REXTON, N.B. – Another protest site might be in the works for anti-shale gas protesters in New Brunswick.
Protesters, who have been set up along Route 134 just outside Rexton for more than a month, received word SWN Resources planned to begin seismic testing in the area this week, according to Elsipogtog Chief Aaron Sock.
“We are informed that SWN Resources has provided the province and our legal counsel with their schedule of work and its shale gas exploration activities,” Sock said Friday.
“SWN intends to begin work again this Monday, November 4, 2013, even though no steps have been taken by the province to begin discussions with Elsipogtog.”
READ MORE: Global News coverage of shale gas protests
The group believes SWN will resume seismic testing activity along Route 11, near Laketon. On Saturday, 50 First Nations members staked land claims in the same area. They say since Saturday, more of SWN’s geophones — instruments used to collect seismic data — have been placed.
About 20 protesters went to Laketon to see where they could set up another protest site and watch for SWN’s activity. Those protesters planned to meet, regroup and try to figure out the best spot along Route 11 to set up.
“If they do start, my people are going there and we’re going to stop it,” said protester Louis Jerome.
“I think everyone’s a little more thinking of what’s the next legal action step,” said Sequoyah Bernard, a member of the warrior society who has been sleeping at the site for three weeks.
The 19-year-old hails from Cape Breton, and said this movement has helped him “grow up.”
“I’m just doing something that I feel strongly about,” he said.
He said protesters are hoping to set up Monday night or Tuesday morning to continue watching for the natural gas company.
Global News could not reach SWN for comment or to confirm the company is resuming seismic testing activity this week.
In March 2010, the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources awarded Southwestern Energy Company licenses to search for natural gas in the province. The license has allowed SWN to search more than one million hectares within the Maritimes Basin.
SWN completed 473.79 kilometres of seismic exploration in the spring and summer of 2011. That work was in the central part of its licence area. The company did not resume testing in 2012.
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