tidal bores: how do we sustain interest and commitment ? larry hildebrand environment canada...
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Tidal Bores:Tidal Bores: How do we sustain interest and commitment ?How do we sustain interest and commitment ?
Larry HildebrandLarry Hildebrand
Environment CanadaEnvironment CanadaAtlantic 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, 2007 Severn Estuary Forum - Clevedon, England - June 7, 2007
Why I am I here today?Why I am I here today?
Research scientist in 1970s on Fundy Research scientist in 1970s on Fundy Tidal Power proposal Tidal Power proposal ( I was ( I was veryvery young! ) young! )
Federal government manager / supporter Federal government manager / supporter of multi-stakeholder coastal initiativesof multi-stakeholder coastal initiatives
ICZM development internationallyICZM development internationally Environment Canada representative in Environment Canada representative in
Canadian coastal/ocean managementCanadian coastal/ocean management Ph.D. student – U. Wales – “power sharing Ph.D. student – U. Wales – “power sharing
in the coastal zone”in the coastal zone”
Working Together on an estuary-wide Working Together on an estuary-wide basis is a big challenge … and a bit basis is a big challenge … and a bit
scary!scary!
Because the coastal zone is a Because the coastal zone is a complicated, fragile, threatened and complicated, fragile, threatened and
heavily used spaceheavily used space
So, we require a different perspective …So, we require a different perspective …
What are some of the key ‘drivers’?What are some of the key ‘drivers’?
Building on existing momentum and linking Building on existing momentum and linking ‘nested’ initiatives ‘nested’ initiatives (catchments – large estuaries – (catchments – large estuaries – regional marine ecosystems)regional marine ecosystems)
Legislation Legislation (UK Marine Bill / Canada Oceans Act)(UK Marine Bill / Canada Oceans Act)
Issues / Opportunities Issues / Opportunities (e.g., tidal power)(e.g., tidal power)
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 most Each administration deciding on most appropriate strategyappropriate strategy
Conservation of marine ecosystems and Conservation 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 and Conservation 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, but Not considered at time of passage, but figuring increasinglyfiguring increasingly
Tidal Power Development in the Tidal 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 a Technical conference in July ’07 for interested industry players to discuss concept of a consortium to develop a shared in-stream tidal testing facility consortium 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
Severn Estuary PartnershipSevern Estuary Partnership
Exciting Exciting √√ Fun Fun √√ Important Important √√ A learning experienceA learning experience √ √ Shared goals Shared goals √√ System-wide information systems System-wide information systems √√ Estuary-wide collaboration Estuary-wide collaboration √√ And so much more … And so much more … √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
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 jobs Does it help us do our day-to-day jobs more better?more better? Is the estuary and are it’s users Is 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” Severn What does a “sustainably managed” Severn
estuary look like?estuary look like?
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 development What 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?
Tidal Power Development in the Tidal 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 tidal Intra-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 discuss Dept. 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 apply concept 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?