Alarm over testing in wetlands

Exploration • An environmental group in New Brunswick is raising concerns about the province’s decision to allow seismic testing in wetlands by an energy company, but Premier David Alward says environmentalists have nothing to fear.

Alward said Wednesday that provincial regulations will protect the environment from shale gas exploration. “I have full confidence that the industry will be responsible and that we are putting in place, and have put in place the necessary, robust regulations to not sacrifice one for the other,” he said.

Stephanie Merrill of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick said her group was surprised to learn the Environment Department issued a permit allowing SWN Resources to conduct seismic testing in wetlands in eight counties in the province.

Despite the premier’s assurances, opponents of the shale gas industry have repeatedly expressed concerns that exploration and eventually drilling could damage water supplies.

There are about 10 companies licensed to explore for shale gas in the province but SWN Resources is the only one doing seismic testing at the moment.