DRYDEN, Ontario (From news reports) -- Domtar says it has been forthcoming about mercury-contamination issues in the vicinity of its Dryden pulp mill as recently as last summer, contrary to some recent media and First Nation reports.

And both the province and Grassy Narrows First Nation have been kept informed, it says.

The company responded Monday to a Grassy Narrows news release which claimed that both Domtar and the government kept the band in the dark about possible contaminated soil under the mill site.

"The government allowed the company to leave contaminated soil in place, but told Grassy Narrows that the mill had been cleaned up and was not an ongoing source of the highly toxic chemical," said the band release.

Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister said the band based its release about a "confidential industry report" on a weekend report by the Toronto Star.

Fobister used strong language, accusing the province of the "worst treachery."

On Monday, Domtar said the report being referenced has hardly been a secret.

"The 'confidential industry report' (being referenced) is actually a report that was commissioned by Domtar to support the province in meeting its responsibilities for managing mercury contamination on the site, and includes a collection of historical sampling data from the Dryden mill's archives," company spokesman Kathy Wholley said in an email.

ÊShe added: "The report was previously provided to the province and the Grassy Narrows First Nation in July, 2016.

The Ministry of Environment couldn't be reached for comment Monday.

This summer, after political pressure by Grassy Narrows and environment groups, the province committed $85 million for mercury cleanup in the Wabigoon and English River systems.

The ministry said earlier that fish and sediment sampling in the Wabigoon River between July and October of last year "indicate the presence of high levels of mercury and methyl mercury in the aquatic environment."

Methyl mercury is dangerous because it can impact nervous systems and cause speech and mobility difficulties.

If the Domtar mill is found to be the source, "then measures to prevent further mercury from entering the river, and how those measures are to be implemented, will be assessed," the ministry said.

In response, Domtar said it would fight any order to do so, describing itself as an "innocent bystander" and accusing the province of shirking "its responsibilities for the management of historical mercury contamination."

That contamination, which is not in dispute, caused many Indigenous people who ate fish in the rivers to come down with mercury poisoning. It is linked to the former Reed paper mill that operated in the 1960s.

Studies have shown that mercury concentrations haven't decreased in 30 years and dangerous levels are still present in sediment and fish in the rivers.

Fobister said the cleanup plan the province announced this summer would be conducted over a 10-year period and is expected to include a $10-million water treatment plant to screen for mercury contamination.

Since 1985, current and past members of Grassy Narrows and Wabaseemoong First Nations who suffer from mercury poisoning have been able to apply to the Mercury Disability Board for a monthly stipend of up to $800.

The board has approved nearly 1,100 applications, but Fobister said the agency's point system, which determines who can qualify for funds, is too restrictive.

He said he plans to discuss that, as well as the latest reports about contamination, when he meets with provincial and federal officials later this month.

Earlier this year, Domtar said "it will continue to provide (MOE) the access necessary to assess the veracity of an allegation made (in 2016) that an unknown mercury disposal site dating from the 1970s exists on property in Dryden that Domtar now owns."

Domtar's Dryden operation employs 350 mill workers. An additional 400 people work for logging contractors who supply the mill with wood.

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