75% of Rigolet residents want project shut down, advocate says

In the wake of the Newfoundland and Labrador government's decision to turn down an environmental appeal ofthe Muskrat Falls project, protesters aren't backing down.

• Nunatsiavut appeal on Muskrat Falls turned down by provincial government

• Make Muskrat Right protesters vow to keep up the fight

• Nalcor downplays study findings into methylmercury fears at Muskrat Falls

Last week,Make Muskrat Right protesterDanny Michelin took to the streets of Rigolet and wentdoor-to-door with a survey polling residents on Muskrat Falls.

He said he was disappointed but notsurprised the province turned down the Nunatsiavut government's appeal of Nalcor's human health and assessment plan for the Lower Churchill project.

I was hoping that they would come to their senses.- Danny Michelin,Make Muskrat Right protester

Like the Nunatsiavut government,Michelinhas concerns over the effects ofmethylmercuryon the hydroelectric projectand what it will do for the environment and culture in the area.

"I was hoping that they would come to their senses and say, 'Stop the project until the dam is all cleared out,'" he said.

"On the other hand, the government and Nalcor is going hand in hand, and whatever one says the other one does. They [don't] care about the environment at all."

Taking findings toNunatsiavutcouncil

Michelin said the Make Muskrat Rightsurvey asked residents if they'reconcerned about the damming of Muskrat Falls, if they would attend rallies against the projectand if they would like to see the project shut down, cleared outor continue as it is.

After travelling to approximately 80 homes, Michelin told CBC News around 75 per cent of peoplehe spoke to want the project to be shut down.

He said he's going to take his findings to the Nunatsiavut executive council in the coming days.

"The Nunatsiavut government has been always with the community of Rigolet right from the get go, especially when the Harvard studies were done," he said.

"This is more to back up what we are saying, what the people are saying in the community."

Michelin also said he's not planning to cease protest effortsoutside of the Muskrat Falls site any time soon.

"We want to stop the project [from moving forward] as long as we can."