Potential Environmental Consequences of Tidal Power Development Seaward of Tidal Barrages

Recently, the world economic climate, mainly due to fossil fuel costs, has become increasingly favorable to tidal power development. Several potential tidal developments are presently being considered including two massive projects in the upper Bay of Fundy. Although tidal power is non- polluting in the traditional sense, it does have several environmental consequences, both inside and outside of the tidal impoundment, that warrant detailed evaluation. This presentation gives a preliminary consideration of the environmental consequences of Fundy tidal power development on the Gulf of Maine and the coast of northern New England.