NewsOK: Southern Oklahoma water ruling will stand
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal by the agriculture, mining and drilling industries that challenged a policy limiting the amount of water that can be used from the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer.
The underground water source covers more than 500 square miles in south-central Oklahoma and is a source of drinking water for thousands in the area. It's also used by farmers and ranchers, along with mining companies and the oil and gas industry.
Five years ago, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board placed a cap on the amount of water that can be exported from the region. The policy triggered a lawsuit challenging the maximum annual yield that can be taken from the aquifer, which found its way to the Supreme Court.