Florida's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) completed its review of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) describing the SNMREC's proposed small scale ocean current turbine testing activities offshore southeast Florida. In a letter submitted to BOEM, DEP, Florida's designated lead coastal management agency, notified BOEM that "the issuance of a lease to SNMREC for marine hydrokinetic technology testing is consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the provisions of the Florida Coastal Management Program."

This review allows BOEM to proceed with negotiation of a lease with the SNMREC, moving closer towards installation of the world's first offshore test facility for small scale ocean current turbine technologies. For more information about this process and its progress, please visit our Regulatory Framework focus area.