The document discusses tidal bore research and coastal management initiatives in the Severn Estuary and Bay of Fundy. It notes the challenges of sustaining multi-stakeholder cooperation given the complexity of coastal issues. Recent legislation in the UK and Canada provides frameworks for improved oceans governance. Tidal power development in the Bay of Fundy is again being considered through cooperative initiatives between industry and government to assess feasibility while protecting the environment.

1. Tidal Bores:Tidal Bores:
How do we sustain interest and commitment ?How do we sustain interest and commitment ?
Larry HildebrandLarry Hildebrand
Environment CanadaEnvironment Canada
Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP)Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP)
Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership (BoFEP)Bay of Fundy Ecosystem Partnership (BoFEP)
Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment (GoMC)Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment (GoMC)
22ndnd
Severn Estuary Forum - Clevedon, England - June 7, 2007Severn Estuary Forum - Clevedon, England - June 7, 2007

6. Why I am I here today?Why I am I here today?
 Research scientist in 1970s on FundyResearch scientist in 1970s on Fundy
Tidal Power proposalTidal Power proposal ( I was( I was veryvery young! )young! )
 Federal government manager / supporterFederal government manager / supporter
of multi-stakeholder coastal initiativesof multi-stakeholder coastal initiatives
 ICZM development internationallyICZM development internationally
 Environment Canada representative inEnvironment Canada representative in
Canadian coastal/ocean managementCanadian coastal/ocean management
 Ph.D. student – U. Wales – “powerPh.D. student – U. Wales – “power
sharing in the coastal zone”sharing in the coastal zone”

7. Working Together on an estuary-wideWorking Together on an estuary-wide
basis is a big challenge … and a bitbasis is a big challenge … and a bit
scary!scary!

8. Because the coastal zone is aBecause the coastal zone is a
complicated, fragile, threatened andcomplicated, fragile, threatened and
heavily used spaceheavily used space

9. So, we require a different perspective …So, we require a different perspective …

10. What are some of the key ‘drivers’?What are some of the key ‘drivers’?
 Building on existing momentum andBuilding on existing momentum and
linking ‘nested’ initiativeslinking ‘nested’ initiatives (catchments – large(catchments – large
estuaries – regional marine ecosystems)estuaries – regional marine ecosystems)
 LegislationLegislation (UK Marine Bill / Canada Oceans Act)(UK Marine Bill / Canada Oceans Act)
 Issues / OpportunitiesIssues / Opportunities (e.g., tidal power)(e.g., tidal power)

12. UK Maine BillUK Maine Bill Canada Oceans ActCanada Oceans Act
((2007)2007) (1997)(1997)
A new framework for the seasA new framework for the seas
Guided by UK marine policy statementGuided by UK marine policy statement
New Marine Management OrganizationNew Marine Management Organization
Governments working together coherentlyGovernments working together coherently
Each administration deciding on mostEach administration deciding on most
appropriate strategyappropriate strategy
Conservation of marine ecosystems andConservation of marine ecosystems and
biodiversity / protected areasbiodiversity / protected areas
Modernize inshore fisheries managementModernize inshore fisheries management
Adapt to climate changeAdapt to climate change
Legal mandate for oceans managementLegal mandate for oceans management
Oceans Strategy/Operational FrameworkOceans Strategy/Operational Framework
Lead assigned to existing agency (DFO)Lead assigned to existing agency (DFO)
Governments/stakeholders togetherGovernments/stakeholders together
Federal lead but some subsidiarityFederal lead but some subsidiarity
Conservation of marine ecosystems andConservation of marine ecosystems and
biodiversity / protected areasbiodiversity / protected areas
Move to ecosystem-based fisheries mgnt.Move to ecosystem-based fisheries mgnt.
Not considered at time of passage, butNot considered at time of passage, but
figuring increasinglyfiguring increasingly

14. Tidal Power Development in theTidal Power Development in the
Bay of Fundy, CanadaBay of Fundy, Canada
1970s:1970s:
 Researched thoroughly - Determined to not be feasible – silting, habitat damage, etc.Researched thoroughly - Determined to not be feasible – silting, habitat damage, etc.
Today:Today:
 Gov of NS initiated a Fed-Prov Standing Committee on Offshore Renewable EnergyGov of NS initiated a Fed-Prov Standing Committee on Offshore Renewable Energy
 Streamlined process for approval for provincial / federal leasingStreamlined process for approval for provincial / federal leasing
 A Strategic Environmental Assessment for offshore renewable energy in entire BoF is planned –A Strategic Environmental Assessment for offshore renewable energy in entire BoF is planned –
RFP out in June ’07RFP out in June ’07
 Technical conference in July ’07 for interested industry players to discuss concept of aTechnical conference in July ’07 for interested industry players to discuss concept of a
consortium to develop a shared in-stream tidal testing facilityconsortium to develop a shared in-stream tidal testing facility
 Stakeholder Advisory Group established to provide advice and guidance to the processStakeholder Advisory Group established to provide advice and guidance to the process
 ““Not likely” that a barrage system would be allowed – environmentally, economically or politicallyNot likely” that a barrage system would be allowed – environmentally, economically or politically

15. Severn Estuary PartnershipSevern Estuary Partnership
 ExcitingExciting √√
 FunFun √√
 ImportantImportant √√
 A learning experienceA learning experience √√
 Shared goalsShared goals √√
 System-wide information systemsSystem-wide information systems √√
 Estuary-wide collaborationEstuary-wide collaboration √√
 And so much more …And so much more … √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

16. But, Let’s Ask Ourselves The Tough Questions …But, Let’s Ask Ourselves The Tough Questions …
 Does it help us do our day-to-day jobsDoes it help us do our day-to-day jobs
more better?more better?
 Is the estuary and are it’s usersIs the estuary and are it’s users
better off as a result?better off as a result?
 Do we know the state of the estuary –Do we know the state of the estuary –
environmentally, socially, economically?environmentally, socially, economically?
 Can we ‘value’ the estuary and quantify ‘value-Can we ‘value’ the estuary and quantify ‘value-
added’ from our collaboration?added’ from our collaboration?
 Can we differentiate ‘outputs’ from ‘outcomes’?Can we differentiate ‘outputs’ from ‘outcomes’?
 What does a “sustainably managed” SevernWhat does a “sustainably managed” Severn
estuary look like?estuary look like?

17. Concluding Thoughts …Concluding Thoughts …
 What will keep us working together?What will keep us working together?

Is information sharing enough?Is information sharing enough?

More than ‘bums-in-chairs’?More than ‘bums-in-chairs’?

What will keep YOU coming back to the SEP table?What will keep YOU coming back to the SEP table?
 What opportunities does legislative developmentWhat opportunities does legislative development
present?present?
 What opportunities and challenges does ‘tidal power’What opportunities and challenges does ‘tidal power’
development present?development present?
 What are the ‘tangible benefits’ of our collaboration?What are the ‘tangible benefits’ of our collaboration?
 What does the ‘Future Severn Estuary’ look like?What does the ‘Future Severn Estuary’ look like?
 Two great ‘co-laboratories’ – Severn / FundyTwo great ‘co-laboratories’ – Severn / Fundy

How can we continue to learn from each other?How can we continue to learn from each other?

21. Tidal Power Development in theTidal Power Development in the
Bay of Fundy, CanadaBay of Fundy, Canada
 Researched thoroughly in late 1970sResearched thoroughly in late 1970s
 Determined to not be feasible – silting, habitat damage, etc.Determined to not be feasible – silting, habitat damage, etc.
 Today:Today:
 Gov of NS initiated a Fed-Prov Standing Committee on Offshore Renewable EnergyGov of NS initiated a Fed-Prov Standing Committee on Offshore Renewable Energy
 Primary focus on tidal energy in the Bay of FundyPrimary focus on tidal energy in the Bay of Fundy
 Intra-provincial cooperation (Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, Fisheries) to ensure cooperation on tidalIntra-provincial cooperation (Energy, Environment, Natural Resources, Fisheries) to ensure cooperation on tidal
powerpower
 Streamlined process for approval for provincial leasing; working on fed-prov streamliningStreamlined process for approval for provincial leasing; working on fed-prov streamlining
 Dept. of Energy facilitating a technical conference in July to bring together interested industry players to discussDept. of Energy facilitating a technical conference in July to bring together interested industry players to discuss
concept of a consortium to develop a shared in-stream tidal testing facility in BoF (vs. allowing industry to applyconcept of a consortium to develop a shared in-stream tidal testing facility in BoF (vs. allowing industry to apply
for and develop individual sites)for and develop individual sites)
 Costs to be shared by government and industryCosts to be shared by government and industry
 Interest in area of Parrsboro and Digby neckInterest in area of Parrsboro and Digby neck
 A Strategic Environmental Assessment for offshore renewable energy in entire BoF is planned – RFP out in JuneA Strategic Environmental Assessment for offshore renewable energy in entire BoF is planned – RFP out in June
 Stakeholder Advisory Group established to provide advice and guidance to the processStakeholder Advisory Group established to provide advice and guidance to the process
 Committed to 12-month turnaround timeCommitted to 12-month turnaround time
 Discussed barrage approach –“no way” expressed by all regulators and departments (but not confirmed)Discussed barrage approach –“no way” expressed by all regulators and departments (but not confirmed)
 Not likely that a barrage system would be allowed – environmentally, economically or politicallyNot likely that a barrage system would be allowed – environmentally, economically or politically
 No real way to test such a system, except to build it and see what happensNo real way to test such a system, except to build it and see what happens
 In-situ research/experience only way to examine risks/costs/benefitsIn-situ research/experience only way to examine risks/costs/benefits
 Good case study for other countries – Severn?Good case study for other countries – Severn?