Michael wants more science on potential mercury levels in Lake Melville

NDP Leader Lorraine Michael (MHA Signal Hill-Quidi Vidi) today responded to Natural Resources’ minister Jerome Kennedy’s comments during last night’s post-debate press conference regarding her concerns about mercury contamination in Lake Melville.

“It is clear government is ignoring the work and recommendations done by the Joint Panel on the Lower Churchill development,” says Michael. “This worries me. As the only completely independent study of the project to date, their recommendations are important.”

Michael notes that the Joint Panel Review discusses in some detail concerns about mercury contamination downstream from the existing and future hydro plants on the Churchill River.

Michael says current Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) studies indicate the presence of mercury in Lake Melville because of the Upper Churchill.

She also points to the Panel’s recommendation 6.8 which calls for Nalcor to commission more study “including both mercury transport and bioaccumulation and other ecological parameters” on Lake Melville and Goose Bay. She wants to know what is happening to this and other recommendations.

“Contrary to what the minister might say, paying heed to an independent panel’s recommendations is the responsible thing to do.”