Gone for the summer - SWN Resources Canada folds 'til September

Shale gas company allowed to detonate 11 more un-exploded shot holes - charges against 25 of 35 will be dropped.

by Miles Howe

ELSIPOGTOG, NEW BRUNSWICK - Minutes ago, afternoon negotiations between the RCMP, Elsipogtog Chief Arren Sock, Elsipogtog War Chief John Levi, former Elsipogtog Chief Susan Levi-Peters, Mi'kmaq Warrior Society Chief 'Seven' and others concluded with a few key announcements.

• SWN Resources Canada will be permitted to detonate 11 un-exploded shot-holes along 'Line 5', the backwoods seismic testing line west of highway 126 that the company is currently attempting to test for shale gas. A team of observers from Elsipogtog First Nation, which will include 8 scouts, 3 Grandmothers and 2 Elsipogtog Peacekeepers will be tasked with observing the completion of SWN's work. No more testing will be allowed for these remaining 11 shot holes.

• Charges laid against 25 of the 35 arrested in the protests against SWN's seismic testing will be dropped, pending an unmolested completion of SWN's detonation work. This work is expected to be completed by Friday, August 2nd. 

• People who have already entered the court system will not have their charges dropped. These include Elsipogtog War Chief John Levi and activist Susanne Patles, as well as others.

• SWN is expected to return to seismic test in Kent County in mid-September. It will then focus it's efforts on lines '3' and '4'. These seismic test lines are far closer to Elsipogtog First Nation, in some instances bordering the community by only a few kilometers. SWN's earlier attempts to seismic test these lines resulted in significant equipment destruction.

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