensus among the FAB members present and the fishermen present that the current options being offered by Vineyard Wind were not acceptable. Al Eagles expressed his concern regarding safety within the proposed layout during adverse weather events and maneuvering within the proposed pattern with smaller transit lanes.

Mr. Fugate advised that the topic of transit lanes was not on the agenda for the evening.

During the remainder of the meeting, the FAB members and the fishermen present expressed their extreme concern regarding the loss of a long time heavily fished area. The FAB stated that they were not looking for mitigation and that the wind farm will cause long term adverse effects to the fishing situation in this area. The concern expressed by the FAB members was that Vineyard wind was unwilling to compromise and work with the fishermen regarding the need for the east-west pattern. The FAB members stated that there is a lack of trust for Vineyard Wind due to their unwillingness to make commitments that will ensure the fishermen’s ability to continue their livelihood without significant losses both in safety and financially.

The members of the FAB expressed their concern that precedence will be set by Vineyard Wind as they are the first project to be reviewed by Rhode Island for this area.

There was discussion about the lack of baseline fishery studies which is clearly required through the RI CRMC Ocean Special Area Management Plan (OSAMP). Fishermen expressed concern about what would happen to the marine-life living within an electromagnetic field. Fishermen were concerned that after watching the marine life stock rebuild due to fishing restrictions, the construction process with decimate all that they have worked on to rebuild. The marine life will be destroyed or displaced and will not return.
Mr. Stephens of Vineyard Wind stated that he understood that the fishing industry feels that VW has not listened and does not care but VW has done the best they can while working within their constraints. It is important to VW to co-exist with the fishermen in RI and MA. VW would like to continue the discussions and negotiations.

Members of the FAB and the fishermen present reiterated that the layout will not work and that they will not be able to work within the wind farm area due to layout and close transit lanes. The members also expressed their frustration at the idea of mitigation over the idea of altering the layout of the farm.

Lars Pedersen, Vineyard Wind, stated that they realize this is a difficult discussion and that there is no intention to close off the area to fishing but that they do not have the flexibility to change the layout. Vineyard wind is not trying to offend anyone with their mitigation plan but that they are using the data that is available to them to determine mitigation.

The FAB Members expressed their concern with VW’s lack of long term data reports and that the current data that VW is using does not cover the potential values that could come from that area based on historical data.

There were some fishermen who were willing to start the discussion on mitigation and the timeframe through which the mitigation studies should begin and asked that the data for mitigation to extend further back than VW proposed timeframe. It was suggested by the fishermen to let the fishing industry declare their best five years to use for mitigation data.

There were also some fishermen who were not willing to introduce the idea of mitigation at this point.

Mr. Pedersen, VW, explained that if they could change they would, but, financially, they can’t and they are willing to work with the fishing industry. VW has agreed to a different layout with their next phase.

Meghan Lapp, Seafreeze Ltd., spoke about how detrimental this will be to her business and asked questions about how Vineyard Wind will implement their compensatory plan. Ms. Lapp stated that none of her vessels will be able to work in this area as they are too large and many other fishing businesses will not risk their vessels or equipment in the layout using less than a nautical mile between structures. Ms. Lapp stated that this farm layout could destroy the squid industry within the RI/MA area. Ms. Lapp also talked about how the navigation devices will be affected by the electromagnetic field caused by the farm.

Discussion began by Mr. Stephens regarding meeting with a smaller working group.

Mr. Stephens also stated that Vineyard Wind would like more time to be able to work on compromise with the fishing industry and talked about an extension until January 28th.

Lanny Dellinger, FAB Chair called for a vote

Rosemary Powers, RI Governor’s Office, inquired as to the direction of the vote and if the FAB is interested in having further conversations with Vineyard Wind. Mr. Dellinger stated that the layout was unacceptable to the RI Fishermen and that they can discuss other things as the area has a very high value to the fishing industry.

Mr. Brown motioned, seconded by Mr. Belevance, to reject the layout as presented by Vineyard Wind. Motion carried on a unanimous voice vote.

Rosemary Powers, RI Governor’s Office, addressed both parties stating that the Governor is committed to making sure the fishermen were supported and that it was understood that the layout as presented was not acceptable. Ms. Powers stated that she would like to offer the Governor’s office along with Director Coit to speak with the fishermen to see what they need and ensure a robust offshore wind industry that allows and supports our fishing industry to thrive.

Mr. Dellinger thanked Ms. Powers and asked why the Governor and the RI Congressionals have not had discussions with the Massachusetts Governor and MA Congressionals to try to bring this to a conclusion that benefits everyone.

Janet Coit, RIDEM Director stated that her department has much respect for and value of fishing industry and that its importance to RI cannot be understated. Ms. Coit stated that she would make all DEM resources available to make sure the fishing industry is a foremost priority as we work with offshore wind industry.

Mr. Dellinger adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary

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