(The Center Square) - A fight over water rights is heating up in south-central Washington. Tasaka with OCR told The Center Square the next step is for Mercer Ranches to submit a work plan. So right now, we have not received that work plan from Mercer, but once they submit it to us, we can approve it.” The work plan must be submitted and approved prior to the start of aquifer testing.” The Center Square reached out to the office of Governor Ferguson for comment about the permitting dispute but did not receive a response.