By Stephen Weigand
The Shreveport Times reports that federal authorities have added additional permit requirements for companies who pump water from the Red River for hydraulic fracturing of the Haynesville Shale. The requirements were added after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service raised concerns that the pumping process could be disturbing the habitat of three federally endangered and threatened Red River species. These species include the pallid sturgeon as well as a bird known as the interior least tern and a plant known as earth fruit. According to the Times, one of the new requirements is that a pump not be placed within 600 feet of an active least tern colony. This requirement effectively forces companies to survey the area before submitting a permit application. Additionally, the Times reports that the Fish and Wildlife Service is also requesting the use of smaller pipes and a diffuser to eliminate the possibility of sucking in fish during the pumping process.
For the full story, see http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20090921/NEWS01/909200332