The forum will offer an opportunity to discuss a strategic envionmental assessment (SEA) of tidal energy in the bay that is now in final stages of preparation. A discussion paper with draft recommendations is to be released April 17.

A technical advisory group is drafting the recommendations based on issues, concerns and suggestions drawn from an earlier series of forums around the province, and at roundtable meetings of stakeholders.

The final SEA report is due to be presented May 1 to the province’s Department of Energy and simultaneously released to the public. Energy Minister Richard Hurlburt has committed to prepare and make public a written response to the report by May 30.

Following thecommunity forums in early May, the advisory group will submit a formal report on the consultation to Hurlburt by May 16.

In March, the roundtable meeting of stakeholders discussed three major topics. Participants were concerned with how tidal energy might be integrated into Nova Scotia’s energy mix, how such developments should be assessed and regulated, and issues around integrated management in the Bay of Fundy, research and monitoring, and ongoing stakeholder involvement.

For more information, go to www.bayoffundysea.ca