YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) -- Attorney General Rob McKenna says the state Department of Ecology can limit new groundwater appropriations, upholding a moratorium on new wells in upper Kittitas County.

At issue are the unpermitted wells that developers and property owners have been using to tap into groundwater to build new homes. State officials banned construction of new wells in July, concerned that the newcomers could be impairing senior water rights and streamflows.

State and county officials had been working to reach a water management agreement there, but asked McKenna to weigh in.