Canada: SRM Receives Transport Canada NWPP’s Approval for Two Projects

SRM Projects received Transport Canada Navigable Waters Protection Program’s (NWPP) approval in July 2013 for its proposed tidal energy investigative license applications at South Discovery Passage and Seymour Narrows.

SRM Projects initiated tidal energy investigative license applications in 2012 for several sites around Vancouver Island. An investigative license gives a proponent the right to complete temporary investigative activities only, for a period of up to 5 years.  Installation of permanent works are not permitted under an investigative license.

Investigative area at South Discovery Passage is located between the City of Campbell River and the south end of Quadra Island, and investigative area at Seymour Narrows is located north of the City of Campbell River and Menzies Bay. The investigative license applications for these areas were accepted by the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO) on October 11, 2012 and subsequently advertised in the Campbell River Mirror.

Subsequently, the applications went into the referral process, undergoing review by First Nations, nearby municipalities and regional districts as well as other regulatory agencies having jurisdiction.

As of July 2013, Transport Canada Navigable Waters Protection Program (NWPP) approved their portion of the investigative license applications, a Notification for the proposed investigative activities was submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada and MFLNRO stated they considered the files to be complete and ready for final review.  The backlog at MFLNRO is significant at this time but SRM Projects is hopeful for a decision by September 2013.

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Press release, August 16, 2013; Image: SRM Projects