photo credit: Chris 'Maven' Austin

New well permits are back on in Sonoma County, after a temporary court order issued this week.

Permit Sonoma had been forced to pause the permitting process for new, non-emergency water wells after a lawsuit was filed in late December.

Environmental groups concerned over the impact of groundwater pumping on Russian River water levels brought the case, part of a long-running dispute over the allocation of groundwater, and the County's role in protecting "public trust" resources.

While the court did unpause the permitting process, Sonoma County's request for a new trial was denied.

That leaves the window for Sonoma County to keep issuing well permits open only until February 21st, unless extended by a judge.