Shale gas protesters begin 3-day march to SWN offices

A small group of anti-shale gas protesters started a three-day march from Elsipogtog First Nation to Monctonon Friday, to hand deliver letters to SWN Resources Canada.

Theysay their message hasn't changed theywant SWN to stop its shale gas exploration activities in Kent County.

SWN's seismic testing in the area last year sparked daily protests and blockades.

A protest along Highway 11 near Rexton on Oct. 17 ended in a violent clash with police.Six RCMP vehicles were set on fire and about 40 protesters were arrested.

Friday's march is also meant to be a show of support for those still facing charges, the group said.

On their way to the SWN offices in Moncton, they will stop at the courthouse, where they willsingand drumto protest the charges againstGermain Junior Breau, of Upper Rexton, and Aaron Francis, of Eskasoni, N.S., in connection with the Oct. 17 protest.

Judge Leslie Jackson is scheduled to handdown his decision on their case onJune 19.

"There's been some false arrests that have occurred,and we view this as a way of them strong holding us,and preventing us from being able to exerciseour freedom of speech,"said protester Barbara Quigley.

The marchersplan to camp out inBouctoucheon Friday night, make their way toShediac, where they will stop at the remand centre on Saturday, and then continue on toMonctonon Sunday.

4 exploratory wells planned

SWN Resources Canada has said it does not plan to conduct any seismic testing in New Brunswick this year. It will be surveying land and doing other preparations for drilling the exploratory wells, including site construction, officials have said.

The company plans to drill four exploratory wells in 2015,in the next phase of its exploration program for potential shale gas development in the province.

Two of the exploratory wells are planned for Kent County, in Saint-Charles and Galloway. The other two are planned for Queens County, in the vicinity of Bronston Settlement Road and the Pangburn area.

The company has initiated the environmental impact assessment process to move forward with exploratory drilling.

Opponents of the shale gas industry have long arguedthehydro-frackingprocess can cause water and air pollution.

Hydro-frackingis a process where exploration companies inject a mixture of water, sand and chemicals into the ground, creating cracks in shale rock formations. That process allows companies to extract natural gas from areas that would otherwise go untapped.

Earlier this month, a report by 14 international experts, commissioned by Environment Canada, concluded"data about potential environmental impacts are neither sufficient nor conclusive."