The Province of Nova Scotia is looking at the potential for approximately 2,500 megawatts (MW) of tidal power from the Bay of Fundy into the Minas Basin for marine renewable energy development. The Province has identified the Minas Passage, Digby Gut, Petite Passage/Grand Passage, and Brier Island as areas for using in-stream tidal technology.
The Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia have been consulting with the Province of Nova Scotia and Government of Canada on the demonstration of in-stream tidal in the Bay of Fundy since 2007.
The Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia are very concerned that the Fundy Ocean Research for Energy (FORCE) has been permitted to expand their project from 3 berths for a total of 4.4MW to 5 berths for a total of 22MW. The expansion of the FORCE site from 3 berths to 5 berths has the potential to impact Mi’kmaq fishing activity.
The power being generated from the FORCE site will be connected to the grid and will be used for commercial purposes; therefore, the site is not just a demonstration facility but the beginning of large-scale development of in-stream tidal in the Minas Passage. Smaller-scale development of instream tidal development, which is planned for the areas of Digby Gut, Petite Passage/Grand Passage, and Brier Island, will also potential impact Mi’kmaq fishing.
Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (KMKNO) has voiced that the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia are concerned with:
- Loss of use in marine areas
- Displacement of Mi’kmaq fishing
- Potential impacts to fish, fish habitat & fish migration
- Potential impacts to marine mammals
- Potential effects of noise
- Potential effects sedimentation
- Potential effects on water
- Accuracy of baseline data
- Lack of meaningful incl us ion of traditional ecological knowledge
We will continue to bring forward these concerns, and any others you may have. If there is something that you are concerned with about this project and feel that should be brought forward, we ask that you contact our office.
We will continue to see that your community’s interests are represented.
To provide your thoughts and feedback, please contact:
Crystal Dorey, Communications Officer
Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office
crystaldorey@mikmagrights.com
1-888-803-3880
