SRD Director Questions Tidal Energy Projects in South Discovery Passage, Seymour Narrows (Canada)

After SRM Projects Ltd. announced that it had applied for investigative licenses for determining the potential for tidal power in south Discovery Passage and Seymour Narrows, Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Director Jim Abram stated that tidal energy projects should not be considered there.

Scot Merriam from SRM Projects said that Mr. Abram is not wrong to say that, because there is a possibility that some areas are not the best for development and that is the purpose of the processes, according to Campbell River Mirror.

Nevertheless, Mr. Abram is in favour of tidal energy and he supported the Canoe Pass tidal energy tenure and rezoning at Maude Island, which he considers to be different cases than this one. “There is the tug and barge traffic and their incredibly deep running tow lines. And there is the commercial and recreational fishery to be considered, fishing at depths of up to 250 feet,” he said.

Mr. Abram continued: “The portions in Area C will require zoning amendments through the Strathcona Regional District. This entire area has been applied for in the past and was unsuccessful. So why are we having to go through it again?”

He also addressed the place of the meeting, saying that it should be held in Quadra, where the stakeholders are concentrated, instead of in Rivercorp’s offices in Campbell River. On that matter, Mr. Merriam agreed that meeting in Quadra will be considered also.

[mappress]

Offshore WIND Staff, November 9, 2012; Image: OpenHydro