PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Ongoing drought conditions across South Dakota are reflected in the number of water permit applications.

Eric Gronland, Water Rights Administrator for the Department of Ag and Natural Resources updated the Water Management Board on those applications.

Gronland says they are short engineers to process those applications.

Gronland says they have streamlined the process to try and speed up approvals.

The majority of permit applications are for new or expanded crop irrigation plans.