Happy Valley-Goose Bay siding with Cartwright, Nunatsiavut Government on methylmercury at Muskrat Falls

They town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay is echoing concerns over methylmercury and criticizing Nalcor and the provincial government for leaving them out of negotiations as the initial flooding at Muskrat Falls draws nearer.

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"Our town has been faced with many impacts in relation to the Muskrat Falls Project and the potential contamination of Lake Melville is the most concerning public health and safety issuing facing our community," a statement from the town says.

"The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay understands the concerns expressed by the Town of Cartwright and the Nunatsiavut Government."

Both Cartwright and Nunatsiavut are calling for the clearing of all vegetation prior before initial flooding starts.

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Nalcor has said the first phase of flooding could happen as early as Saturday.

"Happy Valley-Goose Bay is Labrador's largest Indigenous populated community. Our residents have expressed concerns to us and we have a responsibility to understand the issue," the statement continues.

Not involved in negotiations

Happy Valley-Goose Bay has said its hope is that future developments in the province "will be more proactive and considerate of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians living adjacent to these projects."

The town says its been "left out" of negotiations and workshops and wasn't consulted on the water-monitoring program orthe clearing of Muskrat's reservoir.

"As a municipality, we have been actively expressing our concerns to the Provincial Government and Nalcor regarding this project and will continue to express our desire to be involved in discussions moving forward," Happy Valley-Goose Bay's statement says.

On Wednesday night, residents of Cartwright voted to block Nalcor from transporting seven 200-tonne transformers through town unless all vegetation was cleared from the reservoir.