The LaSalle County Board voted 20-6 Monday to extend a moratorium on any new high-capacity wells in the area. It effectively bans the creation of any new sand mining operations, which require large amounts of water.
The moratorium was supposed to expire today, but the Ottawa Times reports board members want to wait for the results of a water study from the U.S. Geological Survey. The group says the study is set to finish in late September.
The moratorium remains in effect until the County Board's next meeting Nov. 3.