Premier meets with Indigenous leaders over Muskrat Falls methylmercury recommendations

Premier Dwight Ballmet with Labrador's Indigenous leaders to discuss the flooding of the dam near Muskrat Falls which is set to begin this summer.

On Tuesday, government officials and Indigenous leaders discussed recommendations from the independent advisory committee which was formed to explore the evidence and come up with a consensus about the health risks associated with methylmercury.

"They all agreed they would respond to the draft terms of reference with their suggestions, because this is driven by these Indigenous groups and the communities involved along the way there," said Ball.

He also serves as minister for intergovernmental and Indigenous affairs and minister responsible for Labrador affairs.

With fears over contamination of countryfood supplies, one of the recommendations is removing vegetation from the project's reservoir, but not all committee members agree that should happen. The Innu don't feel it will cut down on methylmercury poisoning.

Concerns came to a head in October 2016 when protesters occupied the Muskrat Falls site.

Committee must decide

The members haveto come to a consensus before a decision can be made. Both the federal and provincial governments, along with Nalcor, do not have a vote on the committee.

"That's not what I'mthinking about today," the premier said when asked what would happen if no consensus is reached.

"I want to find a way through this and this is not about me making a decision. We have to let the next step of this process unfold, we need to be able to share the data that we have," said Ball.

Ball said one thing he does not want to do, however, is increase the health risks for those who use the river and the reservoir.

• Contested Muskrat Falls methylmercury recommendation could cost $742M

"If one or some other disagree with whatever the final recommendations are and how we proceed, my job is to try and find a process to find that consensus."

Possible flooding on horizon

Ball anticipates a response back from the committee by early next week.

"What I do not want to do is prejudge what the outcome would be over the next coming weeks."

In an emailed statement to CBC News,Nalcor Energy said the authorized time period to rise the water level to create the reservoir is between July 15 and Sept 30.

"At full impoundment the water elevation at Muskrat Falls will be at 39 metres," it read.

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