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Exhibit 2: Press Release <br /> In Response to Fourth Consecutive Drought: Kittitas <br /> County Residents Urged to Conserve Water <br /> Kittitas County, WA - 0811612023 - On April 8, 2026, the Department of Ecology declared a drought <br /> emergency. This is the fourth consecutive drought-year in the Yakima Basin. The declaration reflects <br /> unusually low snowpack and streamflows that are creating challenges for agriculture, fish, and river <br /> ecosystems throughout the region. <br /> As a result of drought conditions, pro-ratable irrigation water users are receiving only 52% of their <br /> normal water supply, somejunior water rights have been restricted, and streamflows remain critically <br /> low. This marks the fourth consecutive drought year in the Yakima Basin. <br /> Water is one of our community's most valuable resources. Kittitas County encourages all residents to <br /> use water efficiently and take practical steps to reduce demand on our rivers and groundwater <br /> supplies. <br /> Kittitas County has secured senior water rights to provide legal protection for certain small-scale <br /> rural well groundwater uses. As a result, many residents who rely on these wells for household water <br /> have improved water security during drought conditions. This protection is limited to indoor <br /> domestic uses and irrigation of up to 500 square feet of exterior yard. <br /> All County residents are encouraged to conserve water whenever possible. Important steps we can <br /> take to conserve water include: <br /> • Limiting areas that require regular irrigation; <br /> • Using efficient irrigation methods; <br /> • Watering during the early morning or evening hours; <br /> • Adding mulch to planting beds; <br /> • Planting drought-tolerant vegetation; <br /> • Identifying and repairing leaks in plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems; <br /> • Raising lawn mower blades to at least 3 inches to promote deeper roots and improve <br /> soil moisture retention; and <br /> • Consider allowing your go dormant ("go blond") during the summer by watering deeply <br /> and infrequently rather than applying frequent, shallow watering <br /> Kittitas County has prepared a water conservation brochure available for free at 411 North Ruby <br /> Street in Ellensburg or by download at: insert hyperlink. <br /> Kittitas County is working with Yakima Basin Integrated Plan partners to improve long-term water <br /> reliability through conservation, water storage development, habitat and watershed restoration, and <br />