Environmental activists block access to Lycoming County drilling site

• Marie Cusick
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  Marie Cusick was the Harrisburg reporter for StateImpact Pennsylvania.

A group of environmental activists has chained themselves to concrete barrels in an effort to block access to an Anadarko Petroleum drilling site in Lycoming County, according to a spokesman for the group.
Marcellus Shale EarthFirst spokesman Mathew Louis-Rosenberg says between eight to ten activists were involved and two have been arrested so far.
“Folks blockading access to the wellpad were in place before people showed up for work,” he says. “Workers were unable to access the site.”
A spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania State Police says troopers have been on the scene at Dam Run Road in the Tiadaghton State Forest since 7:45 a.m., but could not confirm how many people were involved, or whether any arrests have been made.
“It’s still ongoing and we’re working through it,” says Trooper Angela Bieber.
“We respect everyone’s right to express their views, as long as it doesn’t jeopardize the safety of the community or our personnel,” says Anadarko government relations representative Patrick Marty. “We asked the state police to respond as appropriate.”
The activists are protesting Anadarko’s plans to expand gas drilling in the Loyalsock State Forest, as well as Governor Corbett’s proposal to allow more leasing of public parks and forests for gas development.
Another group of activists held a separate “solidarity rally” at Anadarko’s Williamsport offices. Marty says as of about 12:30 p.m. there were around 20 protesters outside.
 
 

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