The Nunatsiavut Government has agreed to undertake a review of a draft Terms of Reference for a proposed Muskrat Falls methylmercury health oversight committee, following Tuesday’s meeting with Premier Dwight Ball.

The Premier met with Indigenous groups and all three Indigenous leaders in St. John’s on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the Nunatsiavut Government called on the province to respond to all of the recommendations put forward by the Independent Expert Advisory Committee (IEAC). One in particular is that Nalcor undertake targeted removal of soil in the future reservoir area before impoundment.

President Johannes Lampe says the province’s refusal to act on the IEAC’s recommendations, particularly with respect to clearing of the reservoir, remains a huge concern.

He says it will be too late to act once the reservoir is flooded.

All three Indigenous leaders have been asked by the Premier to provide feedback on the terms of reference with the goal of reaching a consensus on a path forward on ways to mitigate health risks.

Lampe says they are cautiously optimistic a consensus can be reached, but fear it may be too late to carry out any meaningful mitigation measures.