MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) - Federal officials have slightly scaled back the site of a proposed wind energy project in the Atlantic Ocean south of New York’s Jones Beach.
The Interior Department and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced Thursday in Washington that it would conduct a lease sale on Dec. 15. The sale will be for a 79,350-acre site.
BOEM says about 1,780 acres have been removed because of environmental concerns in an area known as the Cholera Banks. It is considered a lucrative fishing area.
BOEM also says it will work to improve communication with the fishing industry.
Drew Minkiewicz, an attorney representing the Fisheries Survival Fund, said the changes are inadequate and his group will continue to oppose the proposed project.
BOEM says 14 entities qualified to participate in the sale.
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