Broken promise: Nunatsiavut president, premier clash over Muskrat Falls water levels

The president of Nunatsiavutsays the Newfoundland and Labrador governmentis breaking a promise made to end hunger strikes against the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project last fall.

"The commitments made are not being honoured," Johannes Lampetold CBC Television's Here & Now.

Lampe saidCrown energy corporation Nalcorwas supposed to lower water levels in the reservoir this spring, something he saidPremier Dwight Ball promised following an all-night meeting in October to address protests over methylmercury contamination.

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"We have always said that the only way measures or research can be done is when the water levels are lowered," Lampetold CBC'sLabrador Morning on Tuesday."So with the water levels high we cannot do that."

In a statement Tuesday, Nalcor said it lowered water levels from 22.5 metres to 20.3 metres in June, but did not go further when engineers expressed concern that some of the reservoir banks were eroding.

The company said it did not lower the water level further "in the interest of public safety." It noted that the average water level in the reservoir during spring conditions is 20 metres.

Nalcor said in its statement that about 40 hectares of trees were cleared from the reservoir over the summer. Protesters had asked for clearcutting to remove vegetation that might decompose and push mercury levels up.

Everyone in the loop

Both Ball and Nalcor said all stakeholders, including Nunatsiavut, had been kept informed about decisions made on water levels.

"In light of our efforts to ensure the Nunatsiavutgovernment is fully engaged, it is disappointing that they are calling our commitment to partnership into question," Ball wrote in a statement issued Monday night.

Lampesaid the slope erosion issue was raised only this summer, and saidthe premier needs to do a better job of explaining, especially if there are possible health and safety risks.

"The premier is supposed to be the first to know about any risks or any other factors that concern the Muskrat Falls project," he said.

Ball said an independent committee has been asked to review the latest engineering reports on the impact of flooding. He said Nunatsiavut, along with other stakeholders, will be updated every step of the way.

"The leadership of the Nunatsiavut government have been engaged in an open and transparent matter on all issues surrounding the Muskrat Falls project," he wrote.

Nalcor, meanwhile, said it met with the advisory committee Sept. 8 and is awaiting further guidance about what other mitigation measures are required.