ELLENSBURG, Wash. (AP) — The state Department of Ecology has extended an emergency rule that limits new groundwater withdrawals in upper Kittitas County.
The state imposed the moratorium last July to protect streamflows and senior water rights holders until more is known about the status of aquifers in that part of central Washington. The moratorium had been extended at least once, but was set to expire Thursday.
Ecology director Ted Sturdevant extended it for another 120 days while state and county officials try to negotiate an agreement.
The city of Roslyn, the Yakama Nation and a citizens group were among that asked Ecology to bar any new wells while a groundwater study is completed.
