Mercury contamination in the English and Wabigoon Rivers near Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong Independent Nations
Learn how we’re working with First Nations to identify and address mercury contamination in the English and Wabigoon Rivers near Grassy Narrows First Nation and Wabaseemoong Independent Nations.
Historical contamination
Then
During the 1960s and 1970s, a chlor-alkali plant in Dryden released around 10 metric tonnes of mercury into the Wabigoon River. This affected both the English and Wabigoon Rivers.
In 1970, Dryden Chemical, a subsidiary of Reed International, reduced levels of mercury in wastewater. The plant was decommissioned in 1975.
Now
Since the 1970s, mercury levels in fish in parts of the English and Wabigoon Rivers have declined.
However, current mercury levels in fish remain high and consumption advisories are still in effect in many parts of the river system.
What we’re doing
We’re committed to working to identify all contaminated sites and developing and implementing a remediation plan for the English and Wabigoon Rivers.
We will collect scientific information through a rigorous and transparent process to identify and assess options for the remediation of contaminants.
We’re working with Grassy Narrows First Nation and Wabaseemoong Independent Nations to gather information about current contamination levels in sediment and fish in the river system. This information will allow us to move forward with First Nations to identify areas with high levels of contaminants and explore the most appropriate management options for the remediation of these contaminants.
We are also working with other local First Nations to share information about the ongoing work on the river and the Dryden industrial site.
Funding
We’ve established an $85 million trust to fund remediation activities in the English and Wabigoon Rivers. BMO Trust Company is managing it as an external trustee.
The funding will be used to:
- prevent or reduce the risk of a discharge of mercury
- reduce the presence, concentration or bio-availability of mercury, including its presence and concentration in fish
- monitor (post-remediation)
In addition to providing funding for remediation activities, the funds of the trust will also be used for the:
- administrative expenses of the trust
- costs to operate the panel
- costs of the community engagement of the Indigenous communities involved with the panel
Panel
A panel will direct the trustee on the expenditure of funds from the trust. The panel includes representatives from:
- Grassy Narrows First Nation
- Wabaseemoong Independent Nations
- the government of Ontario
Other Indigenous communities that have a historic relationship with the rivers have an opportunity to participate in panel meetings.
Actions taken and next steps
The actions we’ve taken include:
- spending $5.2 million to support pre-remediation science and related activities since 2016
- committing funding of $85 million – done on June 28, 2017
- passing legislation to establish a trust to manage the fund – done on December 14, 2017
- first and second meetings of the English and Wabigoon Rivers Remediation Panel – done on February 7 and 8, 2018 and March 22 and 23 2018
- establishment of an $85 million trust to remediate mercury contamination in the English and Wabigoon Rivers – done March 2018
The next actions we’re taking with respect to remediation funding include:
- continuing to work with Grassy Narrows First Nation and Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, as a panel member, in making decisions regarding payments from the trust towards remediation activities in the rivers
Dryden industrial site assessment
We’re currently overseeing an assessment of the Dryden mill site to help determine if the site is an ongoing source of mercury to the river.
Once results are available, we’ll do a scientific analysis and will include recommendations for any further investigation and any remediation that may be required.
Experts from the ministry, First Nations and Domtar will present and discuss all results and analyses.
Actions taken and next steps
The actions we’ve taken include:
- establishing a technical working group with First Nations – done November 2017
- conducting a site-wide assessment – ongoing, results expected spring 2018
The next actions we’re taking include:
- completing the site assessment including groundwater and soil sampling
- analyzing sampling results to determine if the site is an ongoing source of mercury to the river and if remedial work is required
- designing and implementing appropriate remedial work
River system assessment and monitoring
We’ve been working with local First Nations to collect fish samples from areas in the river system commonly fished by community members.
The data provides information to First Nations and the public about the safe consumption of fish in that area. The data is also used to better understand the movement of mercury as part of the assessment of the river system.
The results from our 2016 and 2017 sampling, as well as the samples collected by local First Nations, confirm that mercury is the main cause of fish consumption advisories in all areas tested.
Actions taken and next steps
The actions we’ve taken include:
- collecting sediment, fish, and water samples in the Wabigoon and English Rivers by Grassy Narrows First Nation, Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, and the ministry – done in spring, summer and fall 2017
The next actions we’re taking include:
- completing analysis of sediment, fish and water collected
- completing additional pre-remediation science
- determining appropriate remedial option(s)
- implementing remediation measures
- ongoing monitoring activities