Today, the Provincial Government received the final recommendations of the Independent Expert Advisory Committee (IEAC) to address concerns related to methylmercury at the Muskrat Falls project. The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment is reviewing the recommendations and associated information provided by the committee.

The recommendations, three of which are by consensus and a fourth by vote of the voting members, include:

1. “The IEAC recommends that a public information campaign be undertaken to communicate that, based on scientific evidence, current practices related to consumption of country food and water are safe.”
2. “The IEAC recommends that an independent body oversee the design and implementation of a monitoring program for the Lower Churchill Project, ensuring that it is community-based, and that it provides information that is relevant to the protection of human health.”
3. “The IEAC recommends that the Province, Nalcor Energy, Indigenous groups and the local populations, negotiate an Impact Security Fund prior to full flooding. The purpose of the fund is to guarantee continued access to local country food, or safe alternatives, if methylmercury exposures increase above pre-established thresholds, despite mitigation efforts.”
4. “While the IEAC was not able to achieve consensus with respect to mitigation, based on votes by three of the four voting members, the IEAC recommends that Nalcor Energy undertake targeted removal of soil and capping of wetlands in the future reservoir area before impoundment. Three of the voting members (Nunatsiavut Government, NunatuKavut Community Council and Affected Municipalities) voted in favour; the Innu Nation supported covering the wetlands.”

The Provincial Government will remain in partnership with the Innu Nation, Nunatsiavut Government, and the NunatuKavut Community Council and municipalities to continue working together to address issues of methylmercury associated with the Muskrat Falls Project.

Quote
“We have taken the concerns related to methylmercury associated with the Muskrat Falls Project very seriously and continue to work to ensure the health and safety of residents. As we review the recommendations, we will continue to consult with Indigenous groups and municipalities.”
Honourable Eddie Joyce
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment

– 30 –

Learn More
Independent Expert Advisory Committee website: ieaclabrador.ca/ 

Provincial Government Receives Recommendations from Independent Experts Advisory Committee: gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/ma/0926n03.aspx

Chair Appointed to Independent Expert Advisory Committee: gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/ma/0804n03.aspx

Terms of Reference for the IEAC 

Methylmercury Monitoring Plan

Media contact
Lynn Robinson
Municipal Affairs and Environment
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca