YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state Department of Ecology has adopted a permanent rule that bars new groundwater withdrawals in upper Kittitas County unless they are backed by senior water rights.
Senior water rights are those that are older, and thus have seniority during a water shortage or drought.
Last year, Ecology imposed a temporary moratorium in the area on wells that are exempt from a permit, fearing that irrigators with senior water rights could see their supply impaired.
Ecology announced the permanent rule in a statement Wednesday. It will be in effect until a groundwater study of the area by the U.S. Geological Survey is completed by September 2013.
