APTN National News
The RCMP has closed the road the leads to the Muskrat Falls construction site due to “public safety concerns” over an ongoing takeover of the Nalcor offices at the dam according to a release sent out Monday.
Police are also warning travelers to expect delays on Hwy. 500, the Trans Labrador highway that runs between Happy Valley Goose Bay and Labrador City to the west.
See Related Stories Here: Muskrat Falls
Inuit and Innu opposed to the planned flooding for the massive Muskrat Falls dam have occupied the offices at the construction site for three days despite a court injunction ordering them to keep their distance.
Police so far have not taken action against the people inside the office.
In an earlier release from Nalcor, the province’s Crown corporation and lead on the Muskrat Falls project, President Stan Marshall signaled that the occupation is going too far and action will be taken soon.
“This morning approximately half of the protestors in the accommodations area began to proceed towards the active construction area. These actions pose a major risk to the safety of everyone at site,” said Marshall in the statement. “This a large-scale construction site with heavy equipment and many hazards which could cause serious injury to persons without proper training and lacking appropriate personal protection apparel. We are extremely concerned with the presence of the outside groups on our site as it puts them and members of our team and contractors at risk.
“We are asking the protestors to proceed to the identified safety zone outside the main entrance where they can continue their demonstration in the vicinity without compromising their safety and the safety of others on the work site.”
People there who call themselves protectors of the land say the flooding will make hunting and fishing impossible downstream towards Happy Valley Goose Bay, the Innu community of Sheshatsiu and Northwest river.
According to Nalcor’s own studies, the flooding, when mixed with vegetation create methylmercury, a neurotoxin.
