Susquehanna River Basin Commission research related to natural gas development

Abstract

The Susquehanna River Basin drains 27,510 mi2 (71,251 km2), covering parts of New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, and provides 50% of the freshwater inflow to the Chesapeake Bay. The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) is a federal-interstate compact agency regulating surface and groundwater withdrawals, diversions, and consumptive uses of water, including those associated with natural gas development. Although specific black gas-bearing shale formations are already identified, including the Marcellus, Utica, Antes, Burket, Geneseo, Mandata, Middlesex, Needmore, and Rhinestreet, the SRBC regulatory activity is applicable to any and all gas-bearing formations (Figure 1). The SRBC does not regulate wastewater discharges or pollution incidents because these are already regulated by member jurisdictions of SRBC. Figure 1 Area in the Susquehanna River Basin containing natural gas shale formations, with locations of SRBC-approved water withdrawals for natural gas well development. As a water resource …