Several companies seeking to drill gas wells in the Twin Tiers have been told by the Susquehanna River Commission that they must acquire two permits before they can begin siphoning water from local waterways, reports the Star Gazette.

In order for these drillers to release trapped gas from underground rock formations they must inject, what can be up to millions of gallons of water into the ground to break up the rock.  However, officials are concerned that large-scale withdrawals will reduce flow rates, deprive other users of the water and disrupt wildlife habitats.

Applications for consumptive water withdrawals will be considered at the commission's quarterly meeting on Thursday June 12 at 8:30am at the Holiday Inn in Elmira.