Brazos River minnows added to endangered species list; could impact Lubbock water plan

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service added the sharpnose shiner and the smalleye shiner minnows to the “endangered” species list Monday. Tom Fulton, general manager for the White River Municipal Water District in Spur, said he’s not sure what all the implications will be, but he’s sure of one thing: The designation is going to be costly. “Any time you have to deal with something like this it’s going to be more money,” Fulton said. “Once something’s endangered, we’ll have to make accommodations.” The White River Municipal Water District serves communities of Spur, Crosbyton, Post and Ralls. An endangered listing accompanies a critical-habitat listing of the minnows’ dwelling grounds, which include 623 miles of the upper Brazos River basin and the upland area extending beyond the river channel in Crosby, Garza and more than a half-dozen other counties...more