Bradley B. Ware v. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Bradley B. Ware v. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Opinion
ACCEPTED 03-14-00416-CV 4941122 THIRD COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS 4/17/2015 4:32:14 PM JEFFREY D. KYLE CLERK No. 03-14-00416-CV FILED IN IN THE C OURT OF A PPEALS 3rd COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS F OR THE T HIRD JUDICIAL D ISTRICT OF T EXAS 4/17/2015 4:32:14 PM AT A USTIN JEFFREY D. KYLE ______________________________________ Clerk B RADLEY B. W ARE , Appellant, v. T EXAS C OMMISSION ON E NVIRONMENTAL Q UALITY , Appellee. ______________________________________ Appeal from the 53rd Judicial District Court Travis County, Texas Cause No. D-1-GN-10-002342 ______________________________________ B RIEF OF A PPELLEE T EXAS C OMMISSION ON E NVIRONMENTAL Q UALITY ______________________________________ KEN PAXTON JON NIERMANN Attorney General of Texas Chief, Environmental Protection Div. CHARLES E. ROY LINDA B. SECORD First Assistant Attorney General Assistant Attorney General State Bar No. 17973400 JAMES E. DAVIS [email protected] Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation
April 17, 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page STATEMENT OF FACTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 STANDARD OF REVIEW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 ARGUMENT.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 I. REPLY POINT PERTAINING TO ALL OF WARE’S POINTS OF ERROR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Ware’s case is tainted by false assumptions. His permit is limited to a term of years, but he complains about priority dates as if it were a perpetual right. He diverts water from a single point far upriver, but he complains about return flows as if he should have water that is only fully available where the Brazos meets the Gulf of Mexico. Resting on these false premises, his entire argument is fatally flawed... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 A. Term permits are not permanent water rights.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 B. A term permit is based on marginal water supplies not in use or contemplated for near-term use by permanent water rights holders.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 C. No one has a vested right to the issuance of a term permit or a renewal of a term permit.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 D. The priority dates for term permits are different from those for permanent water rights... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 E. Given his circumstances, the BRA return flows are just not available to Ware.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
ii F. Ware’s interpretation of §§ 11.1381 and 11.134 is incorrect.. . . . . . 16 G. Ware’s false premises are fatal.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 II. REPLY TO WARE’S POINT OF ERROR NO. 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 A. There is no merit to Ware’s argument that he is entitled to return flows... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 B. There is more than ample support for TCEQ’s analysis in this case... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 C. Agency experts did not provide contrary or improper evidence... . . 23 III. REPLY TO WARE’S POINTS OF ERROR NOS. 2 AND 5. . . . . . . . . . . 25 A. In attacking TCEQ’s findings, Ware misconstrues Tex. Water Code § 11.046(c).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 B. The broader statutory scheme confirms that Ware’s interpretation of Water Code § 11.046(c) is incorrect.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 C. Ware has misinterpreted the Water Code, but even if he were right, the proper interpretation of § 11.1046(c) is not dispositive here. Ware’s renewal was denied based on his location; the order can and should be affirmed on that basis.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 IV. REPLY TO WARE'S POINT OF ERROR NO. 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 A. BRA withdrew its protest of Ware’s renewal application, but that did not make water available for Ware.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 B. Even if Ware were right that he should have been given a 1997 priority date, it would not matter.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 C. Ware’s cancellation theory is wrong.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
iii V. REPLY TO WARE’S POINT OF ERROR NO. 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 VI. REPLY TO WARE’S POINT OF ERROR NO. 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 VII. CONCLUSION: NOT ONLY ARE WARE’S LEGAL THEORIES WRONG, THE EQUITIES DO NOT FAVOR HIM EITHER.. . . . . . . . . . 38 PRAYER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
iv INDEX OF AUTHORITIES Cases Page Central Power & Light Co. v. PUC, 36 S.W.3d 547 (Tex. App.–Austin 2000, pet. denied). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 City of Corpus Christi v. Nueces Co. Water Control. & Imp. Dist. No. 3, 540 S.W.2d 357 (Tex. Civ. App.–Corpus Christi 1976, writ ref’d., n.r.e.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Consumers Water, Inc. v. PUC, 774 S.W.2d 719 (Tex. App.–Austin 1989, no writ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 H.G. Sledge, Inc. v. Prospective Investment and Trading Co., Ltd., 36 S.W.3d 597 (Tex. App.–Austin 2000, pet. denied). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Lower Colorado River Auth. v. Tex. Dep’t of Water Res., 638 S.W.2d 557 (Tex. App.–Austin 1982, rev’d. on other grounds, 689 S.W. 873 (Tex. 1984)). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 10, 11, 12, 27, passim Meier Infiniti Co. v. Motor Vehicle Board, 918 S.W.2d 95 (Tex. App.–Austin 1996, writ denied).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Smith Motor Sales, Inc. v. Texas Motor Vehicle Comm’n, 809 S.W.2d 268 (Tex. App.–Austin 1991, writ denied).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Tex. Water Rights Comm’n v. Wright, 464 S.W.2d 642 (Tex. 1971).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9 Statutes Tex. Gov’t. Code § 2001.060.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 § 2001.175(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 § 2001.175(e). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
v Statutes (cont’d) Page Tex. Water Code § 11.022. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9 § 11.025. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 § 11.026. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 § 11.027. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 § 11.042. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 29 § 11.042(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 § 11.042(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 § 11.046. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26, 28, 29 § 11.046(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 § 11.046(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 § 11.046(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 26, 27, 28, 30 § 11.046(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 § 11.046(e). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 26 § 11.121. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 8, § 11.134. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 16 § 11.134(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 § 11.134(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 16, 17, 25, 31 § 11.134(b)(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 § 11.1351. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 § 11.1381. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9, 11, 16, 17, passim § 11.1381(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 11, 12, 16 § 11.1381(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 § 11.146. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 § 11.147. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 § 11.1471. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 § 11.1491. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 § 11.150. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 § 11.151. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 § 11.152. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 § 11.171-.186.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 § 11.172. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 33 vi Statutes (cont’d) Page § 16.012(g)-(j). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Rules 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 297.19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 § 297.19(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 12 § 297.42(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 20
Other References Act of Mar. 19, 1917, 35th Leg., R.S., ch. 88, § 72, 1917 Gen. Laws 211. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Act of May 21, 1987, 70th Leg., R.S., ch. 405, § 1, 1987 Tex. Gen. Laws 1932. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Act of June 1, 1997, 75th Leg., R.S., ch. 1010, § 2.06, 1997 Tex. Gen. Laws 3610. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Act of June 1, 1997, 75th Leg., R.S., ch. 1010, § 2.07, 1997 Tex. Gen. Laws 3610. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 26 Martin Hubert and Bob Bullock, Senate Bill 1, the First Big and Bold Step Toward Meeting Texas’s Future Water Needs, 30 Texas Tech L. Rev. 53 (1999).. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
vii STATEMENT REGARDING ORAL ARGUMENT Oral argument is not necessary. This case lends itself to submission on briefs and a Memorandum Opinion.
Throughout the life of this case, from the SOAH hearing to the Commissioner’s consideration of SOAH’s PFD to the district court, Appellant Ware has made the same fundamentally unsound argument based on a misunderstanding of the type of permit that he holds. No tribunal has agreed with Ware. Having lost at every level, he now presents a third round of the same briefing. Appellee Texas Commission on Environmental Quality submits that these written materials amply illustrate the flaws in Ware’s case so that the Court may decide the issues without oral argument.
The Commission welcomes oral argument when the Court deems it useful and asks to be allowed to participate should the Court grant Ware’s request.
viii No. 03-14-00416-CV
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN ______________________________________
BRADLEY B. WARE, Appellant, v. TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, Appellee.
______________________________________ Appeal from the 53rd Judicial District Court Travis County, Texas Cause No. D-1-GN-10-002342 ______________________________________ BRIEF OF APPELLEE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ______________________________________ TO THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS: Appellant Bradley B. Ware (“Ware”) appeals the decision of Appellee the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (“Commission” or “TCEQ”)1 denying References to the TCEQ in this brief also refer to its predecessor agencies as applicable for the timeframe being discussed. These would include the Texas Board of Water Engineers, the Texas Water Commission, the Texas Water Rights Commission, the Texas Department of Water Resources, and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission. renewal of his 1997 permit allowing him to divert state water for a term of ten years.
The district court order affirmed TCEQ’s decision; this Court should affirm as well.
STATEMENT OF FACTS In 1997, Ware was issued term Permit No. 5594, which authorized him to divert 130 acre–feet of water per year from the Lampasas River in Bell County, upstream of Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir.2 This permit was for a “run of the river” right. That means that the permit did not authorize Ware to store water, e.g., in wetter times for use in drier times. Instead, Ware was authorized to divert water directly out of the Lampassas River and use it to irrigate.3 The 1997 Permit No. 5594 contains a special condition providing that it was to become null and void on November 7, 2007, unless Ware applied for an extension prior to that time and the extension was subsequently granted.4 On March 20, 2006, he filed an application to renew or in the alternative to convert his permit to a
A copy of the permit is attached to Ware’s application, both of which were introduced into evidence in the administrative hearing as Applicant’s Exhibit No. 2. See Administrative Record (“AR”) Vol. 5, Item No. App 2. A copy of Permit No. 5594 is attached at Appendix Tab A. Id. No storage is authorized in the permit and TCEQ authorization to store water is required under Tex. Water Code § 11.121. A copy of the statutes cited in this brief are at Appendix Tab D.
See Appendix Tab A (Permit No. 5594, Special Condition 3.b., p. 2). permanent water right.5 The staff of the TCEQ Executive Director (“ED”) reviewed Ware’s application using the Water Availability Model for the Brazos River Basin for current conditions, i.e., for water availability (including all water use and return flows) as of 2006, and determined that there was not enough water available to grant the application for either a permanent or a term permit.6 The ED recommended denial and the matter was heard in an evidentiary hearing conducted by a SOAH Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”)7 who issued a Proposal for Decision (“PFD”) recommending denial.8 The TCEQ Commissioners denied Ware’s application by order dated April 23, 2010.9 The district court affirmed the agency’s decision in an order issued June 11, 2014.10 STANDARD OF REVIEW Ware’s brief lacks a statement of the standard of review but his argument repeatedly focuses on a lack of substantial evidence to support the order or on
AR, Vol. 1, Item No. 1E (letter from Kathy Hopkins, TCEQ Project Manager, to Bradley Ware).
AR, Vol 5, Exhibit App. 47 (Water Availability Review Memorandum); Testimony.of Jeffrey Thomas, AR Vol. 7, (Transcript Vol.1), p. 82.
See Transcripts, AR Vol. 7 (October 28, 2009) and Vol. 8 (October 29, 2009).
See PFD, pp. 28–29, AR, Vol. 4, Item No. 58A. A copy of the PFD is at Appendix Tab B.
AR, Vol. 4, Item No. 64 (TCEQ’s Final Order). A copy is at Appendix Tab C.
CR at 446. references to the contents of the record to support his claims. He also frequently asserts that the agency decision is arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion, and tainted by unlawful procedure and an incorrect interpretation of the Water Code. All of this indicates Ware’s recognition that because this is a suit for judicial review of a TCEQ order issued after a contested case hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (“SOAH”), the substantial evidence standard of review applies.
Reflecting our constitutional commitment to keeping the powers of three co- equal branches of government separate, “substantial evidence review” is a standard of review that governs the relationship between the executive branch’s state agencies and the judiciary. Under this standard of review, agency orders are deemed valid, findings of fact are reviewed for support by substantial evidence, legal conclusions are reviewed for errors of law, and the proper test is whether the evidence in its entirety is such that reasonable minds could have reached the conclusion that the agency must have reached to justify its decision or whether the agency acted arbitrarily and without regard to the facts.11 As to what the facts are, the agency is the
H.G. Sledge, Inc. v. Prospective Investment and Trading Co., Ltd., 36 S.W.3d 597, 602 (Tex. App.—Austin 2000, pet. denied). sole judge of the weight of the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses.12 Challenges to agency orders often contain “arbitrary and capricious” claims.
This Court has explained that agency actions challenged as arbitrary and capricious are reviewed for abuse of discretion.13 Thus, in performing substantial evidence review of an agency decision, reviewing courts often use the abuse of discretion standard to determine whether an agency committed error. Under the abuse of discretion standard, a court (or agency) abuses its discretion if it acts without reference to any guiding rules or principles.14 Courts conducting substantial evidence review do not second-guess an agency.
This Court has long held that it is the agency that determines which factors to consider, how much weight to give each, and how to weigh conflicting evidence.15 In this case, Ware often tries to avoid the effect of the substantial evidence standard of review by describing the agency as misinterpreting the Water Code or using an unlawful procedure. Even if he were right, these complaints are just one Central Power & Light Co. v. PUC, 36 S.W.3d 547, 561 (Tex. App.—Austin 2000, pet. denied).
Consumers Water, Inc. v. PUC, 774 S.W.2d 719, 721 (Tex. App.—Austin 1989, no writ).
Smith Motor Sales, Inc. v. Texas Motor Vehicle Comm’n, 809 S.W.2d 268, 270 (Tex. App.—Austin 1991, writ denied).
Meier Infiniti Co. v. Motor Vehicle Board, 918 S.W.2d 95, 100 (Tex. App.—Austin 1996, writ denied) (“[t]his Court will neither substitute its own judgment as to which factors the agency should consider to be the most important nor make a de novo determination of good cause.”). type of error that an agency can commit. Allegations of such error fit within the substantial evidence standard of review. Indeed, the APA specifically mentions errors of law and unlawful procedure in its list of reversible error.
This case does not require the Court to test the limits of this standard of review.
The record amply supports the order. The agency’s legal conclusions are correct and in accord with the judicial and legislative directives providing that term permits, such as Ware’s, cannot infringe on permanent water rights. Further, no unlawful procedures were used, nor any constitutional or statutory provisions violated.
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT Virtually all of Ware’s arguments flow from two broad complaints: (1) that TCEQ analyzed the amount of water available for the renewal of his term water rights permit based on what he contends is an incorrect priority date; and (2) there is additional water in the Brazos River Basin that could have been allocated to his application. For both of these complaints, Ware compares his application with that of the Brazos River Authority (“BRA”), who holds a permanent water right and operates a system of reservoirs throughout the Brazos River basin.
Ware holds a specialized type of water use permit known as a “term” permit.
His 1997 term permit had a renewal provision but could not be renewed because agency staff concluded—using a legislatively mandated computer model as well as information and theories put forth by Ware—that there was not enough water available at his diversion point to grant him another term. In urging that there was enough water, Ware insists that BRA’s application indicated that there was water in the form of “return flows” that could and should have been allocated to Ware under a “priority date” senior to BRA. These aspects of water rights—term permits, their priority dates, and return flows—are the core of this case.
Legally, his arguments are based on the flawed assumption that the law requires TCEQ to grant a permit or renewal under the conditions he describes in his brief. The law does no such thing. He also misapprehends the legal nature of a term permit as compared to the nature of a permanent water right, and so he misconstrues what his rights are and what the significance of a priority date is for a term permit.
Finally, he incorrectly views the return flows associated with BRA’s application (for want of a better term, “BRA’s return flows”) as available to him. Ware makes this mistake because he fails to appreciate that the circumstances of his water use are very different from BRA’s.
ARGUMENT I. REPLY POINT PERTAINING TO ALL OF WARE’S POINTS OF ERROR Ware’s case is tainted by false assumptions. His permit is limited to a term of years, but he complains about priority dates as if it were a perpetual right. He diverts water from a single point far upriver, but he complains about return flows as if he should have water that is only fully available where the Brazos meets the Gulf of Mexico.
Resting on these false premises, his entire argument is fatally flawed.
A. Term permits are not permanent water rights.
No one may take, store, or divert State Water (water in rivers, lakes, creeks, or in the Gulf of Mexico) without authorization from the TCEQ.16 The Water Code authorizes a number of different types of water rights, including what are called “permanent water rights”17 and water rights granted under what are called “term permits.”18 A permanent water right is an incorporeal right to use water.19 The right vests in the water rights holder to the extent that the holder makes (and continues to make) Tex. Water Code § 11.121. There are exceptions to the requirements of § 11.121, but they are not applicable to the case at bar.
TCEQ derives its general authority to issue water rights permits under Tex. Water Code §§ 11.022, 11.121, 11.134, and other provisions in Chapter 11 of the Code. Term Permits are authorized under Tex. Water Code § 11.1381.
Lower Colorado River Auth. v. Tex. Dep’t of Water Res., 638 S.W.2d 557, 562 (Tex. App.—Austin 1982), rev’d. on other grounds, 689 S.W.2d 873 (Tex. 1984), (citing Tex. Water Rights Comm’n v. Wright, 464 S.W.2d 642 (Tex. 1971)). beneficial use of the water in accordance with the terms of the permit.20 It is subject to forfeiture or cancellation for nonuse.21 It is subject to loss by prescription.22 Nevertheless, to the extent that a permit holder continues to make beneficial use of the water authorized for a permanent water right, the right continues in effect.23 A term permit, on the other hand, is just what its name implies. It is a right to use water for a term of years.24 Unlike a permanent water right, a term permit does not continue in effect so long as the water authorized under the permit continues to be put to beneficial use. Both Tex. Water Code § 11.1381 and the TCEQ rule addressing term permits at 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 297.1925 contemplate that term permits are for a term of years, not a perpetual right. As noted above, Ware’s Permit No. 5594 stated that it became null and void on a certain date if an application to
See Tex. Water Code §§ 11.022, .025, and .026. See also, Wright, 464 S.W.2d at 647–48.
See Tex. Water Code § 11.146 (forfeiture for failure to commence construction of necessary dams and facilities to use the water) and §§ 11.171–.186 (cancellation for nonuse).
City of Corpus Christi v. Nueces Co. Water Control. & Improvement Dist. No. 3, 540 S.W.2d 357, 375-76 (Tex. Civ. App.—Corpus Christi 1976, writ ref’d., n.r.e.).
See Wright, 464 S.W.2d at 649, where the Texas Supreme Court held permits were “grants to the permittees of usufructuary rights to the State’s water upon the implied condition subsequent that the waters would be beneficially used.”
Tex. Water Code § 11.1381(a); 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 297.19(a). A copy of the rules referenced in this brief is at Appendix Tab H. 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 297.19. Water Code §§ 11.153–.155 referenced in § 297.19 relate to a specialized use of water under term permits (aquifer storage). These Water Code sections are not germane to the case at bar. renew was not timely filed and if the renewal was not granted.26 B. A term permit is based on marginal water supplies not in use or contemplated for near–term use by permanent water rights holders.
In order for TCEQ to grant an application for a permanent water right, TCEQ must find that there is unappropriated water available in the “source of supply,” i.e., in the stream from which the would–be permittee wants to take water.27 In 1984, the Texas Supreme Court construed that Water Code requirement in Lower Colorado River Authority. v. Texas Department of Water Resources (also called the “Stacy Dam case,”).28 In the Stacy Dam case, the Colorado River Municipal Water District (“CRMWD”) applied for a permit to construct what is now O. H. Ivie Reservoir in Coleman, Concho, and Runnels Counties. There was insufficient water available in the Upper Colorado River to permit the reservoir unless TCEQ took into account water that was permitted to the Lower Colorado River Authority (“LRCA”) but was not being used by LRCA. TCEQ granted CRMWD’s permit application over LCRA’s protest and LCRA appealed.
The Texas Supreme Court reversed the agency’s decision and the judgments of both the district court and the court of civil Appeals. The Court held that TCEQ See Permit No. 5594, Special Condition 3.a , p. 2.
See now Tex. Water Code § 11.134(b)(2). 689 S.W.2d 873 (Tex. 1984). must take into account the entire amount of water already permitted in the stream when considering a new application for a water right. TCEQ could not base the new permanent water right on water that was permitted to others but was not being used.
The Court held that in amending certain water laws, the Legislature had “explicitly shown its purpose to interdict ‘double permitting’ of water.”29 After the Stacy Dam opinion was issued, the Legislature authorized the issuance of term permits under what is now codified as Water Code § 11.1381.30 As noted above, § 11.1381 allows TCEQ—in its discretion—to authorize temporary use of water that is already permitted to others but is not being used.31 TCEQ witness Kathy Alexander explained it in her testimony before SOAH in this case: [A]n appropriative [i.e., permanent] water right is a water right that gets water that’s never been given to anyone else before. A term water right is . . . an authorization to use water that we’ve previously given to someone else which they’re either not using in whole or in part.32 This reflects the language of the applicable TCEQ rule, which provides that TCEQ may issue a term permit for appropriated water when there is insufficient
Act of May 21, 1987, 70th Leg., R.S., ch. 405, § 1, 1987 Tex. Gen. Laws 1932. A copy is at Appendix Tab F.
Section 11.1381(a) says in part, “The commission may issue permits for a term of years for use of state water to which a senior water right has not been perfected.” (Emphasis added.)
Testimony of Dr. Kathy Alexander. AR. Vol. 8, (Transcript, Vol. 2), p. 345, ln. 6–11. un–appropriated water available to satisfy an application, i.e., for a permanent water right.33 Clearly, the unused water must be there in order for TCEQ to authorize a term permit or permit renewal.34 TCEQ does perform an analysis to determine if there is water available for a term permit. TCEQ staff performs a simulation on its water availability model, called a “current conditions” run.
C. No one has a vested right to the issuance of a term permit or a renewal of a term permit.
It is important to note that absolutely nothing in the law mandates the issuance or renewal of a term permit. The Water Code says TCEQ “may” issue term permits,35 as does the relevant TCEQ rule.36 Term permits are a means for TCEQ to promote what TCEQ determines to be optimum use of the State’s water resources while holders of permanent rights develop their rights to use the water. Term permits were not—and under the Stacy Dam case, they could not be—intended as perpetual grants of water rights.
See 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 297.19(a). Id. Tex. Water Code § 11.1381(a). 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 297.19(a).
D. The priority dates for term permits are different from those for permanent water rights.
Ware relies heavily on the doctrine that in water rights, first in time is first in right. But Ware fails to appreciate that term permits are subordinate to permanent permits. Water Code § 11.1381(d) states that “[a] permit issued under this section is subordinate to any senior appropriative water rights.” The term “any” and the use of the plural “senior appropriative water rights” was best characterized by TCEQ hydrologist Dr. Kathy Alexander, who testified that a term water right is a second class permit.37 As discussed more fully below, in determining which water user is “first in time,” term permits and permanent water rights do not mix. A term permit will trump other, later, term permits. A permanent water right will trump other, later, permanent water rights. But a permanent water right will always trump a term permit. Each type of water right has its own timeline for determining who is first. The priority dates for term permits such as Ware’s are not dots occurring on the same timeline as for permanent water rights such as BRA’s.
Ware also fails to understand another aspect of priority dates. While Ware’s 1997 term permit’s priority date clause gives him a first in time right over other term
Testimony of Dr. Kathy Alexander. AR Vol. 8, (Transcript, Vol. 2), p. 345, ln.12-15. permits with later priority dates, that 1997 date is only important if a new term is authorized. Because term permits may only authorize water that is available on the margins, any renewal request must be judged based on the water available for the renewal term. In deciding whether to authorize a renewal, TCEQ must look at current conditions and use a priority date related to the renewal application. Had there been water available and the renewal issued, Ware would have then benefitted from his 1997 date vis a vis other term permit holders.
Thus, Ware’s insistence on 1997 as his priority date as a date that should have led to his renewal being granted is wrong on two fronts. That 1997 date does not put Ware’s term permit date ahead of BRA’s permanent water right nor does it play any part in determining water availability for the renewal term requested.
E. Given his circumstances, the BRA return flows are just not available to Ware.
The extra water that Ware claims was available for him was, from a hydrological and legal standpoint, not really there at his location on the river for direct diversion from the Lampasas River when and where he wants. Water rights can seem metaphysical: someone can see water flowing past his farm and be told that he cannot have it, even if there seems to be plenty. But that is because it may already have been appropriated to someone else who lives downstream. The Commission is
charged with protecting that someone else and with managing all of the water in the entire basin of a Texas river. It is a delicate balance between protecting permanent water rights and issuing term permits to avoid waste of water that those permanent rights holders are not currently using.
In this case, the Commission could not strike the balance in Ware’s favor for several reasons.38 First, Ware does not create any return flows from the water that he diverts. Second, he directly diverts from a single point far upstream from the mouth of the Brazos at the Gulf of Mexico. Third, as a term permit holder, he is subordinate to all holders of permanent water rights.
These factors all work against Ware’s obtaining any BRA return flows. BRA manages many reservoirs but Ware has no storage to tap into to cover shortages.
With his upriver diversion point, the BRA return flows (only fully available hydrologically at the Gulf) are not counted as available to him. And he is subordinate to BRA and all other permanent water rights holders. As the Commission explained, the BRA return flows were already reserved for downstream use when Ware sought renewal and were needed for the overall management of the basin.39
Perhaps the clearest explanation of the issues in this case is the ED’s Response to Ware’s written closing arguments after the close of the SOAH evidentiary hearing. It is Item 57 in Volume of the administrative record; a copy is at Appendix Tab I.
AR, Vol. 4, Item No. 57, p. 6.
F. Ware’s interpretation of §§ 11.1381 and 11.134 is incorrect.
Both in Point of Error No. 2 and Point of Error No. 5, Ware proceeds from the false assumption that § 11.1381 relating to term permits and § 11.134 relating to TCEQ consideration of permit applications somehow require TCEQ to issue permits if certain conditions are met. A cursory look at the black letter law demonstrates that this is not the case.
The term permit statute says that TCEQ “may”grant term permits.40 There is no “shall” associated with the granting of term permits in that section or elsewhere in the statutes. And, while Ware discusses Water Code § 11.134(b) at length in his brief, he fails to quote—or even mention – § 11.134(a). Subsection (b), which Ware does discuss, merely provides that TCEQ may not grant a permit application unless certain conditions are met. Subsection (a), though, is key to determining what TCEQ’s obligations are under § 11.134. Subsection (a) indicates that TCEQ has no obligation to grant Ware’s permit renewal: (a) After the hearing, the commission shall make a written decision granting or denying the application. The application may be granted or denied in whole or in part.41 Indeed, when one considers the entire statutory scheme relating to water rights, it is
Tex. Water Code § 11.1381(a).
Tex. Water Code § 11.134(a). (Emphasis added.) apparent that the focus is on insuring that the granting of new or amended rights does not adversely impact senior water rights holders and the environment. Water Code § 11.134(b) provides that TCEQ may not grant a permit unless a litany of conditions listed therein are fulfilled and a litany of other items are considered first. Water Code § 11.1381 also contains express prohibitions against granting a term permit if certain conditions are present. Water Code § 11.1351 expressly allows TCEQ to place restrictions on permits that are granted. Sections 11.147, 11.1471, 11.1491, 11.150, and 11.152 all relate to obligations that TCEQ has to protect the environment and water quality when considering permits. Section 11.151 requires TCEQ to consider the groundwater impacts of an application.
G. Ware’s false premises are fatal.
Because Ware’s argument is infused by and tainted with misunderstanding of term permits, priority dates, the availability of return flows, and the TCEQ’s obligation to grant permits, it should be rejected by this Court as it was by the SOAH ALJ, the agency, and the district court.
II. REPLY TO WARE’S POINT OF ERROR NO. 1 A. There is no merit to Ware’s argument that he is entitled to return flows.
On pages 13–15 of his brief, Ware argues that a 2008 TCEQ analysis for a Brazos River Authority (“BRA”) permit application found approximately 74,000 acre–feet of return flow water available for appropriation in the Brazos Basin. He complains that none of these flows were allocated to him, i.e., that TCEQ did not consider these flows as being available for him to take. TCEQ expert Kathy Alexander explained why these return flows were not allocated to Ware. Dr. Alexander testified: The only water that would be available for Mr. Ware’s application would be those return flows that could exist or not in the watershed of the Lampasas River and our current conditions model does include those return flows as part of flow and even with those return flows in the model, we still could not find water available for Mr. Ware’s application.42 Regarding the 74,000 acre–feet of return flows themselves, Dr. Alexander testified that they were: [T]he result of different return flow locations throughout the [Brazos River] basin and the availability analysis was done at the Brazos River Authority’s requested diversion point at the Gulf of Mexico, which is the most downstream place in the river basin, and the Executive Director had also recommended that prior to reuse of any of these return flows that the Brazos River Authority submit an accounting plan and a water management plan and a whole host of other items that would limit or direct how these flows would be used.43 Dr. Alexander also testified that BRA might be able to divert water downstream of its 12 reservoirs as opposed to down at the Gulf of Mexico. She explained that was
Testimony of Dr. Kathy Alexander. AR, Vol. 8, (Transcript, Vol. 2), p. 384, ln. 1–7.
Id., p. 360–61, ln. 3-13. possible because BRA has a number of large permitted reservoirs and, “should a shortage occur . . . as a result of diversions of those return flows, the BRA has a number of sources and a system operation permit that would allow them to make up those shortages in downstream senior water rights.”44 When asked why Ware could not do that, Dr. Alexander testified: Mr. Ware’s application is a direct diversion from the stream. If he were taking other people’s water, there’s no way for him to give it back without reservoir storage or some other option.45 Dr. Alexander’s testimony on the lack of available water quoted above is consistent with the policy expressed in TCEQ’s “75–75 Rule”, which provides in relevant part as follows: For the approval of an application for a direct diversion from a stream without sufficient on or off channel water storage facilities for irrigation, approximately 75% of the water requested must be available approximately 75% of the time when distributed on a monthly basis and based upon the available historic stream flow record. . .46 TCEQ staff’s water availability review showed that 75% of the water Ware was requesting would be available in only 5.2% of the years of the period of record.47
Id., p. 361, ln. 7–20.
Id., p. 361, ln. 21–25. 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 297.42(c).
See Water Availability Review. AR, Vol. 5, Item No. App. 47, p. 1.
TCEQ may grant an exception to the “75–75 Rule” provided the applicant “can demonstrate that a long-term, reliable, alternative source or sources of water of sufficient quantity and quality are economically available to the applicant to make the proposed project viable and ensure the beneficial use of state water without waste.”48 In this case, TCEQ staff suggested to Ware that he secure an alternate source of water in a letter dated March 20, 2006.49 However, Ware provided no evidence of alternate sources that would satisfy the requirements of this exception.
B. There is more than ample support for TCEQ’s analysis in this case.
The record is replete with support for TCEQ’s analysis in this case. The applicable law supports it as well. In 1997, the Texas Legislature enacted an omnibus water bill known as “Senate Bill 1.”50 As part of Senate Bill 1, the Legislature required TCEQ to “obtain or develop an updated water availability model” for all river basins in Texas by December 2001 and, upon developing the models, to provide comprehensive new information to water rights holders and water planners about water availability and potential environmental impacts of drought.51
AR, Vol. 6, Item No. ED 5, p. 1.
Act of June 1, 1997, 75th Leg., R.S., ch. 1010 § 2.07, 1997 Tex. Gen. Laws 3610. A copy is at Appendix Tab G. Id. at 3679–80, § 7.01, codified as Tex. Water Code § 16.012(g)–(j).
The model software was developed and revised by Dr. Ralph Wurbs from Texas A&M University.52 The model was the collaborative work of consultants, TCEQ, the Texas Water Development Board, environmental agencies, and others.53 Hydrology witness Jeffrey Thomas, a registered professional engineer and registered professional geologist who had performed water availability analyses for TCEQ for over 10 years at the time,54 testified that, to his knowledge, the Brazos water availability model was the most accurate method of determining water availability that was available at the time of the hearing.55 Both Mr. Thomas and Dr. Kathy Alexander (who at the time was a doctoral candidate, who had a Masters of Science in Applied Geography, Water Resource, and Environmental Management, who had worked on water availability model development teams and worked as a hydrologist for TCEQ for almost 10 years )56 testified that extending the period of record for the model, as Ware’s witness Sam Jones suggested, would only add data that was within the range of water variability
Testimony of Jeffrey Thomas. AR, Vol. 7 (Transcript Vol. 1), p. 73, ln. 17–19.
Id., p. 176, ln. 7–10.
Resume of Jeffrey C. Thomas, P.E., P.G. AR, Vol. 6, Item ED-1.
Testimony of Jeffrey Thomas. AR, Vol. 7 (Transcript Vol. 1), p. 174, ln. 5–9.
Resume of Kathy Alexander. AR, Vol. 6, Item ED-6. already contemplated by the model.57 In contrast to the testimony of Mr. Thomas and Dr. Alexander, the testimony of Ware’s technical witness, Mr. Sam Jones, lacked credibility. Mr. Jones conceded that he was not an expert on the TCEQ’s water availability models.58 While he worked in TCEQ’s water rights adjudication program, he admitted that he did not work with models in that job.59 He admitted that he had never worked with any type of model or any other analytical framework to determine whether there was water available in a stream in the manner used by TCEQ.60 Ware claims that the Commission ignored record evidence and that the only reliable evidence favors him. Not so. Neither the SOAH ALJ nor the TCEQ Commissioners was persuaded by Mr. Jones’s testimony and by Ware’s theory that he should have been given some of the water identified in BRA’s application as return flows—water with a diversion point far from Ware’s location and subject to a very different type of permit including a water management plan for ensuring that other water rights are protected.
Testimony of Jeffrey Thomas. AR, Vol. 7 (Transcript Vol. 1), p. 114, ln. 6–p. 115, ln. 25; Id., p. 176, ln 2–p. 177, ln. 1. Testimony of Kathy Alexander. AR, Vol. 8 (Transcript Vol. 2), p. 346, ln. 19–p. 348, ln. 3.
Testimony of Samuel W. Jones. AR, Vol. 7 (Transcript, Vol. 1), p 219, ln. 15–18.
Testimony of Samuel W. Jones. AR, Vol. 7 (Transcript, Vol. 1), p. 220, ln. 15–17.
Testimony of Samuel W. Jones. AR, Vol. 8 (Transcript, Vol. 2), p. 294, ln. 3–12.
Ware’s evidentiary arguments under Point of Error No. 1 are actually a statement of his disagreement with the conclusions TCEQ reached on the evidence, not on a lack of evidence to support TCEQ’s decisions nor on the agency ignoring the record evidence. The record evidence amply supports the Commission’s decision not to allocate to him the BRA return flows that are the subject of Ware’s Point of Error No. 1. He cannot ask the Court to substitute the Court’s—or his—findings on the evidence for those of the agency.
C. Agency experts did not provide contrary or improper evidence.
At pages 15-17 of his brief, Ware asserts that TCEQ’s decision was based on an unlawful procedure occurring at the open meeting in which the TCEQ Commissioners considered the PFD from the SOAH ALJ. Ware claims that agency staff responded to questions from the Commissioners with statements that were contrary to their testimony at the SOAH hearing and that the Commissioners in turn treated these answers as evidence. Ware’s claim is meritless.
First, Ware’s claim cannot be substantiated because he did not request that the transcript of the Commissioner’s meeting be included in the administrative record.
The Administrative Procedure Act does not list transcripts of these open meetings as a necessary part of the record, and they are not usually included.61 But Ware did not Tex. Gov’t Code § 2001.060. even try to have a transcription included by utilizing the statutory provision authorizing a court to permit additions to the record.62 Second, although Ware tags it an unlawful procedure, there is nothing improper about the Commissioners asking questions and receiving answers from staff at an open meeting. From Ware’s unsubstantiated description of the exchange, the questions were about the record, which is the very point of such a public meeting.
Third, Ware’s unsubstantiated description of staff answers do not demonstrate that they contradicted earlier testimony before SOAH. According to Ware, Dr. Alexander told the Commissioners that the BRA return flows were considered in determining water available for Ware. At the SOAH hearing, Ware’s counsel asked if the ED had run any analysis using the information Ware put forward through its witness Mr. Jones or had asked TCEQ expert Mr. Thomas about. Dr. Alexander answered that they had.63 Ware’s case focused heavily on return flows.
Dr. Alexander said that the ED had run an analysis using information from Ware’s witnesses; that surely included return flows. Clearly, staff had considered Ware’s attack on their 2006 Water Availability Memorandum (Applicant’s Exhibit 47) and determined that his information did not change the unfortunate reality that there is not
Tex. Gov’t Code § 2001.175(b).
Testimony of Dr. Kathy Alexander. AR, Vol. 8, (Transcript Vol. 2), p. 370, ln. 12-22. enough water to grant his renewal request. Dr. Alexander did not contradict this testimony when she answered Commissioners questions.
III. REPLY TO WARE’S POINTS OF ERROR NOS. 2 AND 5 In Points of Error Nos. 2 and 5, Ware cites to a number of statutes, but particularly to Texas Water Code §§ 11.1381 (relating to term permits), 11.046(e) (relating to return of surplus waters to streams), and 11.134(b) (relating to TCEQ’s consideration of permit applications). He attempts to weave those statutory provisions into evidentiary arguments he makes about water availability, apparently in an attempt to suggest that he has some entitlement to receiving a permit renewal based on these statutes. Ware is wrong.
A. In attacking TCEQ’s findings, Ware misconstrues Tex. Water Code § 11.046(c).
In Point of Error No. 2, Ware attacks the Commission’s Finding of Fact No. 44, which states: 44. The addition of “new water,” if it were proved to exist, would be subject to all prior appropriation rights of senior water rights holder[s] and could not be treated as available for new allocation.64 Ware argues that this finding is inconsistent with language in Tex. Water Code
TCEQ’s Final Order. AR, Vol. 4, Item No. 64, p. 5.
§ 11.046(c),65 but in so doing, Ware misconstrues the statute.
Section 11.046(a) provides that surplus waters be conducted back to streams by gravity flow, whenever practicable. That language has been in the Texas statutes—virtually unchanged—since at least 1917.66 The Legislature added Subsections (b), (c), and (d) to the statute in 1997 as part of Senate Bill 1.67 Notably, § 11.046(b) authorizes TCEQ to place conditions on any permit that requires certain percentages of water to be returned to streams at certain places, “to protect senior downstream permits, certified filings, or certificates of adjudication or to provide flows for instream uses or bays and estuaries.”68 Section 11.046(b) does not allow TCEQ to reserve water for new permit holders or junior permit holders; it speaks in terms of protecting senior water rights holders, of allowing surplus water to flow to senior water rights holders.
The first part of Water Code § 11.046(c) provides that a water rights holder may use and reuse the water allocated under the permit as provided in the permit, but Ware’s Brief at 20-21. Ware also discusses § 11.046(e) in more detail in his Point of Error No. 5. See Ware’s Brief at 32-38.
Act of Mar. 19, 1917, 35th Leg., R.S., ch. 88, § 72, 1917 Tex. Gen. Laws 211, 229. A copy is at Appendix Tab E.
Act of June 1, 1997, 75th Leg., R.S., ch. 1010 § 2.07, 1997 Tex. Gen. Laws 3610, 3620.
A copy is at Appendix Tab G. A copy of Tex. Water Code § 11.046 in its current form (unchanged from 1997) is at Appendix Tab D. (Emphasis added.) it is the second part of Water Code § 11.046(c) that Ware emphasizes—and misconstrues. It provides as follows: Once water has been diverted under a permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication and then returned to a watercourse or stream, however, it is considered surplus water and therefore subject to reservation for instream uses or beneficial inflows or to appropriation by others unless expressly provided otherwise in the permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication.69 Ware contends both in Point of Error No. 2 and Point of Error No. 5 that return flows should be available to him under a term permit by virtue of this language.70 But there are several flaws in his reasoning. First, Ware seeks a term permit (or renewal of a term permit). As discussed at the beginning of this brief, a term permit is given for water that is already subject to appropriation by another person but is simply not being used at present. There is no law that allows a person to appropriate another person’s water under a term permit. As discussed above, the Stacy Dam decision would prohibit that.
Additionally, the term “appropriation by others” in § 11.046(c), when read in context with the rest of the statute, clearly does not mean surplus water released into a river is somehow preserved for use by junior water rights holders or term permit
(Emphasis added.)
Ware’s Brief at 20-21; 32-38. holders when there are substantial numbers of senior water rights holders who do have senior rights to appropriate water in the river.71 And that is the case in the Brazos Basin. It is undisputed that there are rights on the Lampasas River and downstream on the Brazos River that are senior to Ware’s claimed 1997 priority date.
B. The broader statutory scheme confirms that Ware’s interpretation of Water Code § 11.046(c) is incorrect.
As noted above, the additions to § 11.046, including Subsection (c), were part of Senate Bill 1. Related changes were made to Tex. Water Code § 11.042, relating to the movement of groundwater and surface water down the bed and banks of Texas streams.72 Section 11.042 as amended by Senate Bill 1 provided TCEQ with authority to impose restrictions on the use of river beds and banks for the conveyance of water, including water that originated in streams and water that originated in underground aquifers. TCEQ was authorized to impose restrictions to protect water rights in the streams and to address environmental issues as well.73 The purpose of amendments to §§ 11.042 and 11.046 were explained in a commentary by Martin Hubert, general counsel to former Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock, and Governor Bullock
As Ware emphasizes in his brief, the law provides that “As between appropriators, the first in time is first in right.” Tex. Water Code § 11.027.
Act of June 1, 1997, 75th Leg., R.S., ch. 1010, § 2.06, 1997 Tex. Gen. Laws 3610, 3620.
A copy is at Appendix Tab G.
Tex. Water Code § 11.042(b) and (c). himself.74 The authors explained these changes in the context of water reuse. They wrote: While reuse has been proven to decrease the total amount of water needed by a user, it also decreases the amount of water available to downstream users because more water is reused and less water is discharged. As a result, there is less water available for the environmental needs of instream flows, bays, and estuaries.
Additionally, less water is available to downstream users dependent on discharged water. These situations present an especially critical problem in already over-appropriated rivers and streams.75 Specifically citing both §§ 11.042 and 11.046 in a footnote, they continued: S.B. 1 addresses this situation by balancing the needs of upstream and downstream interests.
The changes to § 11.046 cited by Ware were not made to insure that junior water rights holders and term permit applicants were guaranteed an increment of water. They were made to balance the needs and interests of existing senior appropriators and the environment in the face of growing demand for water recycling.
Finally, Ware improperly attempts to bolster his argument by claiming that the ALJ who heard the BRA application accepted Ware’s interpretation of § 11.046 and rejected the ED’s interpretation.76 But the ALJ said that he disagreed with both Martin Hubert and Bob Bullock, Senate Bill 1, the First Big and Bold Step Toward Meeting Texas’s Future Water Needs, 30 Texas Tech L. Rev. 53 (1999).
Id. at 62 (footnotes in text omitted).
Ware’s brief at 36, relying on Ware’s Exhibit I. parties’ competing analyses, so Ware’s reliance is misplaced.77 Moreover, Ware himself has said that the BRA matter was remanded to SOAH, so it remains to be seen how much of the first BRA PFD remains intact.
C. Ware misinterprets the Water Code, but even if he were right, the proper interpretation of § 11.046(c) is not dispositive here. Ware’s renewal was denied based on his location; the order can and should be affirmed on that basis.
At Finding of Fact No. 45, the TCEQ order denying Ware’s renewal finds that BRA’s requested return flows become available only at the furthest downstream point in the Brazos River basin. This is in accord with the testimony of Dr. Kathy Alexander, who performed the water availability analysis for the BRA application and testified that the analysis used a diversion point of the Gulf of Mexico, the furthest downstream point.78 Ware’s diversion point is well upstream from that. The return flows are simply not available to him.
This was more fully explained by the ED in his response to Ware’s written closing arguments at SOAH.
The Executive Director did include the return flows in the modeling used in the review of Applicant’s request for a term renewal but the model showed that none of those return flows was available at Applicant’s diversion point. What the model shows is that these return
Id. at 147, CR at 213.
Testimony of Dr. Kathy Alexander. AR, Vol. 8 (Transcript Vol. 2), p. 360, ln. 5-8.
flows were already reserved for some purpose of use downstream from Applicant’s diversion point by the time his application was received.
The hydrologic function and management of the Brazos River Basin depends on the presence of those return flows.79 These return flows were not, as Ware claims, reserved for future applicants—they were already needed for other purposes.
IV. REPLY TO WARE’S POINT OF ERROR NO. 3 A. BRA withdrew its protest of Ware’s renewal application, but that did not make water available for Ware.
Ware discusses the fact that BRA withdrew from the proceedings and argues that BRA’s actions mean that his application should be granted. He is wrong.
Neither BRA’s decision to withdraw nor any resultant lack of evidence on the limiting factors for granting a permit application under Water Code § 11.1381 or § 11.134(b) serve to make the granting of Ware’s application mandatory. Especially in a time of burgeoning population and record drought, such a construction of the statutes would not be reasonable. Put simply, BRA is not Ware’s problem. A lack of water is Ware’s problem.
B. Even if Ware were right that he should have been given a 1997 priority date, it would not matter.
Reurging the issue of priority dates, Ware insists that he is entitled to some of
AR, Vol. 4, Item No. 57, p. 6. the return flows listed in BRA’s application because he has a 1997 priority date while BRA’s priority date is 2004, yet the ED used the 2006 date of his renewal application.
TCEQ hydrologist Dr. Alexander testified that using 1997 would make no difference: It’s just at a very junior date whether it’s 1997 or 2006, because of the vast number and amount of water rights that have been appropriated, there’s certainly—there just isn’t enough water let to go around which is why we recommended denial of Mr. Ware’s application.80 Any “error” in choosing a priority date was harmless error.
C. Ware’s cancellation theory is wrong.
Ware also claims that he is entitled to the return flows in BRA’s application because he has been beneficially using water under his existing permit. Ware claims that the TCEQ is implementing a cancellation program for term permits, and that this is improper because water rights cannot be cancelled if they are being put to beneficial use. All of these claims rest on Ware’s false premise that his term permit functions similarly to a permanent water right. In this, as in so many other respects, the two types of permit are very different.
While permanent water rights can be cancelled if the permit holder does not use the water for ten years,81 term permits are not subject to a cancellation program—they
Testimony of Dr. Kathy Alexander. AR, Vol. 8 (Transcript Vol. 2), p. 389.
Tex. Water Code § 11.172. are self cancelling. Ware’s statement that “TCEQ is essentially implementing a cancellation program for term permits” ignores reality. Term permits do not have to be cancelled—they expire on their own terms, in this case after ten years. Ware sought to renew his term permit but the agency determined that there is not enough water available to do so. By describing TCEQ’s denial of his renewal request as a “cancellation” of his term permit, Ware tries to use Water Code § 11.172 and Lower Colorado River Authority v. Texas Department of Water Resources, 689 S.W.2d 873 (Tex. 1984) (the Stacy Dam case) to his advantage. In Ware’s view, because permit holders not using all of the water appropriated to them in their permit can be subject to at least partial cancellation, someone like Ware who is using water should be shielded from cancellation. Once again, Ware ignores reality. The water that he is using does not belong to him. He holds a term permit, which by its very nature is the ability to temporarily use water allocated to someone else—a permanent water right holder—who is not currently using it. That current nonuse is the very reason that term permits can be granted. But term permit holders cannot use the fact of their temporary use to bootstrap themselves into the same status as a permanent water rights holder, which is what Ware attempts here with his “I-am-using-it-so-it-cannot- be-taken-away-from-me” argument. It was not taken away—it was not there when the time came to seek renewal. As the record, the briefs, and the argument all demonstrated, no matter how the water availability assessment was done, there was not enough water for Ware, so his term permit was not renewed. TCEQ’s Order should be affirmed.
V. REPLY TO WARE’S POINT OF ERROR NO. 4 Ware’s Point of Error No. 4 insists that his 2006 application for renewal should have been reviewed using a priority date reflecting his 1997 permit, that the staff’s use of the renewal application’s 2006 date is a policy change and collateral attack on the order issuing the 1997 permit, and that using the 1997 date would have made all the difference to him, because it would have put him ahead of, i.e., made him senior to, BRA, whose application was reviewed using a 2004 priority date.
Ware fails to understand that priority assessments for term permits are different from permanent water rights. The Executive Director explained term-permit priority dates in his written response to closing arguments.82 When a term permit is assigned a priority date—as Ware’s 1997 permit (and its renewals) was—that is for purposes of determining its seniority against junior term permits.83 But when the time for renewal arrives, the central principle underlying a term permit must be honored: there
AR, Vol. 4, Item No. 57, pp. 2-5.
Id. at 2. must be sufficient appropriated but unused water available for the term permit holder to be granted another term.84 In order to make this determination, the staff uses the current conditions program in the water availability model. To do otherwise—to evaluate a renewal based on conditions that are ten years old—would run the risk of error and over- appropriation of water because it would not take into account the permanent water rights holders who may have started using their water since the original term permit was granted.85 If the current conditions program indicates that there is enough water for another term, then and only then would the original date (1997 for Ware) be used to, at best, establish priority of rights among term permit holders.86 There was no ED staff change of policy, denial of due process, or collateral attack on the 1997 order.
That order never came into play because the requested renewal could not be granted due to a lack of water.
Ware also asserts that the record is clear that staff did not use the 1997 date in modeling for water availability, as if that were reversible error.87 The TCEQ staff
Id. at 3.
Id. at 3-4.
AR, Vol. 4, Item No. 58A, pp. 25-26.
Ware’s brief at 29. explained why not: using 1997 as the priority date would make no difference because of the brief period of time between the two dates.88 Ware characterizes staff testimony as indicating a procedural irregularity within the Executive Director’s staff that the Court may examine,89 alluding to the provision of the Administrative Procedure Act allowing courts to take evidence of procedural irregularities “alleged to have occurred before the agency that are not reflected in the record.”90 In his brief, Ware cites to testimony and evidentiary rulings relating to the very complaint about priorities that he makes.91 Actually, Ware’s counsel cross–examined Jeffrey Thomas at length about the priority date issue.92 The ALJ also questioned Mr. Thomas at length about the priority date issue, and he questioned Mr. Thomas as to why it did not make any difference in Ware’s application.93 Ware’s theory that there are procedural irregularities to be examined should be rejected.
Testimony of Jeffrey Thomas. AR, Vol. 7 (Transcript Vol. 1), pp. 173-74; Testimony of Dr. Kathy Alexander. AR, Vol. 8 (Transcript Vol. 2), p. 389.
Ware’s brief at 28-29.
Tex. Govt. Code § 2001.175(e). (Emphasis added.)
On page 29 of his brief, Ware cites to the testimony of Jeffrey Thomas in Vol. 1 of the Transcript.
See, e.g., AR, Vol. 7 (Transcript Vol. 1) pp. 116–124 (Testimony of Jeffrey Thomas.).
See AR, Vol. 7 (Transcript Vol. 1), pp. 186, ln. 3 – 193, ln. 13 (Testimony of Jeffrey Thomas.).
Ware fails to recognize that term permits and permanent water rights run on parallel tracks in terms of establishing seniority based on priority date. The two types of permits are not mingled together in assessing who is senior to whom. But Ware incorrectly treats them as if they were. The ALJ, TCEQ Commissioners, and district court all saw the fatal flaw in Ware’s reasoning and rejected his priority-date theory.
VI. REPLY TO WARE’S POINT OF ERROR NO. 6 In Point of Error No. 6, Ware complains that Findings of Fact Nos. 45, 49, 50, and 51 refer to the Brazos River Authority’s pending permit application. This complaint is meritless. It was Ware himself who inserted BRA into this matter by offering the water availability memo for the review of BRA’s application as Applicant’s (Ware’s) Exhibit 50, insisting, over the ED’s objection, that it was relevant.94 Most of these complained-of findings discuss priority dates. Again, it was Ware himself who has argued repeatedly at SOAH, TCEQ, district court, and now in this Court that the ED’s staff erred in assigning priority dates that put BRA earlier in time than Ware. Ware now complains of findings that his own argument invited.
AR, Vol. 7 (Transcript Vol. 1), pp. 134-35. And while Ware initially indicated that his offer was of pages 1 through 7 of the document, the entire document was ultimately admitted without any limitations to its admissibility or use. AR, Vol. 8 (Transcript Vol. 2) p. 255.
VII. CONCLUSION: NOT ONLY ARE WARE’S LEGAL THEORIES WRONG, THE EQUITIES DO NOT FAVOR HIM EITHER.
Ware himself testified that the permanent water right once associated with his family farm was lost years ago through inaction, albeit through no fault of his own.95 He emphasizes the undisputed and indisputable principle that Texas agriculture is important and paints a picture of a family farm facing ruin. But he does not emphasize or even state that he has already obtained most of the water that he sought in his renewal application. He testified that he bought 100 acre-feet of water rights, which he intends to use to expand.96 Renewal of his 1997 permit for another 10 years at his original 130 acre-feet and requested additional 20 acre-feet would put him well ahead. In fact, it would total 250 acre-feet, almost double the original 1997 amount.
The denial of his renewal request, while disappointing, has not significantly harmed, much less ruined, Ware.
PRAYER Appellee TCEQ respectfully prays that the agency order be affirmed.
Testimony of Bradley Ware. AR, Vol. 7 (Transcript Vol. 1), p. 22.
Testimony of Bradley Ware. AR, Vol. 7 (Transcript Vol. 1), p. 64-65.
Respectfully submitted, KEN PAXTON Attorney General of Texas CHARLES E. ROY First Assistant Attorney General JAMES E. DAVIS Deputy Attorney General for Litigation JON NIERMANN Chief, Environmental Protection Division /s/Linda B. Secord LINDA B. SECORD Assistant Attorney General State Bar No. 17973400 Office of the Attorney General Environmental Protection Division P.O. Box 12548 - MC 066 Austin, Texas 78711-2548 Tel: (512) 463-2012 Fax: (512) 320-0911 [email protected] ATTORNEYS FOR DEFENDANT, TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE 1. This brief complies with the volume limitation of Tex. R. App. P. 9.4(i)(2)(B) because it contains 9,033 words, excluding the parts of the brief exempted by Tex. R. App. P. 9.4.(i)(1).
2. This brief complies with the typeface requirements of Tex. R. App. P. 9.4(e) and the type style requirements because it has been prepared in a proportionally spaced typeface using WordPerfect for Windows, version 12 in Times New Roman 14-point type face for text and 12-point type face for footnotes. /s/Linda B. Secord LINDA B. SECORD Attorney for Appellee Office of the Attorney General
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Brief of Appellee Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been served on the persons listed below electronically by an electronic service provider and by email on the same day, April 17, 2015: Stephen P. Webb Gwendolyn Hill Webb Webb & Webb Southwest Towers East 7th Street Austin, Texas 78701
/s/Linda B. Secord Linda B. Secord Index to Appendix Item Description Numbe r A Permit No. 5594 (AR, Vol. 5, Item No. App 2) B Proposal for Decision (PDF) (AR, Vol. 4, Item No. 58A) C TCEQ’s Final Order (AR, Vol. 4, Item No. 64) Statutes Texas Government Code § 2001.060 § 2001.175 Texas Water Code § 11.022 § 11.025 § 11.026 § 11.027 §11.042 §11.046 § 11.121 § 11.134 § 11.1351 § 11.1381 § 11.146 § 11.147 § 11.1471 D Statutes (cont.)
§ 11.1491 § 11.150 § 11.151 § 11.152 § 11.171-.186 § 11.172 § 16.012 E Act of Mar. 19, 1917, 35th Leg., R.S., ch. 88, § 72, 1917 Tex. Gen. Laws 211 F Act of May 21, 1987, 70th Leg., R.S., ch. 405, § 1, 1987 Tex. Gen. Laws 1932 G Act of June 1, 1997, 75th Leg., R.S., ch. 1010, 1997 Tex. Gen. Laws 3610 H Rules Texas Administrative Code § 297.19 § 297.42 I Executive Director’s Response to Closing Arguments (AR, Vol. 4, Item No. 57) Appendix A I
App. Exh
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Texas NaruReI, Rpsouncn CoTvSERVATIoN Co¡I¡,TISSIoN \
PERMTT-To AppRopmerb AND USE STATE TVATER APPLICATION NO. 5594 PERMIT NO. 5594 TYPE:. Secrion I1IZI Name: Bradley B, 'Ware Address: Rte, 3, Box 211 Killeen, TX76542 Filed Granted l{0y 0 7 19s7 Purposes County Bell Watercourse: Watershed: Brazos River Basin
Éra¿Tel B.:wäiäläsìéclüèstea äritho¡?äüoïtô ciinèit-äuã üié'noitölti"ó"ã-r,o r annum to irrigate l00 acres of'Iand owned by the:applicant in BeIr county les southwest of Kifegn, Texas; and WIIEREAS' the Texas Natural co*ovution commission fi¡ds that jurisdiction over application is established; pd the
WI{EREAS, no pbrson protested the granting of this application; and WHEREAS, the commission has complied i,vith the:requirements of the Texas .water code and Rules o.{ ttre-T¡xa1 Natr$al n.rout.. ô;ni.t*rili co.*ission inissuing rhis.perrnit.
Now' TryYfoRE, x¡s FrTt io appropriate and'use 'ware, srare ïvareris issuø to niaarey n. subject to the forlowing i.r*r and conditions: i .,
and use nöt to exceed 130 to irrigate 100 acres ofla t No. 67, the D.G, Van
Ë'¿rtxrì.4-.æ . -.Â. .a: survey, AbstractNo. g51, and the c. Edwards survey, Abstract No.291 inB\ell counly, Texas approximately 15 miles southwest of Éib.r,lïr-"rl rl, ürrã',r, conveyed to perrrittee in a deed ¡ecorder i¡ vorume 1524, page 67r oi tH. n.u County Deed Records.
2. DIVERSiON a Diversion A¡ea: permitte is authorized to divert wate¡ f¡om any point o¡ the left o¡ east .bank of the Lampasas River, between a point N60.6'w 2,050 feet from the southeast corne¡ of the aforesaid van Vicheton Survey and a point located S37'E 4,200 feet frorn the aforesaid survey cor'er in Bell county. This downstieam poiat is located ar Latitude 31.032.N, Longitude 97.gg2"w.
b Maximum Diversion Rate: 2.67 cfs (1200 gpm).
3, SPECIAL CONDITIONS a. In order to protect instream uses, biological habitats and water quality, pemrittee is authorized to divert waterLreo"a.r:ãuring.the months of {nrit through June only when rhe flow of rhe iÃ}"ru, River ar u.s.c.s.'Gaging station No. 08103800 near K;*ñ: :: bi -êxcéeds 38 cfs arid'dui.iitg:ffis.öther r.*urlqu"L mõnths oniy.Vtren-it,equais or exceeds 12 cfs. . - ." .. - .
b' The authorization to divert and .use 130 acre-feet of waier per year shall . expire a¡rd become null anil void on@ unless prior to such date permittee applies tot uffiîu"n application is sub'sequently granted for an additio""i perpetuity. The priority date of this permit and tËr"r- i, "r- all extensions h.ereof shall be July 1,j.gg7. ' :
4. ÏVATER CONSERVATION y4_tiop.p[at tha.r .p5o.v,igqs foq Jþe and technotoþies that reduce the e- loss o¡ waste of water, ¡naintain o¡ , , or of wate¡ so that a water supply is made available increase the recycling and reuse fo¡ future or alternative uses. :. d subject to all superior and senior *utri rights in the B¡azos River Basin
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Pern'ittee agri:es to be bouud by the terms, conditioru and provisions contai¡ed hereih and such agreement is a conditionprecedent to the granting of this permit.
All other matters requested in the application which are not specificaiiy granted by this permit are denied This permit is issued subject to the Rules of the Texas Natural Rgsource conservation Commission and to the right of continuing supervision of Sute water rêsources exercised by the Commission,
TEXAS NATURAL RESOTTRCE CONSERVATION COI\¿IøISSION
For DATE ISSIJED: HOl/ 0 7 1997 ATTEST:
EugeniaK. t il; Ph.D.,Chief Clerk
! ...
gqg -- }Y REQUIREMENTS FOR WATER CONSERVATION PLANS FOR INDIVIDUAL IRRIGATION SYSTEMS -- These are a synopsis of the rules AS approved by the Comrnissioners of the Texas Commission on Enviro nmental April 7, 1993. The approved rules were publíshed in Quality on the Texas Register on April 23, and are recorded in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 288. Conservation plans required to be submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality must follow these guidelines.
A water conse idual inigatorshall provide information, where applicable, in responseto ements, äcluding wtrat the user intends to do, or not to do and why, wittr (1) A description of the agricultural production process which shall j¡rclude but is not limlted to the t1'pe of crops and acreage of each ..opio be irrigated, monthly lrrigation diversions and any seasonal or annual crop rotation and soil typäs of the land io U. rrrig;¡gd; (2) A descnption of the irrigation method or system and equipment including pumps, flow rates, plans, a¡d./or sketches of the system iayout; (3) A description as which practice and,/or device will be utilized to measure and account fo¡ the amount of^towater diverted from the source of supply; (4) {} p,.uious assessments which may have been performed regarding the system efficiency of the irrigation system; (5) Specification of conservation goals including quantitative goals for irrigation water use efficiency; (6) Water conserving irrigation equipment and application system or method including but not lÍmited to surge irrigation, low pressure rpiinttu., drif irrigation, pollution preïention, a¡d non-leaking pipe; (7) Leak-detection, repair, and water-loss control; (8) Scheduling the timing and./or measuring the amount of water applied, such as, soil .
moisture monitoring; (e) Land improvements for retaining or reducing runoff, a¡d increasing the infiltration of rain and irigatlon water including but not limited to land leveling, fu¡rori diking, terracinj, anJ weed control; (i0) Tailwater recovery and reuse; (l 1) Any other water conservation practíce, method, or technique which the irrigator shovy to be appropriate for preventing waste and achieving conr..uãtion.
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Texæ Commission on Envj¡onmental Quality IRRIGATION WATER CONSERVATION DATA AND PLAN FOR INDIVIDUALLY OPERATED SYSTEMS Subrnit this forrn with an application for PermÍt to Appropriate State Water, you may want to contact the local County Agent, Natu¡al Resou¡ces Conservation Service office, ttre Texæ Water Development Board or a professional engineer ir preparing this form. If you have any questions concerning the information requested, contact us at (51 2)Z3e-4730.
Name of Applicant: B, wARe Daytime Telephone No.: 2S+-lr 2r7 Requested Diversion Amount: r50 sæ Þ P¡.âe :'oe- L Type of crop: Growing season (months): - Acres Írrigated/year: L 2.
4.
Total number of acres: 132 Include hybrid crop names: for example, which tlpe of coastar Bermuda?
II On average, how much water in acre'feet uritl b€ diverted monthty for írrigation?
January (" May 2l September 2o Lt TOTAL February June tfl October r7 for all March 3 July 25 November 5 months April ,1 30 August December 5 MONTHL Y TOTALS 2,o 1z 3t 150 Itr, Do you seasonally or annga.þ rotate crops? NO (circle one) Ifyes, please describe WT\ SDK6 6Uc\1 As Ausr ì-) UJ INTER PÉAS .
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Bradley ÏVare Part I. .
Some ofmy land I double crop, þpe of top: Growing seflson (months) Acres íní/year Tifron 85 Bermuda 8 months 36 Soft Wheat (Graaing) -lJ (double orop) 6 months 36 2, Improved Native Grass 9 months 22 3. Brown midrib Sorghum Bob oats or soft wheat l 7 months (double crop) 5 months s4 4 Costal Bermuda glass -:-l (double crop) 8 months 20 Bob oats or soft y¡!¡s¿f-J 5 months 20 I t
ry. Describe your soil Çpe (nclude permeabiliry characterislics, if available) BoSoue C LOAÍ\A H I W I.\DLDI¡Jô C'A?AC ÒN 5l -t C' D(ßP LL DRAINIE, SLDIJ PÉ.RMAß AIJD 3õ€ò€D TO NAÎUE 6RASS SP€CIgS,CRAWFDRD C(AV-WEI| DRAUED PRÉS€O eol.JTDUR rE, RRAC€,D , ALSo RÉF€,R rb -rÐXAs coo ERATi r.J€ POõUcATìoN ø-./'.t7o p.B, ext€usrolo V. Describe the existing/proposed irrigati on system including plans, designs and/or sketches of the system layout, pump location, slope of the land to be irrigated, and specifìcs about the delivery method. (For example: Single pivot with bÍg gun sprinkler) SLÞP€ O t¡o 3 PÉRC€úI / D€,LIU6RY UI.JDÉR6RCLJ TJD PUC P¿¿MP CAPAÖry 5ÕO 6P¡,^, / Po¿SeB uN 1r 25 H,P F l-ECiP,tC CCJÜTER PtUat- LePA DES Ei tJ (lou EI-EI?6Y PR€Cts€ AÞPLI Ol'J ) UJ tlr+ A ñÃs l/{¡, ÉFFÉC\ AEDUC QSO/O DRAWTU6 gxllrBITS AtB,c, + D. T€xAs eoÞPÉRA$ UE €xTErôs lou PUBUCAT]DÀJ B -Iør L-22t L-SD4 ts-búb, ts-btbz VI. Describe the methods and/or device which will be used to measure and account for the amount of water diverted for írrigation.
CT]\)TCR P IUDT IÅDZZL€. CHART AI'JD PtJf\^P e-FF- ì CE-0\EY CrrRUe É,HItsfT ð AND c LO6 OF DæRAJ-IDU I{ÔU 5 t+ rT +1,
VII. If .there's is an existing irrigation system any system evaluations been performed regarding the efficiency of the system? NO (circle one) If YES, indicate: When: -t
Who performed rhe evatuarion: DR . f3,(1 LYLC TEXAS A$ M eyrte-us I DL) sÉRv tG- t LrJBBÞcx 1y oR,. lgou NEtrJ/ TEXAS Cl)oæf<ATlU6 Exrer.É/OÀ) C:\FoRMS\1021 6.wpd (revlsed 3/98) Page3 ANÀA'(ILLÞ.TX ¡l t
Resrlls of the evaluation: LÈPA De,Sl6ñ) CeUIER P I UÒT sYsi.t€^rs AR€ PRou€;.-l Tt> €xc6€ D q5'/o Añ Ò qbo/o UUrtuR^it TV CFFSÀ)CI É.tJcV oF DtslRtBUÎD,.J/ €xHlBlT5 F+6,C HoOStt5 A ce,lr,ER ptgõf t3 6UY FIPR5 VIII. Describe any water conserving equipment used in the irrigation system. (i.e closed pipes, leak detection, pressure loss cut-off vãlve, etc.) Hl H EFFCCI ENC t¡rllrtrt lpcrcnoro) 1eD lr) PVC IIN ÔRDttÑJ D -VIIL cont . D6LIV ÉRV PtÉ e.Nr Y DPECISG AÞP¿ ).A:TI A It ABC\J6 SoIL 5 URFAC€, TÉXAÉ Cooffi.Æ\JE e).f€ÐSt Dþ Sæ.UICC PugLtc+rtDÞs , g-bo il t L- zztq ,Bbt øz t B -6t1o t lJ -bú b x Describe any rnethods which will be used for water loss control and leak detection and repair.
R€SSUR€ T PAI A,\Affi lüór fv\eî+oDs AND DARDS / 5t)PgRç ts ,Þ¡J DORfTJó¡ oERAnor:
X. Describe any water saving scheduling or measurement practices to be utilized in the application of water, for example: irrigation only early in the morning, late evening or night hours, when the wind is calm and temperatures loier, and also thãudlization of soil moisture monitoring: ALL T]l€ ABo\€ , GvPsu M M olr.) llER tL)6 B{-DcKs ^NDIS1ER DÉLl'"n oRST ^^ETÚ?
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XIV. Indicate that water is diverted from the
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BÉ,8 Htve5 . /c/ - ¿ ¡ Á B State OÆ of Adminis trativè-h eanngs :-': I
Cathleen Parsle,v Chief Administrative La'¡' Judge
lìcbruar\' 8. 2010 Lcs'frob¡nan. Gcneral Counsel 'lexa.sC ontmi ssi o¡ ç¡¡ [,¡1r' i ronmenral Quali t¡' P.O. Box 13087 Austin Texas 7871 l-3087 tìe: SOAH Dockct No. 5ti2-08-1698; TCEQ Docket No 200 I 8l-\\'R: hr Re Application of'Bradle1"B, S/a¡c to Amend \\/ater Lise P ¡1 5e. j-594 Dear Mr. 'l-robllran 'lexas Commi on on Envirclnrnental l'he above-ref'crenccd malier wiil be considered '01' tire Quaii¡, o¡ a clate ancJ rime t¡ be determincd b¡' thc Chief Clerk's O ce in lloonr 20lS oi Builclrng li.. ì21 i8 N Inlerstate 35, Attstin, Texas' I:nclosccl are copies of thc- Proposal f'or Decision a¡d Order that have n recorrmendecl to tbe Cgm¡lissign lor ap¡rrovat. An¡, part-V ma)' f rle exccpticrns or brre ls b¡' fi ng the dcrcumcnts u,ith thc Cliief'Clerk otthc"l'c'xas Cornrnission on Environnlental Qualit¡'no I er than March L 2010. ,An¡' replies to cxceptions or briefi musl be irled in ihe s allr e no later ihan \4arch i 0. l0 I () I 'T
'l-his nraucr has bccn cìesignared TCEQ Docket No. 2008-018 r-iln; s OAH Docket No. 582 -0lJ-1698 All docunrents to be filed nrust clearl¡' rcfercn cel thc-se assi{¿ned docket I
ltur¡'ocrs. ^\tl exccptions. briefs and replies along r,r'ith ccrrifìcati on 0f' sc r\¡tce Io lhc abovc ¡rartics shall be filed u'ith thc Chjef' Clcrk of the ]-CEQ clcctrclnicallr' àt h ().t slate filin or b¡, frling an orilinal a¡ld I SCvell copìes u'ith thc -t'cL'Q' L Failure to provide copies mav be gr ounos [or u,ithhoiciing ciriei cle'k oi rire I
consideration ol' the plcadings, S incerel¡'.
i ,"ù,' l, .i''t:*,i '(l) Paul D.Kecpcr I I I
Administraiivc Lau'{ udse I'D K:c rn lìnclosLlres cc: \4uilrnq l.ist
\\'i il ia nl l). (.lernent.s Ilu iltling Posr ()ftcc l.]rlx 13021 .ì00 \\;est lSth Strct't. Strire 502 O Âu.srirl Tex¡rs ltì711-l0li (írl).i15-.í1)9J ' l)ockct (í11)'i:5 l.i'i; t:;rx (.512) 47 t-4<)94 Irttlt: u'tvrr :oalt,s(:ltc (x.tts ì -r' I
soAII l)OCKlil' NO. 582-0ll-1698 TCEQ DOCKE'I' NO. 2008-0l tìl-wl{
APPLICA'TION OF- IìIì,,\I)LT]Y B $ llllFollll'l'llE ST¡\'flt Ol-F'lCE - W¡\lìE'tO ÄlvlENI) $ W¿\'flill. USD PI|RMIT NO. 5594 $ (x' $ $ r\DIVIINISTRATI v E IIEAIIINGS I
I
PIìOPOSAL F-OR DECISION ì I ì 'TAIILE OF'CONT'ENTS I
I. INTIIODLICTION I III. .ITJIIISDICTION IV. PllOClll)Ull¡\L lllSTOIÌY V. I}ACK(;IIOUNI) FACTS .d. Ilistory ¡rf thc W¿rrc Flrm ¿¡nd thc Pcrmit 3 lì. Ef)'s rccommcnd¿¡tion to dcny the Applic:ltion........""""""""'!"' I C. Thc issucs, Vf. DID'TIIE ED IìAVE S'I'ÀNI)I¡"G 1'O OPPOSE TIIE APPT,ICAI'ION?........' 6 A. Did thg t)D,s party st¿rtus clcpcncl on rvhcthcr thc ED rvas lit affcctctl person?..... 7 lì. Dicl the scopc of thc lùD's ¿ruthorit¡,inclutlc thc right tn p..r.Jt:tn opposing casc?.. 7 I
C. Was thc in[ornl¡¡tion that thc l]D prcscnted rvithin thc lirnits qf thc larv?.....'..........'. 8
Vtl. W¡\S TIIIS AN UNCONTIISTIÌD MAT'[ER'|""""""""""""' " :' I
vril. r)tD THI.I FID IIVIPROPEIìI,Y IìELY SOLÚILY ON'tllE MOpEL? I ¡\. 'Ihc l¡ullcn of proof an{ thc cvidentitry .st¿¡nd¡rd for scicntilic tcsti¡nony ...'.......'... 9 i
lì. Thc rcgulator-v schemc for thc Ctlmmission's issuancc of pcrniits .'.. I C. 'I'hc dcternrination of thc lvnil:rbili$' of rvltcr for npproprintiirn...'.' I3 l). D iscussion. 5 l. Lcgnl issucs ....... l5 ¡r. Docs the larv rcquire thc tlse of thc lVlotlcl? t5 b. If not, ntly rlthcr an:tl1'ticrrl trlols llc usctl'l '..... .. l6 ( ) ( I É l'ag0 2 soAll l)ocKET NO. 582-08-l698 l'ROl'¡OSr\L FOR DECISION TCEQ DOCKtil' NO. 2008-01 8l -wR
c Is thc use of thc Modcl r¡ppropri¡tc i¡t cv:rltrating a rcqu cst for ¡r snrall ¡ìm0unt ..17 of rvrrtcr? ....................... I 8 2. ùlr. .loncs' 'Jnrlys¡.s'.... .........,............. 20 IX. IS'I'fln MODDI, IìA'TI\LLY FL^\ryED'? ¿\. Naturaliz.etl florvs 2l B. Impcrviouscovcr................
C. Wastervater trc¡tmcnt plant rcturn florvs """"' /\. 'Il¡c El)'s argunrents l. Docs thc Pcrmit authorizc l\tr. w:rre to appropri¡rtc watcr?
2. Docs thc Pcrmit ruthorizc Mr. Ware to usc slatc rvatcr?.... 2l l]. iVlr. W¡rre's ¡rrgumcnts.......'.......
L Did thc ED tlisrcgartl I\lr. warc's priorit)' rights untler the P ir? .......,,.... .......,.. 21 2. Did thc ED m:rnipulatc thc priority dates of Mr' W¡trc's pplicntion so thrt its r priority rvoulrl bc infcrior to that of thc Br¿rzos Riv Authority's Pcrmit application? ......'..
XI. CON(]LUSION S()AI I DOCKET N0. 582-08-l(r98 'rcEQ DOCKIiT NO. 2008-0I8l-WR -1
.I'E .,\PI'LIC¿\'TION OF IìIìADLI]Y B. $ BI]F'ORE TIIÊ OFF-ICE WAIIE'l'O i\lvlFlNl) $ WATEIì usE t,ElìÌ\{l'l'No. 5594 $ o $ $ ¡\DMINISTIìA'l' [IEAIIINGS PIìOPOSAL FOR DECISION I. INTIì,OI)TJC'TION
llracllci, ll. Warc, Ap¡rlicant, seeks to amend his Waler tJse it 5594 (Pcrnrit). 'l'he tcn-year tcrm Pcrnlit authorizcs hini to annually rvithdrarv lJ0 et 0l' watcr fìom thc l,ampasa.s Iìivcr. 'l'hc amcndnrent rvot¡ld cither extcnd his tcrm it for another ten-ycar pcriocl or conven his Pcrnrit 10 fl pcrpctual right.l In addition, Mr. arc seeks authority to withdrarv 20 morc acre-feet ol' water annually a¡rd to irrigatc 3l morc ol'his l¡nn. 'l'he llxccutivc Director (h.D) ol'the Texas Contmissicln on lìnvíronmcntal ity (Comnrission) and thc Oflìcc of'l)ublic Intcrest Counsel (OPIC) opposc thc applicatiolr. e application should be denicd.
II. PAIITIIÙS 'l'hc attorncys rvho appcnred in this proceeding u'crc (ìwcndolyn IIill Wcbb ancl Stcphon Welrb fìrr Mr. Warc. Shana IIorlon and James Alclrc<Jge f-or thc lil), and arrett Arthur l'or OPIC
' Mr. Warc's cvidcncc and arguntcnt.s requcst t propr-rscd [o rcne\v lris tcn-ycal righls ttndcr thc l)crurit. lvlr. Wirrc stated lhat hc sought to rernovc the tcn-ycar tcr his initial post-lrcaring bricl, lvlr. Ware rcl'crrcd to his reqt ,\rqumcnt at 2. ln his linal bricfì lvlr. Ware'argtrcd lbr tl ,\pplicnnr's Rcplv ro Closing Algurncnts ar 9. 'I'hc proposal lor <Jccision rvill treat rltc iipplicatiorr as seckirrg tlrc trvo pcriods in thc allcrn¡tivc ) ) soA¡t r)ocKET No, 582-0tì-ló98 PIIOI'OSAL FOR DECISION l):rgc 2 TCEQ DOCKEl' NO. 2oo8-olIl-wR
III. .'TJIìISDICTION 'l'þc partics clicl not contcst t[c jurisdiction ttt'thc Commission t: r ol'rhc Statc ol'lìcc ol' 'l'he attachcd Propc rsed Orcler contains thc Atinlinistrative l.lc¡rings (SOAfl) to hcar the casc. rìccess¿try fìntlings and co¡rclusions about jurisdiction'
IV. PIIOCEDURAL IIISTORY On Novenrbcr 7, l9c)7, thc Commission issucd the original tr )n-ycar tcrnr I)crmit to N'lr. Ware. I-ìy its u'rittct't tertns, thc Pcrmit was to cxpire on Novcnrbel ' 7, 2007, unle ss bcf orc that datc, Mr. Warc rcccivcd thc Conlmission's approval to extentJ lhc tcrm or to convert the Pcrmit to r perpctual right.
On Novernbcr 15, 2005, ì\4r. Warc tinlcly fìled his Applicatio n for Âmendment to a Water Right (Âpplici.ttion). On January 5, 2006, thc IìD dcterminod tl rat thc Application was ndrrrirristrativcly completc. On .Iunc l, 2006, the Brazos lìiver y' ,uthoritv co¡ìtestcd thc application. On Novctnber 6, 2006, thc IID rcconrmcncìed derlial o l- the Application. Orr January 8,2007, iVfr, Ware rcc¡ucstcd a contcstcd ca.se lte¿rring at SOÂll Orr .lanuary 25, 2008, thc IiD roqucstetl antl thc Comniission dircctly rel-crrccl thc case to SO I-l lì¡r a hcaring on the rncrits on thc' agrccd issttc:
Whcthcr sul'lìcic'nt rvatcr cxists in tlic Ilrazos Rivcr Basin t nll applicablc statutor), and rcgulatory rcc¡rtircmcnts havc been mct to issuirtg flradtcy [J Warc's proposcd Watcr [Jsc Perntit No. 5594¡\'?2 ,
On Âpril 3 2008. ttlc SO¿\ll adnrinistratìv'e l¿rrv.ludgc (ALJ) i:onvcnccl it prclittrinarl' lrcarirtg ancl took jurisdiction. On January 12,2009, the I [Jr¿rz.os [ìivcr  It thority lvas grantcd the I I
I I
rl'he origirrlrl l,crnlit rvls issrrr-.ri as Watcr [.isc l)cr¡nit No 559,1 'l'hc ¡roposid pcnuit, il issucd, woultl bc Watcr Usc f'c'rrnit No 559{^. )l PIIOPOSA L FOII DI.]CIS ION l'agc J soAll DOCKET NO. 582-08-l ó98 ]'CEQ DOCKr:T NO. 2ooll-ol8l-wR I
'l'he hearing adjoumcd on O .I obcr 29, 2009, ancl thc right to ll,ithclraw' as rr protcsting party.l I
adrninistrative record closed on l)ecernbcr 21, 2009'
V. T}ACK(;ROUND ¡-ACTS
Â,. t-listory of thc Wlrc Farm and thc Pcrnrit
In thc micl-1870's, Mr. Warc's fanrily acquired 2ól acres ol'pro y alorrg the Lanrpasas [ìivcr ncar prcscnt-day Killccn. lvlr, Ware's grcat-grandfathcr and fathcl lìrrmccl the land, clrarving watcr ztlong thc property's trvo rniles of' river tionlage. Drrri lvfr. Ware's parcnts ow'ncrship of thc lancl, thcy failcd to scck an ad.iudication ol'u'atcr a ro priatiorr rights,a'fhc l¿rnn rvas not in proctuctiolr l'rotn the mid-1960s r¡ntil 1996, whcn Vfr- W acquirecl thc propcrty lìrnr his parcnts.
ln 1997. lvtr. Warc obtained f'ronr thc Commission the tcrm t that authoriz.ed him fbr tc¡l ycars t9 cliycrt ¡nd use 130 acre-l'eet of water fionr thc Rivcr to irrigate 100 -fhc acrcs. Pcrnlit rcclttired hini to limit his withdralvals. srrbjcct to the ri cr's l'atc ol'llort' during spccilìc ¡no¡rths.'lhe l'erniit also establishcd July 1, 1997 as "thc priorit datc oIthis permit and all cxtcrlsiolrs herccll'
I)uring the nvclve ycars itt rvhich Mr. Warc has h¿rd n ancl itrigation rigìrts,o he has tirrnlccl hny, puntpkins, whcat, sorghum, oats, and winter peas, Ic has triccl to inrpound
t \\,h.n the llr{rzos River Âuthority rvithdrc\v iLs prolest, it clal'ilicd that it no objcction to thc issuancc \uthoriry clid objcct to tltc crics of'operations b,r, w'hiclt opriativc right; thc \viltcr tt-l ission hits ulso tlc fì¡rcd --'r.¡¡¡nr rnritl, ol' state \\'iìtcr acquired bv larv." 101'r,x, Ar)MlN. CoDli ('l'AC) 5 291.1 (i) and (a). ' \\¡urc lìx. 2 " r\lthouglr thc lrcrrrrit l'vas to expirc on Novcmber 7,2007, his right to apprc priatc rvatcr has relnai¡rcd in cl'l'cct pcncling ¡ lìrral adrninistrativc ruling orr thc Application (3 i ¡,R,OI'OSAL FOR DEC¡S ION I)rrgc J soAr I DOCKlil' NO. 5li2-0tt- 1698 't'ctiQ DocK E't NO. 2008-01 tl l-wR
his rvatcr by installing six or scven earthcn tânks, brrt the co¡l1positi ol'thÈ soil linits tl'ìc amo¡nt 9l'rvatcr that thc tanks rvìll rctain. llc has purchased 100 ol'watcr rights and insrallccì tì,000 to 10,000 f'ect ol'two-inch pipes, plus an eight-inch ipc t0 a centr¿ìl pivot systcnt.T
ln addition to tarming, Mr. Ware has isst¡cd hunting leases to additional incollre to fì¡ncl thc fhrm's opcrations, I-le has also madc his land available at no to educational, non- prcllì1, ancì public cvcnts, inclucling sumnler camp programs held at lhc rrie lla¡'rtcs llanch, a 'l'cxas Parks ancl Wildlifè Dcpartrncnt làcility adjaccnt to his larnl.
lì. El)'s rccornmcndntion to dcny thc Application
Afìer N4r. Warc liled his Application in 2005. the ED's h1'drolo learn dctcrurincd that "littlc l0 no watctl was available at Mr. Ware's <iivcrsion point otl thc ampasas Iìiver, without 'fhc IID's rcgarcl to rvhethcr thc amcndcd Permit rvould havc a pcrpetual or lir irecl rerm.8 surlìrcc r,vatcr availability and interstate compacts tcam conñrmcd thc hydrology tc¿trn's 'l'hc rlremo that thc tcam hacl cortclusiort in n Watcr ,A.vailability R*'iew ,r',"mo.u calculatccl thirt insr-rf-tìcicnt rvatcr rvas available at Mr. W¿lre'S cliversion int to support cven the 'l-he team's alculation rclicd on thc original ll0 acrc-fcct oltcnn-limited appropriation rights. l). 'fhe calct¡lation Conlmission's Water Availability Moclcl lbr the [Jraz-os Rivcr Iìasin ( ¡sccl a lristorical pcriocl ol' rccçrcl of 1940 to l99l . l-hc tcam cd a priority clatc ol' .lanuary 5,2006, thc clatc on rvhich thc [ìD had dctcrnrincd thc Applicat to bc achninistratively curnplctc.
'l'r, * rÌD lut i3.4'1. arld ó5 tìx. 5 '' rìD lìr, 47 ) l')agc 5 so^llDocKtiTNO.582-08-ló98l',llol'os,'\LFoRDECISIoN 'rcEQ l)ocKET NO. 200¡l-0lttl-wR
C 'l'he issucs
Mr. Ware ¡llade five scparatc challcngcs to the ED's rcco nrcndcd clenial oi his osc his Âpplicatiort. ,,\pplication. Iìirst, Mr, Warc contcnclccl that the LiD had no authorit)' to I le assertecl tl'ìat thc law restricts Lhc IìD's role to thc prcscntati¡n o inlormatiort about thc to Application. 'l'trat restriction, accorcling to Mr. Ware, docs not give he DD the authoritY ly oppose his Application, particularly in thc abscnce of any clral engcs brought by othcr active holclers çl',rvatcr appropriatitln rights in thc Brazos Rivcr llasin
Application Sccontl, Mr. vy'are contendcd that thc ED had a procedural duty to trc¿ìt the lvlr. V/arc its iìt't uncontcstcd mattcl whcn thc Brazos Rivcr Authority rvithdreu' i opposition. hcaring a¡rcl firilure to alguccl that the ED's failurc to rvithclraw its request for a contcstccl approvc thc A¡:plication as an ttncontcste{ casc rvere breachcs ol'due S,
I 'l'hircl.
Mr. Warc cçntcndecl that the El) inrpnrperly rclictl solcly þn thc Modcl in making I 'l-exas trrc rcccrrrr'cncratio' to dcny tric Apprication. Notlri.g in restricls thc ivatcr larv I
r-.valuation of' the r\pplicertion to thc ED's Mocìcl. argucd Mr' Warþ' Ftrrthcr, lvlr' Ware cclnsiclcr l'actors that contcnclccl that his cluc process rights rvere violated rvhen the ED ailcclitof
ttlc El) had usccl in 1997 rvhen evaluating Mr. Ware's original Pcnnit ap$lication. i
Irourth, Mr. Ware colltencled that the Moclel lailccl to protccl his isting rvatcr rights. IIe asscrtecl that thc lVlodel disregardecl the prior appropriation doctlinc' M Warc also complaincd tlrat lhe N4oclcl reliccl on a data sct that was lìol]-ctlrretlt and in¿ìcctlrate.
I;ilili, lr4r. warc argucd that irr crcating thc lvlodcl, thc [il) i rmissibly rcliccl on a
priority clatc otltcr than thar statcci in ancl rcquircd by lhc 1997 Pcrnrit n doing lhis, Mr. Warc procedural atld asscrtccl. thc Ilt) clisregarclcrl thc Conrnrissio¡l's orcler and violated Mr Warc's propcrty rights. \) ) so,\H DOCKIi',T NO. XXX-XX-XXXX PRO|'OSAl, t-ol{ l)ECls loN l'rgc ó TCriQ r)ocK¡1]' NO. 200E-0lttl-wR
VI. DII)'[IITì IìI) IIAVE STANI)IN(; 1'O OPPOSE ]'TIE A l)LIC¿\1'ION?
In his rl,rìtlcn opcning statentcnt,r0 dtrring the hcaring,ll in his cl ing briel,12 ancl in his reply briel.'' ìVfr. Warc challcngccl the authurity of the ED to asscrt thc ghts o[ a prcltestant. A 'l challcngc to a pcrson's stat¡s as a party is a jrrrisdictional challcngc.l' challcnge is rejectecl.
Mr. Warc's argumcnt was that the IiD's role in a contested casc is linritcd to the provision of inf'or¡nation to cotnplcte the acllninistralivc record. Ii4r \Yare notccì that lor any I i
pcrson, inclucling thc IjD, to clainr the statlls olan ''af'tectccl pcrson." hb must denlonstratc tlte cxistencc o1' "it ¡.rct'sorrcrl justiciablc intcrest rclatccl to a lc'gal right. tt , privilege, power, or cconomic intcrest afl'cctcd by thc aclministrativc hcaring"'lj Mr. W arguccl that thc IiD's aclions ancl itttcrcsts wcrc based solcly on his status as thc agent of the ission. In that rolc. hc contenclcd, the IID's justiciablc interest, if any, could ncvcr bc a al intcrcst
l'hc ÌjD argucd that thc intc¡rtion of the lau"s limitation ol'his rol was t() cnsurc lhat thc lìt) clocs not aicl arr a¡rplicant in meeting his burclen of prool. [Jut, thc IlD, the limitation \\'as r-tot intcndccl to prevent thc llD lÌom dcmonstratirrg that an applicat n should bc dcniccl it'it l¿rils to protect statc watcr rcso[¡l'ccs.
"' "^clcl¡riolrullv. Âpplicarrt rnust r¡uestion the rolc olthc Flxccutivc Director in this procceding. whcrc thc l:rccLrtivc f)irectgr hus lssuntccl tltc posititlrt of a parrY protcsliìnt Opcnirlg Statcntcrtt by Âppliclnt' tlradlc¡, Il. Wrrc at 8, I rr 'l'r. llt 14. '' "'l'his casc \\¿ts unique irr that thc IEDl of'tlre IComrnission] appeared irl this cltsc as a scll'-stylccl 'prrìtcst¿uìt' . . . ." ,{pplicltnt's Closing Ârgttnrenl at l. ' rr "['l'lhc irurhority arrd porvcr [that rhc lìDl sccks to e.xercisc has bccn lcgallf prcclutlcd by uctit¡ll of'thc i
-l'cxirs t.cgislirrurc in prcscritring thc rolc of- . . . thc [ìDl spccifìcally in the'lcxas Wat(r Codc." Âpplicanl's lìeply to Closing Argurttcttts nl 2. i ro Nr¡vai,52S.W.3d704,?10-ll(Tc\ 200 l). .tr",t/ I).Åndersou()uncerCentvv. 't l'rìx. W¿\r rin Cot)r' A\N. .s 5.1 l5(a). IF.rnphasis addcd ] l PROPOSAL FOR DIiCISION Pagc 7 soAH DOCKIiT NO. 5lt2-08-1698 TCEQ I)OCK ET NO. 2008-01 8¡-wll
r\. l)id the IiI)'s p:rrty stttus dcpcnd on rvhcthcr thc IiD lv¿ls ¿¡ll å¡ pcrson?
It clid not. Iì1' statute, "any pcrson'' ma,v appeâr at a hearing at h thc issuance of'a pcrmir is to bc considcred.'u Ily Cotnmission rttlc, the h,D is requircd to rticipate as a Party rn contcstecl hcar.ings rclating to applications ¿¡bottt rvater rights.lT the ED mcets thc clollnition ol an "alt'ected pcrson'' is irrelcvant to these proccedings by virtuc of' thc IìD's statlrlory stancling ts a party
l]. Ditl thc scopc of thc ED's ¿uthori$' incluclc thc right lo prcsc an opposing c:rsc?
It clid. []1'statute, the ED is rcc¡uircd to rcpresent tho Commi in hearings that raisc n1¿ìttcrs that allict the prrblic's intcrest in the statc's cnvironmcnt and nat ral rcsources, incllrding lnâttcrs that have been clctcnlrinccl to be policics of the state.ls In con d casc pcrrnit hearings, thc Iì[)'s ¡rrescutation is limitcd to "thc solc purpose cll'providìng in rnation tcl complctc thc 'l'hat infbnnatioll is furtlier limitccl to "inlo ation del'elopcd b.v" thc aclnlinistr¿rtivc rccord."le Comnlission .rr2r) Ancl, in prescnting thc Cornmission's in[onnation, larv cl earl.v- prohibi ts thc lil) lior¡ itssisting an applicant in pernrittirrg matters'21
Ilut, thc larv docs not prohibit the ED liorn providing in on that opposes ¿ìn 'fhe larv pcrmits "any applicution, as long as thc inl-onlation is within thc linlits o1'thc sl¿ìtuto '['hc larv does not rcs t the l'orrn in rvhich thc pct.st)n" to gbjcct to the issu¿rnce of a pcrmit,22 IìD rnay prcscnt his inf'ornlatitltt, cithcr throtrgh documcntary or testi cvidencc. lìinally, thc Cornnlission has adoptcd proccdural rtlles that guarantec all part thc right to prescnt il
r'' 'l'lix W,r run Cor)E AN¡¡ \ I l. lll ro 'r'^c S 80. lo8(b)( t). '' 'l'fi.\. '* 'lt'x. w,\tt:t( coDtì 's 5.228(a). "' ANN. \ 5.228(c).
W,\1'tiR C(x)l' ^NN. tu 'l'1,\ W¡l'l;n Cot)ti -5.228(a). " ro l'¡\c S Bo. to8(c)^NN, "s lll. " I'r,\. w^ r tì'ì cot)ri ANN. \ II. ) PIìOPOSAI- FOII DI:CISION l'irgc 8 so^ll lx)cKIiTNO. 5tl2-08-l698 TCE() DOCK ET NO. 2008-01 lll-wll 'l'hc rulc' docs nol crcate clircct casc alld to crgSs-cxaminc an opposing ¡rarty's cvirJencc'23 ¿ì
s¡locial catcgory that limits or expartds the ED's rights as a contcsting parl v
c. wns thc infbrnration that the ED prescntcd rvithin thc limits o thc law?
It rvas. lìor rhis hcaring. the IID callecl two commission cmploy as ex¡rcrt wlluesses lll its dircct casc, Stcve lla¡nos ancl Kathy Alcxander' Mr. Ramos tc'stilìed ut the Comlnission's Ìvatcr rights pcrmitting process, and tu'ls. Alex¿rndcr lvfoclel. 'l'hc llD also testifìed abtltrt 'lhonras, a hydrologist clicitcd oxpcrt tcstirnony from a third Com¡¡ission employce. Jc[fì'cy 'l-llomas also tcstllied rvhonl Mr, Warc hacl callccl as an adverse u'itness. L,ike Mr. Ramos, aboul the Cotnmission's pcrmitting practices'
'l'hc liD cross-cxamined ìv'lr. Warc and his expert rvitness, ol Jones, a prolèssional cugincer rvho hacl workcd tbr thc Comnrission's prcdccessor agcncies. scopc- ol the cross- exa¡nination lìrcused on thrcc main isstles: (l) horv tl-re Model lvas lopecl, (2) rvhethcr thc Moclcl wâs ¿uì accl¡Iate ¡:reclictor of rvater availability in the Ilrazos Ri r llasin, and (3) rvhat factors thc Conrmission had historically considcrecl in processing appl ions lbr extensions of tcnn pcrrnits. All ol'thi.s testinrony relatcd to thc Cìornntission's inf'ormaf on
'l'he lll) ot'fèred lìve exhibits. cach of'rvhich rvas adrnittccl the rcsumcs ol' thc Cìonr¡nission's [hree tesrif ,ving cmployces,2'r a Ictter lÌorn thc HI) tr Mr. Ware.r5 ancl thc clcposition ol'Mr. Jones.2t' All of thc cviclcncc presentcd by the Iìlì was gcncratcd b-v tlrc Cortrrnis.sior-¡ or was of fcred to support thc intcgrity olthe Commissicln's rundcrlyin g lnfbrmation.
Alì ol'thc illtÌrrnl¿ttittn prcsctttcd rv¿rs '"vithirl thc linlit.s of thc larv.
,' j0't.^c ¡s lJO I l5(ir). t' ED tlxs. I, 4, ancl 6. tt rìt) [x,5. "' trD lìx i, j\ ) l':rgc 9 So^llDOCK!ìTNo.582-08.1ógflPROPOSÀLF.ORDh]clsloN 'l'ctiQ l)ocKE't NO. 2008-0181-wll 'l-hc DD hact standir'ìg to appc¿ìr as ¿l party in this proccccling arrd rva^s authoriz'cd to to Mr' Warc's case' prcscnt tlrc Conllnissiotl's evidcncc and iuguments in tlpposition ì
VII. wAS 1'IIIS ¡\N UNCONTESTED NIATTIìIÌ?
No, this \\,as a contestecl mattcr. An applicant may rcqLlesti that an application bc renlanclecl to tho ED lìlr actio¡ì as ùn uncontcstcd mattcr il': (l) all tinreiy hcaring rcqttcsts havc I
casc rcach a sqttlcment so that no f acts been rvithdr¿ìwn or r.lcniecl or (2) all parties to a contestecl oasc bccausc the ED remained a or issr¡cs re¡naiu controvcrtc.l.2T A hcarirrg rvas rcquirecl in this antl bccattsc pîrty to a contestecl case aticr thc Brazos River Authority withclrcrv itsitlpposition thcrc lr,¿ìs not a scttlcl¡cllt bctrvccn thc rctnainittg parties'
VIII. DID TIIB ED IVIPROPERI.,Y RELY SOLELY ON ìIID ÌVTODEL?
A The bur<tcn of proof an<t thc cvitlcntiary stnntlard for scientific tcstimony Ware, as applicant, wiìs For c¿rch ol'the substantive issucs raised in this healing, lvlr. thc lhctual support rcq'irccl lo sh'rv (hat thc factual suppolt lor liis contcntions outrvcighccl ¡rrcsctttccl b¡' thc t'rther pirny'18 .
Mr. Warc's burclc¡ was particularly clifTcult to sustain bccausc llc had to prove tltc a'ailabiliry crl'sulllcicnt Iìivcr basin at his clivc"rsion poittt' urrperlèctecJ water rights in the []razos 'l'hat proOf rcqtrírcd Mr' Warc tt-r alier giVirrg proPer recognition ro all superior rv¿ttcr rights. rcscrvcd by law to cxpcrt rvitncsses' ancl cx¡lcrt tcstimony ¡:rcscnt scicntillc tcstinlon),, an ¿ìrc¿ì 'l'hc larv pcnnits thc Iurcter ol'f¿rct to ctctcminc thc bc basccl o' a rcliablc tìrundation.l') '.lust cvicleutt.'''tn rcliability 6f'the evidcncc. and "lulnrcliablc cxpcrt tcstimon)'is not
'l',\c-' fJo lo l. "t* 30 ss lo I AC-' .l-1,\ 30.17. ,,, ' R. Dvlt). 702 t" (-;r-r,r,r v llttrt,l{gS.lV3(l 2li,237('fex App l"ort Worlh 200{, Pet. clcilied) "\ rl ( j 'l L FOII DF]CISION Pagc l0 soAl ¡ l)ocKFl'l- No. 582-0ll-l ó98 PROPOS¿\ TCEQ DOCKEl' NO. 200t1-01 lil-wR
'l'o cstablish thc rcliability of an cxpctl's tcstimony, an of'f'cring 5 ,arty must lìrst establish thc reliubility ol'thc analysis that thc cxpert ttsccl in rcaching ltis conr :Iusio¡rs.'ì'hc Suprcnre CoLtrt of 'l'cxas h¿ts añiculatcd six nonexclusivc l¿rcttlrs to be usccJ n dctcrmining rvìrctl'rer l
scicntifÌc tcstinronv is rcliablc:
(l) rhc cxtcnt to lvhich thc thcory has been or can bc tested; (2) the extcnt to which thc tcchniquc rclics upon the subjccti ve lnterprctatton o f the cxpert (3) whether thc theorY has bccn subjected to Pccr review and publication; (4) thc t que's potential rate ol' crror; (-5) r.vhethcr the underlying thcory or technique h a.s bccn ly acccptc'd as valid by thc rclev¿rnt scicntifìc communit¡'; and (ó) the non -judicial cs that have bcen made .lt ot'llrc ther¡rv or tcchnique Although lr,1r. Jones' crcdentials establishcd him as an cxpcrt, he id not cstablish that his nrcthocl ol' analysis had bccn tcsted- subjectecl to peer revicu' or p blication, or gcnerally ¿ìcccptccl as valicl by any scientilìc comnrttnitv. Mr. Joncs aclrnitted th hc had not dcvclopcd a
systcmatic or anitll,tical f'ramework by which hc coulcl dctennine the issuc in this casc whcther wiìtcr \vas avril¿blc at a givcn point in thc Brazos Iìiver basirl.l2
[ìr"rrthcr. thc intcrprc.tation oI Mr. Joncs' r'csults rvas ltis alonc, in part bccausc Mr- .ltlltes gc-neratccl no rvrittcn report that was availablc lbr revicw. lnstcad, he [eachcd his ccrncltlsions on "his revierv <.rl'thc lìlc and his rcvicw of'thc i¡rf'ormation on {hat Irvhichl is availablc tr¿rsed rcgarcling \\,arcr â\,¿ìilab[ilityl at this divcrsion point."33 F'inally, at to he non-.judicial uscs ol' ]
N4r. Joncs' nrcthoil. lvlr..lt¡nes establishccl that his analysís was nlLlch liki a nrethod that hnd bccn ¡rrcvior-tslv usctl hry thc Cttlttlnissit¡n but later hacl bcclt abanilonecl."t Ml Warc ciid not cstablish rh¿rt Vlr. .loncs' nlcthod olanalysis rvas rcliablc
tl /,1 r,t 237-38, citirrg I/cllcll Dott'l'hornt:¡,. lnc v. llu¡'ncr, 95i S.\\/.2dr i06, 714 ('l'cx. l9()7¡. ctrt. tlcni¿<l. -52i tJ.S, \i I I l9 (l99ll) alld [./. du P<¡ttl tle i\'cntour.t <(' ('rr. r' Rtthittrt¡tt,923 S' z¿ s.¡.), 557 ('lcr. l9c)-s) ') fr. ìlar 29,1. " l'r I ut 22)-14 t' \\'rlrc lìx. .19. ( i
SO,\il I)OC:KDT NO. 582-08-ló98 t)RoPos^ L l.'o R D l.lc ¡sloN lragc I I 't'crìQ DOCKEl' NO, 2008-0 I 8l-WR
ln rcltlition. llrt¡ch <,¡l'lvfr. Warc's cviclcncc fbcused on thc allc il inadcquacies of' tltc lìl[)'s rncthocl ot'nnalysis, the Model, rathcr than on Mr. Warc's s. Mr. Ware also paid pârticular attcntion ttl allcgcd llarvs in thc data on rvhich the Model rcli Mr. Ware prescntcd this linc ol' cviclettcc (mtrch ol' it throttgh cross-cxamination) i¡ ng to cstablish the prcponclerancc ol' his cxpcrt evidence ovcr that oft'cred by thc lil) r\lthough Mr. Joncs' testinror.ry w¿rs adtnitte<.l by rhe A[-J, counscl fbr the IìD timely objectctl o its rcliability. lìather lhrn concluct a Datúert-slylc hcaring-rvithin-a-hcaringl5 to clc inc reliability bclbrc consirlcring thc nlcrits ol'the saurc cvicìcncc, thc ALJ grantecl the IìD a ing ob.icclion. subject [o thc lil)'s righr to rcasscrt thc objcction. 'l'hc ED objcctcd to thc rcliability ot'N4r. .lottcs' i I
tcstirnony. ancl thc ob.icction is norv sustaincd
Noncthclcss, the ALJ has revicwecl all ol' lvf r' Warc's cviclen ancl has contparcd thc rc.lilrir,.- *,ciglrt ol'Mr. Ware's evidcncc to that of thc ED's. Bven il'M . Warc's cvidcnce vvere not rc'jcctccl fbr lack ot'rcliability, lr4r. Ware rvould not prevail on tltc p cc ol'evidcnce stenclarcl. 'l'hc Al.J prcscnts this atlditional analysis to ¿rvoicl thc lbr a rcnr¿rnd il' the C¡lnrurissigrì \\'crc to concluclc that lvlr. Wat'e's ex¡rcú cvidellcc is rcliabl q i
I3. 'l-hc rcgrrlatola schcme for the Ctlnlmission's issuancc of pcrnlits i 'l'þe rr,atcr ol'cvery lìorving ril'er in the Statc ol-'['cxas is the propþrty o['tl.ìe slatc. ancl thc 'l{lc Comnrissitrt htts thc Ctl¡rrnissiçn is thc st¿ìtc's agcrrt fbr the rcgulation t¡[ its rvater.'](' autþor.ity to rllorv pcrsons to appropriûtc statc watcr fbr spccilìc itrses.i7 Although thc Cgnlltissiol.ì l'lt¿tv grant pcrntits to applic¿ìnts who scck to appropriiifc tttlltppropriatccl slatc ryalcr,js lhc amoullt ol'rvater tor rvhich thc Comnrission may grant ¡rcrnriht t-ttny tlot bc tlrorc than is ir va i latr lc .'ì'' i
tt ,Sc.,-fl,x ll lrvlf). 104(c). ''' l'l ¡-.w^tt:Rcot)ttA\N.rs I1.02 1(¡). tt l't'\ W.\ r l,tt (.'ot)t, I I 022. "s '* It,x. !Vr\llrtì col)f: ^NN.
ANN. i\ I l.l11. "' l'1,\. w,\t-t,t{ c()f )ti rs I I 021(c). ^NN ( ( ) ] I'nge l2 SO,\ll DOCKET NO.XXX-XX-XXXX PROPOSAL IOR DECISION TCIIQ DOCKET NO. 2001ì-0llll-wR .Ihatpolicyrvascstablishcclbylarvinlg6Tlvhcnthc'f.cxaslc slaturc abltncltlnc'd thc both ri and apprtlPriativc chaotic corrclition of thc stâte's l'ornrcr svstem of rccognizing 'f'exas supremc court rights.r0 lrr its plircc, thc lcgislaturc adoPtetl a ncw systcm that ordcrly f-orum ancl proccclrlrc lbr the [comni on's] adjuclication ancl char¿tctcrizecJ as "¿rn 'l'he 'l'cxas lcgislaturc later rcqut the Comnrission l<: acl'rinistrati.¡l of watcr rights,"'lr '.proviclccertaintyinrvittermânagcment''bycvaluatingtlrestatc'smaj river basins.'12 tJsing to grant a v y of types of water t¡sc that intì¡rnlation, the conl¡l1ission now has thc authority watcr o ly to the extcnt and tìlr pcrmits. Iìor all permit.s, thc holcter has the right ttl appropriatc protcction of thc holders of' scnior watcr thc purposes statc(l in thc pcrmit'11 and subjcct to the rights,'r'l I
be all'c <ite d by thc ¿ìmounts that In aclclition, thc holclcr's righrs to appropriatc w'atcr nlay I
rhc holcicr acfually, .ses or carr bctlcfìciatlt' tt*c.ii "tAlll water not us cd is ctllsidr-rcd nol ¡i '"vatcr, then the right of appropriatccl."rr' Il't¡c lioldcr ol'a pcr'rit docs not bcnefìcially 'sc appropriatiort is consitlcrccl to bc tr<lt pcrficctecl'a7
by Cclrnnrission to Pcrsolls LJnperfictecl appropriativc w¿lter rights may bc rcallocatecl scck a pcmrit to Ltse thcsc othcr than the pernranent pcrnrit holcler. r\n applicant may utrpcrf'cctcc.l rvatcr rights fbr a tcr¡I ol ycars rather than in pcrpctuity ¡\ lernr pcrmit crcalcs y be achievccl.a') clcriv¿rlive rights, n0t original rigtrts, so that the maximum t¡se ol'rviìtcr
,( ,ltlirtilicttlirttt ol ll'uter of lSraios lll Scg'nent td ßru:o"; Rivar ßusin,746 S W.2d 207.209 "' 1,, Rights 1'l cx. 1988). [/lrrct.',r //i, herein]' " L.1. \ I l'0235(d-2) tt't T'lx. w,\'l l'lì col)l' ANN l'1,x. W,\'l l.ll C()f)l: /\NN \ I I ll5(a) " f'ttx, wn'l'l:ll C()f )l: 5r I t ll-5 I' .,, ,\n ..ap¡rrtlpriarivc right" is the right to irnpouncl, divert, slorc, lakc, or uic ^NN. ¡ specitic c¡tratttitv ol'statc \\irtcr occìtrircd by larv 30 I^C $ 297'l(4)' '"' l'|,x. w^ llil{ Cotll: ¡\xN. -li 1 1 025' 'r l'trx W,rtt lt Crllll'i\rl $ I l'02(r rß I'l'x W,\'l'lllì Cìol)l:ANN..s\\ I l'li8l(¡)and I I 026' 'l-tix. w,\'ttìtt Lìof)lì /\NN, \ ll 123' "' (] .)
PROPOSA 1, FOIì DECISION l'age I J SO,\ll DOCKET NO' 582-08-l ó98 TCEQ DOCKU'l' NO. 2008-01 8l-wll -l'¡e Corlrnrission lnay dcny an application fbr o tcrnl pcrmit if'thc pcrrnit rvilljco¡rardize fìna¡rcial cornmil¡lìe¡rts l'or watcr projectssr) or if'thc pcrnrit rvill prcvent thc holdcr ol'the scnior appropriative rigþt frolr beneficially using his rights during the pcrioct pf the tcrm pcrntit.jl tl' thc Co¡lnlissiou approvcs a pcnnit, thcn thc rights that it conf'crs arc srtb0rclilìatc to an¡'scnior appropriativc ri ghts.s2
'l'hc Commission has atloptccl a rulc govcrning its issuancc of icrm permits. 'Ihc rulc aclcls thrcc rclcvant prclvisions to the languagcof thc stalute.sl l:irst, the òomnlission ntay issuc a lcrm pcr¡rit "when tllerc is insul'ñcient unappropriertcd rvater in the source of'srrpply to satisly thc application."5't Seconcì, a hol<lcr of a scnior appropriativc right may challengc an application lìrr n tcrnr pcnlit by shorving that the C'orrmissit-rn's issuancc of-a temripenrlit wotrld adversely thc holdcr's bcnclicial usc ol its scnior rights. In proving this aclverse efl'ccl, the holcler ¿rf-l.cct tìlav ¡sc as its prool': watcr usc projcctions in the stale or regionali water plans, econo¡lric ilttJicators, populariorr grrlrvth pro.jections. electrical generation Ilccds, or "othcr rcas0nablc projectigns birsccl on accc¡rtccl mcthods."ss 'l'hirtl, thc Cornrlission clarificcl that it rnay deny an application il'the is.sualtcc ol'a ploposeci penlit rvoultl be dctrimcntal to thc public rvclfare.'sô
C. 'l'hc ttctcrmin¿rtion of thc avnilabilit¡' ol u':rtcr for appropriation
I¡ 1997, the'l'cxas legislature manclatcd the Cornrnissicln to aclopt an updated \vater availability ¡rodel lbr six rivcrbasins in Tcxas." J'l't" Commission contiacted r'virh a h¡'drologist at 'l'cxas A&M tJ¡iversity to dcvclop a solìrvarc packagc, thc Watcr Rights Analysis Packagc, 'l-hc sofìrvarc is dcsigrlcd to be uscd in tbr thc purpose ol rlctcrmining watcr availability.5s
"' l't,x. w^'n:tì, C()t)t, \\ I l.ll8l(b). ''tt l'r,x. W^'r'r,R C()Dtì /\NN ^NN. ¡s ll.liSl(c).
W,\'l t,l( C'r lut; Âx¡¡ $ I I I I8 l(d). t' lol t-:\r-AC: 297, I 9 "' 'l'Ac "s\ 2t)7.19(ir). ,t io:t_t l'Âc sc 29?.19(bX2). "' j0 't Ac' ,\ 297 t9(bx.t). s' I-t'x \\¡nlt:f{ (lot)t,ANN N l6 012(tt). t* l-r I ¡t12-'1) ) r') Page l{ SOAIIDOCKETNO.532-08-I698PROPOSÂLFORDECIS¡ON 'rcEQ DOCKET NO. 200tt-01 8 l-wR
con1uncrion with a clata sct lbr cach ol'thc'lcxas rivcr basins. 'l'he outptlt is a watcr availability -l'lte rnoclcl thtt projccts thc ar,¿rilability ol watcr OVer timc at a particulai divcrsion point' 'l'hc sof-trvarc is now soli*,rre rras l.rcen upclated a numbcr of tir¡cs since its originar adoption. rusecl by thc Iìì) tr¡ nroclcl trventy-tltrcc river basins in'l'cxas'5e
a tcrm that rcl'crs to lvloclcl bcgins rvith the Df)'s clcvclopment ot'"naturalizc-d tlows," -l.he the llD.s cstirnate ol. thc fìrtrv in a rivcr in the abscncc of the divcrsio¡r ot'watcr by human intcrventiou.60 Ba.sc<.l on this estinrate, the ED ntay rr¡n trvo silnulations,t'l A "ltll authoriz-ati0n ¿ullount. 'l'hat simtrlation sir¡ulation', is used to dctermirre all rvatcr rights at their lull authoriz.cd 'l'he tull includcs no rcturn florvs ancl includes rescrvoirs at their as-built capacities.ó2 rvatsr' auth.rizati.n sinrulation is usocl in cletcrmining thc availability ol'unappropriatcd I
I
.l.hc IiD also nray nu.¡ â "currcnt conclitions simulation" to simulqte allthc rvatcl rights in years, rathcl thln at thcir authorizcd thc basin at thci¡'rnaximum amounts rcportcd in the last l0 diminishcd capacities amou¡rts. 'l-hc currcnt conclitio¡rs sinrulation inclu<Jcs rcservoirs that ltavc 'fhc cuncnt conditions sinrulation reflccts lhc rv¿rtcr cluc to siltati.' ancl inclr¡cles rcturn l'lorvs. sittlul¿rtion, the UD is ablc rights at their highesr reportctl t,s..t'l I],¡s.d on the currcnt concJitio¡is t' clcte-rnrire ths avaitability ol'r.vatcr tcl a particular applicant al ¿ì particular location' 1'he EI) uscs thc cL¡rrcnt conclitions simulation to clcterrnine thc avail¿rbility of'lrnpcrfèctcd rvatcr rights l'or tcrm pcrnrit aPPlicants.
In clctcrnrini¡g rvatcr availabilitl,, thc liD is guidccl by thc provisions ol'a Cotlrnrissiorl rulc.,,'t 'l'hc rulc rccluircs that {-or dircct clivc-rsions lì'onl a strcânl rvithout strl-licicnt w¿ìter stor¿ìgc
t" '['r. I at l'16. (¡i r. I t. I ¡t 79-t10, ul 'l'r. I at 32-8i. u' 'l't'. I at g2. 'l'he ti¡llarthorization sinlulation clocs not includc rcturn florvs urllcss lnandated by thc tcrtns 'l lrc rcaso¡r frrr ¡lo( irrclucling rcturn llrrrvs is that interrttptible arnount! are not coulrlcd lo\var(l the rll tlrc pcrnrit. total nv¿ril¿rblc fbr pcrrnitting. ßÌ ,,. lr. Ilt87 ''t lo 't'AC li 297 .12 I \ ( ) J SO^tlDOCKETNo'5E2-08-1698|,!ìoPoSAt,FOllDliClSlONl,agc15 TcÍlQ DOCKET NO. 2008-01 8l-wR must be available approxinratcly 75% of'thc tàcilitics, approxirtrat cl¡,75Voof'thc water requcst unclcr ttrat rule, Mr. Warc's original timc b¿rsecr on thc avairabrc historic stream frorv rccorcr, requcst exceedc'd tl'rc75Yo criterion in 78?ô of' lf)r)7 a¡rplic¿rtio' *,as tbuncl to com¡rly becausc his fhil because his rcc¡ucst mct ¿r t¡c ycars.(,s Br¡t. Mr. Warc's cun'cnt Application was f'ouncl to none of'trre yeirrs, irnc'l at least 50% in'nl¡- r00r% critcrion i¡r nonc ot-thc years, at reast 75yoin ol rhc y.arr.t"'
and uscd by the Althotrgh ¡rrcvious water avaitability mtldels wcrc clcvcloped 'r'rrc cr)nrmissi'n has rclicd on thc c.onrrlissio., thc currcnt ìvlocrer has bccn in use since 2001. righfs since thcn'67 Moclcl irr cr,¡luating all appliclttions lor appropriativc
I). f)iscussion rvas ottly tlnc olmany tools that Mr. Ware.s cxpcrt, Mr. Joncs, contenclccl that the lr4oclcl rvatcr availability.t's 'lhat argtul]cnt protrptecl a scrics ol lcgal shoLrlcl be considcrccl in eValuirting on thc Modcl, ittcl'cling: (l) clocs thc lau' clrallcrrgcs about thc aL¡tl.rority ot'the tjD to rcly solcly rec¡uirc the use ol-thc Vlodcl cvaltrating the Applicati.n; (2) il'not' rnay'othcr a'alytical tools i' quantit-v- ol'rvatcr as bq usccl; ancl (l) is thc usc of tlrc Moclcl a¡lpropriatc rvhcn the request is lbr a srì¿rll ¿rs that rcc¡ucslccl by i\zlr. Wnrc'?
I . I.cgnl issucs ir. l)ocs thc larv rcr¡uirc thc usc of thc Motlcl?
It tl.cs.or. Although thc lau,reclttires the DD to evaluate rivcr basins ilr thc statc'h') tþe lvfodcl' 'l'þc ¡cit[cr. tlìc stût¡tes nor the Comr¡ission's rules rccluirc tþc IID to tlsc
''5 'f ,'. I irt I 00- I0 l ; \\/ arc lìx. 49 ' "" \\'u¡.'lix,4t) "' l'r. I irt 7l-71, 99. ¿rnd ìó8 ,'H 'fr no Icporl ol'his firrdirrgs' I .t lli l\1r. Joncs tcstificd about his conclusions bÌlt prepíìrcd "'' l'rì\ W,\ lìiR Lì( )r)1, ANN. \ I I .0215(d-l)' .)
s()^H DOCKE't NO. s82-08-1698 I'IIOI'OSÂ1, F'OR D¡ìC IS ION Pagc 16 'rcEQ DOCKAT NO. 2008-01 ttl-wlì
çç¡nmissio¡ is sipril¿rrly rrot rcquired to cvaluate an application based oniits compliancc with the stûrc !\,i.ìtcr plan ancl rcgional watcr plan.'l'hc law provicles for a waivcr.if-conclitions wanallt.Tt) 'l'hc l:l)'s 0xpcrt rvitncss, Kathy Alcxanclcr, tcstifìcd that althotrgh that the ED is ttot rcquired to rcl1, o¡'l t[c lvloclcl. hc Lclies on it Às the best moclcling tool availablc.Tl
ln tcstirnony and in brief.s, thc ED clcscribcd horv the M<¡del h¿ts becn usetl in all applicatitrrrs involving watcr availability sincc the Water Rights Ânalysis Package rvas apprclvecl lor u.sc and clclivcrccl to rhe Clornrnission.T2 Although the record relicits that the Conlmission c6¡1¡issionccl thc dcvclo¡:mcnt of thc Water tìights Availability Package and has ttscd it f'or ninc ).ears, tþe rccorcl in this procecding included no relèrence ttl the adoption ol'anv statutor-v or rcgulatory rcc¡uircntent that this package ol solìware and databascs bc usçd. In short, thc FID and lvlr. Warc arc ¡rol rcc¡uirccl to usc the Vlodel in detennining rvhether water is available in any :
rivcr b¿rsin in'l-cxas.
b. If not, may othcr analytical tot¡ls l¡c usctl?
]-hc IID has thc authority to usc whatcvcr analy'tìcal tools hc linds mclsl. apprclpriatc. I3y st¿rtutc. thc Con'unissiou has thc ar¡thority to conlract lìlr ''scicntilìc and tcch¡lical cltl'ir<¡nmclttal 'l'hc ED has the scl,iccs." irrcluding scicntifìc data analysis, to be usecl in thc F.D's nrodeling.Tr nuthoritv to cnlbrcc lhe tcrms ancl co¡rclitions ol'any pennit.Ta Although not spccilìcally statcd. a legical asslrnr¡:tion is that thc'Ijl) also has the authoritY to usc his scicntilìc clata anttlysis irr cnlbrci¡g the tcrms ol'a pernrit and ilr presenting infornlation about an application fbr a pcrmit.
Ncithcr tlle statutcs nor thc rulcs inclucle eury proltibitions against the lìD's ttsc ol- anv s¡lccilìc typc ol' inlorrnation irt evalttating an zipplication.
tu l'tìx, \\/¡\'l titì CODI: ANl.t. :\ I I .ll4(bXSXti), t' r: lì'. I rr 2oo. l'r I irt ló8 t' I'1,\ w,\ lt,tì clot)ti ANIJ. rs 5.2291(a). '' l'1,\ \\',\ I I'R C()f)11 /\NN, s\ 5 2i0. i) r] so^l¡ rx)cKIÌ'l' No. 582-08-l ó9ll PROI'OS¿\ l, t'0lt DfÌClSl()N Pagc l7 1'CEQ DOCK ET NO. 2008-0l tJ l-WR
ln this casc, Mr. Warc argucd that tools other than thc Modcl arc av¿ìilablc. Thc Colnnrission's orvll rules authoriz-c a contcsting pcrmit holcler to rcl¡',',nl''r.nrnnoble projections buscd on ¿ìcccptcd rncthods."75 A ¡'c¿rsonablc conclusion is that an appli.iat',t ancl thc IìD may clo thc sanrc
c Is the usc of thc Modcl :rppropriatc in cvaluat¡rig a rcqucst ft¡r ¿t snlall amou¡lt of rvatcr?
It is. lvlr. Warc arguecl lhat thc Modcl rvas inaclequale to usc in consiclerirtg npplications tbr smoll rcqucsts lbr water. I'lc poinled out tlìat his requcst to withtJraw 150 acrc-lcet olwalcr anntrall¡, translated into no nlore lhan 2.5o/o ol'thc cslimatcd annual cvaporativc losses to thc lJrtzos River Authority's tJo,,vnsrrcanr Stillhor¡sc IIolloiv Lakc.7'; lvli'. Warc challcngccl thc rcliabitity olthc Modcl to cvaluatc changcs ol'such a tirry magnitudc.
Ms. Alcxantlcr cxplaincd that the Model is designed to bc thq most iìccuratc methocl availablc to thc l:D rvithot¡t regard to thc sizc of'thç recìuest f-or watcr. fhat clcsign rclies in part on tllc iVforlcl's usr'of a pcriod ol'recorcl. 'l'he period of record gives thc Conltnission a sct of' historical boullclarics ranging liclnl the rìrosI severc basi¡t-wi<]c drought io tho ntost sr'r'crc llotld ¡:criocls cvcr rccorclcd. l\4s, Alcxander explained that thc historical pcricid rvas clcvcloped by the (lonlnrissiorr irr conjunctiorl rvith other state agencies. Thc Commissionlh,rs rclictl on the Moclel fr¡r thc lJraz<rs lìivcr basin sincc thc N4oclcl was put into usc, I
Ms, Âlcxaltilcr also expluined that lhc Moclcl rolics on an appliiant's particular ltlcation rvithin ¿r rivcl b¿rsi¡l to dctcrnrinc availability. Shc cx¡rliiinccl that if arr applicant's divcrsion point is loc¿ttccl rvithin a largc drainagc area, thcn thc a¡r¡llicirrìt \voì.tld be ablc to rcly on largc slrcarìlflt>rvs antl potcntially gruater rvater ¿rvailabilit)-.7? 'l'he Comnrission gathcrs inl'onn¡lioll alrout w¿ttcr rvithin thosc strcallrl'lo*'s by rclf irrg on gaugq inf'ornration. Whcrc gaugc '' lo-t¡c \ 2()7 r9(bX2). '" 'l'¡'. ll nt 27-.Ì-74. '' l r. I lt 19,1. ) I'nge l8 sO.\llDOCKllTNO.582-08-l(TgSPROPOS'^\LFOIIDIIC'lSlON l'CltQ l)ocK ¡i]' NO. 200t1-0181-wll I
in[orniation bascrj on thc infornration is unavailable, thcn thc Conrmission rnay cxtrapolatc ¿is ''natt¡ralizecl llorvs.''78 rc*clings at ncarby gauging stations. a process proclucing clata knorvn -l'hc v¿rlL¡e to thc Ctlmnlission bc-cattse it reflccts thc monthly qvcragc of thc llow in a clata þas strcarìl rvithin a rcporting periocl'7')
ììinirlly, lv,ls. Alcxan<ler cxplaitted that thc Modcl takcs into count an aPplication's 'l'he role of the priority date is detcrminc thc senioritY priority clatc in cvaluating a rcqucst. status of a plrrticular appropriative right previously givcn by hc Ccrmmission. lrl Ms. r\le-xandcr's lvorcls, rhe llD cxalnincs thc priority date to dctenninc
who has lirll - rvho Ih]as pcrpctual authorizations in your arca nd in fact in the rvholc Braz-os Iìivcr llasin bccause one ol'tlrc things that the lwatcr a ailability rnoclclsl clo rs allorv us to look at availability and etfect on other water ri on a basinwidc scalc, rvhich wc belicvc is a requiremc¡t t¡nder the Water Corjc bccau wc can't grant a Pcrmit that u't>ttlcl ltann sot¡cttnc elsc.8') i
Ms. Alexa¡clcr cx¡rl¿iucd that b1'examining an application in terrþs olthcsc thrcc fàctors' pcriod ol-record, locatiou. ancl priority clate, thc IID is able to cvaluate a[ applicatìon olarty sizc rclatecl her clforts to in tcrms of thc currcnt conclitions presented. As an cxamplc, Ms. Alcxa¡iclcr cxtminc Ìür. Warc,s application in tcrnrs of his cxpanded rec¡rtcst ol'150 acrc-lcct' thc original 'l'hc tvlodel is capablc l-i0 acrc-ltct. and clinrinisherl anlounts as srrrall as l0 aclc-f'cct, o1' cst proclr.rcing a rcsult that projcctccl avnilability rvithotrt regarcl to thc siz'c o t' the rc(lu I I
2. Mr. .lonc.s' ln¡rlYsi.s :
i
l' aclditio' te arguing that thc clc.sign of'thc tvloclel rvas flarvcd, fvlr. .loncs also aclvaltced his orvn arralvsis. I'¡at ar-ralysis rclicd in part on tt balancc bctrvccn tþc scopc ol'lvlr'.
W¿rrc's rccìr¡r'st ¿rncl tltc then-cun'cnt rvithclr¿rrval ratcs ol'thc tlost proxitt-,nl ,ui,t.l. ririhts tlscrs alltl thc inflorv ratcs '* l'r. I ¿rr 77-ti I :'' l'r llat i5.t *(' lr ll irt 172 '\J ]
SOAII DOCKET NO.532-08-Ió98 PROPOSAL FOII DECISION l'ugc l9 TC¡lQ DOCKT:T NO. 2oo8-oltll-wll
fvlr, J<¡ncs cxaminccl thc clilTcrcncc betwecn thc amot¡nt ol r'vatc bcing rcportcd as ttsed by Mr. Warc's nciglibors ancl thc atÌtount ol'rvater that thcy arc permittc to rvithclraw (morc thart rcr¡uircd lbr his Pcnrtit);8l thc number ol'contplaints ab6ut lack ot'w r availability tìlecl by clolvnstream pcrmit þoljcrs (nonc);s2 thc streamflolv gaugc readings ar lvfr. Ware's t'unn, particular at Kcnrpncr, ctosest to Mr' Ware's dil'ersion point ( ;;8r the amount ol inrpervious covcr ctcvclopecl since 1997 (substantial),84 and the volr-lmc rcturn t'lorvs creatcd by w¿tstcwatcr trc¿ìtrnc¡lt plants (largc).85 lvlr. Jones easily concludcd sufficicnt amot¡nts ol \vatcr wcrc availablc at lvlr. Warc's divcrsion point and that if tltc nr¡nission approvccl thc ¿ìtl'to¡nts that ilulr. \\'arc lracl rcqucstcd. clorvnstrcatn pcrmit ltoldcrs tvot¡ cxpcricncc no a<Jvcrsc cf'll'cts.
Although thc dala on which lvfr. Joncs relied rvas clcar. his hocl oI analysis did not satisf y the elcnlellts of thc larv controlling the award of a term pcrntit bricf , Mr, .lones did rrot cvalu¿rtc thc claims tli¿t scnior watcr rights holdcrs have otl thc water idcntifìed by Mr. Joncs. r\lthr-ruglr thc lnw takcs into ¿ìccolt¡ìt any objecticlns by" seni r watcr holdcrs, the larv rctluircs thc ob.icc:ting parlics to prescl1t eviclence in support ol'thcir cctious. Ilut, thc law rlocs not takc into ¿tccounI thc abscncc ol'complaints.sr'
Although thc strcatttflow gauge readings ¡rcar Mr. Warc's l'arnr shorvecl that rvater ntay havc Ilowr:tl nc¿rr his propcrt¡,, tltc gatrge readings do not takc inlo acc nt thc rights ol'cxistirrg pcrurit holdcrs rvith supcrior rights.87 Âlthouglr the amottnt of impcrvi 0 s covcr develo ¡:ed since I I
1997 nray rcturrr nlorc w¿ttçr- to thc basin than arlticipatcd in the hi sqorical pcriod o f' rccord, Mr. W¿rrc did ntrt show that l\4oclcl's pcriod of rccorct lìrilcd to accttratcly rcllcct thc historicul
\\¡¡r'c lìxs. 9, 10. 13, 11, 18, 21, 22, ?.4,25,28,29, ll, 'i8r 'l'r. 31, 36' 17, arrtl 40.
tt 'rr, II atat 233, 2i4. , l'l' ts lrl *t' I't,\. W¡\ il,R C()t)lì ¡\ I I. liS l .
*'i0'l'r\C ss 'l'hc rulc proviiles an applicalion tìlust "not crcatc ^NN.
197,1.5(u) an 'n,lvcrsc inrpact to an cxistitrg w arcr right (,) \.J PIIOI'OSAL I OII I)ÈìCIS ¡ON I'nge 20 SO¡\ll DOCKI:T NO. 582-08- I 698 'fctìQ DOCKIìT NO. 2001t-01 tl l -wfì,
highs and lorvs ¿rs rcquirccl b¡, larv. Although the return llorvs to bu creatcd by rvast$vatcr trcatnlent pla¡ts ¡1¿ìy accuratcty be projcctccl to acld lnorc watel to the b in, thc rccord docs not rctlccr that their clischargcs havc been approved ot'that Mr, Ware's ri to wilhdraw that watcr (i l- grantccl ) 1i,oultl bc supcrior f o rhat ol' otþer pcrrnit holciers,sE
¡\t bcst. Mr. J¡ncs' analysis was a dctenlrination ol'whethcr thc approval oi Mr. Warc's rcqucst coulcl bc sttstainccJ f'rom thc flow of the rivcr in recent years wl advcrscly irnpacting rhc righrs ol' somc ol'tþc surgLtncling permit holclcrs. AItþough Mr. arcrs request tnay have ntct that lr-.st. that mcthocl ol'cvalttation did not satisly thc rcquircmcnts lau,
IX, IS TH!] MODEL FATALLY FLA}VDD?
N4r. Wl¡rc argucd tliat thc lvf oclcl relics on fl¿rrvcd clata
¡\. Natur:¡lizctl florvs
t'hc first of thcsc flawcd data, according to Mr. Warc, ariscs nr the U)'s nlistakcn rcliance on "naturalizcd llorvs." Mr. Warc objcctcd to thc [ìD's ticc of usin-u estimates, intcrpolittio¡ls, or pro.icctions iu dctcnnining thcsc amounts. Mr arc clr¿rracteríz-ecl thesc u¿ltrtraliz-cd flolv lìgurcs as "ltypothctical coltstrt¡cts"8e ancl the pro s of a l'ncrc "computer sintulation." thc crcclibility oirvhich was rooted in an equally qucstiona e "articlc of'laith."')(l In corrlrast, he clcf-cndccl Mr..lolrcs' opinion âs morc reliable than that of thc Model bcc¿rusc \4r. Jo¡rcs' rr¡tinion rv¿ts thc procltrct ol'trnalysis using empirical clata.el
** wrrc tìx. r" l'r I¡t81.-50. '"' l l. I irt I LS- l l(r 'l'hùse tcnìts rvcrc rlevel0¡retl irr lulr. \\/¡re's cr()\s-c\íìlì irrutiolt of' tltc Crrtnrrrissiolt s o nr p lo.t-ce s. 'ì | () ,' lx J SO¡\ll DOCK E'l' NO. 5lJ2-08- 1698 ¡,Iì,OI'OSA L I. OIì D þ]C ¡S ION I'ngc 2t TCIìQ I)OCKIìT NO. 200tt-0 81-wR 1
lvf r. Warc arguccl thut the Commissign shoulcl rely on c¡r¡ririca I inf'ornlatit)n instcad of' estirnatcs. rvltcrc possiblc. f Ie challcrtgcd thc BD's use olthe estimatcs h ccause of the possibilit)' that the¡, understittcd thc amtlunt ol'rain returncd by runoff crcatcd by r rew inrpe ntleablc covcr. 'l'hat undcrstatcnlcnt, colrtcndccl Mr. Ware, could be sul'ficicnt to acc<-l unt fbr the cxcceclingly sllall ¿rntount ol'aclclitional rvatcr lbr rvhich hc rvas seeking approval.
'l'hc ED arguccl that lhc dcternrination ol luturc availability of'¡ n,atcr is a process tltat i data. Mr.l 'I.'homas explainccl that ncccsszrrily relics on intpcrfèct bL¡t best-avnilablc historical sonrctirncs au cstiulate is rrccdetl rvhcrc no clata is availablc bccar¡se t arc sorlc arcas w'hcrc thcrc arc not completc gauge llow historics t-or the cntirc hisloric riod ol- rccor,l.e2 I Ic cxplainccl that thosc cstimatcs arc devcloped by relying on ¿ì r'aricty ol' , including ncarby rainfìrll amounts ancl cstintating tcchniqucs that are built irtto tlic Model
,t\ttliough lr,{r, Warc nray tìnd grcater reliability in thc prccision f thc gaugc rcports than in thc natr¡ralizctl floiv estinlatcs, ttothing in thc law reflects that prc.iutlicc. 'l-o the contrar'\,. thc Clclnnlission's own rulc authorizcs the t¡sc ol'approxirnat nunrbcrs in cstinrating rvatcr avaitabilit-v- in pcrrnit application proceeclings,')l 'l'hc ovcrall reliability ol' the liD's conclusions is not sr.rspcct or ntaclc less creclible becausc they incltrdc matcs. 'l'he argunrcnt is rc' jccted.
ll. lmpcn'ious covcr
Vtr..loncs ars,ucd that lhe Model lìilccl to cotlsider thc incrcasc< intlorl, into thc llrazos Iìivcr basin lionl incrcascd inr¡lcrvious covcr. lvlr. Joncs used ¿r rvatcrsh cl map ol'Rcll C'ountve'l and historic¿¡[ ¡çrports ol'gaugccl l]o,uvs at thc [Jnitcd Statcs Ccological S, )rvlcc gaugrng st¿ìtron al Kc'nrpnr-r to support his contention tlìat water \v¿ìs available at Mr. Warc' s divcr.sion point
"t 'f'r I tt i6-'77. "' -jo 'l'^c rs 297 d2(c) "r Wirrc Ex. 54 ] .J Prrge 22 SO,\ll¡)oCKETNo.582-08-l698P|ÌOPOSALI.-OllDIlC¡SloN 'rcFlQ DocKE'r NO. 2008-0181-wR
'l-[e lll) clicl ¡ot contcst Mr, Joncs' asscrtion that dcvcloplnent i thc [Jrazos Iìivcr b¿¡sr¡r
in the lasl ten yc¿lrs. [lut, N'fs. Alexander tcstifìcd that i lusion of'nlorc reccnt hacl incrcasetl g¿'t¡gc llorv clat¡ rvoultl havc no cflsct on thc historical pcriod ol' usccl in the Model.es p ved to exist, rvould be Ancl. Mr. 'l'hom¿rs tcstifì0d that thc addition ol "ncw water"' if it rvcre c<luld not bc trcatcd as subjecr to all prior appropri¿ìtion rights of senior watcr rights holclcr availablc l'or ncw allocation."(' 'l'hc provisions ol'the'l'exas Water Code support thc l"D's Iìcturn florvs are 'l'his part ol\'f r' Wa 's argunrcnt is rcjcctcd subjcct to rcscrv¿rtion t'or other clownstreanl t¡scs.e7
C. Wlstcrvatcr trc¿rtmcnt phnt rcturn llorvs
Mr. Joncs arguctj that thc ßrazos Rivcr basin contains waste treatnrcnt plant rcturn ju scliction) that rvould bc llorvs (most ol'ivhich rvcre identilÌed in the Ilrazos lìiver Authority's 'l'l-t.se returns, argtrccl Mr. J cf I'ectivclv pul. more availablc lor lr4r. Warc's appropriation,'8 th¿rt Ìvlr. Warc shoulcl watcr inlo thc basin than thc lv{oclcl originally idcntilicd' Mr. Joncs argu usc thcsc f'lolvs in c¿¡lculating rvatcr av¿rilability at ltis divc n point. bc cntitlccl tr-r
'l'hc t:D showctl that the Brazos River Authority's rctì.lrlt flows oonrc availablc only at 'l'hc lJrazos Rivcr Ätrthorit has the riglrt to clil'crt thc. lirrttrcst clorvnstrc¿ulr point in thc basin. thur rvatcr at upstrciìr'lr locations, btrt only if, its application for a Sy nr Opcration Pcrnrit rs grarrtccl. 'l'hat right is cotrtingctrt on tltc Ilrazos Rivcr Atrthority's Itavin rvatcr storatgc caP¿ìcltY. lrr elc¡rcut not i¡rcltrdccl in lvfr. Ware's application. ln acldition, thc Ill) orved that Mr. Warc's right to withcìrarv watcr'. il grantecl, wotlld bc infcrior to the lJrazos ivcr Authority's scntor tllcsc rctnents luppro¡lriittivc rights stalus.')') Mr. Warc's ¿ìrgllment fàilcd to take into ac runt rcc¡tti
ot'l¿trv ¿utrl is reiected
"' I'r. ll at 3-ll-.19; [D lix. ó. '"' 'l'r. ll at 29i. -lti\. W,\'l'l;lì Col¡t. ¡\x:1. "t s\ I 1.016(c) '" warc l-lxs. 4l antl 50 '"' :io'f A(-I \ 297.45 (
SO¿\ll I)OCK l-T NO. 5li2-0li-l 69lt l'}ROPOS¿\L lrOR l)ECISION Pugc 2J ]'CEQ DOCKEI' NO. 2008-01 8l-Wll
X. I'RIOIìITY DA'TI]S
lvlr. Warc arguccl that in clcnf ing lvlr Warc-'s applicatiorr. thc UD \vils irnproperlv trt'ing t() prc scrvc \v¿ìrcr for usc by thc lJrazos lì.ivcr Authority.l00 Mr. Wa¡'e clainlcd that thc lll) l
nliìlll p rulatcd thc priority clatcs ol'Mr. Warc's Application so that its priority rvoulcl bc inltrior to that of'thc Ilrazos Iìivcr ¿\uthority's pcrmit application
In making thcsc allcgations, lvlr. Warc accurately notetl that Jul I , 1997. is thc priorit¡, l() | date statccl in the l'crnrit ancl is thc priority datc f'or all its cxtcns or'ìs. tlut. thc lcgal conse(p¡ence ol'tlrc Comnrissicln's inclusicl¡r clf that provision became an issuc in this procccding. l\,fr. Walc contc¡lclcd that thc liD's usc ol'a datc othcr than July l. I 997. in cvaluating his applicatiorr rvas lhc IìD's singlc most ilnportaut errtlr in his rcvicrv of' lrc Application.rol'l-hc cllcct ol'that crror, according to Mr. S/arc, rvas that thc El) lhc statutc that stutcs. "¡\s bctrvccn a¡rpro¡lriators, thc lìrst in tirnc is thc llrst in r'ìghl."l0l In jcontrast, the IìD arguccl that thc Cornlnission hacl nevcr granted Mr. Ware thc right to appropriat( rvatcr ancl that hc ncvcr hacl tllc right to cl¿rinl the r¡.sc oIstalc w¿ìler pursu¿ìnt to arl ¿rppropriativc,ligh,."'t
r\. 'l'hc l,D's rtrgttmcnts
I. l)ocs thc Pcrnrit ruthorizc l\{r. Ware to approp rii¡te l'ntcr?
f t clocs. On its fìrst pagc, thc I)cnnit strìtcs, "NOW. 't-lll:lllìFORIì. this pcrrnit to ap¡l'opriutc ancl u:;e Statc Watcr is issucd to llracllcy Il. Ware,. . . ."10s ¡ti clcarcrst¿ìtcnlcnt of thc Coutnlissiot.ì's intcl.ìtiort to givc iVIr. Ware the right to a¡lpropriate stalc rvatcr undcr thc tcnn I'cnnit rvoLrld bc tlif'lìcult to drafi, "") i\pplicant' lìcply to Clo.sing Ârguttrcnts lt l7 "'' Witrc [,r. ?. r"l Âpplicant's Closing r\rgulncnt al l.l. "" 'l'1,\. w,,\lrrR C()l)li \ I I 027 "'t l'lxccutiv'c Dircctor's^NN.
Iìcsponsc lo Closing Argutncnts at fl ")t wrtrc [ìr ] (]
Pagc 24 soAil DocKllT No. -5112-08-1698 PlloPos^t' F'oR DECISION 'rcfìQ lx)cKllT NO. 2oo8-ol 8l-wR
2.t)ocstlrcPcrmitnuthorizciVlr.Warctousestatcrvatc "clivcrt and tlsc not to ltdtles..ì.hcPermitstatesthatMr.Warehastheauthority Rivcr to ini 100 acrcs ol'land cxcccd I 30 acrc-lcct ttf'rvater pcr annum from the Lampasas right to clivert ruse a specilìc quantitY , ." 'l'hc çlcfi¡irion ol"'appropriativc riglrt" incluclcs the has engaged on his of'state water ¿rcquirecl by law-precisely the activity in rvhich N4r' rights der his Pernrit until it lÌrrm lbr the last trvelve years.l0o Mr. Ware holds appropriative cxpires or is nclt cxtencJed'
Iì, l\lr, Warc's irrguntents Ditl thc lÌD rlisrcgard I\{r. W¿¡rc's priorirv- rights und the Pcrmit'l
-fhe 'l'he larv providcs that lor every pcrmit, a priort clate is establíshed for ED clicl not. ..appropriati0n ol rvatcr" a¡rcl for "the claimanl's right to use the rv ,."107'l'hc mcasurittg thc lctc application.los clatc lbr thcsc priority clates is tþe date ot'trling of'an administrativcly "[wlhen Commission issues thc ;\ncl. the clatc on r.vhich a priority clatc comcs into being is I f)9 pcrmll i
I .fhc thc right to inclucle in iut¡' perrnit a va4icty of lilrlitations' Iìt'¡r Comn-rission |las "to thc cxicnt ancl purposcs statccl exatì]p lc. an appticrllt's right to takc ancl use lv¿lter is lirnitecl i¡r the r\ pcr¡rit may also incluclc spccial conditions that linrit thc total amount <>l ¡rermit.'.I1,,
"* ,io'lnc 297.1 ('1). "'7 'l'r'x. Wn'l t:tt CoDf i s\ I l . l4l /,/ urld l0 'f,\C ^NN.
297 4a(c) "'* tu" t\ ld. rr(i 'rl.y w^ t'tìR col)ti ANN. s{ I I ' li5(a) Pngc 25 PIIO POSA L F'OtI DI]CIS ION so,\H DOCKti'r NO. 582-0tl-l69ll TCIìQ tx)cKtl'I NO' 2008-0181-wll i
ltlltv irlclr"¡dc to all typcs of ¡lcnuits, thc Çomnrissitltl watcr that nlaY bc clivcrtccl'lll wirh rcspcct l2 restrictions to prolect thc priority tll'sctliot w'atur'rights "l conditions ancl
limitation making pcrmits "suborclinatc Iiach tcrn, ¡:rcnnit is subjcct to thc statutorv 'fhe and the gcncrallY intcrPret to any scnior approptiativc rights"'lll ¡lhrase is urldetined' l14 ln af'ñrmati sentencos, thc ordinarY meanlng' unclctì¡rccl lernrs accot'ding to their orclinary lìcl¡'ing on that ordinary mcan the rulc makes tcnn rrreaning ot'-,ir'y" is "cvcrv" or "all."ll5 pcrntits suborclinatc to all serrior rvatcr rights'
rrr 'ì't \. W,\'¡:t( Cot)t: li I 1.135(bX5)' r-' .1.t.\. ll.l35l.'iii. lar' controlling thc issuancc ttllc'r.porirry pcrtnils' a clilt'crent w¡\rr..r{ coDr, ^NN. $ ^i.rx. 'l'r:x w,\'l'lìl{Col)l-:ANN.\ 'rrr ll.lltlic) ltìnrphosisstrpplicdl i 'l'l'\, Wr{l l;tt C'<ltrt: $ I l' li8l(d) i
lll -I.|.\ C()v,l.C()t)l; (ìclcl..r v. I:uglc lns' (t¡,,8]4 S.w.2d 49, -50 (,I'cx' 1992). $ 3l 1,0 l l(a); ,,, llrr\.,,r¡l /\. C^tìNt,r.Ì.^NN. 52 ("}d cd 2001))' G,rtìNt,R'.S Vlt¡tlí'nl ANllrl{l( AN LJs'rt¡ll 'l" \Varc ux. 2 ¡t 2' ,r, lJ.
I rr 'l-t.\ W,r'l ¡,lr CoDf i A¡\N. \ I I .14 I . () ]
PIìOI'OSA L }'OR DT]CISION Pagc 26 soAH I)ocKET N(). sll2-08-1698 'r"cËQ l)ocK!:T NO. 2008-01 8 1-wlì
'l'þcsc lirnitations on Mr. WaLc's aut|ority undcr lhe Pcrntit may e takcn into account by the l.iD u,hcn consiclering applications. As Ms. Alexander tcstilied, thc uses priority rights as onc of'three basic fàctors in rcvicrving watcr availability for permit a cations. Ilut, thc law ckrcs not rcquirc thc Lll) to tlsc a priority date to establish a tcnll permi e s rights with regarcJ to non-term ¡rcrrnit holclcrs' rights. At best. lvlr. Ware may rely on his y date to establish thc prirlrity of'his rvatcr righls in disputcs with othcr tcrm permit htlldcrs. ¡\s rlcscribed ìrt grcatcr clctail in thc scction that lbllorvs, thc ED did not tlisregard Mr. Warc's orit-v- rights unclcr the ['crmit.
2. I)id the tÙD manipulate the priorify tlatcs of NIr. W¿t 's applic:rtion so that its priorit¡' rvould bc infcrior to that of the llrazos r Authority's ¡rcrmit applic:rtion?
'fhc t:D clid not. 'llris allcgation had thc lc'ast legal or fàcttral of anl, maclc in tllis proccccling. Ir4r. Warc argucd in eflcct that the ED is cngagcd ì¡ comparing Mr. Warc's application to that ol the []raz.os Rivcr Artthority, a formcr protestilìg in this procccdirtg. 'l'lic Ilr¿rzos [{iver Authority is seeking a pcrmit liom thc Cìorntni on to approprttrtc an aclclitio¡al 421,44g ucre-feet per year ol'unappropriatccl water,ll" or ral thor¡sand times thc amount that Mr. Warc is sceking authority to appropriate fì'om tlic sarne basin
In cvaluuting thc nrcrits ol'this claim. thc lirst clucstion to bc: aclclrcssc-d rt'¿ìs rvhc'ther Vlr. W¿rrc's t)c-rmit, if'grantccl as Íìn c-\/c,?.s'ion of'thc originctl tenn Parnli¡, rvoulcl be strb.jcct tcl a pr.ior a¡cl su¡rcrigr rvatcr righr of'tho Rraz-os Rivcr Authority.ll0 lt rvould]trccartsc, as cliscttssccl in I
t[c. prcvior.ls scction, cvery tcrm pcrrnit issucd by thc Comnlissi<¡n is ltlborclinate to all scnior rppropriativc rights.lll Âs an inf'crior priority clate holder, Mr. Ware'sirc¡rcrvc,J tcnll l)crnrit. il'
rr'' Wlrc [x..1 I ¡¡t 2, 'l-he arnoun( rcqueslcd in thc application is to bc i¡lc to ovcr 1,000,000 acre- Icct ¡tcr ycar in rhe lorur 9f'il1,4.19 ircre-ltct pcr ycar of fìrrr rvatcr antl 670, 000 ac cct pcr Ycítr crf irrtcnuptiblc srrpply. lcl. at 3, 'l'lrc parlies' argulrclìt.s ofìcn locuscd on 74,387 ¡cru-fèet ot'tlris al Vlr. War,:'s point rvas irltìlost il¡ìy cornparison bctrvcen lris Applicatictn and that ol'thc llrazos Rivcr Àuthoritv i¡rvolved grossly rlisproport i onal a¡ntlu¡lls. rro 'o l'^c \ 297.-14. -l't'x. W,\.l II.ll8l(tl); i0'f;\C 297 l9(a). 't' lllìCì()Dl,Al.:N, $ $ /'\ j so,\H DOCKET NO. XXX-XX-XXXX PIIOPOSAL F0II DEC IS ¡ON l'rtgc 27 TCEQ DOCKET NO. 2008-0rIt-WR
glantcd, rvould give hinr rro priority-bascd clainr to challcngc thc applici rtion ol thc Ilrazos Rivcr Ar¡thority.
'l'he ncxt qucstion rvas rvhcther Mr. Warc's Pcrmil, if grantcd as a rcgulttr ¡tcrmil itt perpelttil!, rvould be subject to a ¡:rior and superior water right ol' the l]razos Rivcr Authority. 'l'hc cvidcnce is that the priority datc t'or the new permit that thc IJraz.os Rivcr At¡thority seeks is October 15,200'+.r22 'l-hc Ilrazos Rivcr Authority's application's priorit y datc is carlier than that of'Mr. Ware's applicatíon, rvhiclt is January 5. 2006, rvhcn his applicat ion was administrativcly completc. 'l'hus, the doctrinc of "lìrst in time, first in right" woul cl establish Mr. Ware's applicaticln as an i¡rfèrior natcr right, if it were grantecl.l23 Morco' zer, Mr. Ware fìled his Application on November l-5.2005, which rvas rnorc than onù 1,'car alier the Brazos Iìivcr Authorit¡, lìlccl its application. As rvith his rights undcra tcrn'¡ Pcrrnit. Mr. Warc's rights urrdcra rcgular pc-rnrit, it'gmntcd, rvor¡lci give hirrr no priority-bascd clainr tbr chpllcngc (he lJrazo.^ Iìiver i\uthority's a¡r¡rlication. l'hc ED cngagcd in no manipulation of' thc priority' datcs in rcconrnrcnding thc clcnial of'Ì\4r. Ware's application.
XI. CONCLUSION ln his briclìng, lv{r. Warc charactcriz.ecl this case as "simply Â]pplicant's cpic battlc to lì>¡'ccthe ItiDJ to apply the fìrnrlamental principal of''first in tinrc, tìrstiin right,'to thc watcr in rhc Ilrazos Iìii,c¡'lJasin rvhich hc knou's to be available fìrr appropriation."l24 'l'hat firnciamental principtrl prcvails in this casc, but not to Mr. Warc's adveurtagc.
lll Wirre [i,.r.,tl nt li. f-his clulc rvns includcd i¡r a cirali pcrrnit that hud not bccrr ar.lopred by the Cttnttnis:;icln 'l'hc partics did not rJispulc that thc datc on rvhich the ßrazos Rivcri Aurholity'-s irpplicafion rvas ildrninistrativcly contplctc was belorc thc datc <ln rvhich Nlr, Wlre's Applicirtion rv¿is adlllinistlativcly conrplctc 'l'hc partics dicl disputc rvhcthcr Mr Worc's priolitv clote should bc nreasurccl hy thr- iidinirristratilc conrplcte dltc or tlrc datc statcd i¡r thc Pcrnrit. r'lt 'l't,x. W,t ll,lt (lout; r\r.¡N. I 1.027. rr{ Âpplícant's Closing Ârgunrcrrt "s at 4. )
PR0POSAL þ'OR DECISION l'ngc 2ll SO,\l I I)OCKE't NO. 5tl2-0lt-ló9li 'fcF:Q l)ocK Íl'r No. 200tJ-0 lfl l-wR
Ft¡rthcr'. lulr. Warc <lcscribed the clisputc irl this case as lvhether his A¡rplication satislìes tfic provisir)rìs ol"l'r;x. s/n'rr:rì, c'oDE ANN. s$ ll.l34(bx2) and ll.l 4(bXiXI]).r2s'l'hc trvo scctions lcc¡uit'c the' (lonlmission to grant arl apPlication only if'unappro p nated water is availahlc at thc sr¡urcc ol'supply,and il'tltc proposccl appropriation does not ilnpa exisling rvatcr rights or vestccl ripariarr riglrts. 'l'hc cviclcrtcc in this casc clocs not stlppon a li ing that urlappropri¿ttcd water is availablc or that Mr. Warc's proposed appropriatiorr rvill n t iurpair cxisting rvatcr rights.
\4r. Warc corrtcllclcd that 74,387 acrc-l'cet ol'lvatcr is avail ¡rb lor appro¡rriation fiorn ncw w¿ìStc\\,¿lte r rcturn flows, described by Ìv1r. Ware as tlre "cctltral po " in his analysis ol'tllc lìl)'s watcrr lvailability rcvi0\v.l2(' Altlrough Mr. Ware accurately ctl that aclclitional rvatcr nlay beconlc ovailablc fcrr appropriation, he l'ailed to takcr into accoullt t status oI other prioritl' riglrts rvith re gard tc) thc watcr.
I
l:inally, rvith rcgard ro thc isst¡c to rvhich thc parties agrcecl irr þceking a ctlntcstccl casc rcl'crral. ìvlr. Wl¡re clicl not sustain liis burclen of'proving that suf'fìcicnt ri"ater cxists irl lhc Ilrazos I
[ìiver basin or tlr¿rr all applicablr'statut()r],anrl rcgr.rlatory rcquircnlcnts llavc bccn lnct t() \varrtlìL I "l'he a¡rplicaliorl shoultl bc clenicd. issLring lo hinr thc ¡lroposecl Water Use Pc.rmit No. -5594¿\.
SI(;N [:ll) Febru¿rry ll, 20l l).
PAUL D. KEI.]PF]R ,\ I)Nl IN IS'f Rr\'l' I V E LAW I) E STATE OFFICIì OF ¡\Dl\{INIS A1'lVFl IItl¡\lìINOS
'!t /,/. ¡t [J. rlr ,'\ppliclnt's lìc¡lll to Cltt.sing Argtttnents at [ì i\ \ J ) S'TATE O I.'F'I CI] O F A DIVI I NISTRA'TI VE II EA II.INGS ot'l'lcll ^us'ilN J00 Wc.st lSth Slrcet Suitc 502 i
Austin, Texas 78701 Pl¡onc: (512) {7t{993 l'rx: (512) 475-1994 SEITVICB LIST ¿\O!INCY: Environmcntal Qualify,'fexls Comnrission on ('[CEQ) S]'YLE/C¡\SE: lltl^DLEY B. WARIì SO^H DOCKIì'INUNIIIFIll: 582-08-l69tl lllìFERIIING AC;ENCY CASE: 2008-0181-WR S'IATII Ol"l-l Cli OF ¿\DIVI lN lS'I'RATIVE ADMINISTIì,,\TIVE I,AW .ITJDG E IIIi¡\RINGS AI-.I PAUL D. KEEPEII ll EP IIfiISDNTATIVE / ¡\ D D RIìSS PI\RTIES DOCKb]'I' CI,ERK 'l'tixA S Colvl fvf I SS I ON ON llN v I RON ì'vl llN'IA l. tJ Â l. l'l'Y Q OFFICË Ol" 'rl lll Cl llHF Cl.trRK P() flox ri087 At,sl'lN, r'x 787 t I (_s r2) 219-ii00 (PIl) (5 l]) 1]9-ll r I (llAX) 'Í'EXAS COMMTSSTON ON TiNVIRONMIìN1'^t. f)UAr-tTY
cìAr{Rti't"f AIì't't Ititì. s f /\t.'t.' 'l tix^S ^'ì"t'olì,NftY COMMISSION ON trN\/IIìONMtìNT^l. QIJA1-11'Y otrtjtcI ot.' PU t] t. to I N't Elì tis't' cot.iN s til. tvrc-17_5 P.o. BOX t3087 ]'X 787 I r-i087 ^tJS't-lN, (5 r 2) 2i9-5757 ( f',¡ l) (.s I2) 2i9-ó.i77 (F^X) garthur(rltccq stiìtc t\ us OFt:lCI Olj P[J I] t-lC I Nl'F.R]:S'f COiJNSII l. silANA ilOtì',l'ON rVf-l-OfìNtlY ì lìX^S COMM ISSION ON LNVTRONñ1lj¡Nl'Al- QtJr\t.l'l'Y f) o. Box li0ti7, MC'- I 75 r\ t-JS'l'lN, 'l'X 78 7 1 l -iOti7 (-5t2) 219- t088 (lrl l) (t r2) 239-i,t3.r (r;AX) IrX ECI.JTIV IJ D I IIF,CI'OR
l'¡t,.lr I rtl l (ìWl':Nt)()l.YN ll,l. Wl,llll l'l f't'oRNliY A'l't,^w ^t,. o. llox ll29 ^tJS't'lN,'l-x78767 ßt?) 1'72-ee90 (Plf ) (.j r2) 472-3183 (l;AX) grvcn.h i I l.wcbbfc)sbcgloba l.nct Í]RADI,I]Y I]. WARE S'TEPIII-JN P WEI}B wtllß & WEUII AI"IORNIIYS rVI'l-ÂW CONCRIiSS SUI'lE 1270 ',rX 78701 ^V[NtJn, ^tJSl'rN, \5t2) 472-ec)90 (P1l) (5 l]) '172-i l8i (r-'AX) I}RADLIìY B. WARE JAVIES ALDIìDDGIJ ¡\'l'1'OlìNtìY 'l'l:Xr\S C OMMISSION ON tlNVIRONMtiN'lAl. QUAl,ll-Y P.O. tlox 13087 TX 78711-3087 ^usrtN, (5 r 2) 23e-2496 (Pl l) (5 r2) 2le-060ó (rr^x) .¡ u ltlre<J gell-ì t c e(1. s titt!'. l.\. Lr s 'lL:.XAS ColvtM I SS ION ON ENV I IìON M tiN'l'^l, l.ITY Ql"J ^ rc: l)ockct (:lcrk. Sl:rtu Olììe c ol'.Ärlnrinislrativc I lcarirr¡rs
l'a¡Lc I rrl 2 Tnx,rs Conn ulssloN oN ENv¡ RoxwIENT¿\l- Qunurv
,\Pl'[,IC¡\'IION OF IIRADLEY I]. W¿\RE TO WATIII USE PEIIIVTII'NO. 5591 ^i\'lllNI) SO¡\l{ DOCKBT NO. 5fl2-08-l698 'l'clìQ DOCKET NO. 200t1-01 tll-wR
On the Texas Conlmission on llnvironqental Qualitl'(TCEQ ol' i
Conlrnission) consiclercd thc application (Application) oIBradlcy B. Wdrc to Anlcnd Watcr Usc i
l)crnrir No. 5.594 (l'crrnit). r\ Proposal lbr [)ccision (PFD) rvas prcscntccl by Paul D. Kcepcr, an ,\dnrinistrativc Linv Juclgc (Al,.J) rvith the Statc Ollice of Adntinistrativcrllcarings (SOAll¡, rvho crrnclrrctcrl a licarirrg in this casc lì'onr Octobcr 28 tl'rrough Octobcr 29,2009. in i\ttstin,'l'cxas' ,,\ficr corrsidcring tlre Àl,J's I'FD, the Comrnission aclopts tìrc lolilosing I;intlings ol-[ract rnd Crlrlcltrsi<ltts ttl' I.itw: I. I.-INDINGS OF F,\C'T Gencrul Itirtrlitr¡4s l. 'l'hc npplicant is tlracllcy tÌ. Ware, Mr. Warc owrls ¿l 261-acrc farrn on the l-antpasas 'l'cxas.
Iìii'cr, abottt I 5 rlilcs sottthrvcst of Kille cn. a lv4r. Warc's strcct and mtriling aclclrcss is 9l I Cann IJranch. Killccn.'l'cxas 76549
l. lv4r. Warc's lirnn is locatcd in Bcll Cfourtly,'l'cx¿ts, and is'"vithirl (l)c Brazos Rivcr basirr I Ii.ttor¡' ol the I'ermil -t. Orr Nsvcnlbcr 7, 1997, thc Comnlission issucd li4r. Ware thc l)crmit fìlr a tcrt-yc'ar term ('}' )
_5 'l'hc l)cnnit at¡thorizcd lvlr. W are'to cliven antl usc I30 acru'-lcci rll'w'atc-r annuitllv fì'or:t i
thc l-anrpnsas Rivcr to irrigittc I 00 acres.
'ì'hc Pcrmit also cst¿rblishcd July l, 1997 as "the prir-rrity cltr ol this pcrrnit and all cxtcnsir¡¡'ls hcrcol'. . . ." 'l'hc I)cnrrit rv¿rs to e'xpile on Novelnbcr 7, 2007, tlttlc ss bcþre lh¿rt clatc, Mr. Ware ¡
rcccivc'cl thc (.onlnrission's approval to extend the tcrm or to iconr,crt thc Pcrnlit to a I I
¡-rcrpctr.rul righ(. I I
I
tt Mr. Walc's rights undcr the [)ermit remained in el]èct nenclirls ¡i" a lìnal adnlinistrativc ruling on thc r\pplication. i I
I I)urirrg thc trvclvc 1,cars in rvhich lvfr. Warc has hacl inigation rilghts, hc hus lìrrnrcd huy, purlpkius, whcat. sorghunr. oats, and rvintcr ¡rcas.
t0 \4r. Ware has tricd to inrpouncl his water bf installing six or scvLrt carthcrr t¿rrtks. but the composition oIthc soil linlits thc lnlount olrvatcr that tltc tanks ill retain
I l. \.1r. W¿rrc- has purcltasccl 100 acre-fcct ol\vatcr rights antl insta lccl 8,000 ro 10,000 lcct c¡l'trvo-incl: pipcs. ¡rlus nrt cight-inclr pipe to a central pivot On Novcmbe-r 15. 2005, Mr. Ware tirnely lìlcd his Applicatiorr lo: (l) eithcr extend his l)crnrit lìrr anothc'r tcn-)'car period or convert his Permit to â per¡1ctuirl right. (2) rvithdraw nlorc rcl'c-lcct ol-rvatcrannually, ancl (3) irrigate -il rnorc acrtis of-his fìrrnl.
I
li On Jant¡an' 5. 2006 thc UD dt-'ternrinecl that thc Applicatign rt,as aclnrinistrativcly corrr plctc.
ll Orr.lunc 7.200ó. thc Ilrazos Rivcr Ar¡thority ctrntcstcrl the a¡rplic'ntion l_5 C)n Novcnrbcr'-1, 2006. thc llD's st¡r'lacc u,atcr availabilit¡'ancl intcrstatc c()nrpacts tcalll courplctccl a \\,¿ìtcr availabilitl,rcvicrv ancl tlctcnninccl that thcrcirvas not suf'lìcicnt \valcr avail¿rblc at thc Applicant':i location to sup¡rort the rcqucsrccl tJcninrltl.
ló On Nt>vernbcr (r. 200(r. thc I:.D rccornme ntlcd dcrri¿rl ol'the AppliLation.
(] 3 t7 On Januar¡, 8. 2007. lvlr, Warc rcqucstcd a contcsted case hearin{ at SOAII' i
Itt gn Janrrar\,?5.20011, thc Conrrlission dircctll'rcf'crrcci the casq to SO,'\f I lìlr a lrearing ()n Ilìc rtrcrils.
t9 On April l, 200f1, thc SOAII adrninistrativc law jtrclge (At'J) convcnccl a prclirninarY hcaring ancl took .!urisdiction.
prtltcsting partY.
'crllorving 2 on ocrober l. 200tì, rhc ¡\[-J issr¡cd an ordcr f telcphonic prchearirrg conll.rcncc ancl notilìetl thc partics that thc hcaring on the nrerrits uld be held lvlarch I8 through 19. 2009.
?2. ¿\t thc rcqucst ol' lVlr. Warc. the hearing on thc mc'rits rvas rcschc'clulccl to convcnc October 29 throrrgh 30, 2009 'I'he hcaring cOlrvclred on octobcr 28, 2009. arrcl acljrlttrnecl oll October 29, 2009. 'l'hc :J I
arlnrirristmrivc rect)rd closed orl f)eccmt:er 21,2009. alìcr closi n g argunlcnts ancl rcplics ucrc fìled. I
I
EI)'s recontmcnduliott lo tlctt¡t llrc Applicoliort i
i
24. Alier lVlr. Warc filccl ¡is Application in 2005, the LìD's hydroltjg.v- tc'anr tlclcrtnincd thal I
'.littlc to tìo watel"' w¿ìs available at Mr. W¿trc's tliversion pointlon thc Lampasas Rivcr. 'l u,ithout rcgarcl to rvhcthc.r the amended l)ennit rvould havc a pcr¡lctual or limitccl tcnrr.
) 'l'hc Iìt)'s surl¿rcc rryarcr ¿rv¿rilability ancl intcrstatc.ot't'tpn,jts tc¿ìm ctlnfirmccl thc lri,clrr:l'91,tciutì's conclusit>n in a rvatcr availatrility rct'icw,t,Lut,, that calculatctl thilt illsul-trcicut watel.w¿ts available at lv{r. ware's clil'ersion poirrt to strpport crcll thc origirral I 30 lcrc-lcut ol'tcl'm-lilnitecl appropriation righls'
-) ( }
26. lrl rcconr¡lrcnding denial of thc Appplication. thc fiD reliecl on Conlnrissior'¡' s Wate'r 'l'hc cal r\vailabilitl, MocJel ft¡r thc lJrazos lìiver basin (Model)' rulation used a historical pcriotl olrccorclol1940 to 1997
2tt [¡r cvaluati¡rg tlrc Application r¡'ith thc'lr4oclcl. thc l]D usecl ¿.t iority datc of January 5, 200(r, thc datc orl rvltich tlrc i\pplicatitln rvas adrnirristrativcly plctc
Stnnding i0. 'l'hc cvidcncc prc'sentecl by thc ED at the hearing 0n thc. mcri was gcncr¿rtcd by tlrc Cornnrissitrn ()r w¿ìs rlff'crecl to sttpport thc inte-rr.rity ol' thc rur i ssion' s unclcrly'irtg in irrnrat iort. f
'l'h tl' !l'lodel c ral iohí I il.¡, th e
:il t'hc lvloclel is <Jesigneil to bc thc most accttr¿tte Incthod avail¿tble the [:D rvithout rcgard to thc size of'thc rcr¡ttcst filr w'atcr.
'l'hc dcsign lclics in p¿ìrt orì thc ivlotlcl's usc o1'a pcriocl ol't'ccordi i2. ìt -l-lrc sst ot'hislorical þounclarics rangtng fiorn pcriod of- rccorcl givcs tlre L'oln¡rission ¿t thc nrost scvcrc basin-rvidc clror,rght to the nrost scvcrc fìood pcripcls c-ver recordecl.
.) .l l'hc historical ¡rcriotl rvas dcvclopcd by tlrc Col¡mission in c unctiotì with othcr st¿rtc agc nc tcs.
'l'hc l\.1odcl rclics <lrt arr applicarrt's particttlitr locatiotl rvithin rivcr lrusin to dctcrminc l5 a evnil¿rbilitr,.
)
3(r lf'an applic¿¡nt's divcrsiorr point is locatctl rvitltin a lrrgc clrainagr! nrca, thun thc'applicant rvor¡ld bc ablc to rcl¡'on litrge strca¡nll<¡ws attcl poterrtialll'grc'a watcr availability
-)/ '[hc Commission gathcrs infìrrnlation about rvatcr rvithin strc anrflou's by rclying orr gaugc in lÌrr¡nalion.
3u Whcrc gaugt: inlìrrnration is unat,ailablc, tlten the Conrnr ssion rroy cxtrapolate inlirmratit>n basctl on thc rcaclings at nearby gauging stations, ir proccss producing data known a.s "lrirturalizccl f'ìr)rvs." :i9 Natunrlizcd l'l<¡w data has value to the Co¡nmission bccause it rcflects thc nronthly avcragc ol'thc llorv in ¿r stre¿rm within a rcportirrg pcriod.
10. 'l'he lvlodcl takcs into iìccour'¡t nn applicatiort's priority date in cvi luating a rec¡uest.
4l 'l'hc rolc'ol'the priorit¡'datc is to rlctcrntinc thc scniorityr st¿tttls ol'.¿t p¿Ìrticulitr ap¡r'opliativc right prcviou.sl¡' gircn b¡' thc Conlmissio¡l 42 l)¡,exanrining iur application in ternrs of-pcriocl ol'rccolcl. locatilrn, ancl priority <lutc. thc I
IID is ablc to evaluatr: an application of'any size in tcrnrs o[ th,r- currenl conditions ¡rrcscntcd. i
I
+_) 'l'he inclusion o['nl()rc rccclrt gaugc f]ow'cìata s'oulcl havc noi cl'lcct on thc historic¿rl ¡rcriocl ot'rccrtrcl usctl in thc lVlodcl. i !
I
'l'hc lJrazos Iìivcr At¡thority's lctru'rì f lorvs beconrc ¿rvailab!c only itt thc lirrthcst dorvnstrc¿trn point in thc tlasin.
I'riorily dutcs I
16. 'l'hc priorin' illtc ol' Vlr W¿rrc's currurt Pcrnrit is .lul,v l, I 997 anrl itpplics to "¿ll cx tcnsl()lls
I ( ( ì ) -, I
'['hc l]razos Iìive.r ¡\uthority is sceking a 19 ¡rcnnit l'rom thc Comrnission to Ítppropriatc atl adclitional 421.449 acre-tèet pcr year of'urrnppropriatecl watcr. o¡ scvcral thous¿tnd tittrcs thc anrount thut Mr, Warc is scc-king ar¡thority to appLopriatc liorh thc same rivcr basin. i
.50 'l'hc'priority'cl¿rte ol'the application olthc ßrazos Rivcr Â,uthorityi i¡; C)ctobcr 15,2004.
5l 'l'lrc priorit¡' clatc of thc Ilrazos River Authoritl"s applicatr is earlicr th¿rn that ol' Vlr. Warc's ap¡rlication.
I
5l l'hc l:f) cngagccl in no manipt¡l¿rtion of thc priority datcs in rcc<!¡nrcncling tlrc clcnial of Vlr'. Warc's a¡rpl ication.
II. CONCLTJSIONS OF I,,\\V 'l'hc ('onrllission has jtrriscliction ovc'r thc dctcrnlination trl'rv¿t tcr rights irr '['cxas rivers i
a¡rd strcanr.s. 'l't'r. W,\'f'fiR CttotlÂNN. ch, I l.
,,\r)\rrN. Cot>r ('lr\C) ch. 295, subch. C; ancl'l'l;x. (ìov. Col)li z\NN. .s$ 2003,051 and i
1001.052. -) SO¡\ll has iurisdiction lo concluct a hearing and to prepírrc it i'roposal lbr Decision i¡r i
c0¡trcstccl cascs rcfcIrcd b1' l'ClrQ. 'l'l:X. (ìflv. Conr: ANN. \ 20qi.47. + '['lre i\¡lplie¿rr.ion bcciurc aclnlinistrativcl¡' corlplctc tln .lanuaryr -5. 200ó. 'lt;\'. \\t,rt'l'n
ó ( )
5. 'l'[c Apptication wâs proccssed and tlrc procecdings tJcscri in this Orclcr wcrc concluctecl ilr ¿rccordance rvith a¡l¡rlicable stattttcs and thc rulcs of thc Commissi<l¡l and
SOAtl. '['t'r. W,t t'tìR Cot)[] ANN. ch. I l: 30 'fÂ,C ch. 80, I 1'.^o h. r55 ('¡. N4r. Warc hcld thc bttrclcn of prool. 30 1-AC $ 80.17(a)' lt4r Warc clicì trot ¡lcct his
t-rurden
7 . A,u.1, pcrsorr nì¿ly appc¿tr irt a hcaring at rvhich thc issuattce ol'a nnit is to bc' consiclered.
'f 'EX. W¡r'r'DR C'oDti ANx. \ I I .133, I 'l'hc lif) is rcc¡uirccl to participatc as a purty irr contcstccl hearings relating to applications iltrour 'uvarcr rights. 30 'lAC $ 80.108(bX I ).
l0 In colltcstccl cusc pcrnrit hclrings, thc ED's presentatiotr is lirni to "thc solc purposc of' prt>vicling infìrrrnation to conrplclc thc administrativc rccord." r. W,rr riR Cìot)r-r AN\ 5s _5.228(c).
ll In ¡r contestccl lrcaling, thc Ilt)'s prcscntation is [illritcd to "inlir ation clevelopcd by thc Conrnrission . , ."'l't,x. Wn'l'uR Clot)n ANN. \s 5.228(a). t2 I¡ ¿r corrtcstcrl lrcaring. thc IiD niay proviclc inforntation that opposcs ¿ìll application. as
lonq as thc inlbrrnation is rvithin thc liurits of thc law. TI'x. W,r'rl'R Clor)ß ÂxN, 5s I 1.133. l
ll ,,\ll partics to a contcstcd casc havc thc right to prcscnt a clircct cåsc ancl to cross-cx¿tnrinc i
thc o¡rposing part)"s eviclence. 30 l'AC $ 80.1 l5(al. i I
l4 't'hc IID has starlcling to rìppear ¿ìs a part,v in this proccccling ancl rf'as attthorizcd to prcscnt i thc (\lllllrissioll's eviclcncc a¡rd nrs,urlcnts in opposititln to Mr. Wtlrc's casc.
a ( 3 I 15. Ân applicant nlay requcst that an npplication bc rcnlanded ro hc Lll) lìrr action as an r.¡ncontcstc(l rnattcr if' (l) all timcly hcaring rcqr¡csts har.e bcc¡i w,ithrlr¿ru,rr or cleniccl or (2) all partics to a contestcd casc rcach a settlcnrenl so that lìtcts or issucs rcnrain controvcrtcd. 30 'lAC $ 80. I 0l I 6. A hearirrg was rcquirccl in this casc bccause thc ED rcmainccl a y to a contcstecl c¡tso atìcr thc Ilraz.os River Authority withdrcw its opposition and r,rsc lhcrc w¿rs not a
scttlcmcnt bctrvccn the rcmaining partics.
17. Scicntifìc tcstimony presented by a pnrtv must be olf'cred truo gh the tcstinrony, ol an cxpcrt. and that testimony nìust be basecl on a rcliablc l'ounclatio 'l'nx. Iì. I\'rr>.
Itl. A lindcr of'lact is to clctcrminc thc rcliability, of'thc cvidcncc, and "[u]nrcliablc cxpcrt testinrony is not cvidencc," (ir¿¡.r:; t'. Burt.l49 S.W.3cl 213.237 cx. Âpp.--l;ort Worth 2004. pct. dcnicd) t9. lir c'stablish the rcliability ol'an expcfl's tcstimony,. an of'li'ring rty nlust lìrst cstablish thc rcliability ol'thc analysis that thc cxpctl uscd in rcachi his couclusirtns. Six ¡ronexclusivc l'actors arc uscd in cletcrnrining rvhctlrer scicntilìc nlo¡ry is rsliablc ( l) thc cxtctlt to whích thc thcory has bccn or can bc tc cl: (2) thc cxtcr'¡t to rvhich thc tcchniquc rclics upon tlrc subjectit,c int rctatioll of thc cxpcrt; (3)r.vhcthcr tlrc thcory has becn subjcctccl to cr rcl'icrv and publication; (4) the technique's potcntial r¿rte ol' crrclr (5) u,hcrhcr the rurtilcrlyiuu thcory or tcchniquc has lrcclt gcncrall¡, acc d as valid by thc lclcr,¿rnt scicntif ic corlmunirvl and ((r) the non-.ir-rdicial t¡ s that h¿rvc lrccn rnaclc ol'thc' theory or technique (iro:;.s v IJurt. 149 S.W.jd at 237. citrng À/cn-ell Drnr l,hctrilt.t.., lnc.. t,. Ilt¡,ncr. g53 s.\\/ 2d 706,114 (-l'c'x. 1997). t'ert. clcnictl,5?i U.S. lllg (lÇls¡ anct E I lu prntt clt,
Nantr¡urs <( ('¿r v Robin:;on,923 S.W 2d 549,557 ('l-cx. 1995) l0 Vlr. Warc. cìid not cst¡rblish rhat rhc nlcthocl usccl by \,,lr..l (ìn cs. \,1r. Warc's expcrt rvitncss. u,its rcl iablc.
tÌ 'l i) J . 'l'hc rvatcr rty of'thc statc, ancl thc 2I ol'cver), fìow'irrg rivcr in thc Statc ol"l-cxas is thc C'onrnrissir>n is the statc's agcnt for the rcgulatio¡r oI its n'ater EX. WI\ IIiIì COI)I| ANN $ l l .02l(a).
'l'hc 22 Conrnlission has thc authority to allow pcrsons to a¡:propri atc statc watc'r lbr snccifìc I
tuscs. '['t:x. \\/;\'t'Dlì COnn ANx. N I 1.022.
I
'l'hc Conrnrission nìay grmt permits to applicants wlro seck to up propriate una ppropri atcd -frx. Wn'r'¡.tì sr¿rtc watcr. CoDE r\Nx. $ ll.l24.
2 ) In l9(r7. the 'l'exas lcgislaturc ab¿tncloncd thc state's l'ornrcr sy,'slcrn ol'recognizing both I
ripirriarr antl appropriative rights. In re lcljuclic'¿ttit¡n ol'Iú'utlr Ili,qhts oJ'ßrunls Ill S'ag,ntant ttf llt'uzos River lJa:;in,7,16 S.W,2 d207,209 ('l'cx. l9S8f. i I
5s
purposcs statecl in thc pcrnrit ancl sub.iect to the protcction ol'th{ holdcrs of'scnior u,ittcr rights. 'l'ux. W,\'l'utì Col)l Aln*. g$ I 1.135(a) ilncl l-ì51. i
i
l9 ,,\n "appropriatil'c ri-qht" is ttle right to inrpound, tlivcrt. r,or.f ,rk., or usc a spccilìc qLrirrrtity crl'stn(c \\,ater ¿ìcquirccl by larv. 30 1'¿\C $ 297.1(4). I
j0 I'he holclcr"s rights to appropriatc \\'atcr uray bc afftctcd bV rhcjí.ì¡noLurts that thc holclcr uctuall\' usus ()r can beneficially use. ancl "all \vatcr not ,n I urct.l is consiclcrcd not applopriatccl." 'l'Ix. Wtrr,lr Clonlt ÂNN. N I 1.025.
() ( )
3t lf thc holdcr of a pernrit docs not l'rcncfìcially use his rvn tcr, thcn thc right of appropriatior: is consiclered to bc not pcrlccted. 'fux. Wn'rnn Cop t ANN. s\ I 1.026, I
i
)2 'l'hc Conrnrission has cliscrctionary authrlrity to tcmporarilyi rr..allocatc unpct'lèctccl I appropriatil'L- \.vater rights to persons othcr than thc rcgular pcrrfit holder. ,{n applicarrt ntay scck a tcrnl pcnlit. a pcnlit that is issuccl fìrr a tcrnr jof years nrthcr than in pcr¡rctuitv. 'l'r:x. W;r'r't:tr (Ìrot,: ANN. çrS I l.l:i8l(a) ancl I 1.026. i
I
-) -) r\ Lcnn pcrmit allorvs an applicant 1<l use rvatcr rights that havc bcen pcrfcctccl by thc {ot holclcrs. A tcr¡n pcrmit creiltcs dcrivativc rights, not original rigll¡ts, so that thc maximun-r "l usc' ol'\vatcr rr¿ì), bc achieved. 'l'u.r. Wn-lrR Coor AN¡1. I L l2]. S I
11. 'l'hc Conimission nrav dcn¡'an application lc¡r a tc-rrn pcrrnit il'tlie pcrnrit will.ieoparcJize lìnanci¿rl cornuritnrcnts l'or rvatcr projL'cts or il'the permit will ¡llevcrrt the holdcL of'the scnior ap¡rropriativc right liont bencfìcially using lris rights <htri ñ g thc pcriod of'thc tcrm pcrnrit. 'l'nx. W.r'rnR CODE Ar.r,..... I l.l38l(b) $ (c). and I
-i6, 'l'hc Comnrission rnay issuc ¿ì tcrn.ì pc-rnrit "when thcrc'is in su ffi cicnt unappropriatcd I
I
rvatr".r in thc sourcc- of'supply to satist),the application." 30'l'ÂC $ 2e7. l9(a) )l r\ holclcr ola scnior uppropriativc riglrt nra¡, challengc an applica tion fÌlr a tcrm pcrmit by shorvirtg that thc Colnmission's issuancc o[ ¿r tcnn pcrmit rvo tuld aclversclv al'l'ect thc lroldcr's bcnclìcial Lrsc ol'its scnior rights. In proving Lhis adv ùrÞe cfll'ct. the lrolder may usc ¿ìs its prool: water r¡sc pro.icctions in the state or rcgionaf watcr plans. ccctnonlic inclicators. ¡ropLrlation growtlì pro.jcctions, clcctrical g.n.rJtion ncecis. or "other lcasonatrlc prcr.jcctions ba-sctl oll acccptcd nrcthotls." 30 'l',,\(l 2,97. s\ l9(bXl) irJ l'hc Conrnlission ma¡'clcny an application if'thc proposctl pcrnril wot¡ld bu tlctrirlcntal ttr thc' pLrblic *'clfìrlc. 30'TAC r\ 297. l9(bX4).
t0 ( )
:ì9 I¡l 1997. the'['cxas lcgislaturc nranclatcd thc Conrmission to [rclopt an upc.littccl watcr lvail¿rbility nroclcl (Model) f-or six river basins in'Icxas. 'l'r:;i. lvnrnlì C'oDlì AN¡l. $ I 6.012(g).
40. Iror dircct clivcrsions lionr a strcctn rvithout sulJicient rvatC r stor¿ìgc fhcil¡tic-s, an applícant nìust prove that approxirnatcly' 75% ot' thc \À/'At r requcst is availablc approxinratcly' 75"/, ol'thc timc bascd ott the availablc historic strcanì lìorv rccord. 30 't-Ac $ 297.12.
-+l Ncither thc ED nor ¿ìn applicant is rcquired to use the Model in clctcr¡nining whethcr rvarcr is ¿n,rilablc in cach rivcr basin in'f'cxas. i 'l'hc- (ltlrnniission has thc authority to contract lor "scicntific 12 andl tcchnical environnrcntal serviccs," including scic'ntilìc clala analysís, to be usecl in thc n'! oclcling tt> be concluctccl -l'r;x. b1,thc llD. W,rt'rin Cooni\Nx. ¡s 5,2291(tt).
4:l 'l'hc lìl) has the authority to rcly on scientilic data analysis in nl-orcing thc tcrms of a pcrnrit and in prescnting infbrnration about an npplication lìrr a pcrrttit. 'l't,x. W.r't'f:n C,'¡;r, AXX. \s ,í.230.
.{4 r\ contestiug pc'rrlít holdcr rnay rely on "rcasonablc pro.icct ons bascd on acccptccl n'ìùtlìods." arrtl an applicant and thc lìl) nray do the samc. i0'l-A [' ò 2e7. re(bx2).
'l'hc 45 Courmission uray usc approximatc ¡rttnrbcrs in estinlating rvi ¡tcr availability irr pcrrnit application procccdings. 30 l'AC $ 297.42(c).
,
-l'hc .18 clltc on rv'hich a priority clalc co¡rtcs into bcing is "[rv]hcn t Conlnission issues the 'l'¡\C rs 197.-l.l(c), ¡rcrnrit -i0
il (3 49 r\n applicant's right to takc atrd usc watcr is linlitecl "to thc ex( ei'rt I anr'l purposcs statcd in rhe ¡rcrnrit." 'l'ux. Wn't'l,n Coor ANx. $ I I .l 35(a). i I
I
I
.50 A pcrnrit rlny incluclc spccial conditiorts that limit thc total am oi-tnt ol' rvater thut rnay bc clivcrtcd. 'l'r:r. W,rrER CoDE AxN. $ I L 135(bX5).
I
5l With rcspcct to all types ot'permits, the Comnrission ntay inclrJdc "...conditionsancl rcstrictions. , . to protect thc priority oIsenior rvatcr rights." 'l'rix. W.r'r'un (ìoor Alx. t\ il.r35r i
52 liuch tcrnr Jrcrnrit is sub.icct to thc unique stiìtutory linritatiln making tcrm pennits I
"subordi¡iurc to any sc'nior npproprialive rights." 'l'nx. Wn't't'r¡ Crir¡ri i\ I l.l38l(d). i
53 Courts gcncrally intcrprct undefìncd tcnns accorcling to their Jrdinary rtte'itning, 'fax.
I (ìov'r' Cl<ro¡: ANN. $ 3ll.0ll(a)'. Geter.s v. Eaglc Ins. (;o., 834 S.W.2d 49, 50 ('fcx. r ee2). I I
54. ln ¿rflirnlativc sentcnccs. thc orclinary tneaning of'"aury" is ry" {)l' ''all," Ilnv,rN A (ì,qnxnn. (i,rrrrrrr's Moor;RN Âtr¡t;ntc;¡x Us,rct: 52 (3d ecl.
)) 'l'crnr pcnnits arc subordinatc to all senior rvater rights. 'l' x. WAl'r;rì C<lr>r; ANx s\ I l.l38l(cl); i0 't'¡\c { 297.19(a). -i6 \4r. Warc f ¿rilctl to carry lris bulden of proving that sul'lìcicnt tcr cxists in thc IJraz.os Ilivcr basin or that all ipplicablc st¿rtutory and regulatorv rcqur rncnts hnvc l'lccn n.ìcl to warrant issuirrg to hinr the proposecì \\/ater [,sc l)crnlit No. 5594uir,
51 I)ulsua¡lt Lo thc tuthuritl,ol, and in ac'cordancc rvitlr. a¡rplicahlc l¿rrvs ancl regulations, the rcc¡ucstc-cl Pcrnrit should not be grantcd. -5lt. [)r¡rsu¿urt to 30 'l'rix. Aotr,rtN, Coon ANN. 5$ 80.23(dX2). thc Excc:utivc Dircctor ancl Of'tìcc of I'ublic lntcrest Clounscl n.ìay not bc asscssccl u,ry p,rrdio,'r ol'thc trunscript ancl rcpclrtirrg crrsts
I2 J
NOW, 1'll0lìtill'ollli, llE r1' 0RDFllìtiD IìY 't'tìll ]'EXÂs cOillì\llssl0N oN ¡iNVilìONMEN'r^L QU^LITY, IN ACCOIIDANCE Wlrll 'l' ESIì þ'INDINGS OF I.-AC''I' ,\ND CONCI,IJSIONS OF T,AW THAT l . 'llrc application ol'Bradlcy B. Warc lo atncnd Watcr [Jsc Pcrnrit o. 5594 is dcniccl 1 'l'hc Applica¡rt shlll pay the cottrt rcporling ancl transcript costs tlris casc 'l'he Chief'Clerk of thc Commission shall lorward a copy ol'tl''i Ordcr to all partics, attd 3. no umcnchnont to Watcr Usc I'ermit No. 5594 shall be issued +, ¡\ll othcr ulotions. rcqLlests f'or specifìc lrinclings ol' Fact or onclusions tlf' Law, antl orþcr rcc¡r.rcsts lìtr gcncral ancl spccilic relictì il'not expressly grairtcd. ¿rrc cicnicd fbr r.r'anl.
rll'nrcrit.
5. lt'any provision. sc¡ltctlcc, cl¿tuse, or phrasc ol'this Orclcr is iìrr)' rcíìson hclcl to bc t' invalicl. tftc invalidity ol'any pclrtion shall not afl'ect thc valiclity l' thc rc'nraining portions of'this Orclcr. 'l'lrc cl-lcctivc clats ol this Ortlcr is thc clatc thc Orcler is final, as proviclccl by 30 't'AC 6. \ lì0.271 ancl'['¡x. C<lv. Coon ANN. $ 2001,144 ISSt-il,ll):
TF]XAS CONIÙfISSION ON ENVIIIO IINT.\L QtJAl.ll'Y
llu<ldy Gitrcia, Chnirrll an [,'r¡r thc (.'onl missioll
lì C ( Bryan W. Shaw, Ph.D., Chuirman Buddy Garcia, Commissioner Carlos Rubins tein, Commiss ioner Mark R. Vickery, P,C,, Executiue Director
Toxns Coiurr',rrssroN oN BTwTnoNMENTAL Qunltrv Protecting Texas by Reducing and heuenting Pollution
April23,20l0 TO: Persons on the attached mailing list.
RE Bradley B. Ware TCEQ Docket No. 2008-0181-WR; SOAH Docket No. XXX-XX-XXXX Water Use Permit No. 5594 Decision of the Commission on Application.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ("TCEQ" or "Commission") has made a decision to deny the above-referenced application. Enclosed with this letter is a copy of the Commission's order. Unless a Motion for Rehearing ("MFR" or "motion") is timely filed with the chief clerk, as described below, this action of the Commission will become final. A MFR is a request for the Commission to review its decision on the matter. Any motion must explain why the Commission should review the decision.
Deadline for Filing Motion for Rehearing.
A MFR must be received by the chief clerk's offtce no later than 20 days after the date a person is notifred of the Commission's order on this application. A person is presumed to have been notified on the third day after the date that this order is mailed.
Motions may be filed with the chief clerk electronically at http://wwwl0.tceq.state.tx.us/epic/efilings/ or by f,rling an original and 7 copies with the Chief Clerk at the following address: LaDonna Castañuela, Chief Clerk TCEQ, MC-I05 P.O. Box 13087 Austin, Texas 787 1l-3087 Fax: 5121239-3311 In addition, a copy of the motion must be sent on the same day to each of the individuals on the attached mailing list as indicated by an asterisk (*). A certificate of service stating that copies of the motion were sent to those on the mailing list must also be sent to the chief clerk. The procedures for filing and serving motions for rehearing and responses are located in 30 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 580.272 and 30 TAC $1.10-1.11. The hardcopy filing requirement is waived by the General Counsel pursuant to 30 TAC $ 1.10(h).
P.O. Box 111087 ¡\ustin, Tcxas 78711-11087 512-239-1000 lnternet address: wrvw.tceq.state.tx,u.s The written motion must contain (l) the name and representative capacity of the person filing the motion; (2) the style and offrcial docket number assigned by SOAH or official docket number assigned by the Commission; (3) the date of the order; and (a) a concise statement of each allegation of error.
Unless the time for the Commission to act on the motion is extended, the MFR is ovemrled by operation of law 45 days after a person is notified of the Commission's order on this application.
If you have any questions or need additional information about the procedures described in this letter, please call the Office of Public Assistance toll free at l-800-687-4040.
S
Clerk LDC/ms
Enclosures I ( I
Bradley B. Ware TCEQ Docket No. 2008-01 8 1 -WR SOAH Docket No. XXX-XX-XXXX
FOR THE APPLICANT Steve Ramos, Technical Staff Texas Cornmission on Environmental Quality Stephen r W9U-U. +( Water Supply Division MC-160 Gwendolyn Webb P.O. Box 13087 Webb & Webb Austin, Texas 7 87 | l-3087 Southwest Tower I East 7h Street FOR OFFICE OF PLTBLIC ASSISTANCE Austin, Texas 78701 via electronic mail: Bradley B. Ware Bridget Bohac, Director Ga¡rn Branch Road Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Killeen, Texas 76549 Office of Public Assistance MC-108 P.O. Box 13087 INTERESTED PERSONS: Austin, Texas 78711-3087 Andrew Miller FOR PUBLIC INTEREST COUNSEL Kemp Smith LLP via electronic mail: Congress Avenue, Suite 1150 Austin, Texas 78701 Garett Arthur, AttorneY $ Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Gene W. RaY, DVM Public Interest Counsel MC-l03 Town & Country Veterinary Medical Center P.O. Box 13087 East Elms Road Austin, Texas 78711-3087 Killeen, Texas 76542 Bruce Wasinger Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta LLP 3711 South MoPac ExPresswaY LaDonna Castañuela Building 1, Suite 300 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Austin, Texas 78746 Office of Chief Clerk MC-105 P.O. Box 13087 R Austin, Texas 78711-3087
* The Honorable Paul KeePer Shana Horton, StaffAttorneY >þ James Aldredge, Staff AttomeY Admini strative Law Judge Texas Commission on Environmental Quality State Offrce of Administrative Hearings Environmental Law Division MC-173 P. O. Box 13025 P.O. Box 13087 Austin. Texas 7 87 ll-3025 Austin, Texas 787 1I-3087 * Courtesy Copy via inter-agency mail ( !
I )
Tpres ComIISSIoN ox ExvIRoNMENTAL QunurY
AN ORDER Concerning the Application of Bradley B. Ware to amend water use Permit No. 5594; TCEQ Docket No. 2008-0181- WR; SOAH Docket No. XXX-XX-XXXX
On April 14, 2010, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ of 'Ware Commission) considered the application (Application) of Bradley B. to Amend Water Use Permit No. 5594 (Permit). A Proposal for Decision (PFD) was presented by Paul D. Keeper, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) with the State Offrce of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), who conducted a hearing in this case from October 28 through October 29,2009, in Austin, Texas, After considering the ALJ's PFD, the Commission adopts the following Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law:
I. FINDINGS OF FACT General Findíngs 'Ware 1. The applicant is Bradley B. Ware. Mr. owns a 261-acre farm on the Lampasas River, about l5 miles southwest of Killeen, Texas.
2. Mr. Ware's street and mailing address is 911 Gann Branch, Killeen, Texas 76549.
3. Mr. Wa¡e's farm is located in Bell County, Texas, and is r¡'ithin the Brazos River basin.
History of the Pernút 4, On November 7 , 1997 , the Commission issued Mr. Ware the Permit for a ten-year term. t ( I ( ì
9 During the twelve years in which Mr, Ware has had irrigation rights, he has farmed hay, pumpkins, wheat, sorghum, oats, and winter peas.
T2 On November i5, 2005, Mr. Ware timely f,rled his Application to: (1) either extend his Permit for another ten-year period or convert his Permit to a perpetual right, (2) withdraw more acre-feet of water annually, and (3) irrigate 31 more acres of his farm.
14. On June 7 ,2006, the Brazos River Authority contested the application.
16. On November 6, 2006. the ED lecommended denial of the Application.
,, ( tJ -\
l7 On January 8,zOOi , Mr. Ware requested a contested case hearing at SOAH'
On January 25,2008,the Commission directly referred the case to SOAH for a hearing 18.
on the merits.
On April 3, 2008, the SOAH administrative law judge (ALJ) convened a preliminary 19.
hearing and took jurisdiction.
On January 72,2009, the Brazos River Authority was granted the right to withdraw as a protesting Party.
21. on october I, 2008, the ALJ issued an order following a telephonic prehearing be held March 18 conference and notified the parties that the hearing on the merits would through 19,2009.
23. The hearing convened on October 28,2009, and adjourned on October 29,2009' The and replies administrative record closed on Decemb er 2I,2009, after closing arguments were filed.
ED's recommendøtíon to deny the Applícatíon 24. After Mr. Ware filed his Application in 2005, the ED's Surface Water and Interstate Compacts Team determined that "little to no water" was available at Mr' Ware's amended Permit diversion point on the Lampasas River, without regard to whether the would have a perpetual or limited term.
the 25. The ED's Surface Water Availability and Interstate Compacts Team confirmed that hydrologist's conclusion in a water availability review memo that calculated insufficient water was available at Mr. Ware's diversion point to support even the original 130 acre-feet of term-limited appropriation rights' /\ \J )
26. In recommending denial of the Application, the ED relied on the Commission's Water Availability Model for the Brazos River basin (Model), The calculation used a historical period ofrecord of 1940 to 1997.
27 Although previous water availability models v/ere developed and used by the Commission, the current Model has been in use since 2001. The Commissionhas relied on the Model in evaluating all applications for appropriative rights since then.
28 In evaluating the Application with the Model, the ED used a priority date of January 5, 2006,the date on which the Application was administratively complete.
'Ware's 29 The Model predicts that Mr. current request could be satisfied at a I00Yo level in none of the years and at least 7 5o/o in 5.2%o of the years.
Standing 30. The evidence presented by the ED at the hearing on the merits was generated by the Commission or was offered to support the integrity of the Commission's underlying information.
The reliability of the Model
32. The design relies in part on the Model's use of a period of record. a1 JJ The period of record gives the Commission a set of historical boundaries ranging from the most severe basin-wide drought to the most severe flood periods ever recorded.
35 The Model relies on an applicant's particular location within a river basin to determine availability.
r-) 36 If an applicant's diversion point is located within a large drainage area, then the applicant would be able to rely on large streamflows and potentially greater water availability.
40. The Model takes into account an application's priority date in evaluating a request.
4t The role of the priority date is to determine the seniority status of a particular appropriative right previously given by the Commission.
45. The full amount of the Brazos River Authoritl"s requested return flows become available only at the furthest downstream point in the basin; diversions at other points are possible due to specific facts and circumstances of that application.
\ .! ) Priority dates 46. The priority date of Mr, Ware's current Permit is July 7, 1997, and applies to "all extensions...." 47 The priority date in the Permit has no relation to applications for new permits or to any matter other than establishing when the permit holder began the appropriation of water or when the permit holder acquired the right to use the water.
48 The priority date of Mr. Ware's application was established on the date on which it became administratively complete, January 5, 2006.
50. The priority date of the application of the Brazos River Authority is October 15,2004.
5l The priority date of the Brazos fuver Authority's application is earlier than that of Mr. Ware's application.
52 The ED engaged in no manipulation of the priority dates in recommending the denial of Mr. Ware's application.
II. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW The Commission has jurisdiction over the determination of water rights in Texas rivers and streams. T¡x. WnreR Cooe A¡m. ch, 1i.
J SOAH has jurisdiction to conduct a hearing and to prepare a Proposal for Decision in contested cases referred by TCEQ. T¡x. Gov. Coo¡ Al.Jl.J. $ 2003.47 .
o J 4 The Application became administratively complete on January 5,2006. Tex. Wnr¡n Coop AxN. $ I 1.141 and 30 TAC $ 297,44(c) The Application was processed. and the proceedings described in this Order were conducted in accordance with applicable statutes and the rules of the Commission and SOAH. Tex. WnreR CoDE A¡n'¡. ch. 11; 30 TAC ch. 80, i TAC ch. 155, 6. Mr. Ware held the burden of proof. 30 TAC $ 80.17(a). Mr. Ware did not meet his burden.
7 Any person may appear at a hearing at which the issuance of a permit is to be considered.
Tex. WersR CoDE At tN, $ I 1.133.
8 The ED is required to participate as a party in contested hearings relating to applications about water rights. 30 TAC $ 80.108(bxl).
9 The ED is required to represent the Commission in hearings that raise matters that affect the public's interest in the state's environment and natural resources, including matters that have been determined to be policies of the state. T¡x. W¿,rsn Coo¡ A¡m. $ 5.228(a), In contested case permit hearings, the ED's presentation is limited to "the sole purpose of providing information to complete the administrative record." TEX. V/¡,reR Cooe AxN.
$ s.228(c).
11 In a contested hearing, the ED's presentation is limited to "information developed by the Commission . . . ." Tpx. WnreR CoDE Ar.w. $ 5.228(a).
long as the information is within the limits of the law. Tpx. WereR Coop AwN.$ 11.133, l3 All parties to a contested case have the right to present a direct case and to cross-examine the opposing parry's evidence. 30 TAC $ 80, I 15(a).
J
t4, The ED has standing to appear as a party in this proceeding and was authorized to present the Commission's evidence and alguments in opposition to Mr. Ware's case.
15 An applicant may request that an application be remanded to the ED for.action as an uncontested matter if: (1) all timely hearing requests have been withdrawn or denied or (2) all parties to a contested case reach a settlement so that no facts or issues remain controverted. 30 TAC S 80.101.
16. A hearing was required in this case because the ED remained a party to a contested case after the Brazos fuver Authority withdrew its opposition and because there was not a settlement between the remaining parties.
17, Scientific testimony presented by a party must be offered through the testimony of an expert, and_,that testimony must be based on a reliable foundation. Tex. R. Evto. 702' 18 A finder of fact is to determine the reliability of the evidence, and "fu]nreliable expert
testimony is not evidence." Gross v. Burt,149 S.V/.3d 213,237 (Tex. App.-Fort V/orth 2004,pet. denied). t9 To establish the reliability of an expert's testimony, an offering party must first establish the reliabitity of the analysis that the expert used in reaching his conclusions. Six nonexclusive factors are used in determining whether scientific testimony is reliable: (1) the extent to which the theory has been or can be tested; (2) the extent to which the technique relies upon the subjective interpretation of the expert; (3) whether the theory has been subjected to peer review and putlication; (4) the technique's potential rate of error; (5) whether the irnderlying theory or technique has been generally accepted as valid by the relevant scientihc community; and (6) the non-judicial uses that have been made of the theory or technique.
()
Gross v. Burt, 149 S,W.3d at 237, citing Merrell Dow Pharms., Inc' v' Havner,953 S.W.2d 706,714 (Tex. 1997), cert, denied,523 U'S. 1119 (1998) and E'1. du Pont de
Nemours & Co, v, Robinson,923 S.W.2d 549, 557 (Tex' 1995)' 20 Mr. Ware did not establish that the method used by Mr. Jones, Mr. Ware's expert witness, was reliable.
Commission is the state's agent for the regulation of its water. Tex. $ I 1,021(a).
22. The Commission has the authority to allow persons to appropriate state water for specific uses. TEx.'W¡.ren Cooe AIIN. $ 11.022. )7 The Commission may grant permits to applicants who seek to appropriate unappropriated state water. Tex. Wnrnn Cooe ANl. $ Il'I24.
24. The amount of water for which the Commission may grant permits may not be more than is available. Tpx. Weren Cooe AwN. $ 11'023(e).
25. In 1967, the Texas legislature abandoned the state's former system of recognizing both riparian and appropriative rights. . In re Adjudication of ll/ater Rights of Brazos III Segment of Brazos River Basin,746 S.W '2d207,209 (Tex' 1988)'
26 In place of the former system, the legislature adopted "an orderly forum and procedure for the [Commission's] adjudication and administration of water rights'" Brazos III,746 S.W.2d at209.
27 The Commission is required to "provide certainty in water management" by evaluating tlre state's major river basins. Tex. W¡,rEn Copp Ar'r¡¡. $ 11.0235(d-2)'
28 For all permits, the holder has the right to appropriate water only to the extent and for the purposes stated in the permit and subject to the protection of the holders of senior water rights. TEx, WnreRCoDEAr.w.$$ l1'135(a) and 1351.
( t r' 29. An "appropriative right" is the right to impound, divert, store, take, or use a specific quantity of state water acquired by law, 30 TAC ç 297 .1(4).
30 The holder's rights to appropriate water may be affected by the amounts that the holder actually uses or can beneficially use, and "all water not so used is considered not appropriated." TEX. WnrpR CooE Am. $ 11.025, 3l Ifthe holder of a permit does not beneficially use his water, then the right of 'WnreR appropriation is considered to be not perfected. Tex. CoDE A¡w. $ I1.026.
The Commission has discretionary authority to temporarily reallocate unperfected appropriative water rights to persons other than the regular permit holder. An applicant may seek a term permit, a permit that is issued for a term of years rather than in perpetuity. Tpx. WnrpR CoDEAttN.$$ 11.1381(a) and 11.026. aa JJ A term permit allows an applicant to use water rights that have not been perfected by the holders. A term permit creates derivative rights, not original rights, so that the maximum use of water may be achieved. TEx. W¡.IER CoDE At\t{. $ 11.I23.
34 The Commission may deny an application for a term permit if the permit will jeopardize financial commitments for water projects or if the permit will prevent the holder of the senior appropriative right from beneficially using his rights during the period of the term permit. Tex. WerER CoDE Awr. $ 1 I . 13 8 1(b) and (c).
35. If the Commission approves a permit, then the rights that it confers are subordinate to any senior appropriative rights. TEx. WnreR CoDE A¡nç. $ 1 1 , 13 81 (d).
37. A holder of a senior appropriative right may challenge an application for a term permit by showing that the Commission's issuance of a term permit would adversely affect the holder's beneficial use of its senior rights, In proving this adverse effect, the holder may use as its proof: water use projections in the state or regional water plans, economic
) indicators, population growth projections, electrical generation needs, or "other reasonable projections based on accepted methods," 30 TAC ç 297.19(bX2).
38 The Commission may deny an application if the proposed permit would be detrimental to the public welfare. 30 TAC ç 297.19(bX4).
39 In 1997, the Texas legislature mandated the Commission to adopt an updated water availability model (Model) for six river basins in Texas. Tex. WereR Cooe A¡w. $ 16.012(Ð.
4l Neither the ED nor an applicant is required to use the Model in determining whether water is available in each river basin in Texas.
42. The Commission has the authority to contract for "scientific and technical environmental services," including scientific data analysis, to be used in the modeling to be conducted by the ED. TEx. Wnren Cooe A¡w. $ 5.2291(a).
43. The ED has the authority to rely on scientific data analysis in enforcing the terms of a permit and in presenting information about an application for a permit. Tex. WnrER Coo¡ A¡w. $ 5.230.
46 For every permit, a priority date is established for the appropriation of water and fo¡ the claimant's right to use the water. TEx. W¿.reR CoDE Am¡, $ 11.141.
47 The measuring date for these priority dates is the date of filing of an administratively complete application, 30 TAC $ 297.aa@).
48 The date on which a priority date comes into being is "[w]hen the Commission issues the permit . . . ." 30 TAC $297,a4@).
49 An applicant's right to take and use water is limited "to the extent and purposes stated in the permit." TEX. Wnren Cooe AuN. $ 1 1.135(a).
52 Each term permit is subject to the unique statutory limitation making term permits "subordinate to any senior appropriative rights." TEx. WerER CoDE S 1 1 . 13 81(d).
53 Courts generally interpret undefined terms according to their ordinary meaning. TEx. Gov'r Cooe A¡w. $ 311.01L(a);-Geters v. Eagle Ins. Co.,834 S.V/.2d 49,50 (Tex. reez).
54 In affirmative sentences, the ordinary meaning of "any" is "every" or "all." BnyeN A.
G¿,RNEn, GnRNBR's MooenN AveRIcRN Us¡,cp 52 (3d ed. 2009).
55. Term permits are subordinate to all senior water rights. TEx. WnrER CODE ANN $ 11,1381(d); 30 rAC ç2e7.1e(a).
56 Mr. Ware failed to carry his burden of proving that sufficient water exists in the Brazos River basin or that all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements have been met to lvarrant issuing to him the proposed Water Use Permit No. 55944.
57 Pursuant to the authority of, and in accordance with, appiicable laws and regulations, the requested Permit should not be granted.
()
58 Pursuant to 30 Tex. A¡vIN. CoDE A¡ltl, $$ 80.23(dX2), the Executive Director and Office of Public Interest Counsel may not be assessed any portion of the transcript and reporting costs.
IU. EXPLANATION OF CHANGES The Commission sustained the ED's Exceptions regarding Findings of Fact Nos.24,25, 34,37,38, 39, 43, 45 and Conclusion of Law No. 40, as recommended by the ALJ in his March 1.7,2010 reply to the parties' post-PFD submissions.
2 The Commission modified Finding of Fact No. 29 to provide consistency with the TCEQ's water availability review, included in the record as Applicant's Exhibit No. 47, The change was consistent with the ED's Exceptions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED BY THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, IN ACCORDANCE \ryITH THESE FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF'LA\ry TIIAT: The application of Bradley B. Ware to amend Water Use Permit No. 5594 is denied.
L. The Applicant shall pay the court reporting and transcript costs for this case.
3. The Chief Clerk of the Commission shall forward a copy of this Order to all parties, and no amendment to Water Use Permit No, 5594 shall be issued.
iJ l*ì4 rì ,.Å
5 If any provision, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Order is for any reason held to be invalid, the invalidity of any portion shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Order.
6 The effective date of this Order is the date the Order is final, as provided by 30 TAC $ 80,273 and Tpx. Gov. CooE ANN. $ 2001.144.
ISSUED: APR 2 0 2A10 TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
w w, Ph.D
I q) ) APP '^tR/D3zu,lzo
Tpxns CouvussroN oN EuunoxMBNTAL Qunl,trv
STATE OF TEXAS s COUNTY OF TRAVIS $
I, LaDonna Castañuela, Chief Clerk of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), do hereby certiff that the attached mailing list provides the persons to whom the Order regarding Bradley B. Ware, TCEQ Docket No. 2008-0181-WR; SOAH Docket No. XXX-XX-XXXX was mailed on April 23,2010. The persons on the attached mailing list were all mailed by first- class mail except TCEQ and State Office of Administrative (SOAH) staff. The order was provided to TCEQ via electronic mail and SOAH staff via inter-agency mail. Given under my handandthesealoftheTexasCommissiononEnvironmentalQuality,thisthe&ayof April,2010.
Castañue Clerk Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
SEAL WestLaw, V.T.C.A., Government Code $ 2001.060 Page 1
c Effective: I See Text Amend ments I
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness Government Code (Ref's & Annos) Title 10. General Government (Refs & Annos) Subtitle A. Administrative Procedure and Practice \l Chapter 2001 . Administrative Procedure (Refs & Annos) ñfd Subchapter C. Contested Cases: General Rights and Procedures ++ S 2001.060. Record
The record in a contested case includes
(1) each pleading, motion, and intermediate ruling;
(2) evidence received or considered;
(3) a statement of matters officially noticed;
(4) questions and offers ofproof, objections, and rulings on them;
(5) proposed findings and exceptions;
(6) each decision, opinion, or report by the officer presiding at the hearing; and
(7) all staff memoranda or data submitted to or considered by the hearing officer or members of the agency who are involved in making the decision.
CREDTT(S)
Added by Acts 1993,73rd I-.eg,, ch. 268, $ I, eff. Sept. l, 1993
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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@ 2015 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. 'Works V.T,C.A., Government Code $ 2001.060 Page2
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O 2015 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. Works WestLaw.
V.T.C.A., Government Code $ 2001.175 Page I
c Effective: [See Text Amendmentsl
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness Government Code (Refs & Annos) Title 10. General Government (Refis & Annos) Subtitle A. Administrative Procedure and Practice Ñlf, Chaptcr 2001. Administrative Procedure (Refìs & Amros) ñlf Subohapter G. Contested Cases: Judicial Review ++ $ 2001.175. Procedures for Review Under Substantial Evidence Rule or Undefined Scope of Review
(a) The procedures ofthis section apply ifthe manner ofreview authorized by law for the decision in a contested case that is the subject of complaint is other than by trial de novo.
(b) After service of the petition on a state agency and within the time permitted for hling an answer or within addi- tional time allowed by the court, the agency shall send to the reviewing court the original or a certifìed copy of the entire record of the proceeding under review. The record shall be filed with the clerk of the court, The record may be shortened by stipulation of all parties to the review proceedings. The court may assess additional costs against a party who unreasonably refuses to stipulate to limit the record, unless the party is subject to a rule adopted under Section 2001.177 requiring payment of all costs of record preparation. The court may require or permit later corrections or additions to the record.
(c) A party may apply to the court to present additional evidence. Ifthe court is satisfied that the additional evidence is material and that there were good reasons for the failure to present it in the proceeding before the state agency, the court may order that the additional evidence be taken before the agency on conditions determined by the court. The agency may change its findings and decision by reason ofthe additional evidence and shall file the additional evidence and any changes, new findings, or decisions with the reviewing court.
(d) The party seeking judicial review shall offer, and the reviewing court shall admit, the state agency record into evidence as an exhibit.
(e) A court shall conduct the review sitting without ajury and is confined to the agenoy record, except that the court may receive evidence ofprocedural irregularities alleged to have occurred before the agency that are not reflected in the record.
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cREDTT(S)
AddedbyActs 1993,73rd l-eg., ch. 268, $ l, eff. Sept, l, 1993
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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O 2015 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. Works. lVestLaw V.T.C.A., Vy'ater Code $ 11.022 Page I
c Effective: [See Text Amendments]
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness Water Code (Refìs & Annos) Title 2. Vy'ater Administration (Ref\ & Annos) Subtitle B. Water Rights ÑEt Chapter 1l Water Rights (Refs & Annos) Ñfi! Subchapter B. Rights in State Water (Refs & Annos) ++ $ 11.022. Acquisition of Right to Use State Water
The right to the use of state water may be acquired by appropriation in the marurer and for the purposes provided in this chapter. When the right to use state water is lawfully acquired, it may be taken or diverted from its natural channel'
cREDrr(s) Amended by Acts 1977,65thl-eg., p. 2207, ch.870, $ 1, eff. Sept. 1,1977
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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O 2015 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. Works.
Westtaw V.T.C.A., Water Code $ 11.025 Page 1
c Effective: [See Text Amendments]
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness Water Code (Refls & Annos) Title 2. Water Administration (Retìs & Annos) Subtitle B. rùy'ater Rights ÑE Chapter I l. Water Rights (Refs & Annos) ÑE Subchapter B, Rights in State V/ater (Refs & Annos) ++ $ 11.025. Scope of Appropriative Right
A right to use state water under permit or a certified fìling is limited not only to the amount specifically appropriated a but also to the amount which is being or can be benefìcially used for the pulposes speciflred in the appropriation, and all water not so used is considered not appropriated.
CREDIT(S)
Amended by Acts 1977, 65thleg., p, 2207, ch. 870, $ l, eff. Sept. l, 1977
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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END OF DOCUMENT
O 2015 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. Works. weittaw Page 1 V.T.C,A., Water Code $ 11.026
c Effective: [See Text Amendments]
Vemon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness Water Code (Ref's & Amros) Title2.Water Administration (Re1ìs & Annos) Subtitle B. Water Rights ÑË Chapter 11. Water Rights (Refs & Annos) ÑE Subchapter B' Rights in State Water (Refs & Annos) ++ $ 11.026. Perfection of an Appropriation used for a purpose stated in the No right to appropriate water is perfected unless the water has been beneficially a permit issued by the commission or one of its original declaration of intention to appropriate water or stated in predecessors.
cREDIT(S)
Amendedby Acts 1977,65thLeg., p.2207,ch' 870, $ l, eff' Sept' 1' 1977' Legislature Current through the end of the 2013 Third Calted Session of the 83rd
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@ 2015 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig' US Gov' Works' We"stIaw V.T.C.A., Water Code {ì 11.027 Page I
c Effective: [See Text Amendmentsl
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness Water Code (Relb & Amos) Title 2. Water Administration (Ret's & Annos) Subtitle B. Water Rights Ñlil Chapter 11. Water Rights (Refs & Annos) ÑE Subchapter B. Rights in State Water (Refs & Annos) ++ $ lf^.027.Rights Between Appropriators
As between appropriators, the flrrst in time is the first in right.
cREDrr(s) Added by Acts 1977 , 65th Leg., p. 2207 , ch. 870, $ I , eff. Sept. l, 1977
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Callcd Session of the 83rd Legislature
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@ 2015 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. Vy'orks.
Weistl.aw Page I V.T,C.A., Water Code |i I1.042
c Effective: June 19' 2009
Vemon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness Water Code (Ref's & Am.ros) Tille2. Water Administration (Refìs & Amros) Subtitle B. Vy'ater Rights Átä Chapter I l Vy'ater Rights (Refs & Annos) \ti3 Subohapter B. Rights in State Vy'ater (Refs & Annos) l+ S 11.042. Delivering Water Down Banks and Beds
(a) Under rules prescribed by the commission, a person, association of persons, corporation, water control and im- provement district, water improvement district, or irrigation district supplying stored or conserved water under çon- tract as provided in this chapter may use the bank and bed of any flowing natural stream in the state to convey the water from the place of storage to the place of use or to the diversion point of the appropriator.
(a-l) With prior authorization granted under rules prescribed by the commission, a person, association of persons, water corporation, water control and improvement district, water improvement district, or irrigation district supplying imported from a source located wholly outside the boundaries of this state, except water imported from a source located in the United Mexican States, may use the bed and banks of any flowing natural stream in the state to convey water for use in this state. The authorization must:
(1) allow for the diversion of only the amount of water put into a watercourse or stream, less carriage losses; and
(2) include special conditions adequate to prevent a significant impact to the quality of water in this state
(b) A person who wishes to discharge and then subsequently divert and reuse the person's existing return flows derived from privately owned groundwater must obtain prior authorization from the commission for the diversion and the reuse of these retum flows. The authorization may allow for the diversion and reuse by the discharger of existing return flows, less carriage losses, and shall be subject to special conditions ifnecessary to protect an existing water provided to right that was granted based on the use or availability of these return flows. Special conditions may also be future help maintain instream uses and freshwater inflows to bays and estuaries. A person wishing to divert and reuse increases of return flows derived from privately owned groundwater must obtain authorization to reuse increases in return flows before the increase '
(c) Except as otherwise provided in Subsection (a) ofthis section, a person who wishes to convey and subsequently
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V.T.C.A., Water Code $ I1.042 Page2
divert water in a watercourse or stream must obtain the prior approval of thç commission through a bed and banks authorization. The authorization shall allow to be diverted only the amount of water put into a watercourse or stream, less carriage losses and subject to any special conditions that may address the impact ofthe discharge, conveyance, and diversion on existing permits, certified filings, or certificates of adjudication, instream uses, and freshwater in- flows to bays and estuaries. Water discharged into a watercourse or stream under this chapter shall not cause a deg- radation of water quality to the extent that the stream segment's classification would be lowered. Authorizations under this section and water quality authorizations may be approved in a consolidated permit proceeding.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect an existing project for which water rights and reuse authoriza- tions have been granted by the commission before September 1,1997.
cREDTT(S)
Added by Acts lg77,65tltleg., p, 2207, ch.870, $ l, eff. Sept. 1,1977 . Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch' 795, $ l.006,eff.Sept. 1,1985;Aots 199'7,7sthl-eg.,ch. 1010,ii 2.06,eff. Sept. 1,1997;Acts2009,81stLeg.,ch.1016,$2, elï. June 19,2009.
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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END OF DOCTIMENT
O 2015 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. Works WeistLaw.
V.T.C.A., Vy'ater Code $ I1.046 Page 1
c Effective: [See Text Amendments]
Vemon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Cunentness Water Code (Refs & Atrnos) Title 2. Water Administration (Refs & Annos) Subtitle B. Water Rights ÑEl Chapter 11. Water Rights (Refs & Annos) Ñf3 Subohapter B. Rights in State Water (Rcfs & Annos) + + $ 11.046. Return SurPlus Water
(a) A person who takes or diverts water from a watercourse or stream for the purposes authorized by this code shall conduct surplus water back to the watercourse or stream from which it was taken if the water can be returned by gravity flow and it is reasonably practicable to do so'
(b) In granting an application for a water right, the commission may include conditions in the water right providing for the return of surplus water, in a specific amount or percentage of water diverted, and the return point on a wateraourse or stream as necessary to protect senior downstream permits, certified filings, or certificates of adjudication or to provide flows for instream uses or bays and estuaries.
(c) Except as specifically provided otherwise in the water right, water appropriated under a permit, certiflred fitling, or certificate of adjudication may, prior to its release into a watercourse or stream, be beneficially used and reused by the holder ofa permit, certified filing, or certificate ofadjudication for the purposes and locations ofuse provided in the permit, certified filing, or certif,rcate of adjudication. Once water has been diverted under a permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication and then returned to a watercourse or stream, however, it is considered surplus water and therefore subject to reservation for instream uses or beneficial inflows or to appropriation by others unless expressly provided otherwise in the permit, certified fìling, or certificate of adjudication.
(d) Water appropriated under a permit, certified fìling, or certificate of adjudication which is recirculated within a reservoir for cooling purposes shall not be considered to be surplus for purposes of this chapter.
CREDTT(S)
AddedbyActs 1977,65thLeg.,p.2207,ch.870, $ l, eff. Sept. l,lgTT.AmendedbyActs 1997,75ih l-.eg., ch. 1010, $ 2.07, eff. Scpt. 1,1997.
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V.T.C.A., Vy'ater Code $ 11.046 Page2
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislahrre
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END OF DOCUMENT
O 2015 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. Vy'orks WestLaw Page I V.T.C.A., Water Code |i I I'l2l
P t Effective: [See Text Amendmentsl
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness Water Code (Ret's & Annos) Title 2. Water Administration (Retìs & Annos) Subtitle B. Water Rights ÑEl Chaptcr 1L Water Rights (Refs & r\nnos) 1l Subchaptcr D. Permits to Use State Water (Ret's & Annos) l+ $ ll.121. Permit Required any state water Except as provided in Scctions I | .142, I l.l42l , and I L 1422 of this code, no person may appropriate or begin construction of any rvork designed for the storage, taking, or diversion of water without first obtaining a permit from the commission to make the appropriation,
cREDrr(s) Lcg., ch. 544, Added by Acrs lg7i , 65rhleg., p. 2207 , c6.870, $ l, eff. Sept. I, lg77 , Amended by Acts 1987' 70th $ l. eft'. Aug.31, 1987;Acts 1995, 71lh'Leg.,ch. 183, $ I' cft May23, 1995' Current through the end of the 201 3 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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END OF DOCUMENT
( ll) l-5 -llrotnson l{cuters. Ntl L'lairlr to Orig' US (ior', Works.
WestLaw V.T,C.A., Water Code $ I1.134 Page I
P Effective: September l, 2007
Vernon's Texas Starutes and Codes Annotated Currentlless Watcr Code (Retìs & Annos) Title 2. Water Administration (lletìs & Annos) Subtitle B. Water Rights ÃH Chuptcr I l. Water Rights (Refìs & Annos) Ñi¡ Subclìapter D. Pemrits to Use State Water (Ret's & z\nnos) ++ |i 11.134. Action on r\pPlication (a) AFter the hearing, the commission shall make a written decision granting or denying the application. The appli- cation may be granted or denied in whole or in part'
(b) The commission shall grant the application only if:
(l) the application conforms to the requirements prescribed by this chapter and is accompanied by the prescribed fee
(2) unappropriated water is available in the source of supply;
(3) the proposed appropriation:
(A) is intended for a beneficial use;
(B) does not irnpair existing water rights or vested riparian rights;
(C) is not detrimental to the public rvelfare;
( D) considers any app licable environmental tlow standards established under Sec tion I I . I '17 I and, if applicable, theassessmentspert'ormedunderSectiotrs lt,l-17(d)and(e)andSecrions ll.l-50, ll l51.and tl,t-52; and
(E) addresses a water supply need in a nlanner that is consistent rvith the state rvater plan and the relevant ap- proved regional rvater plan for auy area in which the proposed appropriation is located, unless the commission cletennines that conditions warrant rvaiver of this requirementl and
t- l0t-5'l'homson lìcutcrs. No Cl¡irn to Orig. US (ior'. Works V.T.C.A., Water Code iì I Ll34 Page 2
(4) the applicant has provided evidence that reasonable diligence will be used to avoid waste and achieve water conservation as defìned by Section I L002(8XB),
(c) Beginning January 5,2002, the commission may not issue a water right for municipal purposes in a region that does not have an approved regional water plan in accordance with Sectiorr 16.053(i) unless the commission determines that conditions warrant waiver of this requircment.
CREDTT(S)
Added by Acts 1977,65th Leg., p. 2207, ch.870, $ l, eff. Sept. l,1977 . Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 133, $ 1.09;Acts 1997,7sthleg.,ch. 1010,$4.0l,eff.Sept. l, 1997;Acts 1999,76thleg.,ch, 1223,i l,etïJuue 18, l9c)9; Acts200l ,77thLeg.,ch.966,N2.08,etf.Sept, 1,2001;Acts2007,80thLeg.,ctr. 135l,Nl.l2,etï.Sept. 1,2007;Acts 2007,80th Leg., ch. 1430, N 1.12, etï. Sept. l,2007.
Current through the end of the 20 l3 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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END OF DOCUMENT
.l'honl^son s) l01.5 lìeutcrs. No Cllairrr to (.)rig. tJS (iov. Works.
WestLaw V.T.C.A., Water Code $ 11.1351 Page I
c Effective: [See Text Amendments]
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentuess Water Code (Refs & Aturos) Tirle2. V/ater Administration (Refìs & Annos) Subtitle B. Water Rights Ãff Chapter 11. Water Rights (Refs & Annos) ÑlI Subchapter D. Permits to Use State Water (Refìs & Annos) +.+ S 11.1351. Permit Restrictions
In granting an application, the commission may direct that stream flow restrictions and other conditions and re- strictions be placed in the permit being issued to protect the priority of senior water rights.
cREDTT(S)
AddedbyActs 1987,70thI-,eg., ch.404,5s 1, eff. Sept. I, 1987.
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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END OF DOCUMENT
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WestLaw.
V.T.C.A., Water Code $ I 1.138 I Page I
c Effective: ISee Text r\mendmentsl
Vemon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Curreutness Water Code (Retìs & Aturos) Title 2. Water Administration (Rct.s & Annos) Subtitle B. Water Rights Ñl;l Clhuptcr I l. lVater Rights (Rclìs & Annos) (t3 & Annos) Subchapter D. Permits to Use State'ùy'ater (Rc'tìs ++ .{i 11.1381. Term Permits
(a) Until a water right is perfected to the full extent provided by Section I I .016 otthis code, the commission may issue permits for a term of years for use of state water to which a senior water right has not been perfected.
(b) The commission shall refuse to grant an application for a permit under this section if the commission finds that there is a substantial likelihood that the issuance of the permit will jeopardize fìnancial commitments rnade t'or water projects that have been built or that are being built to optimally develop the water resources of the area.
(c) T[e commission shall refuse to grant an application tbr a term permit if the holder of the senior appropriative water right can demonstrate that the issuance of the term permit would prohibit the senior appropriative water right holder from benefìcially using the senior rights during the term of the term permit. Such demonstration will be made using reasonable projections based on accepted methods.
(d) A permit issued under this section is subordinate to any senior appropriative water rights.
cREDIT(S)
AddedbyActs 1987,70th Lcg., ch. -105, ìi l. elt'. Sept. I, t987 Current tluough the end of the 2013 Third Catled Session oIthe 83rd Legislature
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l0 l5 I honlson l{e utcls No C l¡inr to Oris. US (iov \\;orks, V.T.C.A., Water Code |i 11.1381 Page2
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WestLaw Page I V.T.C.A., Water Code $ 11'146
c Effective: September 1' 2001
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currenttress Water Code (Ref's & Annos) T ítle 2. Water Administration (Refìs & Arrrros) Subtitle B. Water Rights Ñlf, Chapter 11. V/ater Rights (Ref's & Annos) ñbi Subohapter D. Permits to use State Water (Refs & Annos) + for Inaction + $ ll.146. Forfeitures and cancellation of Permit (a) a permittee fails to begin construction within the time specihed in Section If l1'145 of this code, he forfeits all rights to the permit, subject to notice and hearing as prescribed by this section.
to the completion of the (b) After beginning construction if the appropriator fails to work diligently and continuously and hearing as prescribed by this work, the appropriation is subject to cancellation in whole or part, subject to notice section.
this section or any (c) If the commission believes that an appropriation or permit should be declared forfeited under notice and provide him with an op- other sections of this code, it should give the appropriator or permittee 30 days portunity to be heard.
in whole or part' (d) After the hearing, the commission by entering an order of record may cancel the appropriation to the county The commission shall immediately transmit a certif,red copy of the cancellation order by certified mail the cancellation order' clerk of the county in which the permit is recorded. The county clerk shall record the use of water, the water is not (e) Except as provided by Section I 1.1 381 of this code, if a permit has been issued for or part as provided by this section' subject to a new appropriation until the permit has been cancelled in whole
(i) Except as provided by Subchapter E of this chapter, [FNl I none of the provisions of this code may be construed as intended to impair, cause, or authorize or may impair, cause, or authorize the forfeiture of any rights acquired by any begins the work and development declaration of appropriation or by any permit if the appropriator has begun or provided by the law under which the contemplated by his declaration of appropriation or permit within the time prosecuted or continues to prosecute it with declaration of appropriation was made or the permit was granted and has all reasonable diligence toward completion.
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(g) This section does not apply to a permit for construction of a reservoir designed for the storage of more than 50,000 acre-feet of water.
CREDrr(s)
AmendedbyActs 1977,65thleg.,p.2207,ch.870, $ 1, eff. Sept. 1,1977; Acts 1987,701h1-,e9., ch.405, $ 2, eff.
Sept. 1, 1987;Acts 200l,77thleg., ch.966, $ 2.10, eff. Sept. 1,2001.
IFNl] V.T.C.A., Water Code $ I1.171 et seq.
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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WestLaw V.T.C.A., Vy'ater Code $ 11.147 Page I
c Effective: September l, 2007
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Cutrenhress Water Code (Ref-s & Amos) Tille 2. Water Administration (Re tìs & Anuos) Subtitle B. Water Rights ñ[ál Chapter I 1. Water Rights (Refs & Annos) Ñli Subchapter D. Permits to Use State Water (Retìs & Annos) + + $ ll.l47. Effects of Permit on Bays and Estuaries and Instream Uses
(a) In this section, "benefìcial inflows" means a salinity, nutrient, and sediment loading regime adequate to maintain an ecologically sound environment in the receiving bay and estuary system that is necessary for the maintenance of productivity of economically important and ecologically characteristic sport or commercial fish and shellfish species and estuarine life upon which such fish and shellfish are dependent.
(b) In its consideration of an application for a permit to store, take, or divert water, the commission shall assess the effects, if any, of the issuance of the permit on the bays and estuaries of Texas. For permits issued within an area that is 200 river miles of the coast, to commence from the mouth of the river thence inland, the commission shall include in the permit any conditions considered necessary to maintain beneficial inflows to any affected bay and estuary system, to the extent practicable when considering all public interests and the studies mandated by Sectiou 16,0-58 as evaluated under Sectiotr I l. 1491.
(c) For the purposes of making a determination under Subsection (b) of this section, the commission shall consider among other factors:
(l) the need for periodic freshwater inflows to supply nutrients and modify salinity to preserve the sound envi- ronment of the bay or estuary, using any available information, including studies and plans specified in Sçction I . 149 I of this code and other studies considered by the commission to be reliable; together with existing circum- stances, natural or otherwise, that might prevent the conditions imposed from producing benefits;
(2) the ecology and productivity of the affected bay and estuary system;
(3) the expected effects on the public welfare of not including in the permit some or all of the conditions considered necessary to maintain the beneficial inflows to the affected bay or estuary system;
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V.T.C.A,, Vy'ater Code $ 11.147 Page 2
(4) the quantity of water requested and the proposed use of water by the applicant, as well as the needs of those who would be served by the applicant;
(5) the expected effects on the public welfare of the failure to issue all or part of the permit being considered; and
(6) for purposes of this section, the declarations as to preferences for competing us€s of water as found in Sections I1,024 and I I .033, Water Code, as well as the public policy statement in Section 1.003, Water Code.
(d) In its consideration of an application to store, take, or divert water, the commission shall include in the permit, to the extent practicable when considering all public interests, those conditions considered by the commission necessary to maintain existing instream uses and water quality of the stream or river to which the application applies. In de- termining what conditions to include in the permit under this subsection, the commission shall consider among other factors:
(l) the studies mandated by Section 16.059; and
(2) any water quality assessment performed under Section 1 I .150.
(e) The commission shall include in the permit, to the extent practicable when considering all public interests, those conditions considered by the commission necessary to maintain fish and wildlife habitats. In determining what con- ditions to include in the permit under this subsection, the commission shall consider any assessment performed under Section ll.l52. (e-l) Any permit for a new appropriation of water or an amendment to an existing water right that increases the amount of water authorized to be stored, taken, or diverted must include a provision allowing the commission to adjust the conditions included in the permit or amended water right to provide for protection of instream flows or freshwater inflows. With respect to an amended water right, the provision may not allow the commission to adjust a condition of the amendment other than a condition that applies only to the increase in the amount of water to be stored, taken, or diverted authorized by the amendment. This subsection does not affect an appropriation of or an authorization to store, take, or divert water under a permit or amendment to a water right issued before September 1,2007. The commission shall adjust the conditions the commission determines, through an expedited public comment process, that such an if adjustment is appropriate to achieve compliance with applicable environmental flow standards adopted under Section l l.I4l L The adjustment:
(l)in combination with any previous adjustments made under this subsection may not increase the amount of the pass-through or release requirement for the protection of instream flows or freshwater inflows by more than 12.5 percent of the annualized total of that requirement contained in the permit as issued or of that requirement contained in the amended water right and applicable only to the increase in the amount of water authorized to be stored, taken, or diverted under the amended water right;
(2) must be based on appropriate consideration of the priority dates and diversion locations of any other water rights
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granted in the same river basin that are subject to adjustment under this subsection; and
(3) must be based on appropriate consideration ofany voluntary contributions to the Texas Vy'ater Trust, and ofany voluntary amendments to existing water rights to change the use of a specified quantity of water to or add a use of a specified quantity of water for instream flows dedicated to environmental needs or bay and estuary inflows as au- lhorizedby Section 11.0237(a), that actually contribute toward meeting the applicable environmental flow stand- ards.
(e-2) Any water right holder who makes a contribution or amends a water right as described by Subsection (e-1)(3) is entitled to appropriate credit for the benefits of the contribution or amendment against the adjustment of the holder's water right under Subsection (e-1).
(e-3) Notwithstanding Subsections (b)-(e), for the purpose of determining the environmental flow conditions neces- sary to maintain freshwater inflows to an affected bay and estuary system, existing instream uses and water quality of a stream or river, or fish and aquatic wildlife habitats, the commission shall apply any applicable environmental flow standard, including any environmental flow set-aside, adopted under Section lll47l instead of considering the factors specifìed by those subsections.
(Ð On receipt of an application for a permit to store, take, or divert water, the commission shall send a copy of the permit applieation and any subsequent amendments to the Parks and V/ildlife Department. At its option, the Parks and Wildlife Department may be a party in hearings on applications for permits to store, take, or divert water. In making a hnal decision on any application for a permit, the commission, in addition to other information, evidence, and testi- mony presented, shall consider all information, evidence, and testimony presented by the Parks and Wildlife De- partment and the board.
(g) The failure of the Parks and Wildlife Department to appear as a party does not relieve the commission of the requirements of this section.
cREDTT(S)
Amendedby Acfslg'77,65thLeg., p.2207, ch. 870, $ l, eff. Sept. l, 1977; Acts l985,69thLeg., ch. 133, |j 4.01;Acts l987,70thLeg.,ch,4l9,$3,eft'.Sept. l,lL)87;Actsl987,70thLeg.,ch.977,$5,e11'.June19, 1987;Acts200I,17th l,eg., ch. 966, N 2.1l, eff. Sept. 1,2001;Acts 2003,78th l-,eg., ch.1212, f) 3, eff. .Iune 20,2003; Acts 2007, tì0thl-eg., c,lr. 1351,$ 1.l3,cfÏ.Sept. 1,2007;Acts2007,80thLeg.,ch. 1430,$ l.l3,eff.Sept. 1,2007.
Current tkough the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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WdstLaw.
Page 1 V.T.C.A., Water Code $ 1l '1471
c Effective: September l' 2007
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Curentness Water Code (Refìs & Amros) Tttle 2. Vy'ater Administration (Retìs & Annos) Subtitle B. Vy'ater Rights Ñl¡¡ Chaptcr 1 1. Water Rights (Refs & Annos) ñlìl Subchapter D. Permits to use state water (Ret's & Arlnos) ++$ll.|4Tl.EnvironmentalFlowStandardsandSet-Asides (a) The commission bY rule shall:
(l) adopt appropriate environmental flow standards for each river basin and bay system in this state that are ade- quate to support a sound ecological environment, to the maximum extent reasonable considering other public in- terests and other relevant factors;
(2) establish an amount of unappropriated water, if available, to be set aside to satisfy the environmental flow needs; and standards to the maximum extent reasonable when considering human water permit or an amended water (3) establish procedures for implementing an adjustment of the conditions included in a right as provided by Seotions I 1.147(e-I) and (e-2)' (a)(1), the commis- (b) In adopting environmental flow standards for a river basin and bay system under Subsection sion shall consider:
(I ) the def,rnition of the geographical extent of the river basin and bay system adopted by the advisory group under Scction 11.02362(a)andthedefinitionanddesignationoftheriverbasinbytheboardundersectionl6'051(c); (e) for the adoption of environ- (2) the schedule established by the advisory group under Section ll.02362(d) or mental flow standards for the river basin and bay system, if applicable; by the applicable (3) the environmental flow analyses and the recommended environmental flow regime developed basin and bay expert science team under Section 1 l '02362Qn); under Section (4) the recommendations developed by the applicable basin and bay area stakeholders committee
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11.02362(o) regarding environmental flow standards and strategies to meet the flow standards;
(5) any coÍìments submitted by the advisory group to the commission under Section 1L02362(q);
(6) the specific characteristics of the river basin and bay system;
(7) economic factors;
(8) the human and other competing water needs in the river basin and bay system;
(9) al1 reasonably available scientific information, including any scientific information provided by the science advisory committee; and
(10) any other appropriate information.
(c) Environmental flow standards adopted under Subsection (a)(l) must consist of a schedule of flow quantities, reflecting seasonal and yearly fluctuations that may vary geographically by specific location in a river basin and bay system.
(d) As provided by Section I 1.023, the commission may not issue a permit for a new appropriation or an amendment to an existing water right that increases the amount of water authorized to be stored, taken, or diverted if the issuance of the permit or amendment would impair an environmental flow set-aside established under Subsection (a)(2). A permit for a new appropriation or an amendment to an existing water right that increases the amount of water au- thorized to be stored, taken, or diverted that is issued after the adoption ofan applicable environmental flow set-aside must contain appropriate conditions to ensure protection of the environmental flow set-aside.
(e) An environmental flow set-aside established under Subsection (a)(2) for a river basin and bay system other than the middle and lower Rio Grande must be assigned a priority date corresponding to the date the commission receives environmental flow regime recommendations from the applicable basin and bay expert science team and be included in the appropriate water availability models in corurection with an application for a permit for a new appropriation or for an amendment to an existing water right that increases the amount of water authorized to be stored, taken, or diverted.
(f) An environmental flow standard or environmental flow set-aside adopted under Subsection (a) may be altered by the commission in a rulemaking process undçrtaken in accordance with a schedule established by the commission. In establishing a schedule, the commission shall consider the applicable work plan approved by the advisory group under Section 11.02362(p).Thecommission'sschedulemaynotprovidefortherulemakingprooesstooccurmorefrequently than once everyl0 years unless the work plan provides for a periodic review under Sectiott I L02362(p) to occur more frequently than once every l0 years. In that event, the commission may provide for the rulemaking process to be undertaken in conjunction with the periodic review if the commission determines that schedule to be appropriate. A rulemaking process undertaken under this subsection must provide for the participation of stakeholders having in-
@ 2015 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. Vy'orks.
Page 3 V.T.C.A., Water Code $ 11.1471
process is undertaken' terests in the particular river basin and bay system for which the
CREDIT(S) 2007, 80th Leg., ch' 1430, $ 1'14, etÏ' Sept' Added by Acrs 2007, 80th Leg., ch. 1351, $ 1.14, eff. Sept. 1, 2007; Acts 1,2007
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Callcd Session of the 83rd Legislature
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@ 2015 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov' Works' WestLaw Page I V.T.C.A., Water Code $ 11.1491
c Effective: September l, 2007
Vemon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Cutretrtness Water Code (Refb & Annos) Title 2. Water Administration (Ref's & Amros) Subtitle B. Water Rights ÑÞl Chapter 11. Water Rights (Rcfs & Annos) \9 Subohapter D. Permits to Use State Vy'ater (Ref"s & Annos) + + $ ll.l49l. Evaluation of Bays and Estuaries Data
(a) The parks and Wildlife Department and the commission shall have joint responsibility to review the studies pre- pared under Sectign 16.058, to determine inflow conditions necessary for the bays and estuaries, and to provide in- formation necessary for water resources management. Each agency shall designate an employee to share equally in the oversight of the program. other responsibilities shall be divided between the Parks and Wildlife Department and the commission to maximize present in-house capabilities of personnel and to minimize costs to the state. Each agency shall have reasonable access to all information produced by the other agency. Publication ofreports completed under this section shall be submitted for comment to the commission, the Parks and Wildlife Department, the advisory group, the science advisory committee, and any applicable basin and bay area stakeholders committee and basin and bay expert science team.
(b) Repealed by Acts 2007, 80tb l-eg., ch. l35l , $ 1.25; Acts 2007, 80th t.eg., ch. 1430, $ I '25
(c) The board may authorize the use of money from the research and planning fund established by Chapter 15 of this code to accomplish the purposes of this section. These funds shall be used by the commission in cooperation with the parks and V/ildlife Department for interagency contracts with cooperating agencies and universities, and contracts with private sector establishments, as necessary, to accomplish the purposes of this section.
CREDIT(S)
Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 133, $ 4,02. Renumbered from V.'f .C.4., Water Code $ I 1.149 and amended by Acts 1987,70th Leg.. ch.4l9, g I, efT. Sept. 1, 1987. AmendedbyActs 2007,80thl-eg', ch. 1351, li$ 1.17, 1.25, eff, Sept. 1, 2007; Acts 2007, 80th Leg., ch' 1430, S$ l.l'7,7.25, efTì Sept. 1,2007 '
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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V.T.C.A., Water Code $ I l.l49l Page 2
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Westtaw.
V.T,C.A., Water Code {j 11.150 Page I
c Effective: [See Text Amendments]
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Curretrhtess Water Code (Refb & Amros) Title2. Vy'ater Administration (Refìs & Annos) Subtitle B. Water Rights ñlil Chapter 11. Vy'ater Rights (Refs & Annos) ñlil & Arrnos) Subohapter D. Permits to Use State Vy'ater (Refìs ++ $ lf .150. Effects of Permits on Water Quatity
In consideration of an application for a permit under this subchapter, the commission shall assess the effects, if any, of the issuance of the permit on water quality in this state.
CREDTT(S)
Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 795, $ 3.001, eff. Sept. l, 1985
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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WestLaw V.T.C.A., WaterCode $ I1.151 Page I
c Effective: [See Text Amendments]
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness Water Code (Refs & Amros) Title 2. Water Administration (Ret's & Annos) Subtitle B. Water Rights ñ[i¡ Chapter 11. Water Rights (Refs & Annos) ÑE Subohapter D. Permits to Use State Water (Refs & Annos) +-f $ 11.151. Effects of Permits on Groundwater
In considering an application for a permit to store, take, or divert surface water, the commission shall consider the effects, ifany, on groundwater or groundwater recharge,
cREDTT(S)
AddedbyActs 1997,7Stltl-eg., ch, 1010, $ 4.02,eff. Sept. 1,1997
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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WestLaw V.T.C.A., Water Code $ 11.152 Page I
c Effective: September 1, 2009
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currenhress Water Code (Refìs & Annos) Title 2. Vy'ater Administration (Refìs & Annos) Subtitle B. Water Rights ÑE Chapter 1 1. Vy'ater Rights (Refls & Annos) $ù Subchapter D. Permits to Use State V/ater (Relìs & Annos) + + $ ll.l52, Assessment of Effects of Permits on Fish and \ilildlife Habitats In its consideration of an application for permit to store, take, or divert water in excess of 5,000 acre feet per year, the a commission shall assess the effects, if any, on the issuance of the permit on fish and wildlife habitats and may require the applicant to take reasonable actions to mitigate adverse impacts on such habitat. In determining whether to require an applicant to mitigate adverse impacts on a habitat, the commission may consider any net benefit to the habitat produced by the project. The commission shall offset against any mitigation required by the U.S. Fish and V/ildlife Service pursuant to 33 C.F.R. Parts 320-330 any mitigation authorized by this section.
CREDTT(S)
Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch.795, $ 3.001, eff. Sept. I, 1985. Renumbered from V,T.C.A., Water Code $ l1 '149 by Acts 1987, 70th [.eg., ch. I 67, $ 5.01 (a)(56), efT. Sept. l, 1987. Amended by Acts 2009, 81st l-eg., oh. 87, !i 24.002, e tï-. Sept. 1, 2009.
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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END OF DOCLIMENT
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c Effec tive: [See Text Amendments]
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Curretrtness rffater Code (Ref's & Anrros) Title 2. Water Administration (Refìs & Annos) Subtitle B. Vy'ater Rights Ñtå Chapter 11. Vy'ater Rights (Refìs & Annos) \¡ Subohapter E. Cancellation of Permits, Certified Filings, and Certificates of Adjudication for Nonuse (Retìs & z\nnos) ++ $ ll.l7l. Definitions
As used in this subchapter:
(l) "Other interested person" means any person other than a record holder who is interested in the permit or certified filing or any person whose direct interest would be served by the cancellation of the permit or certified fìling in whole or part.
(2) "Certified filing" means a declaration of appropriation or affidavit that was filed with the State Board of Vy'ater Engineers under the provisions of Section 14, Chapter 171, General Laws, Acts of the 33rd Legislature, 1913, as amended.
(3) "Certificate of adjudication" means a certificate issued by the commission under Section I I .323 of this code.
(4) "Permit" means an authorization by the commission granting a person the right to use water
CREDTT(S)
Added by Acts lg77 , 65thl,eg., p. 2207 , ch.870, $ I, eff. Sept. l, 1977 . Amended by Acts l99l,72ttd l,eg., ch. 309, $ l, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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WestLaw Page 1 V.T.C,A., Water Code $ 11.172
c Effective: [See Text Arnendments]
Vernon's Texas Statutcs and Codes Annotated Currentness Water Code (Refb & Annos) Title2. Water Administration (Refs & Annos) Subtitle B. Vy'ater Rights ÑE Chapter 11. Water Rights (Refs & Annos) ñË Subohapter E. Cancellation of Permits, Certified Filings, and Certificates of Adjudication for Nonuse (Refs & Annos) ++ $ ll.l72. General PrinciPle
A permit, certified filing, or certificate ofadjudication is subject to cancellation in whole or part for 10 years nonuse as provided by this subchapter.
cREDIT(S)
AddedbyActs 1977,65¡}-Leg.,p.2207,ch' 870, $ 1, eff. Sept. 1,197'l'
Current through the end of the 20 13 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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@ 2015 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov' Works, WeitLaw V.T,C.A., Water Code $ 11.173 Page I
c Effective: September l, 2013
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Arurotated Currenttress Water Code (Ref's & Annos) Title 2. Water Administration (Refìs & Annos) Subtitle B. Vy'ater Rights \ld Chapter 1l Vy'ater Rights (Ref's & Annos) ñ13 SubohLrpter E. Cancellation of Permits, Certihed Filings, and Certificates of Adjudication for Nonuse (Refìs & Anlos) +.+ $ ll.l73, Cancellation in Whole or in Part
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) ofthis section, ifall or part ofthe water authorized to be appropriated under a permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication has not been put to beneficial use at any time during the lO-year period immediately preceding the cancellation proceedings authorized by this subchapter, then the permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication is subject to cancellation in whole or in paf, as provided by this subchapter, to the extent ofthe 10 years nonuse.
(b) A permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication or a portion of a permit, certif,red filing, or certificate of adjudication is exempt from cancellation under Subsection (a):
(1) to the extent of the owner's participation in the Conservation Reserve Program authorized by the Food Security Act, Pub.L. No. 99-198, Secs. 1231-1236,99 Stat. 1354, 1509-1514 (1985) IFNl] or a similar govemmental pro- gram;
(2) if a significant portion of the water authorized to be used pursuant to a permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication has been used in acçordance with a specific recommendation for meeting a water need included in the regional water plan approved pursuant to Section 1 6.053;
(3) if the permit, certif,red filing, or certificate of adjudication:
(A) was obtained to meet demonstrated long-term public water supply or electric generation needs as evidenced by a water management plan developed by the holder; and
(B) is consistent with projections of future water needs contained in the state water plan;
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V,T.C.A., Water Code $ 11.173 Page2
(4) if the permit, certified hling, or certificate of adjudication was obtained as the result of the construction of a reservoir funded, in whole or in part, by the holder of the permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication as part of the holder's long-term water planning; or
(5) to the extent the nonuse resulted from:
(A) the implementation of water conservation measurçs under a water conseryation plan submitted by the holder of the permit, certified filing, or ccrtificate of adjudication as evidenced by implementation reports submitted by the holder;
(B) a suspension, adjustment, or other restriction on the use of the water authorized to be appropriated under the permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication imposed under an order issued by the executive director; or
(C) an inability to appropriate the water authorized to be appropriated under the permit, certified filing, or cer- tificate ofadjudication due to drought conditions.
CREDIT(S)
Added by Acts 1977 ,65thl-eg., p. 2207 , ch.870, $ I, eff. Sept. l, 1977 . Amended by Acts 1986, 69th Leg', 3rd C.S., ch.33, g l, eff. Oct. 15, 1986;Acts 1991,72:ndl-eg., ch.309, N 2, ell'. Sept. l,l99l; Acts 1997,75thLeg., ch. 1010, $ 4.06, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 200l,77Ihleg., ch. 966, þ 2.12, eff. Sept. l, 2001; Acts 2005, 79lhLeg., ch. 1044, $ 1, eff. June 18, 2005; Acts 2013, 83rd t.eg., ch. 1020 (H.8. 2615), $ 2, eff' Sept. 1, 2013'
IFNl] 16 U.S.C.A. $$ 3831 to 3836.
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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WeistIaw Page 1 V.T.C.A., Water Code $ I1.174
c Effective: [See Text Amendments]
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness Water Code (Ref's & Amos) Title 2. Vy'ater Administration (Refìs & Annos) Subtitle B. Water Rights ÑE Chapter 11. Vy'ater Rights (Refs & Annos) ñll Subchapter E. Cancellation of Permits, Certified Filings, and Certificates of Adjudication for Nonuse (Retìs & Annos) ++ $ ll.l74. Commission May Initiate Proceedings the past When the commission finds that its records do not show that some portion of the water has been used during l0 years, the executive director may initiate proceedings, terminated by public hearing, to cancel the permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication in whole or in part.
CREDIT(S) ch' 795, Added by Acts 1977,65thLeg.,p.2207,ch. 870, $ l, eff. Sept. 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg', $ 1.016, eff. Sept. 1, 1985;Acts l99l,72ndleg., ch' 309, 5s 3' etT' Sept' I,l99l'
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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WestLaw V.T.C.A., Vy'ater Code 6 I1.175 Page 1
c Effective: [See Text Amendments]
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Arurotated Currentness Water Code (Ref's & Annos) Title 2. Vy'ater Administration (Ref-s & Annos) Subtitle B. Water Rights ñ[3 Chapter 11. Water Rights (Ref's & Annos) ñlå Subohapter E. Cancellation of Permits, Certified Filings, and Certificates of Adjudication for Nonuse (Retì & Arnos) ++ $ 11.175. Notice
(a) At least 45 days before the date of the hearing, the commission shall send notice of the hearing to the holder of the permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication being considered for cancellation in whole or in part. Notice shall be sent by certified mail, retum receipt requested, to the last address shown by the records of the commission, The commission shall also send notice by regular mail to all other holders of permits, certified filings, certificates of ad- judication, and claims of unadjudicated water rights filed pursuant to Section 1 1.303 of this code in the same water- shed.
(b) The commission shall also have the notice of the hearing published once a week for two consecutive weeks, at least days before the date of the hearing, in a newspaper published in each county in which diversion of water from the source of supply was authorized or proposed to be made and in each county in which the water was authorized or proposed to be used, as shown by the records of the commission. If in any such county no nowspaper is published, then the notice may be published in a newspaper having general circulation in the county.
CREDTT(S)
AddedbyActs 1977,65rhl,eg., p. 2207,ch.870, $ 1, eff. Sept. 1,1977. Amendedby Acts l99l,72ttd Leg., ch.309, g 4, eff, Sept. l, 1991.
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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WestIaw V.T.C.A., Water Code $ 11.176 Page I
c Effective : [See Text Amendments]
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Curentness Vy'ater Codc (Refìs & Annos) Title 2. Water Administration (Refìs & Amros) Subtitle B. Water Rights ñE Chapter 11. Water Rights (Refs & Annos) \ttå Subchapter E. Cancellation of Permits, Certified Filings, and Certificates of Adjudication for Nonuse (Refi & Anlos) +-) $ ll.176. Hearing
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, the commission shall hold a hearing and shall give the holder of the permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication and other interested persons an opportunity to be heard and to present evidence on any matter pertinent to the questions at issue.
(b) A hearing on the cancellation ofa permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication as provided by this chapter is unnecessary if the right to such hearing is expressly waived by the affected holder of a permit, certihed filing, or certific ate of adj udication.
(c) A permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication for a term does not vest in the holder of a permit, certified filing, or certiflrcate of adjudication any right to the diversion, impoundment, or use of water for longer than the term of the permit, certified f,rling, or certificate of adjudication and shall expire and be cancelled in accordance with its terms without further need for notice or hearing.
CREDTT(S)
AddedbyActs 1977,65thLeg.,p.2207,ch.870, {) l, eff. Sept. 1,1977. AmendedbyActs 1991,72nd Leg., ch.309, S 5, elÏ. Sept. l, 1991;Acts 1997,7sthl-eg., ch. 1010, {i 2.l2,etf. Sept. l, 1997.
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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WestLaw.
V.T.C.A., Water Code $ 11.177 Page I
c Effective: September 1, 2001
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Curentness Water Code (Refis & Amos) Title 2. Water Administration (Refìs & Annos) Subtitle B, Vy'ater Rights ñlfl Chapter 11. Water Rights (Refs & Annos) \il Subohapter E, Cancellation of Permits, Certified Filings, and Certificates of Adjudication for Nonuse (Refìs & Annos) ++ $ ll.l77. Commission Finding; Action
(a) At the conclusion of the hearing, the commission shall cancel the permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudi- cation in whole or in part to the extent that it finds that:
(l) the water or any portion of the water appropriated under the permit, certiflred fìling, or certificate of adjudication has not been put to an authorized beneficial use during the 1O-year period; and
(2) the holder has not used reasonable diligence in applying the water or the unused portion of the water to an au- thorized beneficial use or is otherwise unjustified in the nonuse.
(b) In determining what constitutes reasonable diligence or a justified nonuse as used in Subsection (a)(2), the com- mission shall give consideration to:
(l)whether sufhcient water is available in the source of supply to meet all or part of the appropriation during the lO-year period of nonuse;
(2) whether the nonuse is justif,red by the holder's participation in the federal Conservation Reserve Program or a similar governmental program as provided by Section 11.173(bXl);
(3) whether the existing or proposed authorized purpose and place ofusç are consistent with an approved regional water plan as provided by Section 16.053;
(4) whether the permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication has been deposited into the Texas Water Bank as provided by Sections 15.703 1 and 15.704 or whether it can be shown that the water right or water available under the right is currently being made available for purchase through private marketing efforts; or
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V.T,C,A,, Water Code {) I1.177 Page2
(5) whether the permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication has been reserved to provide for instream flows or bay and estuary inflows.
cREDTT(S)
AddedbyActs 1977,65thl.eg., p. 2207,ch.870, $ l, eff. Sept. 1,1977. AmendedbyActs 1991,'72nd Leg,, ch. 309, g 6, eIL Sept. l, 1991; Acts 1997,7sthl-eg., ch. 1010, $ 2.l2,eff. Sept. 1, 1997;Acts 200l,77thleg., ch.966, $ 2.13, eff. Sept. 1,2001.
Current through the end of the 20 13 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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WestLaw V.T.C.A., Vy'ater Code S I1.183 Page I
c Effective: [See Text Amendments]
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness Vy'ater Code (Refb & Aruros) TiIle 2. Water Administration (Refìs & Annos) Subtitle B, Water Rights ÑEl Chapter 1 1. Water Rights (Reß & Annos) Ñtå Subohapter E. Cancellation of Permits, Certified Filings, and Certihcates of Adjudication for Nonuse (Relì & Aluros) .++ $ 11.183. Reservoir
If the holder of a permit, certif,red filing, or certificate of adjudication has facilities for the storage of water in a res- ervoir, the commission may allow him to retain the impoundment to the extent of the conservation storage capacity of the reservoir for domestic, livestock, or recreation pulposes.
cREDTT(S)
Added by Acts 1977 , 65th Leg., p. 2207 , ch.870, g 1, eff. Sept. l, 1977
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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We\tLaw.
V.T.C.A., Vy'ater Code $ 11.184 Page I
c Effective: [See Text Amendments]
Vemon's Texas Statutes and Codes Amotated Currentness Water Code (Refìs & Annos) Title 2. Vy'ater Administration (Refs & Annos) Subtitle B. Water Rights Ñlf, Chapter 1l Water Rights (Refs & Annos) Ñli Subchapter E. Cancellation of Permits, Certified Filings, and Certificates of Adjudication for Nonuse (Reti & Amos) ++ $ 11.184. Municipal Certifïed Filing Regardless of other provisions of this subchapter, no portion of a certified frling held by a city, town, village, or mu- nicipal water district, authorizing the use of water for municipal purposes, shall be cancelled if water has been put to use under the certified filing for municipal purposes at any time during the lO-year period immediately preceding the institution of cancellation proceedings.
CREDTT(S)
Added by Acts 1977, 65thl,eg., p. 2207, ch. 870, $ 1, eff. Sept. l, 1977
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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O 2015 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. Vy'orks. wctäw V.T.C.A., Water Code $ 11.185 Page 1
c Effective: [See Text Amendments]
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness Water Code (Refs & Annos) Title 2. Water Administration (Ref's & Amos) Subtitle B. Water Rights ñfl Chapter 11. Water Rights (Refs & Annos) \lSubchapter E. Cancellation of Permits, Certified Filings, and Certificates of Adjudication for Nonuse (Reti & Arnos) ++ S 11.185. Effect of Inaction Failure to initiate cancellation proceedings under this subchapter does not validate or improve the status of any permit, certified fìling, or certificate of adjudication in whole or in part.
cREDTT(S)
Added by Acts 1977 , 65thLeg., p. 2207 , ch. 870, $ l, eff. Sept. l, 1977
Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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WestLaw V.T.C.A., Water Code $ 11.186 Page I
c Effective: [See Text Amendments]
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness Water Code (Ref's & Anuos) Title2. Water Administration (Ref's & Annos) Subtitle B. Water Rights ÑE Chapter 11. Water Rights (Refs & Annos) Ñ[å Subchapter E. Cancellation of Permits, Certihed Filings, and Certificates of Adjudication for Nonuse (Rel's & Annos) +.+ $ 11.186. Subsequent Proceedings on Same Water Right
Once cancellation proceedings have been initiated against a particular permit, certified filing, or certificate of adju- dication and a hearing has been held, further cancellation proceedings shall not be initiated against the same permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication within the five-year period immediately following the date of the hearing.
cREDrr(s) Added by Acts 1977,65th Leg., p. 2207, ch.870, $ l, eff. Sept. l,1977 Current through thc end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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O 2015 Thomson Reuters. No Claim to Orig. US Gov. Works WestLaw V.T.C.A., Water Code $ 16.012 Page 1
Þ Effective: June 20, 2003
Vernon's Texas Statutes and Codes Annotated Currentness Water Code (Ref's & Aturos) Title 2. Water Administration (Refìs & Annos) Subtitle C. Water Development ñ{il Chaptcr 16. Provisions Generally Applicable to Vy'ater Development (Relìs & Annos) ÑlÉ Subol'rapter B. Duties of the Executive Administrator ++ $ 16.012. Studies, Investigations, Surveys
(a) The executive administrator shall make studies, investigations, and surveys of the occulrence, quantity, quality, and availability of the surface water and groundwater of this state and shall, in cooperation with other entities of the state, guide the development of a statewide water resource data collection and dissemination network. For these purposes the executive administrator shall collect, receive, analyze, process, and facilitate access to basic data and summary information concerning water resources of the state and provide guidance regarding data formats and de- scriptions required to access and understand Texas water resource data'
(b) The executive administrator shall:
(l) determine suitable locations for future water facilities, including reservoir sites;
(2) determine suitable, cost-effective water supply alternatives on a regional basis, including voluntary means of encouraging aggressive water conservation;
(3) locate land best suited for irrigation;
(4) make estimates of the cost of proposed irrigation works and the improvement of reservoir sites;
(5) examine and survey reservoir sites;
(6) monitor the effects of fresh water inflows upon the bays and estuaries of Texas;
(7) monitor instream flows;
(8) lead a statewide effort, in coordination with federal, state, and local governments, institutions of higher educa-
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V.T.C.A., Water Code $ 16.012 Page 2
tion, and other interested parties, to develop a network for collecting and disseminating water resource-related in- formation that is sufficient to support assessment of ambient water conditions statewide;
(9) make recommendations for optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of water resource data collection and dissemination as necessary to ensure that basic water resource data are maintained and available for Texas; and
(10) make basic data and summary information developed under this subsection accessible to state agencies and other interested persons.
(c) In performing the duties required under Subdivisions (1), (4), (5), (6), and (7) of Subsection (b), the executive administrator shall consider advice from the Parks and Wildlife Department. In addition, the Department of Agri- culture may provide advice to the executive administrator, where appropriate, regarding any of the duties to be per- formed under Subsection (b).
(d) All entities of the state, including institutions of higher education, that collect or use water data or information shall cooperate with the board in the development of a coordinated, efficient, and effective statewide water resource data collection and dissemination network.
(e) The executive administrator shall keep fulI and proper records of his work, observations, data, and calculations, all of which are the property of the state.
(f¡ In performing his duties under this section, the executive administrator shall assist the commission in carrying out the purposes and policies stated in Section 12'014 of this code.
(g) No later than December 31, lggg, the commission shall obtain or develop an updated water availability model for six river basins as determined by the commission. The commission shall obtain or develop an updated water availa- bility model for all remaining river basins no later than December 3 1, 200 1 .
(h) Not later than December 3l,20}3,the commission shall obtain or develop an updated water supply model for the Rio Grande. Recognizing that the Rio Grande is an international river touching on th¡ee states of the United States and five states of the United Mexican States and draining an area larger than the State of Texas, the model shall encompass to the extent practicable the signifìcant water demands within the watershed of the river as well as the unique geology and hydrology of the region. The commission may collect data from all jurisdictions that allocate the waters of the river, including jurisdictions outside this state.
(i) Within 90 days of completing a water availability model for a river basin, the commission shall provide to all holders of existing permits, certified filings, and certificates of adjudication in that river basin the projected amount of water that would be available during a drought of record' provide to each O 'Within 90 days of completin g a water availability model for a river basin, the commission shall regional water planning group created under Section 16.053 of this code in that river basin the projected amount of
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V.T.C,A., Water Code {i 16.012 Page 3
water that would be available if cancellation procedures vr'ere instigated under the provisions of Subchapter E, Chapter I1 [FNl], of this code, (k) Within 90 days of complèting a water availability model for a river basin, the commission, in coordination with the Parks and V/ildlife Department and with input from the Department of Agriculture, where appropriate, shall determine the potential impact of reusing municipal and industrial effluent on existing water rights, instream uses, and freshwater inflows to bays and estuaries. Within 30 days of making this determination, the commission shall provide the pro- jections to the board and each regional water planning group created under Section l6,053 ofthis code in that river basin.
(1) The executive administrator shall obtain or develop groundwater availability models for major and minor aquifers in coordination with groundwater conservation districts and regional water planning groups created under Section 16.053 that overlie the aquifers. Modeling of major aquifers shall be completed not later than October 1,2004. On completing a groundwater availability model for an aquifer, the executive administrator shall provide the model to each groundwater aonseryation district and each regional water planning group created under Section 16.053 over- lying that aquifer.
(m) The executive administrator may conduct surveys of entities using groundwater and surface water for municipal, industrial, power generation, or mining purposes at intervals determined appropriate by the executive administrator to gather data to be used for long-term water supply planning. Recipients of the survey shall complete and return the survey to the executive administrator. A person who fails to timely complete and return the survey is not eligible for funding from the board for board programs and is ineligible to obtain permits, permit amendments, or permit renewals from the commission under Chapter I l. A person who fails to complete and return the survey commits an offense that is punishable as a Class C misdemeanor. This subsection does not apply to survey information regarding windmills used for domestic and livestock use.
(n) Information collected through field investigations on a landowner's property by the executive administrator after September l, 2003, solely for use in the development of groundwater availability models under Subsection (l) of this section that reveals site-specific information about such landowner is not subject to Chapter 552, Government Code, and may not be disclosed to any person outside the board if the landowner on whose land the information is collected has requested in writing that such information be deemed confidential. If a landowner requests that his or her infor- mation not be disclosed, the executive administrator may release information regarding groundwater information only if the information is summarized in a manner that prevents the identification of an individual or specific parcel of land and the landowner. This subsection does not apply to a parcel of land that is publicly owned.
cREDTT(S)
AddedbyActs 1977,65thl-eg., p. 2207,ch.870, $ eff. Sept. 1,1977. AmendedbyActs l985,69thLeg., ch.795, g 1, 1.045, eff. Sept. l, 1985;Acts 1997,751h [-eg., ch. 1010, $ 7.01, eff. Sept. l, 1997; Acts 1999,76th.Leg., ch.456, ss 3, cfÌ'. June 18,1999; Acts l999,76thLeg., ch, 518, $ I, efÏ Junc 18, 1999;Acts 1999,76thLeg.,ch.979, $ 3, el1. June Itì, 1999;Acts l999,76thLeg.,ch.1222, $ l, eff. June 18. 1999;Acts 200l,77thleg., ch.966, $ 2.15, elï. Sept. l, 2001; Acts 2003,78th l.eg., ch. 1057, $|i 3,4. efT. Jru:e 20. 2003.
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V.T.C.A., Water Code $ 16.012 Page 4
[FNl] V.T,C.A., Water Code $ 11.171 et seq Current through the end of the 2013 Third Called Session of the 83rd Legislature
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E oENER'[fr rrÀws' zll N,dVISION OT' IBTìIGANTON TJ¡'WS.
E. B. No, 23?.1 Crurtrmn 88.
Bø ôt amctø(I, h1¡ the Lcgìslotuta of the State of fenøs' zLZ GENERÄIJ LAWS.
appropriotion - of ìveter for irrigotlon.
Sno. S. A¡ bctrveen opproprintorr, tbo flrst in time Ís ths flrst in right.
Sno. 6. For tho Dur?oÊe of this Aot, au app son, association of persous, corporation or irr ha¡ herotofore mnde bencfla.ial uno of ony rvator,
rvator engincerr, S¡o. ?, NcithOr tho foregoiug Section nor ûny other provinion of thia Àct ¡lrall l¡c conntrnecl 'n.s intcndcd to impnir or to work or authorizc the folfeitr¡re of, or shnll impair or worlt or nuthorize the forfcitur rleolnrati hns bcgu cìcelnnuti nnclcr rv .' GENERAIJ ITAWS. 218
Section 33 of this Act.
Sno. 8. Tho St¿te sholl be ancl js lrcrcby divicleil into thres 2L4 OENERÄIJ L¡ÀWS.
mê¡¡ta, upon the preeentotion of solory vouohers, approvcil by the board. ' Sno. 12. îhs membsrs appointetl shall meet ut.{uetin and o}gsnize end elect one of their number ehairman of saitl board. Ä majority of iaicl boartl shall conetitute o (ttorum to trmsact businoss. Soi,l
ing orpenses rvhile trovcling on the businegs of tha l¡oarcl' upoû on ttemized stotemcnt, swom to by the party who incurt'etl tho expente GENERAÍT liÄws' 216
othor sourco of woter aupply; the position ancl area of oll lakee' ro¡ewoirs or basins jntontlcil to be used or creatod, ond the water 216 GENDRAIJ IJAW$.
GENDRÀIr IJÀWS. 217
locatc¡i, Iu addition to ¡uch publicatioq, o copy of sueh notics shall bo transmittect by the sccrotary of ths board, by regieterctl mril arl' GDNEB.AI¡ IJ.AWS. 219 r that PurPoso o none of the ancl thcroupon Sueh permìt, be constmctive
Suo. 34. *\ny pc cotporotion, tvotor improvamcnt oi irri oflcer, employe or reprcscntativo of nn ons, corporation or irrigntion dietrict,'w or npproprïato any
rntion, irrigation distriot, ot tho agcnt, ofllcer, employcs or reftrcscntn- tivas of &ny person, aesoci¡tion of pcrsons, corporotion or irrigation district.
Snc. 35. In uldition to tho puniehment prescribccl in tho last pre' ceding section, ûny personr nnsocintion of pcrsons, corporotion, wotor improvemcnt or irrigntion tlistrict, or any agent, officer, cmployo or represontofive of any such þersons, arsociotion of persons, corpollt' 220 GENERAIT L'ÄWS.
lows as tho information and expcrionee of ihe board may suggcst' Tho lroard shnll lreep in its oflco-full ond Froper rccords of ite rvork, obeervntions onil erlculations, ull of which shalt bo the propcrty of tho Stato.
Seo. 38. It shnll l¡o tho duty of ths tluty of water, a¡rd to tlctcrmino tho þrop -tho or irriga- tion and othcr lnrvful uses in statc in orclcr to sccuro the highest beneflcial upo of ruch rvoter, pueh rvollr to be flrgt conductctl iñ thoso sections lvhere in the jtrdgmcnü of the
oppcal, - S¡o. 40. The þoard mny atlopt' promulgoto antl cnforte sttch rules, rogulations and i¡rotles of-procôttuie ar it moy dcem propor for the GENERA! IJAWS. Z'Lt -un¿or rlischargo of ihe tluties incumbont upon. it the provisions of this Act.
Suo. 41. The boaril rhall charge antl eollect, for ths beneflt of the State, the following fcee: Foi flting eoch ãnd ovory application for ony prrrpoBe' a fce of sovon an¿l ono-half ilollnr¡, rntl in otltlition thereto:
flvo ucrc.feet, For ffling crch applicrtion eontomplating anil proposing the tohing or division of rvrtcr for the plrrposo of ilrigntion, ten ccnts for enoh and cvery ncro tl.
For flling ea g nnd contcmplnting the uss of rvotcl for Lhc hydrnulic potvcr, a fcd of two cents for cnch cubia foot of n'otot' per sceontl it is proposed to use.
For ffling eueh application contcmplating nnd proposing the tnkirrg' clivcraion, or r¡se of flowing rvntcr for any irrigotion of land, or the developmcnt of boforo providod, flvo cents for cnch ncre' ünnl¡m. ntttlition¡I fees on n of wnter for trvo oÉ d sholl be aumnlativti, quontity propoaecl for' each sopnreto use.
For the fiìing of each, nnd cvary exhibit, mop, nffidovit, or othar pnper outhorizccl to bc filail in the officc of tÏe boartl of n'otsr cu- gincora, o flling fco of trventy-flvo cents' fior rcco¡ding cnch ond ovory popor outhorizcd or required to be recordecl in tho reeords of the offico of thc boautl, a, feo of ono dollar, and in adclition thercto, o fce of flftecn ecnts per folio of ous hundrcd words, in oxcesg of trvo hundretl. !
For making antl cortifying cach and every eopy of an i¡rstrument ot pnper ¡uthorizecl to bo cortiflecl undcr ths ¡oal of tlte l¡onrtl a fee of one dollot', and in ¡ildition thcreto, a feo of flfteen contr per folio of one hundrod rvordr, inelucling tho ccrtiflcote. !'or making and ccrtifying copios of any mop ot blue print there. of, o foe of one dollar; and in oildition theroto a fee of seventy fl_ve conts for crch hour or fraction thercof necessqrily employetl by the clraughtsmuD in making such copy.
ZZZ OENEßAIJ IJÀWS.
GENEHA.IJ ÚÀWS. '¿28 22L GDNERAIJ L¡AWS. the ea,me, such'user ahall puy for tho rus thereof suah chcrgo or rentol ae the boartl ehall flntl to bs iuet oucl renBonoblo, and subjeet to revision by tho court, as horein provitlod for. other watcr rotcs and charges.
Sno. 60, For the pulpose of conveying antl dolivoriug storm, flood
ugo or tlivort eume, GDNDR.A¡ IrÄWS. 226
in thc county jnil for any pariotl of time not to oxceccl onc yenr' or
lõ-lnrl.
226 GENER¿\L¡ I:ÀWS. hblct au to præluclo r -or oorporo' con tion orviing or tlto som.o to u¡f person-having tho la$'s of thi¡ Stato.
Sno. 68. Tho permane¡rt rv¡ter right sholl bo 0n cns-cment to tho land sntl puss rviih thc titlc thercto; tho orvner thoroof shnll bc on' titled to dho n¡u of tho wotor tpon lhe tormr proviclcd ilr hig or
land.
cler -eã. in rvriting. clecisiou ---inõ. ¡\ppenl frim sush.clccision of tho boortl-m-ay be tokcu rvithi¡r tho tim-o'nnd in ths ¡nnnncr tts horoin providetl for othor op' GENEnÂIJ L¡ÀWS. 229 ' ,' 2gO GENEBAL I:À.WS.
GENDRÀIJ IJA14IS. 201
county jtil, fol sny torm not excceding rix months, nntl coch doy tha_t euch iutling or diversio¡r chnll aontinuo ¡hnll con¡titute o aopnroto of. fouso.
Seo. 83. Whenovor trny Dppropriu,tor of rvotor from sny Btrenm or othcl sonlco of rvntcr sripply loc¡rtcd in wholo or in pnrt within thh¡
Borrd of 'Wttcr Engineers o eertificil rccortl of such appro¡rriation, ar roquircd by Chnptcr 1?1 of thc Acts of tho rcgulor ¡e¡sion of thL' Thirty.thircl Lcgisloturo, ancl slì¡ll huvc madc use of the lvateu, under tho tòrnrs of suoh filing or pcrmit for tr pcriod of threo yearr oftct' this .¿\ct nliall tnko cffcct,'ho shall ba decmctl to hove aoquircd o titlc to such tpproprintiotr by limitotion, ns ngainst any nntl nll other claim- ¡nts of rvatcr from the same Btrcam, or other rourco of rvoter supply, 'nnd as ngninst nny'and oll riprriun owncrs r¡pon raitl ¡trctm or othor sor¡rco of rvatcr rupply.
Seo. 84. Unlcss the pcrson, n¡¡oeintion of porsons, corpor&tion, rvntor irnprovcmcnt or irrigation clistrict oivning or conholling any ditch, cnnol, roscrvoir, tlom or lako, rhall l<cep the .snmo eæurcly foncedr n0 c0,u¡0 of action sholl accruo in tlioir favor ogoinrt owners of live' stock for uny trcspass thcrcou.
Sno. 85. Any eorporotion orgunìzcd untlor the provisione of tha Gcncrnl L¡,,uvs of thie Stnto, or thc provisions of this Act, for my of tho purpoaes siutctl iu this Âct, ehnll hove the power by voluntary tlonation ol purcltuso in poymcnt of s rvnter rights; and to hold, improvc, strbtlit'itlc antl di lnnd nnd othcr property; ond to borrol moncy for mnintcnanco nnd operntion of its cnnnln, ditchos. flumcs, feedcre, rcs- crvoirr, dnms, lakcs, wclls and othcr property and frnnchises, to the cxtcnt of tho vnluo thereof, to socì¡ro thc paymont of any debts con- tractcd for aamo; providcd, no corporotion shall ieeuo stock or bonth oxcept for nroney paicl, lubor done, or propcrty aotually rceoivcil, and 252 GENDB,AIT IJÄWS. all fiotitlous incronscs in etock or indobtctlne¡s shall bo void; pro'
Verdo ancl Snn Seó. .An sO. tlcfined, for the purposol of thfu Act' to bs anortifici , if proporly casccl, the waters will ri¡s by natural pres irst impcrvious etratum bolow the sur- ightly cued, eapped os rvill rcodily and well, either ovor the rom tho rvell through 0ENERA]J IJATTS. 238 23[ GDNEB^IJ IJA\VS. trollert antirely by thc llourd of Wntcr Dngirleors' or its agouts, sor'
of thie Âot.
in thorlnrv. or knorvingly pclmits wunte, guilty of n misdcmonnor, and h'ndrcd clollnre, or shntl t o im prironc,l i'iit'iä,,îil, :Xif 'fåi tiiå thnn nincty dnys, ol by both sueh fina nnd imprironmcnt.
GDNEAAIT L.A.WS. 236
of such use, Sro. 108. On or before tho flrst day of l\[orsh of eßoh y00r' cvcry
Seo. 1 rvells, slt such oil do¡ed oi Act.
Sso. ter Engi[ærs, rigned ol othor sourcs of'wat relative righte of thc or other source 236 GDNDR'AIr IrÄWS. ch ¡treom may flow, or in tuatcil. Such hearing mny the Bbord of 'Wator Engi- #llå iååT'i*"'åÌl i'll; hearing. 'Water Engineem Sso. 107. It ehall be the duty of the Boartl of to @uge o notioe to be ¡ent by registeretl mlil to each porson, flrm or corporotion shown by ths Reeords'of ths Board to tho Bourd to bo a user or cloim¡nt to the use of water upon such ¡tream or othcr source of water supply, which said notico sh¡ll set forth'tho clote when o member or mcmber¡ of thq boaril will sit within tho cottnty of ¡uch cl¡imant's reaidonco, or tho eounty in rvhich may bo situ¿tacl tho lanil to which ¡uch water right may be appurtenant, o^nd also rot.ting forth tho rlato when tho exomination of tho stretm or other sou¡ce of wotar
owner eh¡ll present in writinþ all the particulers necessriry for the determí¡otÍon of his right tritho wnters of thoetretm or othc¡'sourco
eoil, ancl the kind of crops mrltivatetl, andl eueh other foetq as will show a eomplinnec with tho Inw in acquiring tho iisht claimetl, Sno. 109. Ench cloimant or owner shnll be requirecl to cortifv to hie ntntement r¡ndar onth, and. flny mcmbcr of the Boaril of 'W'ater Engineers, or'tho ¡ecrctary of thc bonrcl, ir hereby ¿uthorizocl to nd- minister sueh oath.s, which shall bo done without chnige, a¡ also shall be the fur¡ishing of blank forms for sni¿l etotoment, above provilled for.
Suo 110. Tlpon tho dnto.nnmotl in tho notico abovo provided for, for the tnking of teetimony, I member or membera of the Ro¡rtl of 'Wntcr Ensincers shnll begin tha t¿kina of sueh testimony, nnd shall eontinrre tho snme until complotcd. Proviclcd, thnt the mcotincs mRy bo ailjotrneil from tim's to timo antl plneo to ploae, to ¡uit the con. venionce of the pnrtiæ. fn oase any member of tho Board of 'W¿tcr GENERAL Ir.ÀWg.
cau8e.
to examiuo t¡o sa¡no.
st¿tement nhnll be vcriflod by the affidavit ag¿nt of attorncy, ¡ntl the snitl bonril, or thoreof conducting euch henring, shall notlf the person, corporation, water improvçmen or associntion whore rights alc eontestod, to 240 GDNERÄIJ I:ÄWS.
tormination, nnd the originole or o ovidoocs ofrcrecl ¡sfs¡6 fho board, ing tho meusuroments of stroo¡nl, rvith ¿ petition Êotting out tl¡e ca
othor unses.
Sno. 12?. Pending flnnl dotermination ol tho ordor of ths Bonrd of \Yator Engincers ahall cfrect, ond the opcrntion thercof sholl not b appcal.
S¡o. 128, The delermination of the Bolrd a¡ oonflrmetl or modificd on nppcal, os providcd in this Act, eh,all be couslusive as to oll prior rielitg, óntl upon the rights of all exist' ing clnimants, upon thä etrcnm or'other boily of rvater ombr¡cetl in such determínatioa, 'Wotcr' trlnginoors shall, ns pro' Snc, 129. Whencvcr tho Bonrcl of vitled by larv, and aftcr publicution of notiso, us heroinbsfore pro' GENDIìAIJ IJ,II'WS. 211
¡ll-tItr!.
242 GENDRAIJ I/AWS.
Thoueaud ($5,000.00) Dollnre, contlitioned for ths faithful parform- auce of his duties. ' Sno, 182. It shell l¡o tho tluty of such rvator commissioncr to divido the water ol tlto stroamsr.conah, ditohos, or othor sottrces of weter supply of his district, among tho soveral u¡crs autl lpplo- priators [horeof, accordíng to tho prior right of cnch, r'cspcctivclx, àe detormincd by the ordor of tl¡e Bo¡rd, of 'Woter Dnginoerr. IIo shall ¡hut and faìteu or causo to bo shut and fostoned, the headgates
entl any porson who inay be injurecl by the action of any rvater commiesionor or hie failure to oot pursuant to this .{ct, shall heve the right to appeal to the. Bonld of 'Wntcr Dngincore, and from the dccie-
authorizo tho rvatcr comnissione¡ to cmploy an as¡ietnnt or ¿esist- ant¡ to aiil nesistnnt sh to him by sh¡ll bc iu ¡ssigtnnts. bo allorvod by the County Commiosioncrs' Court, nnd tho timo nnd mothod of piying the eamo shall bs settlod by the Commiesioncrs' Court in au ordor or re¡olution authorizing their nppointment. Such oesistant or assintonts may lle ilieehorged by tho tvotcr comtniesionef at any time, for nny rcoson satisfnetory to himsclf. qENERAL LA,WS. 243 Spo, 136, The provisions of this Aat shall opply to oll etreams or other souroes of rrater ¡upply lying üpon or forning e part of the boundario¡ of this State.
Sno. 136. Nothing in this Äct containetl shall be con¡truetl as a reaognitlon of any riporian ¡ight in the ownor of any lond¡ tlto title to whioh eh¡Il hove paseed out of tbe State of Toxas tubrequout to reltl or con- to or invali- at tlto tlate when this Act shall go ínto efreot.
Suo. 138. If any Section or provision of this Aot shall bs held unconstitutionol, it shsll not be heltl to invnlidate ony other pro- vision of this Aot, Sso. eneral I¡arvs of the rogular see¡lon of the anil all other lews anrl parte of taws in s of this Act, ore horoby repealed.
Sro. 140. The arowetl aontlition of the calendar, eud tbe near approach of tho end of the that the 'irrigotion laws of this Stato tion, anil are retardlng developmont, necosrity thot the oonstitutional rule, requiring bill¡ to be reatl upon three severol dayr, be euspondetl,'anil that this Act take sfiect from anil ofter its psssego, antl it is so enacted. Âpproved Maroh 19, 191?.
Takæ effost 90 tlayr after nrljournmcnt.
TTIRISDIOTION OF COT]NTY AND DISTRICT COUN,TS OF FÂIJLS COIINTY.
IT. B No. z3g.l Cnlrmn 89.
An Act to rllmtntsh the clvll Jurlrrllctlon ol the county court, of Fall¡ county, Te¡aE, conforrlng rald ctvll Jurl¡d¡ctloû upor the dlstrtot court of s¡tcl county anil contormlng the Jurlsdlotlon ol s¿ld tllstrlct oourt to ¡ald ch¡Dge¡ repeollng ¡ll lewE a¡il p¡rt¡ ol lews ln co¡f,lct o¡ ln- consl¡tent hsrewlth, and ileolarlnB 6û ornsrSotrcy.
Be ôt enactecl, by the Legíslatu,ro of the Støte of Tøøat: Sscrtor¡ 1. The county court of Falls còunty sholl he¡eaftor have juriscliction of eminont ilomain proceetlings o¡tl of all crimi¡ol cou¡es ór prosccutions euch as county courtn gcnerally norv har¡a or wbich moy bo hereafter conferrod upon them by the Constitution a¡tl General I..¡aws of the State of Texns, including the appellate juristliction pos- sosrcd by county courts gcnorally in criminol cauees or prosecutionr originating in the juetico courts and othor inferior oourt¡ of ths aoun- ty. Said county oourt of Folle corfnty shnll ¡lso hovs tho general jur- Ístliction of a probate court; it nholl probote wills, appoint guarilian¡ of minors, idiots, lunttics, psrsons non compos mentis andl common F ch. 406, $ I TOth LEGISI,ATURE-REGULAR SESSION
CHAPTEB 406 H,B. No. 1?88 AN ACf relatlng to the ls¡uance ol term P€rmlls lor water rlghls.
Beìt enacted by the Legísloture of thø Stote ol Teua* sEc[IoN 1, Chapüer 11, water code, is amended by adding sectíon u.1s81 üo read as follows:
areù,
kt) A permít hsued under thíe secúìon ís subordínøte to øng senior oppropríøtfue wøter righb, SECTION 2. Subsection (e), Section 11.146, l{ater Code, is amended to read as follows: [fl a permit has been issued priatlon until the permit has SECIION 8. Section 11.124, Ìltat¿r Code, ia amended by addlng Subeection (e) to read as follows: (e) for ø torm p?l,rlltt" the.applìcation Í9ry wed mßt also etàie o t¿rm pørmit the opplìcdnt doe¡ not høae øn auto¡notia ríght SECIION 4. This Act t'¡kes effect Septcmber 1, 1987. on.end the crowded condition of the an imperative public necessitX' tlat the three several days in each house be Pesaed by lhe Houeo on Aprll 30, 1987, by a non-lecord vole. Paseed by the Senate on May 21, 1987, bY a vlva.voce vote.
Approved June 17, 1987.
Effectlve Sept. 1, 1987.
CHAPTER 406 H.B. No. 18?õ AN ACT relatlng to the regulatlon ol on-Bll€ s€wag€ dleposal syolems; provldlng penaltlee.
Ba íl cnact¿d by tha I'egisløture of the Støte of Tera.s: SECTION 1. Title ?1, Revired Statuter, le amended by adding Article 44??-7e to read as followg: ArL 4ll7-7e, ON-SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SfSrr'¡/S 1932 G Ch. 1009, | 1l ?õlh LEcISLATI¡BE-BDGuI"aB gEgSIoN Sec 48, ìnn maY not, PWJu o Pffi?n Ylto lwâ,ßtd o ol{,licøtìonfotllw rcnnnl qltlw lícewe üwl,
(b) Not lster Pt ruler under s.õíon iéi Ètn ar amended bY tnllliçïãiiu; dlstt'lbutlon or pruæeds for eh¡rit¿ble purposss.
SECTION 13. ncll ahall p¡epare a nonsubstantlve ¡pvlslon of tfrãningãinabtt s lexas Civitþt¿tut¿s) for conslderatlon by the 76th Leglslatut and the cowded condltlon of the lmporatlve publlc neeeeelty tlrat the ee-several dayr ln eaeh house bo thls Aßt t¿ke effect ¡nd be ln fo¡te
r€port on H,B. No. 2008 on May 31, 1997: Yeas 30' Nays 0.
Approved June 19, 1997.
Eflsctlve June 19, 1997.
CHÂFTER 1O1O
S.B. No. I At¡ ACf ponaltler, relatlng to th€ devolopm€nt and månagement ol tho wåtor ræoutcso of lho stqtci provldlng Ee it enanlpd, bU I'he Legìrlulun oltlu State of Temt: ARTICLE l, WATEB PLAI'INING: DROUGHT, CONSEBVAflON' DEVELOPMEÑT, AND MANAGEMENT SECTION 1.01. Sectlon 16,061, W¡ter Code, i¡ amended Co read as follows:
8010 ?õth LEGISI./TTURE-RDGT,I,Ia SESSION ch. 1010, 0 1.02 (bl Thp stute untsr ple% øe fonmlly adaplßd fu the bwd, elnll, bc û gLitlo tÐ 8t4lß unlû¡ polícy, The comml.sslon elnll talc¿ thà plnn íntn cowídprotìon ln maü¿¡z conlin4 Wvti í1, fc) The t,rløtd,bV rultlplæ.lshall deñn€ and deelgnaüe rlver ba¡lne end rv¡tonheds.
wtd,sr tkis seali.ott" (fl Tlw legiÃlalut\e tut'V deai0nate u (1) rlw¡ m strruorn eegmmt of unlqta ecolqìnl ualun; or (Ð cite of u,nique wlw þr the cønstt:.tÍliot¿ d ø ttaerwir, (Ð A ctøle aqøneil ot politícøl aubd,iui¿ìon of llw nlalø may nnt oblø;ín a lee ti,lle or øn. e s^t ûn eil,t t h.sl rDryt úd" (1) dealmy tlw utliqu ecologitøl wlue of ø rhnr or tlrcøm wgmnnt designated W llra IegfuIahm under Su,baeclöon 0 olthit æd'iott; or (2) aìAnifrcantly ptvenl tkø conatructìon of o, rcemnìt on a. aíle dwíçnated' W tha legialal,un und.er Subseçûian Q of fhi.a sedion"
iffir- SECTION 1.02, Sectlons 16.0õ3 through 16.0õ7, ÏVaùer Code, are cmended þo rc¡d a¡ follow¡:
(d No loter thnn 60 døyc ofln tlw deúgnatíøt ol Uw rugiqà unfur Subeecl,ìon (b) of lhít sectionn the boørd ahall datigiuttp wprvtmlnl;iaea within ela¿h'regimøl tnaler plannhrg ø'wø s011 Ch. 1010, | 1.02 ?õth LEGI¡IJITIJßE-¡EçSI¡¡R sEtSloN
dtstttqtÅ, øud wala utílittna
thh eoctNon (e) Er¡¿tt wgtorlø,t unlø plonning gwry ehølt whnll h uß fuñ ø 'f,gìoml utalor plan tlwl,: (t) ía conaittml with the ryììance prìnaíplna tor tlu alnte utaln plon adopbd W tlu bootd under Section 18.051(d') oÍthíe cod¿: ø prwídna ínlormalion baaed on ilatø pwitt¿¡l u' øWoud W lrtß bútd tn o lømol t^:;iÃ^i ,¿n ¡i" guìlalìnßs pltülod ba-llu boañ undir Sttbæction (d) oÍ üúe oeclim'; (8) t nt apeffi prouít{urlru tm utatø muwgemml etmlagiet ta bc u¡ed; (A) dutùW øùvtrghlqf ¡vcoñ; (B) wlwn tlou ø¡u ot 16 Wrvml of nonna| ønd (C) wlwn jlouta on at 50 Pavnl olnmnnh Ø) inohdae fut l¿mibd ln co¡uilr'mtíon oÍ ün ÍoÜou¡Ûng: ì.rt nol (il anu øi.ehin4 utots m ùoughû plnnnitw efui addweatng all or o poflrpn qf tlu runon; ß) enrified gtv:.üIdu,alßt comenntimt d¿stfìßt mun$m,nl plou øru| othcr platu wh¿iäßd uldlsÌ S editn 1 8,06 1 ql l,hh cú1 llínílad to ar,çlttisìltatt
(Ð Vrol¿cl'íon of *ielìtt1 tnlar riOhh ín llw ¡zg¿on: (E) oppotdr,mílua for ønd ttß bsîtøfrlÅ qÍ d,suol¿,pì,n|.tlJflìonal ualar wwlu Írilìtì¿a oî plvälíàà ngiaml tttanagswtú qÍunl'sr aUPPW Ílßililiosi F) opprprinla WUüim lor nuùwmental tttabt-¡ued¿ ?Nlgt !t" W4 qf yp: olplana on¡wígat'ùn; (O) ptvtiaiønà in Søstíon 11,0tõ(h)(1) of l,hh cada iÍ í¡tlr;ùaaín tlroøllqfen w cønlen' plnlßú (il wlunlaru lfilnqlØ of uoter wüür. ¿h4 ngion uin$, but ttd \ryd b r'f/gional wä,', Uùt, tälnc, t;',o' optímA wgind[ion WvonanlÃ, ud ffnanoín4 a$^e' nvnl* o¡td
W,ffiYH;Wtr";{ffi tlüíEde (!) No Int'er llwn ße& Clg l,oa¿d alúU olopt ntlau Septatnbet 1, (il ln o¡vt¡id¿ for tlw mocodu,r¿a Íor adoptinn of ngb¡nl unlet plnna bU ¡Bgionnl uolßt ptlt gr*pí ond Íi øpprowl tíl r,r¡giottßl lttalßî Plens W tlu bou/¡n; o'td "¡',*í 3612 ?6rh LEctsl"an nú-REGrrLl[ß sEsgIoN ch. 1010r I 1.02 Q) to goærtt prweda:rut la be îolloußd ôn cøç¡|lå¡W ut tlu l,r,ryoncihìltlbe S thlt eec,l,iott
(h)(Ð Priot b üø prepaml,íon of tln ñgùonul tlolp¡ plan tha ryürr,al utabr plnnnông çoup ehnll, fiu røtíàa, hûU al lßast one púHb mnetittg al eone csnl,rul Incalümwílhí'n the tzgìonnl plañniíg otuo tn gal,hñ atggestìont anl' rccorunwndnlìow frwt¿ tltc ptblic qt ø ¿snue ahul alwuld be add¡vase¡l tn tlu plan or prwìtiotu tløl chould h cuuitared tm hdwim,bt ühn plnn" @) ngìonal rutur plnnnìn4 gwp elnltr ptottìlp on ongoitr4 opportunily tor pttblic Tt A ínWt durìW tlæ pvpanl'öon ottlw ngiø.rul ntolorplnn
@ {flßt tâ ö grvu,p rlwll tL.I tha r,r,gìoml thî thi"e aesl¿mL t, üto twiotd uattr ß rrvísc a"tdadop, otd i'¡æhnionðntlv
(û Tlu booñ møA øppntln o tWìo¡nl uolet plan only qlln il hu tht¿¡mt¡ud llnl all ¿¡tlp¡ngíonol cottfrict's åit'wlaüV thnl ng¿ornl tuator planntng arø lnnn bem rrleol1ue,d, (s) Nolloa rcquírcd bV SuMit biott (1), (il, ot (0) qf lhis ¡¡¿heeotìon rutsl' be: cùLailalùrfi in saßk couttl,u laaalpd in arco belwc tlß Shlk tloy rnweding lhâ (B) nøiled tn: (ì) eaok mayor qf ø munbípalíty with ø pptthlion of l,ilfi úr ttuotc tlnl ie lacated in whab or in ptrt tn tlu ngìornl ualat plønnlng uv,a; (ìt) oa¿h cøtttly j'udge qf ø ættnty lacolnd ön wlwh or in poú in llw n4íonal u)alßt phnnln4 øt,rla; (íi.í) w¿h epecial or gsrtßral løw tliultrict or ¡fuq oullwily with naplæiMily tn mrrnaec m mpply ttmler int'lættgiowlualot phnnùq ønu (iù ørch n,tníl puhÃc nlíIítY llwl^ (a) senns any pørt ol tln ngìønl u,olÊî plmn¿ng øt ca; ot (b) l,viceitna unln ftwn tlu ngionnl uúæ plnnning orea; s',td' (u) each ltaldo¡ ol tnøcod- ol ø perwit, certi,fiid filhtg, ot culifimln of úittdìcal'ion þî tlw we ol nrfaae untar tlw diuctdtotù of utltuh occ:un ðn l,læ ngíontl unlst plonníq arau 86r8 ch. 1010, $ 1.02 ?õth I.EGISL/TIII'BE-NDGULTR SESETON
(g) NoJàcs pnblìnhd, o¡ mníId tndn fuhditÌítlon @ of thÍs etû¿eÅìor mnJ aontal'n: (A) ¿lß dnto, tinw øMt lncallon q¡ ¡¡n pbl'k maelín4 m lnorÚna; (B) o, tu¡ttnr¡rU ol llu plposød aßtwt rþ be tnhn; (C) tlu nanß, tßlÊpLanß number, øtt'il úreu of llu pawn tn whmt qtualíotu o¡ rriqnatn lor addìltonal hfvrmalton mary be cubnitl$ orú (D) íttomalíor on lwt tlø pttbl'tn nwg aùmíl' csm¡nmh,
wlíltød tubdM¡ione under Subclnp.
F, øttl J, Clnp¡¿r 16, øttd Subclrtptsrt lg prgjøüonlg if @ flß boo;td dntsmúma tlnl thß weth b be aünssed bV llw pmiøst will, ba ún¿ssd ln a mønnæ l,lwl t¿ consistøitt uilh ttg ctale unht plßu atd (2) bagínnùw SqnJtmbæ l''ÙNt' thß bætd: ffiw;r,:*ffi'H[H:f#tm (B) ¡htsrmlws lttf¡t tttz nnù ta b údroæed, bu utß wiad wlll be aünssed àn a, trnmw tlnl la cowhtnú uith that l,rlgionrl tlm;hr f,m. gectlon lhß bwrd ft) Thn bootd nary ¡;m¡iw tln nnùçnßús Suhseûíon lhu datsrnlw üløl condttipns wtrøú Uu t¡rliüeî,
@
(b) LoæI pløna moU bc ubmìttnd ta üw øppwyrüle rylawl tttaln plnwing gftltp lw llw øreøuþIl'ue Hyffi##, (2) retßåI ønd wlwbaqt¿ pthtíc uatsr tuppl,bn wd år¡igal'l,on dìtttìstt mog ilbítìl plaru nWí¡d by Sactim' tlun ollhis coda; (J) grvznnfu)ateî dtsttìßtt moy utbmit managemmt plma caffiil mtlm Secttmt 80,1072 ol thìe cod¿: ond' (il apøcìaldìltrictt,ølagnùni,lco¡uennlíonotmmagømnúplarwnqtìrd'bygewal ot qecíal lnut, (c) Ttø ngìowl tntn pln¡níW gmup elnll coneidar ønA plon Nhnilld"ttttd¿r thìa saòtion wtmt-plporitW t)u'rWb¡¡d' ualsr p|øn tuùt Sectím 16.058 oÍthll cúa 8614 7õth LEGISI,ITT,RE-REOT,IJTR SETISTON ch. 1010, 0 1.02
Sæ. 10.066. D (d Tlu dtulsíDtt qf ensrgauV mmogemaú ql the ofru ql t öb lm aooñìnotín'C a,w drouOht nsrysa cmt¿pow¡tl, oltha @ fhê dmugl,r Ìtßccstoiry ln cønV nprcwûatiw fltn tlnt mtíta: (1) tlw ttiuí¡ion oî snßwsnßA manøgemanl, of tlw offi,u of tln gortemnn (2) thabwd; (8) thp cmtmlsúùt; Ø) tlu Parkc ørdWíldlife Depørhwn't; I È I Uæ o eput ment b! Agîicuttutu; (0) tlu Tcsw Açric*u'røl Eutaßion Serl¿be; qrú (û t'1,ß SlÃlß 8oíl o,nd Waler Cotttønntim Boo¡d, (c) Th¿ gournm mßry dsaignafo øny othn penon ot t, npreemtntiw qf aw othÊ entùtu k) $rúe on lh¿ wt¡ttnìll¿e (d) The nprcentalíuqÍtludtt)tsionof entrgenrymamgenmtshúleen)e aechøbottlu commlllpe, (e) Tlu commíltne elnl,l h neryn'eiblotm: (1) the øasecntÊrú øntl puhlic tvryfry ol d:rought monìlminO ønd unlot n'ppl;y condålianu; (Ð adahing tlw gouenm on eignifißønt ùvtghl condítlonð; (8) nconme¡tdtng rpoific prnhìou lor ø dafiwd etnle rcapoua lo drotWht'nlntad díaaúen Ím ìmluelrll.'|ln ¡,1ß itÃ10 emÊrgeney managcment plaÍ. øttd tlw afulß uabt pklw $) ùtthing tlw ngíornl utalør plonnh4 grLry on dwttght'tulf,td í.satns ìn llw rcgionßIutalørpfunu uú 6) enmring eflecl,íao coodhntím' Ønong úole, Iocal andÍedeml agnciaa ln drutqlú' t\EsponEe plønning, Ø In wúømtína Ìh ilulöee mfur thìt eeetiÃr" tltß dtvugV rrlsryua ønd monítoritt4 coinmítt¿à shøll cotutd.nthaloüoutíWlaatønwlun dtbnnining wlwthsrø drought ctbtelor tlw ptnpoeea qf thio eedíon; (1) m¿teorclqical co¡tdíliow o¡tì' Íorceath; Ø kUùnl ogíca.l' condittut¿ ønd førecaata; (t) unlpr use ø¡td datn'and løpculni Ø) tnW nt'Wlu conditimn ønd foncail* (5) tlt¿ potmtíal ìmpacte of tlu unler ehmto4e on; tlw pblìt heútlt, aofety, and wel'faæ; eco¡ømic dtwlnpmant; ond' açricultuml and natu¡vl ¡pstuaea; ør.Å (0) othtr lcrjtots q*!.oryy* WlP :y\1*t]ffi 8616 0h. 1010, $ 1.02 TõTh LEGTELATUND-NEGUI.AA BESBION
tr+et¡sem¿-hrt¡e+¡¡*
t(e) A¡v ¡nenCment rþ tsee-10,06?,1 FEDERAL ASSISTANCE IN FTNANCI tPLA¡ll, The executlve admlnl¡tr¡tor muy take rll nece a¡sl¡tsnæ ln flnunclng the development rnd lmpruvement SECTION 1.08. Subchapüer D, Chapùer 11, W¡t¿r Code, i¡ ¡mended by amendlng Sectlono 11,122 u¡d 1l,l27t Ánd ¡ddlng Seetlon Ll.l272 to resd ar follow¡¡ derr of of thls of uao, r rlght,
MwndmenL lc) The commi¡olon rhall udopt nles ùo effectu¡t€ the provlelonr of tåi¡ ¡oc6on.
CONSEBVATION PLANS. nÃlo ot arumdßd uater nght d the adoPtlon of reasonable Sectlon 11.fl)2' of thls eode.
(c) Tha cmnmheian, ehatt adopt rulaa eetablìlhûn4 critarìa øú dnodlùwc þ nhnteelnn of uolør con a ennlion, plana,
ínigfùw diatric,l,s alnll' prwìda r druqht ønlingmcy pløn'e and
SECTION 1,04, Sectlon lõ'401, lVat¿r Cods, ls amended ùo resd a¡ follow¡r Sec. 16,401, and plannlng prog¡¡m l¡ crosùed to r',Beeurch proviâe mon"y f tlre proper doneorvltloq t¿orygelgnl,.ànd àevelopment óf ngløwl plannìng by polìtirdl nu¡dlt¡lei'nt 8616 ?6th LEG¡STI\1'TJRE-REGT'LAR SESSIION ch. 1010, 0 l.o7
Wnlita olunler in Tera.s, SECÎION 1.06. Subsectlon (¡), Sætlon 16.404, Wator Code' ls amended to ¡tad n¡ follou¡s;
Ter,u, SECTION 1.06. Sub¡ectlon (f), Sectlon 16.400, Water Code, l¡ amended ùo rcad æ follou¡¡: (0 The board shrll adopt n¡les e¡t¡bll¡hlng crlterlo of ellgtblllùy fc reglonal faclllty plannlng money that con¡lders: (l) the relotlve need of the polltlcel subdlvlelon for the money; (2) the legal authority of the polltlcal ¡ubdlvlslon to plon, develop, and operaüe rcgional facllldes¡ [¡¡dl (S) the lll$plannlng by the polltlcal eubdlvlglon on overall reglonal factllty pl and operatlon ln the ststê ¡nd wlthin the area ln whlch the polltlcal ¿ o¡td Ø) tlu dpgree lo wkích llu ng¿onal lacílíl,U planning by tln polítiwl ntMiubíon i¡ consìßtßnt, wíth øn øppowtl wgíØtnl walør pløn þr tlu o"nø in u.th'ich tlu poltticol subdfuisiott, h l,wal¿d, SECTION 1,07. Subchspter F, Chepüer lõ, Wo0er Code' ls amended by addlng Section 16.4001 t/o t'ead a¡ folloun: sec 1õ.4001. FUNDING FOn fuEGION¡L WATER, P¿.4]VS, (o) Tlt¿ bmtd mag mter inln ctnt¡opta w¿th pol¿tirol auhdívìrtiotw dneìgwted oe nryeentalù)ee d ø nglotwl' water plønníng gtvu.p úndû Sectíon 16,05s(ù ol thle co¡la to pøA fivm llw waeo,ln,h md plan'nínï þnd øti ón poñ of tha coct of døuelapína oî rsuísíng wg¿uno'I rtalar pløno at dßrtnßd in Section 16,06C olth'h cúa öndìuidudly o'r iointlg tuth other polilícal for tlu purpoae of ttwlin4 ngioml uolnr ß) Thc opplbal,ion ettrll be ln tlw mønn¿r ondform reryìnd bg boørd rulna onl inchtdp: (D ol'tlw polítical eubd,iulsí¡l¡t' m politìcal rubd'ìuhìonq lhe na¡np (2) o cítcttion to tlw lawe unlø which lhe polítìcal euhdåuìsíon. waa Øvoted drnd ie qtml,ing, írwl'udíng ryøclfrc citatåon of a.ll løne prcvkling wthmålg to tlnelap ond implzment o rcgionnl, watnr plou (Ð fmm tha bovn' fot rcgìond wotnr plnnní,n$; arul the anwunt rcqtnútd ft) øny other nlannt íqþm'alìon mtpirzd' hg tÌw board.' in ita rulae m ryæificallg rcqrnetnd bg tlu boañ" (d,) Afl,er natice o¡td lßørùnq, tke boatd mag owtd tlu applbant all ot pwt' oî tha nqwetad funfu tlnt thß hootd eøuìdøs rucesaary fw tlw plìl'ical suMilrisíon tn carry ut rcgìanø|, untzr plonnin,g, ffi '!#H,'Trif,ffirHY,,{ä#{H* (1) a dploilpd atnlmwnl of the pnpoae þr whì'ck tha money le tn bc wed; (2) lltc lntol ømount of mancy ln he puid by tlu boad ftv¡n t)u tr,aeøwh and' plormín4 frud, nndzr tlw conhvt; øtti 361? ch. 1010, $ 1.07 ?õth LEGISLATUNE-NEGUII\ß SESSION (s) onU otfur lpn¡u onil eond'àtlotw rcqu'iwd by tlw boa¿d'a nthc m W¡veil ta bV tlw contnc4íng paúâea (f) The boañ shßtl adopt nfiae eatøblí.shlng frítøf¿o îm alíwbílitu fu ngtonal utalør plnm,ìW money tlnl ínchtfu: (1) the r,rilolíw næd qltlw Nüfcd rubillabtøntor tlw matuU: (g) tlw lagal wthontU of Jtw plílical nthd,tùIeton tþ ¡lpralop wrd,lmplatrunl ø nglonal utalo¡plow ond, (!) tlu deOrce to whtch rzgionatr wakr plnnning by tlæ polilícal suMírøælían or.polítåcal' atffi¿ui.aion"s will addncs tñ,0 ttnte¡ ruWlA wade tn tln rr¡gian'a| walø plnnning or¡ru (g) Tttß boañ maa not provtdn funfu unlnr thh aacl,ion tæ acl.íuåttø fm whbh erhttng fficíaú foî ilw plam'l'ng sføt, ìtwhtdíW: ¡nto¡mat¿ø¡t, ot tløln ía t (1) tlzteítd euluatá,on ql coú of untg¡ rupply altom,arlwa whøn rccent áqformallnn ia amålnhlp ln untrtntp tlw cost a$æìaradwür'tlw altcnattae; (Ð anluntion of gvanùmtør neønuet for whíth q,rnnl bllormølíon ös oua¿la,ble Ílom t w bowd m other mtíty at4fficímt þr anløø;tíon of tha tes.nutcl; ($ ùtmnìnation of untw twrlnge nwfutng lrffiù sla,ndÃ,rd cqnsenml,ìDn pmnlícea ftr which atnmt ínþnmüotu ìa øvoilabla ftwt tlß bw¡ú ø) roùåa¡Dt¿ of bud dÊîte?,n ønd poplatton rlry1iectio¡¡t; (6) wudsirln ol cnahvtmmJal planning crttwöø fw y4u wr{one untor ntWlU .poiactt u dafitufl ín tlw itatß tntat plon ¡p¿dplíNrßE eetahlíahÊd in Sectlon 16,061(d) o¡'thh eectìon; o¡td (6) coltacttut of daladaacribiW grØnd:unlet û mlrlwe u¿aln rr,suûveau,hþrv ùnfmß' tion îor waluntíon oltht reløorl u atnattly øttøilahla, @ mA boañ shall lrlqlli:ra lhal ¡egìolrll ual.er plana d'9rvlopen or nuiaed.-wtdet csnt'¡nntn eni,en¿ l¡ø u¡td¿t thin'eact¿øìt bo inadp owilat;lß to th¿ conmlsúvn o'nl thn Pøtû¡s ond Wildltle Depul,mnl SECTION 1 Y SubsectJon(b) waþr o olan ln effect efrec remaln¡ ln plan ls irdopt¿d under WatBr Code, as of tùl¡ Act shall lnclude ongolng waùer developmenù proJectr th¡t have been a¡ N¡h¡¡al Resource Consenation Commlssion or e prtdecossor supply plannlng ahldy.
ARTTCLE 2. WATER MANAGEMENT, MARKETINO' AND TRANSFERS SECTION 2.01. Sætton ?91.020, Government Code, ls ¡mended to ¡tad a¡ follow¡: S€C. ?9I.026. CONTRACTS FOR WATER SUPPLY AND WASTEIryATER TBEAT.
MnNT FACILÍIIES, (a) A municlp¡llty, dlstrict, or ¡iver rutlrorlty ol thle statc.may contrac't wlth anottrer munlclpaliùy, detrlôt' or river authority of thle sbst€ to obt¿tn or prcvlde part or all of; (l) wat¿r eupply or waetewat¿r tre¡t¡nent fqcllltles; or (2) a lea¡o or operatlon of watcr rupply faellltlee or waateìr,at€r trcatment facllltles. (b) The contract may provlde thaü the munlclpallty, dlstrlct" or rlvor authorlüy obtalnlng onà of the Eervlc€s miy'not obtcln thoss eervlc€E fom a soute otl¡er tlr¡n a contractlng ps¡ty, exc€pt as prwlded by the eontracL (c) lf a cont¡aet lncludes ¡ t¡nn describ€d by Subseetion Ô), p¡yment¡ m¡de under the contract are tho p¡ylng party'¡ operatlng expen¡€B for it¡ wa0er supply system, w¡sùewater t¡eatment f¡eilltles, or both. (d) The conbut ruaYl (1) cont¿tn termg and exiend for any perlod on whieh tlre prrties agree¡ l¡ndl 3618 ?õth LEGTSI,/TTURE-REGTJIÁR SESS¡ION ch. 1010, $ 2.06 (21 nØirc tlu pu,tzha.sæ to druelnp albmal,ìu o¡ replæemanl rupplíea Wíü ta thþ ø*Viwliwt dale of the conttuct ond møy eø,ida ltì ølorcens¡t of nnh terms bU court o¡dø; anil 0) provlde that tt wlll continue ln effect until bonde rpedffed by the contract and any rcfundlng bond¡ l¡sued to pay tlrore bonda are pald.
Gl Www a conhud, soú foih e¡4ilöctt etpìmtíon p¡w¡åeim*, no eonl.inrntion of th.e aerù¿cø oblìûslíon will be implieù (Í) Tu revenu€ mry not be pledged to the payn."nt of smount¡ rgreed to be pald under tìe contract. @ l$l The powerr Crsntd by thle rectlon ptvall over a llmlt¡tion contalned ln another law.
SECTION 2.02. Sectlon ll.ü)2, Water Code, l¡ amended by amending Subdlvl¡lon (4) and addlng Subdlvl¡lon¡ (9) and (10) 0o read ss folloun: (4) "Benefrcl¡l r¡E€" m€en¡ u¡e of the smount of wat¿r whlch i¡ economically necessary for a purpose autùorlzed by thls chrpter, when ¡essonable lntclllgence and ¡e¡son¡ble dlllgence ¡re uæd ln applylng the wot¿r ùo that pupose ond slr.ll i¡ulud¿ co¡usruoilunler, (0) "Couerved, ttnt¿r" mBøne thot amounl ol tt.r,ler wnd, by o lwlfut of øn whtbW pennít, cwtified filíttg, vr cnlificale qf a4iudical,ion thtough ptwlbeq technhtnt and tecbølngiea thal wtûd otlttrwiae be írnbìnøbly lwt ta all cvtwumpthtø bmefieíal wet øriníng îrcn ntoru.ge, tru¡æportnl,iot¡ diEbibtttton, m aplícal:ìon (10) "Sur?lw ualeî" mnane unler ìn enceac of lho ìnilìal æ wntímud heneftclnl we qf tha aprcpriølnr, SECTIoN 2'08' Subeectlon (e), Sectlon ll'0å9' tÀfatcr Code, l¡ amended to read ql follow¡: ¡ I i,#":Y;#Y,!P"u'P,#,ffi#"x appwìdd.maytøteæceed'tltotntolomoml'o|untø SECTION 2,U, Subchrpter B, Chnpter 11, Water Code, i¡ ¡mended by addlng Sectlon 11.02?6 to ¡t¡d a¡ follows: See. 11,027õ. FNn M¿nKgT VALUE, Wwøaæ tlw lM rcqníwe tlu pagment ol lølr markct valtæ fm ø walø right, faìr nøilc¿t wlw alwll be dntmniwd, bU tln amauú of mattey tlnl ø wtllìW wklßh iE undæ any conpthðon to hry m im. ond alnll nal bø l¿mitßd to tho a:ttwnt poW m ìa poving Íü lhp walßt SECTION 2,06. Seetlon ll.û90, tiV¡Er Code, ls amended ùo re¡d a¡ follow¡: Sec. 11,080. CONSERVED OR STORED IVATERI SUPPLY CONTRACT, (a) A pen eon, areochtlon of peraonr, corporutlon, or watßr imprcvement or lrrlgatlon dlstdct havlng ln posoerelon and contml any etorm water, flooduntcr, or ralnweter that l¡ conseryed or stored as ¡uthorlzed by thle chaptcr may contract bo supply the wrter to 8ny person, ¡sooci¡tlon of pôr€ono, eoqror¡tlon, or w¿t¡r lmprovement or lrrlgatlon dlrHct havlng the rlght to rcqulre u¡e of t¡e wster. (b) The price and torms of the conùract shaü be Jurt and rearo discriminatlon, ¡nd tlre cont¡act la subJect 0o the ¡ame ¡tvl¡lon and eontrol code for otåer wsûer rtùe¡ and charger. If tlw cotú¡u¿t eela lortlt pwíeima no contirutalìo¡t oltlw amice oblògsltm willbe ímplíed (c) Thp lørmn of ø contnctt or conlen¡ed untpr i¿ wquir,r;d, t lru erpirntíon of tlu contrual ond' utt otden 3619 Ch. 1010, $ 2.06 ?6th LEGtSL/\rrJRE-REorrLl|R sDsstoN fd) If any perlon ures the sùorcd or consew€d wster wlthout ñrst entcnlng lnto s conbnct sdih:tñ l¿iti t¡tsa c"r"srve¿ or storod h tþuaer gþall pr¡r for F oq" at a r.ate detemnlned iiy ihs .õmñt¡lãn to be Ju¡ù and rt¡¡ón¡ble, gubiect to court rwlew a¡ ln dher c¡¡e¡.
SECTION 2,00. Secdon 11.042, lVatcr Code, ls ¡mended üo re¡d a¡ follow¡¡
Wceed¿nq, (d) No¿híng tn thì¡ udìpn alrcrll be conatnuil lo qf-ect on, erlutìtW nuiect for whlch unlet aìút-räi|å6i øütt-¿rotloru lwte bepn gmntd-by tlw com¡nitslan beîoy Sspta7.hsr 1, 199f, SEC.IÍJON 2.0?, Secüon 11.(X0, l4rat¿r Code, ls amended to re¡d a¡ follow¡: S€c. 1r.046. RE dlveÉs w¡t¿r from code sholl conduct g the wst€r can b€
8820 ?õth LEGTSLATURE-REGUTIIß SESSION ch. 1010, $ 2.08 (il) Wøln oppvpriafed und.cr o pmtil, ceil'ifrad frlìnø ot cgtltfuala oÍ a4iúIßollan whíahís rcArèútatn¿ withìn o rueerinÞ føt æoWttg WpoEeE aLdl, ,1,o1' be corcid¿rod la he surytwfu Wryoeeo {thit chopln SECTION 2,08, Sectlon 11,085, W¡üer Code, l¡ emended üo re¡d es follow¡: Sæ, 11.086, INTEBBASIN take or dlvert rny únle tef.thel Íntel sny other ríue¡ boiln wlthout flr¡t ¡pp$ng filítr4, or corlifræ,to oÍ
(b) Tlß opplìcalìott rmut l¡ul,uda: (1) llw co¡ttmat Vrico oÍ thB wàlnr to bø ll n$e¡wl; (2) o atttßïtont, ol eæh gmcml æhgorg d propoeed uaø of tho utatcr ln be tlrornslerrad øttd o d¿tøihil fuecriptüon of üw propoæiltnes ond,werru undn¡ saah ca'tegory; (t) tho coat ol i!íaatûíng, connyhq¡ dütrifutìxg, and, utWlUíW thß üal$ I'o, ond lrualíW üu unln Ío¡ ilw propooed werc; and $) tha p¡t|ednd effect on tne¡ mhe otnÅ teee lw edah clar,e ol ¡ulpWUøn, (c) Tlwapptícmt,alwllpttlvidatluð¡tormotiondzzaarlbedbySttheeclìon(b)oÍthìlsectíon ln any pætm on tr,qr.uel øttd' wílJmd' coaL
of thi.a eeclìott if tha tutdÊtthß tttho of tha ¡V luørhg, ín aacm- (î Notìte of an oppti.cdtlon lor øn inløbo¡Ùn lñncfû úwU be moìlnil la llw Íoilou¡àng: (t) olt holdfia ol ponnítÅ, ceñifiß¡t frl,íttgs,aî cørliftiotee ql adiuúbalùan localßd ín wlwln or in Wf in llß baeðn oÍ orlgíu (p) eonh county judge ql o cuû¿ly loealsl tn ul¿ol¿ or ìn ø ûn tlu bøu,ìn of CIrùgÙu (E) each møym of ø cíty wíth o populal,ion ol I,NO (n ftttt 0 lacahil ín wløI¿ or ìn Wt ìnthßbssìnofmW ø¡td, $) alt grcwnunlæ cotuertøttøn dt¡lrists lomld ìn wlwl¿ ot ín pø¡l in tha bwùn ol æígín; s:rtd (5) eæh slnle lcghlnlnr ìn bth bailw,
apptìnafion ond meetinge slr.ll be comùi'twtl ín thc t¡uü's¡l ønd prblìthd twl;icøa, ptbltt (h) Thß twtfue opplícatìan muat ctata hnut ø peraon mnry oblnln üw iqfomd'løtt ol fuacîtbøilby Subaecttnn (U of lhì¡ eøctiatt 3621 ch. 1010, $ 2.08 ?6th LEGISI,/TTURE-RDGTJIIIß SDSSTON (il The øWl\¿øttt alntl poU tlw coet of mtloe rrzWörpil to be Wwittod undsr thìs eeclilo¡t" The commiiiíon bv mla tù,g eelablith' procerkme lm pa'yman't qf üwao coata' tß qf thtt coda nløting to tlw tevlatt ql ond adlon on or omsnd.ed pømrìt, aefl.1fied ftlíng, m ceútfuafe qf tvqu,oal Q) øPPlÍnul judge cutntU le or in judge slwrlÅ aeekíng wlu,l; øtrd (Ð ghn eonú¡bmlíon. to th¿ cotnmenh ql eaoh coutll,y ttñgø of ø_county -lncalad ín wlnla u ånþan ìnilw bga,in of migìn prim to tihin| øcttm on on opplicationfor o't lnteúaún tron4fn
(1) th.e ¡uett lor thewatfi in llw kaln ol oriqtn ønd ín llæ ptopoeed ncelvíng badn fuaed on tlw period lor uhith tlw ualør wpplg in nrynalnd, Uut ¡nt ln enceed õ0 Ueors; (2) la¿ton ínÊúWd ín ttu opplícabta øpplttctl t,riglonal rualøt plnw whích odl¡eas Uß Íollawiw: (N the øwílnhl.lit1 of feuìbla ønd prorltaobla dll,emal'lue tuppl:iee ín thp nceiuíW futin ln tlw utaln propoultor tmn4fe¡ (B) tlto ammtnt dnd, yrnpoeea olwe ín tlw rccetving boñnlot whlch unlsr ít ¡æed¿ù (C) propoeøit nethds att'd effwtt W tha t,v,ceíaì.W baún ta woìd waste onn åmdß' mtnl unle¡ conser.,alíon øMl ttfivuglú corll'lngsnßU nøorrunl; (D) pmpeed m¿thndt and erfotfa by tln nceìnti'ttg fuAn ta pttl tlw tmbr popoætllot hwqfer þ btufæìal uae: (E) tl,ß projected econamíc öntpaat tlwl ís namnlly erpeúal to ocsttt in eaù baún at a rlantlt of tlw trunafe¡f øru|
whìch omBnd,ntnt íe sughl; (s) ptpoeed mötþolìon or eompenaalia',\ 1f ønU, to tho baún of migín by thø aplìcotrt Ø) uae lhe watst ltr tlæ ptupoeee wlhûrtted u'nfur the enútþO perni esrtífuatø qÍ dd¡udíc.ilìott, if øn' amm'ilment la øn eúetìn4 unleî (Ð lh'e inlormalían rrøqulr,d tp be nthnåttd bU llw a'WlbønL (t) Tha cwnmhdon mory W¡tt tn wlwln m ío port" an applìcation fm w ínlaúøøltn Fffiqfer only I'otlu ørtpntthal; (1) tlw il¿trima¡úa to tlw badn of orígin ùLriW the ptp'poaetl tmnqfer períod an laao *ài tn funßfr\Å tn thø nceìuinù ba.tin ¡luriw tlw propaed tmncfw petìoú wtd w i the
(m) The com¡níaaian tnay grant nau æ dnrunùd walsr rt4hts mdor thì¿ ecctím wåth ot u,iih;eú ryeclfrc tprm¿ u eetit dt ol uae and wilh epeciftc crmdítton¿ unìn which ø hw{er dutalørmøy omn.
Bß'o ?õth LEGTSIIITURE-REGTILAR SESSTON ch. l0lo, $ 2.0Ð (n) Illlwhønaþqîwqleri.sfuædonow¡tttd,ualaalßqîutalff,tluttsutuolarrþhtot ar¡undod permil, ceñWil frl,inA, or cørtíf,uale of a$uÅicalíon wllmhí¡tg Lhn lrunqþ¡ alwl,l, cm,tøån ø cond,ìlíontmø tmnmperiodwt greater lhm tluconhnntbtm. (o) Tltp puliet lo o conl,tvrlt îor an ìnteúaún tmn4før moA imluda prollthñont lu eompe¡ualínt øruL nítigaliut If th¿ punU fivt¡t tlu barln qf orùyùn l"a o gouerwnnt m.lìtry, euh oownlAjtùee oto cur,nty lacql,ødinwlwlp o¡ìn poú ln llw boaln of origlnmoU pmldn ì.nN on tìw opprcprínla comperwal:ton ondmìl,igalion,lor tlu ûtústfusín hwqfø, (p) Før tlæ ptnVoeee oÍtlún eeûlutt, ø bo¡ln fs dßsl¡nalpd at pv¡ldad ln dtcoúa;næ wllh Sectían tí,06l ql thir codp, A hein mary wt be ndaeþnalal in odsr b ollott) o tmn4fø or d'íasrcion qf watsî ol,lwfltiße in uìnlatìpn qf thh aectíon @ l$l who A penon tlrl¡ soctlon ls grllty of a mlsdemeanor co rnd upon [le¡¡S¡p$lCÈ¡erl more than t1,000 [$5001 or by ot more tlr¡n ¡h month¡. ld t(d)l A penon commlts a reparate ofienee each day he contlnuee ù0 t¡ke or dtve¡t w¡üer ln vlol¡tlon of thls sectlon. (n) AnV pmpoeed |,mruter ol all or ø po¡7íCIn of ø tnttr righl undû lhis aecl,ìon ia jmím in priarify b waler rþhla gmú,ed belon tlu ttme applícal,ion lor tmnqfen h ucopltd Íor frlìtta. (ü Any prvpoaed t¡unqfer of all ot o potliøn ol o untsr right uttßî thia tælíon fmm o nut bor;in in whlch htn o¡ rløn ríiler aulhm¡høs m unlø:tbtricte nBal¿ttr uudar Sectìan 50, Artícta )(VI, Teuu Cotutitutlon lnæ tnitt¿n agæenenl.e ot ponr,ih tlnl, pmaida qudlrnld opemlìon of thøir r,riepeal;íu rcaerwírru ln morlnhe tllø ømouú of ualar for tlu þ benerfrcíalwe wilhínilwör rt,ryectíae unlør amtben øtvu ernll be junim inprtorlly tounter righf¿ Wnkd belorc llw Li:na applícal,ianfor hualn h æcqladtmfilìn4. (u) An øVplprialøt of utalæ lor mmúcþal WrryoæE in tlu futín qî orì.Cin mary, at tlu app'roprlalor'a optío¡¡ be ø pøriy ín dny ltøringa under thi"e ceclíatz- (a) Thø plvbìons of thil aectio¡ ercepl Suheectìm (o) da not applg to: (1) ø ptpoad' ttunafw which ìn conbí¡ulion wilh oW exiatiW tlùnlçlro talnh lB$ thnn 8,il)0 anv-feet of uabr pøt úmil,m fnm tfu aama pørmì[ cedified frli¡tg, or crttficøln of adiud,öca.ltow (Ð o nqwel Iu an enþwstq ttutuþ otutalnq (E) a pmpoee¡l tranalet fivtt o badn tn itn ad,ioíníng cmtal ba¡i,u ot ß) rutnil u'E or mtní SECTION 2.00. Subssctlon (a), Sectlon 11.1%, lV¡ter Code, le amended 0o read a¡ follow¡: (¡) fui ¡pplle¡tlon to rpproprlate unapprnpdat¡d ¡t¿t¡ w¡t¿r mtut (1) be ln wrltlng ¡nd ¡wor¡ to; (2) contain the n¡me and poatoffice ¡ddrc¡s of the applleant; (9) ldenttfy the source of water aupply; (4) ¡taø the n¡turc and purpoaes of the propoæd ule or r¿sas ¡nd the amount of wat¡r to be u¡ed for eaeh ptupoæ; (6) ¡tst¡ the locatlon ¡nd de¡crlbe the pmpored facllitle¡¡ (0) etsts the tlme wlthln whlch the ptpored conatructlon t¡ to begln¡ [endl (7) st¡üB the tlme rcqulred for the appllcatlon of waüer to the prupoeed ue€ 07 wee; ønd, (8) conlnin lho nøma onl ølùttea otthn lwlder of otr'g lì¿n otu (A) øny walæ rþht permit, ceúffiedfiling, m ceflifiule of afljudtcal,ion to b gnntad under Che permil tot whích applåcalion, h nwda; or (B) øng lønd ta which tlnl unlar rþht pmtl, cttifid frlt'nq, or eonifrcal¿ qf odludtcation utoull be appnlcnoú, 8628 ch. 1010, $ 2.10 ?6th LEG¡SLAfl'NE-REGT¡Lü SESSTON SECTION 2.10. Sub¡ectlon (b), Sectlon 11.186, l{afer Codo, l¡ amended t¡ rt¡d a¡ followsr (b) The permlt shall be ln wrltlng and atte¡ied by the real of the commts¡lon' end lt shall cont¡ln subgtåntlalty the followlng lnformatlon¡ (1) the name of the pereon to whom the pemlt ls lssued; (2) the d¡t€ the permlt h lsrued¡ (8) the dsts the orlglnsl appllcatlon wa¡ f,led¡ (4) ths uso or purpose for whleh the approprlatlon l¡ bo bo made; eppruprl¡0ed for each purposq {/ruo qf ptn7r,aeq tln permíl shnll cwlein ø tp ilnimaU aclwllU be diwúedlw all of (8) e ænerd deecrlptlon of tl¡e sou¡ce of supply f¡um whlch the approprletlon ls proposed to be m¡ds¡ (?) the tlme wlthln whlch constructlon or work must begln and tl¡e tlme wlthln whlch tt must be eompletod; and (8) uny othor lnform¡tlon the commlsslon prorcrlbes.
SE(iIIQN 2,11. ls amended to read a¡ Sub¡ectlon (e), Sectlon 11.142' lVaüer Code, follow¡: I (a) lVlthouü obislnlng a pormlb pen{rn may eonrhruct on hls own p¡lpetty a d¿m or rrserîolr ú¿th wrmal ltoxige o/tt+eiper¡nd+¡¡ent¡¡*l not morc th¡n 200 rc¡+feet of wnüer for domostlc ¡nd llve¡tock purpos€t, SECTI0N 2.12. Ssctlon¡ 1l,l?0 ¡nd ll.l??, lVaüer Code, are amendod to ¡t¡d a¡ follow¡: Sec. 11.1?0' HEAßINO. thí¿ eøc¿tot\ the a lThel commlsslon ¡h¡ll hold certlñed frllng, t ¡ òr ce¡'tlf,cat¡ of a{Judlcrtlon be he¡¡d and tp prorent evldencs on any matfe 11, grl' lw bu (rî ø terÍc d'oea nat tnst ¿n lhß ønU rìglú, ln lha dfuersiol¡" pø¡'¡niL ce¡lfud frlìng, or o¡cotdnnae with íb lerm'a see. 11.1?7. COMMISSION FINDINGi ACTIoN. (e) At ths concluslon of ths he¡rln8, ths 6mmlsslon ghatl cencel the permlt, certlf,sd flllng or ce¡tlfreat¡ of ad,ludlcatlon ln whole or ln purt te the exCent tlrrt lt flnd¡ th¡tl 6) ths wat¡r or rny portlon of tfie waùer epproprlslod r¡nder the pelmlt, certlfred f,llng, or ædlflc¡ùe of a{¡urilc-atlon ha¡ noü been pui to-an ¡uthorlzed beneflclal uae durlng the l0-yerr perlod¡ cttd (2) the holder ha¡ not uged rca¡onable dlllgeneo ln spplylng the w¡ùer.or the unuæd por"tion of ths waùer to an ¡uthorlzod benef,cl¡l uso or i¿ otlwruho unjuntlfted ìn tlw nmlueli+à
(b) In deüennlnlng what con¡tltuùe¡ marcnahþ dìligewe or a Justlfled nonu¡e [¡n'd-e rerfuh:¡ml as ulsed ln Sub¡eetlon (oXù) l(t)t&llof thls ssctlon' t¡e commleglon rholl givo conslderatlon tor Q) wtwttwr al4fficíant unter i¡ owì,Iabtø !,n tlw aou'f,e qf eryrpla lø mnet all m patT of tha appvprialìon duríW I'ha tÙ"yeør porüad of nontua 882/ ?õth T.EGISLATURE-REGUII\R SESSION ch. 1010, 0 2.14 (2) wlt¿thar tha wnust ia jwtifr¿d bA tlw lwldn's prlbípalian ín thn fuleml Co'l¡enw tivn Raa*rrro Prcgvm w ø címihr goaennwntal rm1gmøtù u prouìdtd by Seotðon t E (b) ( 1 ) of thi.e codn: t 1, (s) ukethßî llw permìL cerliftd frlìnS, ùt ceùrtcah of ú,jnd,ítølion uae obtahpd to meel damm,stralzd', btr4-tarm p,blðc utaler wpplg m ebctric gerr¿wl,ton ¡tp¿dt u widatæ.ed by a utaln managemonl plan danlaped bX ,læ lwldÊt and cotuaislßnl úilh ñections ql tløbr rceda contaìnsd ìn tlw stols ltnl,er plßw ful,tttlø (Ð wløh¿tth¿WníI utlu trdt{thz cowtrucllon of tlu pmníL cerllfiedfiIíng, m untßr plonniW; (5) whotlær tha erhtíttg ør pwpoed ølhmìnd Wrrrlr,s ørd plane $ we am eotlæhtent wíth øn øpprcud rcgìo'wl uatar plan. at proùdad by Saclian 18,058 oI thìt coda ß) whatlwr tlw pmí[ ærCWd frlìng, or corlifrcalo qf ad@ütal¿on ln¿ heen dryEilßd into tlu Tem.s Wab¡ Bonh ae pñvùdød by Sedío¡ro lí,fNl and 15.701 qf thìt wIB æ whelhn¡ìl øn be ehoumtløltlw u,alßrrìqht w utaln owílablß wndn¿lw tlghlh w¡renllA beíng mdß øuoílabb fø p.rclløure thmqh prhnla modcatíW qfotu; or (f) tulwthartlw rør'øaí\ cerlifiølftlín4, m lw bamnaefl)edtþ plvida lw ìrwl,reøm, tlmta o¡ fuU otd attwry [(3) tlr¡ pr¡pe¡¡ þ wHeh tl¡¡ w¡t¡r l¡ te be ¡pp[ed¡ t@
SECTION 2.18. Seetion 16,701, 1¡I,¡tpr Code, l¡ amendod ùo ¡e¡d as follow¡: S€c. 16.?01. DEFINITIONS. In thl¡ subchapten (l) "Depoelt" means the placement of r waûen rlght or tle rlght to uae w¡tar ln tìe w¡t¿r bank for transfer. (2) "Deporltor" melns I pe¡ron who depoelte or hn¡ on depoelt r waüer rlght ln the water b¡nk. (8) "Peraon" lncludes but l¡ not llmlt¿d to any lndlvldual, corporatlon, oryrnlzetlon, government, or governmental suMlvlslon or sg€ney, lncludlng the bo¡tdr bueln€ss trustn e¡taùe, tn¡st partnenhlp, assocl¡tlon, and any othor legal entlty, (4) 'Tt¡r¡¡fert' means the conveyance of c ìvutsr r"lght or tlre dght to u¡e wrüer under e w¡t¿r ¡'ight ln any of the following mannem! (A) the conveyancs of legal tltle ùo a w¡0er rlght; or (B) ¡ contract or optton eontract to allow u¡e of e wuter rlght. (6l "Tnnt" moms tlu Tesor Wølcr TnnL ub¡nk' meens the Tex¡¡ liV¡t¿r B¡nk. fd) "tffetcr bank'or (7) L(gll "l,lVater r.lghf' megns a right acqultrd or authorlzed under the l¡w¡ of thle sts0e 0o lmpound, dlveÉ, or u¡e staüe water, underground w¡têr, or water ftom rny ¡ouree üo the extent authorlzed by law.
SECTION 2.14. Sectlon 16.702, lVat¿r Code, le ¡mendod to re¡d r¡ follow¡: Sec. 16.?(12. CBEATION OF BANK, The Tex¡¡ Water Development Boatd ghall eetsb' llsh the Texa¡ ïVatcr Bank. The bo¡¡d shsll admlnl¡ûer tl¡e w¡t€r b¡nk 0o facllltat¿ ml¿r lrunæ¿tìona t l tn provlde souree¡ of adequa0e wetor ruppllee for u¡e $'ithin the St¿0e of Tex¡¡.
8626 ch. 1010, 0 2.16 76th LEGISI,¡III'ßE-ßEGTJI.IIS gEggTON SECTION 2,16. Sub¡octlon (¡), Sectlon 16.?()8, ltr¡tcr Codq l¡ ¡mended to rc¡d ¡¡ follow¡l (a) Thc bo¡rd mry teke cll ¡ctlon¡ nsco¡ssry üe oporeùe the w¡ùer bank ¡nd to faslllt¡t¿ tl¡e hen¡fer of w¡t¿r rlghis ftom tìe w¡ùer b¡nk for ft¡ture beneflcl¡l uee lncludlng but not llmlt¿d 0o: (l) negotl¡tlng r rele prlce and ûerm¡ rccepürble üo tùa deporltor and puthrrer; (2) mdntehlng ¡ r€slstr}' of w¡üer benk deposlte end tùose w¡ter us€n ln need of rddltlond ruppllæ¡ (8) lnformlng w¡ter u¡en ln neod of ¡ddltlonel aupply of weter dghta cval¡¡ble ln the b¡nk; ({) encouraglng watcr r,lght holderr to lmplement w¡ter con¡ewrülon pmctlcur and depoalt the rlght to u¡e tl¡e con¡e¡ved w¡ter lnto the bank; (ö) estebltrhlng rcqulremente for depoelt of ¡ w¡t¿r rlght lnüo tl¡e w¡tcr bank lneludlng mlnlmum teme fon depoolt¡ (0) pr¡rchaslng, holdlng and aelllng water rlghte ln ltg own na¡ne¡ (7) eeùrbllrhtng reglonel w¡ter bank¡¡ [¡ndl (8', ont¿n¡ u o clnorinqlwue fw unl,er mu*ßl¡!¡,g inlormalìon including utalø uníl- ahililg, pr¿cin1 qf unlßr trun¿odìma envi'tonmenlal concìleml.ionâ, and pottntid fuyere ønd sellßrt qÍ l¿m;l,eî ryh,tc; @ pwpøríng øru| publi.ehir4 o mømnl on. otrtrcfurèng waler trro,,wactíone; (r0) aßceplírv wú lwltiW dtmnlìonà øf ualu nglús tn meet imhu's:nt', r¡plot qnlily, fuh ønd wildlift habitnl, ø bøy and, eehnry inlaut nneù; and l¡Il ot¡er acdon¡ ùo faclllt¡ta uslar ttunÅadCotr¡ ttnndnrl.
SECIION 2.16. Eubcheptcr K, Chapter 1õ, ltluter Code' l¡ smendod by ¡ddlng Sectlon 1õ.?081 to ¡t¡d ¡¡ follorv¡: Sæ. 1ã.lo9t. TÐUS WATÊÈ îBUST. (ø) llw Tæat Wale¡ Tru.at h eelùltahd u¡tthtn ürß wabî ürl,,nla lÐ lwld 1üalõt righfÅ .ledíßaled ta ønvö'¡vrmmlnl rcedc ítwludínç ìn¡lrcam llouts, lml.cr qnlíty,fiehandwildliß hnhìlú m hoy and cehøra íqflautc, (b) Trtß boond, ín wtnúlalim utith I'lta Patke and Wldlife De.p¡tmmt wrd flß eonmh- ailolt,thøl) odopt rulae gotofltintg lJw rlrotoøas lot lwl.dtnC a.nd truqfenìng anlßr righlt, (c) Tlu ilsdinltàon aI øn! u¿aler ñghle plaaed ln tnut mwt ln nvíwsd atul øpptuú bg tlw æmnheion ìn oumtltnlim urith tlw bañ' and' tln Pørk¿ ønd W¡WW DeWtìtßn'L (il WalÊî riOhú¿ nury bs LaW in ùa I'nnt lor ø tsnt epeffid bV conlmdnnl agreemtnt m in petptutty.
SECTION 2.1?. Section lõ.?04, \it¡ter Code, l¡ amendd by amend¡ng 9ubseetlon (r) and sddlng Sub¡€ctlon (e) üo rcsd rs follow¡: (a) .{ ùe¡m of Sscti¿¿ the com ocmpt rcdepoalùed, (c) A conttncl or option cotútect lo allout we ol o tntat rbht undar thh aubclwplor: (1) may i¡wlude ø nqiwmant lhnl thê ¡runlwaer clwut dilìgmce in p,rcuüng feañhla andpmntìcahlo all¿nwlíw ualer atrylizo; ond' (9) ¡hne not aeet ony right in tlu pulll,lwaer begond tha etnlød tcnnt and condítione of tlu eønt¡vr't or ofiìon conf¡ul,t SECTION 2,18, (¡) All permlte epprcved by the Texar Nrtur¡l Re¡ourte Con¡en¡tion Comml¡slon befom the efiectlve daùe of tlrls Act th¡t ¡llow the multlple uas of the upproprhtlon of r apeciflc ¡mount of w¡tcr ¡nd whlch are no longer aubJect üo ¡ppesl ry vâildu-t¿d ln ell rerpects ¡s lf they or.lglnslly hsd b€€n legelly authorlzed or accompllrhed, 8628 ?õth LEGISI./\flJNE-RDGUL,¡Iß SESSTON ch. loto, c g.o2 (b) Thl¡ ¡¡dclo doe¡ not rpply t¡ ¡n ¡ppllc¡don for ¡n lnüorb¡¡ln Ecrufbr or rrouss ptþJoct ualng pr{vrùely owned grourirhrrtor rtcdved ¡nd pendlng b€fone Mr¡c¡ & tg0?r 4ùV aubreqtent ¡r-new¡l¡ of-¡uch rpptlcrdoru ¡h¡ll be suhlsst ûo the pvlrton¡ of tll¡ Act (c) Notl¡lng ln thi¡ A¡t sh¡[ rfisct the vallrtlty of rny lnùerùreln b¡n¡fen permltted or ruthorl¡ed bstcr tlre sfeedve d¡to of tht¡ Act.
AATICLE S, E!¡iEBCENOY AT THORIZATIONS¡ ENFOBCEMENT SECTION 8.01. ßubescdon (¡), Secdon 11.08C' lVrùer Code' h smendsd üo rc¡d ¡¡ follon'¡: (r) A perron who wllfirlly teker, dlvertr, or rppmprfuùer ¡t¡to wsts¡ wlültout _conplylng wlth the-rppllcrble mquheinent¡ of thlr ehrpùer t¡ al¡e llrble to ¡ cMl penalty of not mor¡ thr¡ l4ooo- tltf00l for ee¡h dry he condnuc the taHng dlvenlon, or rppmprl¡ülon.
SECTION 8.02. Eubchrpton C, Chrpùer 1l,lVrùen Code, l¡ amended by eddlng Secdon¡ 11.0811, 11.08{4 ¡nd 11,08{8 üo need ¡¡ follorve:
thttube rcdtrret onlniuX.
o wla @ad W¡&orlt b fhh choptn Sæ. 1r,0812, ADMINISTRATNE PENALTY. (o) It o rrnon vìolalne lh'b clwilnr, o ¡tttt or ordæ adoûd utúsr thìt chopln ot $ed'iott fi,280 ql thit øtlq ot o po¡mil ce¡lifrad frliq, o¡ eütifrMlß of ad,júinlion hetud undtî tklt choptn, tln coÍtm;hsíøn tw! ønssse on admìnhtlmlìaa pewlly oryoìrut Jlwl psnon øa proúM by lhhlectimt
onoúad uttdsÌ Sectìon 10,28û ol thit cdß' muide¡wl ø Eolrox.lo udr,lotìontor putpoue of panally araecrmøni. (c) In dalenninùq lfu øtrwrnl oltha pnal.ty, tÌw eommheiø,n alull cøwidan (1) tlw nalun, circumalanaes, e6.lßn1,, epecial nqlnch on tlu irnlnitwml, ol adþdbnlün ot tln luzø¡d or pbtúinl rtuphlíc (S) tlw impaf ql f,ß u¿olatim on, ilu í¡ul¡som l¿r,ee, unlor qtlølilt, fuh ud, ruìHhfe hubì14 or h;n4ftaöalf*,v,shualor indloutt ln boge otd" eetuerißl; (s) u)ìth rf,qnc| lo tlw aueged uiololor: (A) thß hittûl, Md eisú of yrq¿uôoan ttùalalto¡u; (B) of culryh¡líly, inaludåna wlwl'lwr llu viololíon uu alfübulnhh ta lrtß dagrec maclwtícol dr elasirúcal Íaíhms ø¡d wlwtlør tho vlolalìot cmld lwac beon ta'øeotroi,lg mtìcipoledord owidsd; (C) dßÍtant tetßd Cood løìil\ inahdli¡tg ødìons tolcm fu llw alhctt t¡þlalot to tr,ctif1¡ lln cuuc of lfn uialaltøtt otd' lo conpenet' qfecbd penoua; (D) onA æononlc bewfit goåned lhwqh llu t¡tolntio¡u ø¡d' (E) t ß omaunl, nnceenry lø d¿tn lulun vinblìMq, ønd fi) ong oüw maltan tlnl iwtiu mny æguin. -tln aw¡nlnallon ol o poeeihb úìalnftoû ond, ttn læQ outrottnditrg ttlnt pouìlla (d) Il, úEt ulalnllùt\ eseail,ttuc dílr¡n'lot connluìot llnl ø aiolnlion ln¿ æan¡wù tln eoeaû'læ d¿twltî elwtl itnn ø prrzlimånary nfi etal,ì.ttg tß lactâ on whirh tlwl cotæltnimt atæ 3827 Ch. 1010, $ 3.02 ?õth LEclgIrlruBE-RDcllIlIR sEgsIoN
Mdahß ømnunl qlûu pendfv, nollae h rposlw¡L, llu penon lln søeaúitø dinclot'a nPmt, lÍor ø haørüq,
ímmed,tnlely ldlmíW tlu W on whl¡h llß wmmbslon'e &thcl.ønlar F; Ctwptn 2001, Gowrnmenl Code tfu petam' (1) pa! ttß t¡tall,U ín fuü; i,Y,åffi,trtY#Hffiffi:'T,'h (s) filp a' petðtton îor tttd¿cìal Mtís,t) conta¡ qf tlu penaltU' m bolh tlu oatwm¡æe út r'o (b luithín ttâ 80-døy wioL o pnwn wlø ætt unde¡ subasctí.on (ilØ qf thiá cect¿m rura: (1) staU enlorcam.enl oltlu penoltV bA: (A) WIW tlu ø.t¡tøunl, qf lhe Wnnlty tà ll,ß cwtf loî plnaenenl ìn an esctttu o¿cwú; tt @) çfuíw to ttu mnt o wpenedau bond tlærl h opptwed bV -tlu cmt'rl' fo¡.thp o¡n¡ruit, ql iho pondtU øtd tlrærl'¡s eîas¿hn wtll oll iudlnial naísut of tln cmtmhúmrb oña¡bfrtøl ot (2) NqßEl tln coul lp cle! enforcenunl qî tho psnall'V bU: ths eø¡'t o ntxrtn qffideuit ol tlw percon alal'ång tlnl llu penofi þ la pøy ttw a.¡nou¡tt tiiltn pewilt'u w;¡*t frnancAlu unahh ln giae tln øtd 8628 zõIh LEGISLATUBE-REGUL.¡IR SESSION ch. 1010, | 9,08 (B) gía¿n| a cw of lhe qfrfuvttl tn tlw colr¿mìecìon by cniifiad notl
nl ql tlu peffillu ottd tlu eafonenml' ql llu t$n ¿lu ntilEt to llß artÐtttiy gentml tm (n) ,Iudìcìnl, miru of fha ordsr m ùcìsìrrn qltlw co'øllnlsa{æølr' ueaqlW tlw pnallg alnll be rml¿r Uu attutoú¿A aide¡uø rula ond aldl M i'natttulad W flù¿g o pelltìott' wilh o ¡ttstràct æuú ln Ttwña Cønlg, o.s pwttìdart bU Subchnpo¡ G, Charplßr 2(nl, Gutsn¿mßnl Cdß, A pcnalty col,lad,ed wdst thìt aectíon alwll bc thpoaihd in llu atal'c tnanny to ilu (o) dün genrral mtemnfund. c'rulilít (p) Nohaíl,hd¡a'ndð¡tg o¡tV otlw plrufut ln üu contn:ry,,tlu cwtmieaðü! rya^ ctìrùptu' mlic, ñiQy, o¡ nmll, uù* or wíilrlal condition ony ptøIlg itttpweil undßî l,hís aoctåott (q) Poyt¡unt ú ql tlw aaliafad,ton yrochtd¿ ong oütsr
(1) túllrr¡¿l oÅtruíl,tíng tn or lu pemltg in æætdawa uílhl,lu ec' t¡on (b) ol thb aedim¿ ottd t ør ß) rcWaatíø.g o trærin4 on tlw alhgeil løolalíon ln wwdanae wòlh Sasaiotu ll,08l9 ú thìt coda (b) BU tul¿ ttw commìadon alnil ettùlüh pe¡nlly ainomfs cotwtpottdtttg to typa-of ü¡nlali{ttß qf thic chAtar m rube m arden úoplnd m unlsr nqflà hnÆ¡t uttdor lhh chapbn (c) A penalfy cobctad u'ndor l,hit aedtm alwll be dnpaìt¿il òn üu atnl¿ tnam¡V tn llu ctsilåt ql llß gawvl mnmn funù SEC'T[0N 8.0$. Secdon 11.189' lV¡t¿r Code' l¡ ¡rnoded to rcsd as follow¡¡
(bl A psrcon daoirh| ln obloín a,n cmetvencV oullwrizalinn n¡fur thie aedion elnll euhm¡t io ttw comnti¿ìon o nl)orn øyplíoalion conløbnng tlu tolloañng tt{omøfíou (t) a ùsñplbn oltha condition qî cnßtvenc| jwtWw tlw gtwl'ínï qltho ûnñVenq aullmìzdtimu (Ð a etal¿ment eetlìng toúh fade which tuw¡t thc fr¡ttiWa rquind unde¡ lhis aecliott; (S) on, oatimale qî ths datgt on whích tlæ ptopoacd oullmiml'ion ehmld begln oud md; ß) otheæåfl,tm,eltlwoßtton,awlrtalndth¿ul'ìt¡ltUpopaedtabeol,hætl,nnndalnd orprohibíl,e{, and 3629 ch. 1010, fi 3.08 7óth LEOTSIITTURE-REGTJLIIß SESSTON (8) øny oütt¡ atalzrtonte w informal,öon reqthd hy tlß cnnmí.atlon (c) Il tlw æø;mì.esìon frndt llß øpplieonlb etnlnmonl mada unfur Suheestion (b) ol lh¿s aøclìon lo bc conpctn lln csmmbdon ûnA gffi.t ûnorynq uúhmízatlnt"s u¡d.st thlt æclíon wilhøttl twtíce o,nd lw,ring or with awh ,totbe ønd lnaring u I,lt¿ co¡ttttt;h¡ion eonaìfure pm¿tinanb unfur lln citç'u,milanæct, (d) IÍ îìn conmi.súon gmnts an emoryenry wlhodmtåon ml,e¡ lhí¿ æctìon withwl a luorùng, tha øuilnrt¿ation alnll fu ø límt attd plaæ fot ø lnwína ln be lwld heîm lln calrnnuhsion Tlß haaröng shall bc lwld ot swt, ofier lhe emfigewy uilhmìzøl,irm, ie gre'nlcd, aa h pmdicabh bul nnt hfsr thûr¿ 20 days qfrsr lhe ernørøenq aúhmlzalbn íe grunlad (e) At llw lwaring, llu conrlr,;írrríon etall qffinn, rnoffi, or sel, a¡ld¿ tln ønørgenßU øuAhorizaliot AW lßsrìny on, on qmaryary øwChmizalim alwll bo eonduntnd ín dneor dnwc wilh Chaplßr 2001, Goumm¿nl Cùa, ond rnlao otChe connüúm" A Iî on ímminant tfuval Lo tlæ publ,ia hâallk ønd aofety enislt whíck nryìnu emûtgcnry ætíon Mfon tlæ commhclon, csn lakp aatåon, u prouùlad by Subcecl,iow (o) Uvrøugh, @ of thí¿ aøctìon and lhÊ1v on w fcañbla a.llemntíaec, the eseaû,itn dít,r,cto¡ mary gronl on orßtgencA anlhorizølim qfl,n nnlôcc lo tlu goaernm, If tlu eæntùn dírlr,clcn ìemnn an omoûEtry utlhmízal,ion undet thic wbeectìat\ llt¿ co¡nmi.ssion slm,ll lnlt ø lua,rùW as ptwidatl for ítt. Su,baecliow kI) uçud- (e) of thit sectìøt^ Tha rcqrinmenh of Sttheecllon (b) ol lhì,s section shall, be wl,ìsfied by I,lw appl'icønt @we antìon h talæn by tlw eneaútac dirr;ctor on lha nqnetfw enwryenq wthmiøul,ìon
aønaifurt plcl¿cabla wnla¡ tlw eù¡wmilanaet (h) Tln eonnus¿on mog gvnt on enârysnqt ou'llwrimlion und,n thit aecCìm fm thc tnntporury hunqfcr a,nd, use of oll m ps.ú, ol ø pmnil, csttifrod filing, or ceúifuala of
flnt, any ønd all lìobílìty før I'lu aathmizalìon lh¿ eseanl,íæ dirl,cl,m, a¡td the cønniaaìnn tough| Tlu co¡nttthrim, n&.y o¡d¿¡ bo¡td, w oth.q mdg ín ø totm aacet¡lnhlp tn tlu ømm.ìleíon aa ø cond.itkm lor næh wærysn¿,y wthnrinlíon Tlu con'miaeí¡m rn'ay rurl g:wnl øn emßryency øtûhorízal,ðr¡n undor thin sed'ion which umtld, catne o vinlalíon d a fodnnl'rcnilnlipn (í) In Lmnaleníng tfu anmnl of unlar rcguabd W tha oWlíctnt, tlw eaewliw ditsclÐr m Jhe commiarb.n ahal.l' allocolc î,lw nryaúnd amounl amang I'tn Ø tuns rerøltits, ceúiftad frlíWu or eertificølte of ad,itrdicøtim,for otlw lhan dønwslic or manbipol we,
poceduwa lor ø contploinl fikd. undcr lhía nùaecl'ian^ Aflp¡ crlwßt'ing all adninißtml,iw ,tBt¡t¿díøe und¿r thic wbueclíon, øn ønsr ftrn whom lh¿ we is l'røì.Aîefied may fila ruit ln recutlt or d¿Ì,ennðne lhe ømaunl dw ín o díelri¿t c,ourl ín tha county when thp oun'er núdes or hÆ íl¿ lnad,CuøúerE. Tlw prewiling pørtg in o núl filad undæ lltit srøbsecliút' ìs entitlad, to tpcw¿r cwrl wots ønd ¡va¿annhla altomey'e feec, (k) pemlt 86Ít0 ?6rh LEctsr,/rruRE-REGULAn SESSTON ch. 1010, 0 8.06 t r----^r L-- ^L- €emmi¡¡¡e* t6)l The commlsslon Fsy pltscr.tb€ n¡les ¡nd adopt feee whlch ¡re noee¡Bsry to carry out tle provlrlonr of tùls sædon. l¿) t(g)l An emergency uûlørlzalion tprrmltl does not ve¡t ¡n th€ grun'taø tpemltt¡el any ¡lght üo the dlvenlon ¿;qrøndn¿nt, or i¡¡dl uå€ of wstor ¡nd shsll explre and be e¡ncelld ln secordsnee utlth lt¡ torm¡.
SECTION 8.04. Sub¡ectton (c), SecHon 12.0õ2, Water Code, l¡ amended !o mad a¡ follows:
SECTION 8.0õ. Sectlon 16.296, tffsüer Code' l¡ amended to rtad as follows¡ S€c. 16.&38, CONSTRUCTION 0F LE\¡EE WITHOUT APPROVAL OF PLAÌ'lg
the planr by tùe commlrrlon. (b\ ThA co7¿7,issicrn ehøll mnhe and, entone rulet and otd¿n ond thal.l perfont, all othsr oah nacøaeøq1 ln prwide lor tlw ea{e ctnwl,rual'ioft mnínlp¡wnce, rcpain and rcmmil ol leueea lnraled in I,hh atate,
prsrtícaìIß mdßr th¿ citatmetaweu
a Nothiw ín thìa sec|iøtu ar ìn, ¡aloe or otd¿rs ad@ßd bg lha 1ompíneion ehgll he c,oiutrued ta- wtìow ü1, outnar or qemlør ol o leue of thn lngal dutíet' obltga'tionq m liahilitias incid¿nf b mntnhl1t or opetullort 3681 ch. 1010, $ 3.06 ?6th LEGISI,TTTJNE-REGT'I,|N SESSION @ Any penon who vlolatee any ptwlslon oI Suhaed'íott' (ù ql lhte secüon ls gutlüy of a Cla.ss C hlàdemeanor an{ upon cônvictlon ls punlahrble by ¡ ñne of not mo¡s than $f'0t?0 lS¡001. A æpårrte ofrensê ls-commltüed eæh dry a atmcture con¡t¡ucted ln viol¡don of thl¡ ¡ectlon ls malnt¿l¡ed. h) Subaectton (o)
t$-+hl¡l geetlon doæ not apply to: lD øW cønal ayaltnt a$osìnlßd tatl,h o wl,n haußd ct
(2) dams ¡uthorlzed by Sectlon 11.142 oftltls codel
lerl
G) øny lowe ot oüw ìrnprctentmt cowtnætnd udsùIa of tlw 100'yeor tlmduny, Fæ- tha pupõaea ol thh aecl,lotq-"1(N-yeat tlanduto,y" ie dtfitted' aa llw clnnn¿l of ø etnwn ond. tha'ofilarent ktløna"s lhat mtnl, bã r',sentod ín otdæ ln dhcharye the 100:year tlnod urithøtrt wmulattuely inercaahg the unlø'rurtaae elowl,ìonmmu lløn ona foot ahotn tlw llÛ-yeør tlood. elptøtion príor ta enøpøch'mpnl,
reclamatlon ¡roJeete.
8682 ?õth LDGIS¡ITTURE-BEGTII,AR SESSION ch. 1010, $ 4.08 SECTION 8.06. Subehaptcr G, Chapter 16, lV¡ùer Code, l¡ emended by eddlng Secdon 16.287 to rcad as follows: Sec. 16.287, ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY: CNIL ilEMEDY, (ø) Iî a puaon nio- lales ø cornmíaa¡on ruh or o¡der adoptad und¿r Section 16,28s of thia øda thp commi¡eion mail eaaels an adnûníatmtíw panalty agøitut that percon at proaìdad by Seclilm 11,0812 oÍ thie codø (b) NothåW ín thí¡ ch,optn qføch tha rìAhl, of øny Tniaole cm?orutìon, ittd.iaidwl, m polìlícal aubd,ìüì.aion ünt lral ø iwltciøbl¿ írú,eßet in puruöng ony owöla.bln commnn-laut mmady to erlforce ø rþht æ tn prcumt or acøh ledrcffi rn conpewolion lø tha violnl,ìm of a rigLt m othßrwiao rcdrcee an ìnju,ry, AßTICLE 4, SURFACE WATER AND CROUND\T'ATER SUPPLIES SECTION 4.01, Seetlon ll,lil4, Wat¿r Code, l¡ amended by amendlng SubsecHon þ) and addtng Suboectlon (e) to read a¡ follow¡: (b) The comml¡¡lo¡ ahall grant the appllcatlon only lf: (l) the appllcatlon confonns io the rcqulrrmontr prceedbed by thls chapter and lr æcompanled by the prescrlbed foe; (2) un¡pprop¡'l¡ted wat¿r l¡ ¡vall¡ble ln the ¡ou¡re of aupply; (3) the propoeed approprlatton: (Alìs ínt¿¡td¿tt/or ø t l benefrcl¡l uee; (B) does not lmpalr edetlng waùer rlghts or vesùed ¡tpar'lan ¡tght¡; l¡ndl (C) ls not det¡'lmental to the publtc wellare; [¡nd] (D) con¿ìdert ffu efrects ol øny kytholqical' cowuction bettnen w$aoe unl'ør ø¡td gmunÅunlþr; oni (E) addnase tlw etal¿ utslør pløn and an llu plponed' appvprìalìon iliø¡u unrtwt uniwr of this nqtìrcmznN ø'nd (4) the appllcant haa pruvlded evldence th¡t rea¡onable dlllgence w'lll be used to avotd wastß ¡nd schieve water con¡ewatlon a¡ defined by Subdlvlrlon (8XB), Sectlon ll.ü)2' of thle code. (ù BeÙínníng Søptamber 1, 200!, Iw mnmícipal p,ûpolæ in ø rugím thal in accordenre with Secl,üm 18.055(i) ol høt cottdìlìons wanunt twiacr of tkis requìrønmL SECTION 4,0¿. Subchapter D, Chaptor 11, lV¡tpr Code, lr amended by addlng Sectlons ll,lõ01 and ll.16l üo ¡e¡d as follow¡r Sec, 1t.1501. CONSIDDP'ATION AND REVISION Of P¿¿NS. In ctmúdering a'n' øpplicøtìon,for a ponnil lantorr- I,ahe, w d.ìuert eudate unfun æ Ior øn anwndm¿nt to ø pcnnil" cedifr.edfil.i.ng, or ceñi.fuotn of odjud,icalìan, lhe cunmlaúon ehall' consldßr th¿ elole wolar plan ønd øny øppoued regionol untet plur. tw th¿ anø or aîeol ín wh'ìeh th¿ wler i'e pwpoacdln be stltvü dùwted orwoil Sec, 11,1õ1, EFFDCTS OF PEBMITS ON CROUNDWATER. In corwidnlng an applì- ca.tion tor ø yterm.it h abta, talæ, or dfuul aurfane utalen tha commieelm, shall constdar the cfrecla, if an,U, øt grcund,utalcr or grutndunler wcharge, SECTION 4.0¡|. Sectlon ll.l&3, Waber Code, ls amended by amendlng tlre sectlon headlng ¡nd Subsections (a) and (d) to read as follon¡s: Sec. ll.ró3. tPtleÐ PROJECTS FOR STORAGE Of APPROPRIATED ltfATER IN
gG98 ch. lolo, $ 4.08 ?õth LEGISLATTJRE-ßEGULAB SEs8¡ON
t eer¡¡Seåf [{8ì the Hlehery ¡nd Ellcnhsgpr rqufen ln Clllc¡pteCsuaty¡+n¿ rl. (d') Tlß cmn¡nbs¿on elnlJ onlg àeaue a!$ fln¡l oder granülng a petmlt or ¡mendment üo a permlt authorlzlng the aüomge of appmprlated water ln nqulfers for auboequent beneflclsl uB€ when conpletnd pilat ymjætt or hhlorically dafloflshúßd pujech hau bem slwnn¿ ta be teuíble undn lln øôt¿riø ptoúdßd ln Soc,l,íotu ll,1í4þ) ond ld,,tr+theetå¡n-fe¡+he+llet 1, SECTION 4,ü. Sub,¡eetlons (¡), (b), (c), and (e), Secdon 11.1õ4, rrV¡t¿r Code, a¡e ûnsndd to read ss follow¡: (a) Ar appllcatlon lled wlth the eommlsslon to undert¡ke a tpûbl ptdect under Sectlon ll,168 must lnclude: (1) the lnformatlon ruqulred for an appllertlon for ¡ p€mlt or pennlt amendment t¿ epprnpr.laùe ¡t¡t¡ w¡t¿rl (2) ¡ll lnformatlon r-equlrcd for an appllcrtlon for ¡ psmlt for ¡ Cla¡s V lqleetlon well wlthout requh"lng a eeparate hearlng or notlce¡ and (8) I msp or plrt showlng the lqlætion facllþ end the aqulfer ln whleh the wat¿r wlll be storcd, (b) If the eppllertlon ls for r permlt or ¡rennlt am€ndmont þo store appruprlatod water ln a grmu,nduntæ t¡p.¡ndeupe¡¡¡d-+nt*l t¡¡enob or ¡ subdlvlslon of o Wrundualar Ís thst ls under the Jurl¡dletlon of Hr$ifofi.ilrrlil, (l) the ¡ppltc¿nt ¡h¡ll: (A) provl¡le a copy of the rpplleadon ùo e¡eh gnrunduúw lunde¡gleun+¡m¡erl consenatlon dlst¡lct that hrs Jurlsdlcüon over the rceenoh or subdlvlrlon¡ (B) eoopente wlth øøcl¿ dielråcf t¡he-dl¡tdet¡l that ,u¡ th¡ncl Jurlgdlctlon over the ¡rs€nolr or ¡ubdlvlslon to ensurc compllanee wlth the n¡les of eæh dlstrlet; (C) eooperate with each dlst¡'lct thet ha¡ Jurlsdlctlon over tfie rcsenolr or suMlvlelon üo develop nrles rcgudlng ùhe lqJecdon, Bùorugp, and wlthdraw¡l of apptprirted wat¿r ¡Cored ln tÌ¡e ¡qulfer; üd (D) cr¡mply wlth the n¡les govemlng tlre lnJectlon, aùorage, and letl wltltd¡¡wal of appruprlated water etnred in the r€6eñoh or subdM¡lon that are adopted by øocå [r] dlstrlct that has lurtadlcùlon over the rcsenolr or eubdlvl¡loni and (2) the comml¡slon ¡hsll requlre that any Bgroement the applleant rcachsr wlth a dlstdet th¡t ha¡ Jurl¡dletlon over the rc¡ondr or subdlvlslon rcgardlng the tn¡me for the lqJeeùlon, atorage, ond wlthdrawal of apprcprlatnd w¡ter bs lncluded a¡ a condltlon of the permlC or ¡rermli amendment, (c) On [@l recclpt of ¡n lrpp¡epd¡tcì appllcatlon for a
(1) the lntrcducdon of w¡üer lnto the aqulfer wlll alter the physlcrl, ehemlcal, or blologle¡l quallùy of natlve groundwrtcr to r degree th¡t the lntmducHon would: (A) rcnder greundwrtar prcduced from the rqulfer harmful or det¡'lmentsl to people, anlmala, vegetrtlon, or prcpoÉy¡ or (B) rrqulre t¡e¡tment of the greundwrüer ùo a greaùer exùont than the n¡tlve g¡eurd- wuter rcqulres befort belng epplled üo that, beneflcl¡l u¡e¡ 8684 ?6th LEGISLATUBE-NDGUI.J\R SESSION ch. 1010, [ 4.07 (2) the water stored in the rccelving rquifer can be euccersftrlly hsrvest€d lhom the aqulfer for beneflclal use¡ and (8) [the'eÌmtlhelCer h¡¡ prevld€d evldenoe th¡tl ¡easonable dlllgence wlll be used to protect the wat¿r sùo¡td ln the rccelvtng aqulfer flom un¡uthorlzed wtthdraw¡l¡ ùo tl¡o extpnt neæ¡saty ùo ma:dmtze the pemlt holder'8 abillty to ¡et¡leve and benefrclally use the ¡to¡ed w¡t¿r wlthout experÍenclng unrcasonable loes of a¡rproprlqtßd water, approprlatæd water ln ø grcuufuntnr lrn"+ndc¡gæund*¡¡tetl as defmed by Chaptnr Jd [5¿], rhall pruvlde aa a eondltlon to the lder sh¡ll: Itholder's lqjectlon and rccwery wetls wlth o gtutuhlolør ln n¡ervatlon dl¡trlct that has Jurldlcùlon over tùe ¡e¡e¡volr or (2) each calend¡r month, prrvlde the dlstr.lct, lf any, wtth a wr.ltt¿n report rhowlng for the prevlour c¡lendar monthl (A) the amount of w¡t¿r l4Jected for aüorage¡ rnd (B) the amount of w¡t¿r rccaptured for uae.
SECTION 4.0õ. Sub¡ection (b), Seetlon ll.lõõ, W¡ter Code, le ¡mended ùo rr¡d a¡ folloun: ö) The boa¡d ¡hall make ot st¿tc a¡ lt eonsiders neceBBùJ of otJ¡er aqulferr ln whleh waùo The boqrd shell undedåke the pdorltyl (l) the aquifera daacrib?d tlden¡Hedl in Sectlon ll.lõ8(s); (2) areqs tleslgnated by the commlrslon ar "¡rrdority gruurrÅunle? mo/nagqnønt tsdt¡e¡¡l srer¡" under Seetlon JJ.008 [52S5311 and (8) other a¡ea¡ of the ståt€ in a prlorlty ùo be determlned by the bo¡rd's ranklng of where the gr€at€st neerl exlst¡.
SECTION 4.m. Subsectlon ö), Section ll,l?il, Water Code, ls anended ùo ¡e¡d a¡ folloun: b) A permlt" cetüfletl flling, or certlflcate of a{Judlcatlon or a portlon of r pennlÇ ce¡tlfred fTllng, or certlflcate of adJurllcatlon is exempt from cancellstlon under Sub¡e-ctlon (s) of thl¡ seetlon: (l) to the extent of the ou¡ner'¡ padclpatlon in the Consewatlon Resen¡e hogram ¡uthorized by the Footl Securlty fuL Pub.L. No. F198, Sece. 128l-1286, 90 StsL 1864, 1609-1614 (198õ) or a slmll¡r governmenbul programi or (2) lfany portlon ofthe water authorlzed to be or ce¡tifleaüe of a{Jutllcatlon has been ue€d ln ac mentl plan apprcved ¡nnttøn,|, lo Secllon 18, SECTION 4.07. Subdlvtslon (6), Section 15.ü)1, lV¡tor Code, l¡ anrended to read a¡ follow¡: (6) "hoJect" means:
(B) any undeftaklng or work out¡ide t'he ståtÊ to provlde for the malntenance and enhancement of the quallty of unter by ellmlnating¡¡llne lnflow thrcugh well pumplng and tleep well lqlectlon of búnel or 36Í¡6 ch. 1010, $ 4.07 ?óth LEGTSLITN'NE-REGT'LIIB SESE¡ON
Tena¡.
SECTION 4,08. Subsocüon 6), Sectlon ló.002, Watar Code, l¡ amended ùo rc¡d ¡¡ follows:
SECTION {,00. Sectlon l?,8Ð6, Wrüer Code, l¡ amendod by amendlng Subsectlon (a) snd addlng Subeectlon (c) üe ¡r¡d es follow¡: (¡) The bo¡¡d or lender dlstrlctr mey make eon¡ervatlon loan¡ for eapltal equlpment or m¡üerl¡la, labor, prcparatlon coltt, rnd ln¡t¡lt¡tlon co¡t¡r (l) to lmpruve w¡ùsr ure efñclency of w¡tor dellvery and appllcatlon on edrtlng ln"lgetlon sptsmri (2) for prcputng lr¡{gaüod lsnd üo be converted üo dryland condltlon$ [erl (8) for preparlng dryland for morc efficlent use of n¡turs¡ preslplt¡tlonl &) Íor pnWríng ønd mølnlatníng lúnd tD be weiltm bnnh conl,rcl ac¿åaifi¿q íwlud- W tru, ¡wt lnút¿¡lto úíuítí¿e co¡td¡ælnd ymnnt tD Chu?tÊr 2N, ArríÊ1ùtut¡e Cod¿; m (il lot implementing prvlcipitalíon enha¡æeme¡tt øtì:vilhe ín orcu qf tlu slnte wlwn aurh ætitílíu ututld, bo, ìn ilu boatd'e jun$nnt, moet efectírtc, (c) dàstrìote lor tlu cott oî pu'tthu' ta bonvuter. ìnga pryeñUi dßs¡{tndtnðnd'iaaløthewnnunl'ot lm ini.gal'ìon pupoæ& walpr withdtwun SECTION 4.10, Subdlvl¡lon (12), Sectlon 86.üt2, \Vat¡r Code, ls amended üo re¡d a¡ follow¡: (12) "PrìDrílg gtvundruntæ mawgemml tedt¡e¡¡] area" means tn ¡¡eB deslgnated rnd dellneat¡d by the commle¡lon a¡ sn a¡¡a that lr experlenclng or lo expectad ùo experlenee erideel gmundwaùer problema, SECTION 4.11. Secdon 86,ü)?, W¡t¡er Code, ie amended üo re¡d a¡ follow¡l S€c. 8õ.(M, IDENTIFYING, DESIGNATINC, A-I.ID DELINEATING PfuIOÈITY 1ÀOUNDWATEB MANAGEMENI ten¡4¡€å"Ll AREAS. (a) The executlve dlrector ¡nd tl¡e executlve admlnl¡tr¡tnr ¡hdl meet ¡t least one€ I ye¡r ùo ldentlf!, baæd on inlonrnlion
cont¡mlnctlon of groundwatnr suppliee. (b) If the exeo¡tive dlrsctor coneludes thaü an area of the ¡ù¿t¿ ¡hould be con¡lde¡ed for derlgnotlon u tpríorilg lrvunùMtprnoilÃqcnontIefull ¡rea, the exocutlve dlrector shsll prrps¡r r repert to the commle¡lon.
8686 75th LEGISIIITURD-REGUI.,AB SESSION ch. lolo, $ 4.r2 fteeíw natìcê tlu eamútu dlnclor ot studiae tlnl of bøíng ùtnlifutl u or ør:Tnciedta e ld) The executlve dlrector shall beßln prcparation o1 t priority W,ndil,alcr manqøntsnt lodt¡€o¡l unr rrport by rcquestlng a etudy ftom the exesutlve sdmlnlstr¡ùor. The shtdy musb fr) lnclude an apprdaal of the hydrogeology of tùe srca ¡nd matt¿n wlthln the Texa¡ Water Development Bonrd'¡ plannlng oxpertlre relevsnt ùo the arery (2) cææeellw arua,'aimmpdiala ah'stt-tamu and'long'tßntt'utabr mpply øndtu@ ond tl¡e executlve dlrector on or beforc th If the rtudy l¡ not dellvercd wlthln th prcceed wlth the prcpantlon of tåe rcpoú. (e) Th.e euecatíaø dircctor clnll rcqwel a atnd,y lwn, tlu euecutiw d¡Nrrlfi of tlu Porlca and, Wiltllife Depaúmant for tlu puwoee ol prcporing I'lu turyf nqulnd by lhb eectlon^ Tlw elud,y nunl: (1) oml.ual,e the potøtl,iol ffictn of lhn dcaignalìnn of ø prìmity gtwndtwølnr monago- ¡ntnl uBa, on an a¡vø'a nnluml wcou,rnea: ond, (9) be elot l'lu 18{tl'h daY folloutìnA thí¿ L9o.dag Pøtíod, th¿ etøat t(d)l The report shall lnclude¡ (l) the ¡tcommended dellneatlon of the boundarle¡ of any pro¡loeed ptìnrity gtw'ndiln' ter mnna4emeTtl tedt¡e¡¡l ¡re¡ ln the fom of on otdn¡ tr"-¡tt¡e! to bs consldercd for adoptlon by the commlgdon; (2) the rca¡ons rnd rup¡nüng lnformrtlon for or agatnst deelgnatlng the a¡es as s primity Øauruhwler managemnnl ledtle¡ll ¡re¡¡ whetlrer ¡ dl¡trict should b€ cre¡t¿d ln lhe prìorily årel or whether rÀe pråoril,y gwunùttalsr ùuttqo' ùo an erdstlng dlstrlct; (4) ø æco¡nmandation on to acti¡me Lhat nhwld be ønnidered to coneenn nalu¡d tp$(rurrcc8; (5) on etntuation qÍ ínfùnrwl,ìon or atuiìpc eubtníll¿il tn I'Lw ewøúìoe dírcclør undBr Subcecl,ion (c); ottd (6) sny other inforrnctlon that the executlve dlrecùor con¡lders helpful to the eommlælon,
flwndutatþt m.anøg omøú owø (h) J$ rsary etudles, hold heuing¡, PrePnrtd bY tlre executlve SECTION 1.12. Sectlon Í16.fl)8, lV¡tcr Code, ls ¿mendd to resd a¡ follows: See. sõ.ffi8, PBOCEDURES FOB DESIGNATION 0F PRTORITA GfuOUNDWATEÈ MAI,IACDMENT AREu, CONSIDENATION OF CREATION OF DISTNICT ON ADDI.
TION OF LAND IN PNIONITY GROUNDWATEN MANAGEMENT AREA TO EXIST.
ING DISTilICT teA¡+IeJ|L¡¡EåSl. (r) The commlselon shall uoltî ueae uslng the by lieu l,hnee Subch¡pt¿r B, Gove¡nment 3e3? ch. 1010, [ 4.12 ?õth LEGIEL/II'TJBE-NEGTJLIIn SESSION (bl Tlu cønt;rùìasion ttoll, caL øn etidßtúìßtv lwøttW lø co¡t¿ldn: (! ) llß datìgtnl'lm, oI ø priorilU gtetn fu)út monryanßnl úw; (9) uilwtlwr o dìclrínt almild be øwlad u¡n all o¡ patl oI t pfn¡ilU grstt tfuafsì mßnagcfwtú,øtw; oî (s) wl¡ellw all orpø¡t oltlu lnndín lhß prìar¿W gtvwnwahr monqtmen'l' a¡çø shottW bc úfud. ta øn eúdíttg diatrínL hold al u local'lot in one of tho coultlus in which tlu aæø h leate{ m propoæd tn be lmlad, m tn llu Wnlß faril¿lísa u¡v nat onllahl¿ ìn llløleo cowttlica. (d) At alß hß Cfedodpentns, h.l inîontßlün couìden lurthn ltvtt, onA soulrce, ' (e) Tlte dealgnrtlon oî a prìmltV gtunùmtar mønnqemm,l tdtþ¡¡l area n4v ¡t9ü -þ appe¡led nor mry lù be challeng€d under tåe Admlnl¡tratJve Procedure Act, Sectlon æ01,088' Government Code, SECTION 1.18, Sectjon 86.fl)9, trVater Code, le ¡mended te tsd a¡ follow¡l Sec. 86,000. NOTICE AND HEARING, 6l Thø
for tho commlsslo ledt¡er¡l unq úlø andüim of land (b) Tt€ notlæ mu¡t lnclude: (L, if øWlimbl4, a ststÊment of the generel purpos€ e¡rd efreet of deeig¡¡tlng the pmpos€d t n:oa"t I'u grott ¡ttwoln rwnagontú oæø ledtierlryl; 0l tf Wlitùla ø elntcmonl oÍ llu genßNl Wrpole ønd efrød of cæotittg ø tlitt¡td. í¡t Uw priori,W gtwídunlæ monqemenl' ørvø.; Q) if øpptínohla ø atalamml qf lht ggnsml wrpoaa ond qW of add,ítt| all m W¡f qf I,Ll ktid ii tlu pttoñfy grcurriualør narìtgÊnlßnt oîeø ¿o on ethtittg dhtriû
(0) Ktll a descrlptlon or tùe nrme of tìe loc¡tlona ín |,lw o$actad ønø al whlch the eommleslon haa provlded copies of the exæutlve dlrætor's rcport to be m¡de ¿vsllable for publlc lnrpection; (f) llw nøme u/nd aünoe of each ptbl;It libtr.lry, eoth cumlu clerhb ofwo, and caal¡ dbtdcttnwhiahtlweswnhaionlnÃWnñnadcopùnoÍlluewanl'iætli¡vslm'e¡tput; and ls) t$l the d¡te, tlme, end plwt ol tlu lwøring tM @1, (c) Tlw comminüqn attltl, also gi'ae urritlßn twtitc d tlw dalß, I'iM" pl'æq an¿ ptpou of üw lwørtng ta tha gØemì:n8 bodu ol ea¿h cunlg, ngíonal walor plonning gtw)'.dd¡went gîtundunisr díst'rlat, nunlcipalí1,A, rfpø' uúlutríl'y, rnbr d¡shlct m olher enltly ttilúnh 8688 ?6th LEGISI.]TTURE-REGULAR SESSTON ch. 1010, I 4.1õ
tlw haariW, SECTION 4't4,flubaectlons (l¡), (c), (d), and (e), Sectlon 86.012' Wat'er Code, are rmended üo ¡t¡d a¡ followo: (b) If the eomml¡slon find¡ th¡t the land and otl¡er pmperty h fhe prtority rtvtütdu,alßr managwrcnl, tdt¡er¡l arcs would bendt þm tùe cltstlon of one or mo¡¡ dl¡b"lck' that therr is a publle need for on€ or moro dl¡t¡.ict¡, and that tùe e¡e¿tlon of one or morc dlsb¡cts would further the publle welf¡¡e, the comml¡slon shall ls¡ue an o¡dq rùrtlng that the crestlon of one or mo¡s dl¡Het¡ l¡ needed. (cl Follnwing under Subsectlo mønagmunl teit¡e¡U anos msy: (l) ercate one or motr dl¡h:lcts under Subchepter B' Chapter 86¡ (2) have the sroa ¡nnexed 0o a dlaHct thst a{þlns the ¡nosi or (8) c¡eate one or mone dlctr'tct¡ thmwh the leglalatlve pnoce$.
boundarle¡ ol lhe prinrity gtøtnùuler rnanagen¿nl ldtle¡ll sr€r. SECTION 4.1õ, Secdon 8õ.018, liV¡lor Codg l¡ emended t¡ re¡d ¡¡ follow¡; Sec. 86.018. ADDING PnlOnlTY GÀOUNDWATEÈ MANAGEMENT te8¡+¡eå¡l
shall (e) Tl¡e eommlsslon ùo whleh lt ie r€eommendlng the prdori The bo¡¡d ¡hsll vot€ on th]e adäiüon are¡ io the dl¡bict snd ghall advlse the cornmlsslon of tho ot¡t¡ome.
8689 ch. lolo, å 4.16 LEGTSIÀN'BE-REGT'LAA SESTION 'õth (d) If the bo¡r{ vot¡¡ ùo aceept the ¡ddtüon ol the priarily qtvtûtfualfi nanagmnú tdt¡er¡l aru¡ to tlre dl¡trlcû the boqrd'
(s) I hsll de¡tgn¡üe electlon preclncta utd polllng an ehstim unÀet thit stthsætian, (e) llre bou¡d shtl¡ gtve notlee of tùe eleedon ¡nd the pm¡roritlon to bo vot¡d on. The bos¡{ Bhalt publlrh noüee ol tl¡e electlon st leasü one tlme ln one or moru neweprpen wlth Eenenl clrcul¡tlon wlthin the bound¡rte¡ o1 lhe priaril'X gtourthûab¡ mmagem+:nl ldt¡eCl -a¡t¡, The notlce murt be publlrhed belorc tho 80th day prtcedlng tìe d¡te ¡et lor the electlon.
the dlsùrlct," (g) Immedl¡tely ¡ft¿r the electlon, tùe prealdlng Judge o.l each ¡rclllng pl¡ce shåll dellvo thJrsturn¡ of th-e electlonùo the bo¡¡d,-and the bo¡rd ¡h¡ll csnvass tle rcturns lor the
(h) addlng the pìmitY I qe" tl d the the dts*1¿ tß whtclr tdt¡e¡¡l Bnst ¡t¡¡on¡ble FsPFato wlth the dlsttlct's eÉrtlng ¡eheme of rcpaentetlon. (t) If ùhe pmpoeldon l¡ defe¡ted, ¡nother electlon üo ¡dd the primily -grflLrlfualßt manAemenl- l$t¡e¡¡¡ ¡¡s¡ to ur edrtlng dlrtrlct mry not be. c¡lled befo¡o tlre ñnù ¡nnþem¡ry of the d¡te on whlch tlre elecüon on the pruposlùlon wu¡ held.
SECTION 1.10. Subs€etlon¡ (b) ¡nd (e), Seetlon 86,011, Wnùar Code, ¡¡t rmended bo ¡ead as follows¡ ft) ltrecpst¡of snelectlonùo¡dd efianltulaledl¡¡tß0ogn exlstlng dlstdct ct which thevot¿rs rouduals¡ monagønant tedt¡e¡¡l a¡e¡ to t'lre dl¡t¡lct ¡hsl b€ (c) Tlre costs ol an eleetlon to create ¡ dl¡trlct or add ¡ prioríly gtoundttx.lêt manngemønt tc'll¡e¡¡l n¡e¡ üo an erdrtlng dl¡Het at whtch tho prc¡nsltlon l¡Us shs[ bo prld by the commlsslon.
SECTION 4,1?, Sectlon 8õ.01õ, lVater Code' ls ¡mended üo rcad eE follows:
t$l A polltlcrl subdlvlslon located ln rn sns¡ dellne¡üed ut prioril'g minagunßt t tedt¡er¡l ¡rr¡, and ln whlch quallñed voters spprove the c¡e¡tlon ol a dlctt'lc{ or 8640 ?õth LEGIELITII]RN-REGULAR 8A88ION ch. lolo, I 4.lo ¡nnexatlon lnùo an eldrtlng dlsülct, shrll b€ Slven con¡lderrtlon to rccelve lhmd¡l ¡¡¡l¡t¡næ ftom the st¡te under Ch¡pør 1? for fl¡nd¡ to be r¡sod ln rdùærlng l¡¡ue¡ ldentlûed ln tl¡e ptiorìly tfiMdilnlßt tedHe¡¡l rrea rcport ln the mrnner by Sectlons U.1% end I SederUtll¡¡(d$].
SECIION ¿.1S. Secüon 8õ.01?, lVetor Code, l¡ ¡mended to re¡d ¡¡ follow¡:
groundweùer on th¡t ¡t¡t¿-owned lsnd.
SECTION Chapüer 8õ, lryster Code, ls ¡mendsd by addlng Sectlon¡ 36,018 s¡d ¿.fe, 8õ.0U ùo rcad a¡ follow¡¡ Sse, 8,1.018. REPORTS. commì.aaìø¡t, ln eoqjwúion daliw¡ kt tlw gouernm, tlw I tìtnt s coû,,Whe¡nútn rcFnt lhe daúgnolinr o.f ¡niuily øvalìon and o¡nmlim, oldtsttìî,s. (b) Thß tr;¡ml rnwl í¡tnluda: mana4emanl orea¿ ond' õ, 1916, thn effedì.w dnla Rogulø Seesínì\ n86: (Ð ùn outhority undar whình sonh prìmtly grtttùMtn managemm,t wva and dìstrisl' uae pvpoaadlor ercalíw (S) a dptn,iled' ønalyeia of di¿lr¡cl, iwludiw analyela q[o]ßct¿oi 9o\frrm the atalion oÍ a dtal,ricl, øttd ðn alvoa in. which atbtnph h cæatn dietrictt tøiløI; $) ol tlw ul,íviliø oI eaoh ilialrìnl, cnaled, inefudíng I'lwae dìstrìßtà ø, tlnløilnd ønalVcin ruhbh managemmt plnna cnlifutl u¡tdot Sccl'ion 86,1012; an in,plnunl,ittg (Ð a mrrlú on audita perfomted on ih¿l,ricta uttdnr Søclíut Ed,E02 ottd Míd ad'ìont tqken mdar Ssclion E8.8oE: (8) wcommnndalìone tm ehan4u in lhb chnptor ond Chøplnr s6 ahú uill lqailílßlß ltta, ctpotion of prìmifl¡ grduøüal¿r mnwgemanl o¡Bat and lfu cmation ønd openlion ol dhtrìcl¡; (û ø rqon on eduølìotnl efrwle ìn natuly thúgaalad ptiorif grotttùltnlÊî manq* mmlø¡sa!: and (E) an¡¡ othnr åttlormatlon ønd, nc¡¡mmenlal,iona Jhat llu eom,m.ileìon couìdefi nlß' uønL
(A) ctrøa.tion of a gmwùnl'er dì.cl'rict bU lha lagttlßlwa; (B) øwt¿uotìø¡t ol o fìmitU gwmdnalßr menn{eflant aroa íntn øn edilin4 dístrißl hU tln legialalu'n; út lm41 ch. 1010, ü 4.10 ?ñth LEGTEIJ\T1'RE-NDGUI,IIR SESETON (C) managmwtl ql lttß yr¿onfA $s.ndwatsî mnqenenl' W.W tlu nænet .rllgìonul ofriø of ¿fu iorr,ln¡siìotr- ThÁ cowtì¿eìm¿ moy he oul'ltmiz¿tl to: (í) adopt ryacirto otul øwnnl prt tcït WUPtn| lr,alríE¡ìotuÈ (ít) iamo wll permiúr ìn utødonne wilh Sactì¡nu Eî,ilt a¡d $'11t1: (¿¿¿) p'ñ'il,efll utotb ottd putnct tlß wohta cf gtvundilnlfi ín wcotfuwe wilh S e ctìotu t 0, M 1 (I ) (A) -(G ) : (fu) LeW admínhl,mlítn penall'ìseþt tttolal'lolrø,; o¡td (a) cotlacl'løee ìn wìth Sectlotu is.20A@) øni (Ð, awtlnue (2) Il tttß curmtûaíon it'rcØLílad bU llu bghlnhtn ln flnnag€ tlw príoñtg.gwuPW nüí"itmont o'¡,q o ¡w¡ alactíw¿ mãy mt be cølladfot thne yeo7" fwn tlrß dah qf hß I,anl, elaclìo*
(b) TltB con¡nhtio¡un curT qf u ænttl4 in ø príoñlg gtqtntdtt)alßf mønngsnwú øteu maa: (1) nqu¿n E psîriùn eeekÛry apPtfint of ø plnl, rcgtir,rid by Subolnpb A, ClnpW 282' Local Gøueramnt Codß, b atwu): (A) compliawe uòlh llw üata¡ annilabttll,g nrytnmonte adoilpd by tln cowl undâr thh soûìon; ørd (B) th$ronúocltÃtt ¡upptv qf utatn orqffi¡íentwtúúr ond' qulÍlv b annilnhla ln tup¡y tn nrmbsiqf lol propoeadfm tln phl'ladønu
eeclåon. mo4 r,r,quìn t'ln* (1) o peßotl aeebítq øewn¿ qf o plß, m allentptÛry to aell,tn ø tubdì¡tì¿ìon: ø Inl (A) rctlfu ø ptnhaaø { o tot ìn ilu cübdìüìtißr if an øpprowt ttnlet uwlv Íor tlu ruMluì¡ion bu ¡td' erhl; ot (B) tthß pmon attsrnpta to fuìn ø wabt eupplg eyaþ¡n to ssrw o¡to ø non lnh wdlhìnlhoctthd;ünmq,e (í) comfl,g w¿thÍedßId, etnlß, ttú lncallnnu a;nd (lü eetabtßh la as¡utnnt øtrd opemle tln evatzm; m m enlìl,U (Ð ø ptomwl or opmråa uatat wpptg. eyeltnt, ealsíltg w. T ry.lnte uttthin ø *'ió,¿o¡"ion be buíll ,h¿ ,pt*¿ ån cdñpilìøwe u¿lh îldßml" 8tnl4 øî'n bcd lnwa and rulet rplnlpdta Wiric drí'¡thöw wfs¡' SECTTON 4.20. Sectton 80.fl)1, lVsùer Code, l¡ smended by emendlng Subtllvlslon (U)
Secllm E6.lfl. (17) ,Awthottt' mzo,nß ø ttsuilg confirmod distfict apúuinc Íot o laøn ftvn t'lu I'mn Iuni. $EITION 4.21. Subchapter A, chaptor 80, water code, ls emended by addlng sectlon 36,0016 üe rcsd ss folloç'¡¡ g*z ?óth LEGISI./ITTJRE-REGI]L/I.R SESSION ch. lolo, 0 4.uo
SECTION 1,22. Subs€ctton (e), Sectlon 86.014 l4taùer Code, l¡ amended üo reld 8å follow¡¡ (c) bound¡rles of s dleb'lct must b€ cotermlnous wlth ø ln¡lde the bound¡rlee of ¡ llre management aroa or súotitU gltutd,rtatsr monagen'tttt ledtle¡ü are¡' SECTION 4.28, Subsectlon (d), Sectlon 96,018, lVrÞr Code, l¡ amended |¿ ¡e¡d a¡ lollow¡: or8 also 8rs8 nby SECTION 4,%, Subchrpter B, Ch¡ptor 80, W¡tor Code, l¡ ¡mended by addlng Seetlon re¡d a¡ follow¡: 86.01õ1 ùo Sec E6,01õ1, CREATION OF DISTRICT FOn PnnnITY GÀOUNDWATEî MAN' øn ba to (b) Thß com¡wi¡úon etnll mtìfu tlw county co¡¡¿miaclonez¡ c¿1trtr gf ewh, cwnly wíth tenltory ínth¿ ifi¡ùrict qf tlu tthtíict'e c,rcatìon a¿ ocløn øs pmatàcabb ofrn ícfl,íng t'tw oú4? etal,lttg tlu dösl'ric| SECTION 4,26. SecHon 80.010, Ìltrter 0ode, lr ¡mended ùo rcsd as follom¡ Sec. s6.016. the commlsslon grantr e petltlo úon di*,aolwa a tlìattìcl,'a boattd
(d Tm,punra ditpctprs øppointail und¿r thit section Í+vhel ¡hall ¡e¡ve untll the lnlti¡l ¿trector¡ åre eËcød ¡nd h¡vb qu¡lifled for office or untll the vot¿n fall to apprnve the ctestlon of the dl¡trleL (d) I f¡ils to quatify o¡ tlw counly ac¡ncY' f¿) t$l As ¡oon ao all tcmporary dlreeüor¡ t¿ke ùhe o¡ùh oì oi8ce, ¡nd eleet ¡ chitrmrin and vlee iq. Tle ch¡lrm¡n rhall prtslde at all meetlngr of the the vlce chairman ahall prealde' sEcTtoN 4.20. subehapter B, chrpter 80, lv¡ter code, ls ¿mended by addlng sectlon 8ß.0101 tn re¡d ¡¡ follows; 8648 ch. lolo, $ 4.26 ?óth LEGIELITN,nD-REGT'I"Aß SESSION Seo. 80.0101. ME1HOD FOn APPOINIING TEMPOHAÈY DInEeIO$t FOn DIS' TàICT IN PRIOHTY GROUNDWATEî M$ÍAGEMENT AnßA" (s) If o dbt¡M ín t pbrilV trutndu¡alsr nnnagt ìßnl, u¡'tø lt: (r) contaíw| wòlhk otu ca'tttlv) tha ønlv cvmn'hdonnt mni d tlnl cottnl'y alnll oWl¡tlfrw lørnponry dhzdon fvr tlu dìslrìú (Ð conto wh crtttntg clwlt outtty cotttttt'ìttìoß+n æuil, of øppotnlal wòth tlß øppoinlmmb qÍ üw lhne rcmnìníng dtncløz ln Suhæctíon (b); (s) cutú of wh couttlg stnll qf tlnhnmwlníng dìnc 'ffiffi:r'!ffii'{';#!'åiWT (il conlnhutl uilhin fia Ø mn\o mnl'ìaq üu cwnty cørcmhslonort eutrl of ewh counlg elnll appí.nt one t'srtuWwy dítr,cl'ttr, (b)(l atìnalotl gtvtl',lthüatsî rÆ" moo,no tlu est¿ntnlß cî gtvnniltalâr tuoìn tlu cun¡¡tå¿aian utd¿r Sabuclìmt tc) lw fu orrzo ol o counlg ilwrh
will ws ln ìmplenont thìa euMìùìtìorL dìnclnn otp to bo oppoíntad h conlatnd wìlbin lun ehall btnlop on eal'imala olunwl gttltttdtunln uso ]lu dtstr¿ct, SECTTON 4,8l. Sectlon 80.0õ2, W¡tor Code, l¡ ¡mended to read ¡¡ follorr¡:
(b) Notwíllntandlry Stùaætìon (o), llu þllouting fouìr¡fons pranll ov* o co¡úlffit¡W or íncomletøú pwvt¡lon of ø apcW Imt tlnl gnna ø qeffi dtstrict ( 1) Sed.íme 80, 10f-9A. fi&; (2) Sod,ìmu 80.169-98JAI: ønd (E) Subclwpler I.
SECTION 428. Subchapt¿r D, Chept¿r amendfng Sectlon 80.1û7 snd addlng Secülon¡ 86,1071, 80.1()¡42, Sec. 88.10?. RESEARCH tâÀ¡Ð-P["AÀllttltG¡1. f(cl A dlstrlct m¡y cûry out any rc¡e¡rch projecta deemed n€c€sðary by the board.
Sec. 80.t|n. MA IAGDMDNT PI¡AN. (a) [(Ðl Followlng noùlce and hearlnS, the dl¡tr.lct shå¡l d¿ rrrirdlínntìon with wrfane waler møtwgtmtnl aúítìpa on ø Wiounl boaìs, develop r comprhenrlvs mrnagem€nt plan whích addtta¡eo the lolløuin4 munqe'menl gool* aa a,pplicubla: (1) pwúfng tlw ma¡t efieient we ol grtt¡tdttttolpx (Ð contmllbry Øtd pmuenlírtg untt¿ ol g¡vunùnløn (0) conlmüìng tnd prelmtùtg nùsíd¿nce; $) addneoínA cmqjunctiw w{a'ce unlar nnnngentotr't i¿nßs; untd (5) add'nseiw nuluml flsørrce ilnng 3644 ?õth LEGISI,IIT.IJRE-BEGT]LAN SE$gION ch. 1010, $ 4.2E (b) A dístrícl dlsÞ¿d, metryûìßnl plott onophd olßr alß ngtaanl ualn plm for tlu ßg¿on in whìßh htø figíowl ualer plan (c) Tlw cowruí¡aím¿ ønd üw Tesøc Wolßt Dank¡p¡nottl, Boatd. alnll Wuitdr t¿chnìcal oarhlnnce dÍ¡ttn a lu nßnngenmf plan ruWínd urndtt whôrh Subaevlím (ø) tha .lhtriß|, a prelimhary mieu ond contnntontluplon Ifmrhrotiswørulcomæntby hoottd. üu conmhsìon ìa nWoatad, tlta oottt¡tvir,don elnil pmtüh cun'mmt mt lalæ thøn E0 daya lltrrtttß dalp üß wqnal b nlceiwù (d,) Tha conml¿rion nlm'll Vrutôfu hchnbd or,rhloncs ta ø díntricl ùffìng ìfE inilìnl openfímal plu.ee, (e) In tlu mnnagØnsnt plan, daanìbed undæ Slbsed,ìm, (aL lhn df¿bid ahall; (1) ¿drlntlf1 lln pøformance atnnlatde and managemonl obieclìnne u'nfltr whích tlu disariot u¿U oryalt tn aahløso tlu msnqenø.| goah ídon@d u¡tfut Subaøctíon (ù; (Ð ryecifu, ín o¡ ntntch dnhil u poaaíbla tlu ør,tíonc rnrolcd,une, pørfotmancq, ønd, øwídøitts thal an oÌ Íut! be rwceenury lo etect lln pl.a¡ ödud'ìng apecifwatiow añ pvpoeedruhu (g) ituhtfu ealimoìaa qf thßlol,lowìng: (A) Uto enialíw tolal tuoila ømmnl, of gftunù,oator ìn üw dlslr¿ct; (B) tlw anmuú, qf grvt'ndualsr heing ued uilhín tha dìÃrricl on on øn'mnl bad¿: (C) llu onnwl omønt of nclørgø ú mV, to tlw grvu:ù/nl,sr terøursel wåthin tlw dtltric¿ and, hout nalu,¡d or arlificinl tr'clø;tgø mog be ùnneaaed; ond ( D ) tlu pttJ e ûad ualø nW lV and, dsmond lor unlsr withå¡t tlu ditl;t'rr,{; otd' 6) addrcaa utal¿r nædo ín s oppwed u)al¿î \f (, 18,0õE t.
The dlst¡lct ehall rdopt nrler neceesa$' ùo m8na8ernent @) aary. An'onb mpnl,¿ eløll ollunuíae comply ut¿lh lhß nquírurrwn/c of lhb aectton See. 30,t0t2, TEXAS WATEÈ DEVELOPMENT BOAHD fuEVIEW AND CERTIFICA' TION OF M¡NACEMENT PLAN. ld á tfhel dlstr'ict ghsll ttot lotn tlw tun geøn qfln llu ølptttíon w nqtimd wvðøo wd certi,ftcalöon teemntertenl, ol o mann4ena¡tl pløn ønßpþd undør Seol'lon 86.10f I, lhß (b) Wlþan 0o (hvs of æce.ípt emcutì,u adnì,nlstrr.toi plan if Jhø phn ia adn¿níahatíuely slnll csrtifl ø flutnwqnßnt cotnplota A nntagem,enl wlm. il, aontaåns tlw infomo. tíon nquitú ta be mbr¿í ereaúhte adminìelttlor may d¿tpnnítt¿ lhal c¡tntitöona ¿s undu Sectíon Eí.I0ltþ)$), (c) Onpe ø d¿lernti'ttalion lhnl o monngemanl plßn ts adnìn,í.sl,wtiwlV cotnplatø lwa bestù mnd¿: (t) llw ereadiue adtnlnishalÐr mag not ¡ewke tlw futennínatinn üwl ø managemant plon ia úmíntul'mlíaelg cutt'plnto: (2) l,he ensail,iuo qdmì.nht øtm may nqueú addìlional ùdornal'ion frvtn' lho díe¡ríct if lhe ìnþmnlíon tà necellsry tn clarilq, madífy, m eupplamønl' ryevim.aly wbtn'öAþd' 'mnlørioh ond 364õ Ch. 1010, $ 4.28 ?õth LEGtgLl\luRE-BEGuIlw sEsgIoN (Ð ø nqt{r,t lm sdditionf,l irtafirulion daes wt findsl lhß nanagnwú pløn ítæon' plßta, tln ewwlún odmínietmtw ot' if Boo¡d* ¡wtiw ond ¡vdfupt th'e PIan wìth
ceñi,fical,ion oto nviaed mmngennnl plnn^
followu: (a) e srme mrnaqement a¡sa, .rCul3g bY Sectlon 38,10 tlon of the Plan, eryh dlstrl other dlsb:icts ln the munagement am.
SECTION 4.S0, Seetlon 80.118, Wst€r Code, ls omended to resd ¡8 follows: Sec. 80.118. PERMITS FOR WELLS, @ A dlet¡lct shall r€qul¡g permlte for the ¿"llùng, equlpplng, or compleüng of we[sfrl or for subetantjrny alterlng the elze of well¡ or well pumps. (b) A díatfi, chalt ¡¡qtìn tl;¡¡l øn oppkcatíon lor o permlt be ìn unìtòng ønd wøm tn, (c) A dìatrict mary hnchtdtd ìn ilø pormtt øyplicalíon; 'f,qtùt tlwr ilw lotlouting be (1) l,lw nnm¿ ond møiling addnee d lhe øpplícønl and lþß utntr ol I'ha lud on whìch th¿ unllwill be localed; ø if thß a,r¡ptrícøl¡¿t h othor thnn th,e ounæ qf tltc pmpeflg, dawmmlalion eatablishiw nt ipitt'lca¡ti outMtU to conalnwl øttd opemia owlllottke prcpoeedue: (8) a statenwnt of tlw ttøfun and pwoae qf tlw plposød aæ ottd tlw omaunl of utatør tn be weiltor eath PluPoae; (t) ø untn cvtamtol;ion plnn or o d¿ctamllon thal I,lß op¡tlicont wìll cwtply wötk lln dial,nc¿' a ttwnagemen't pløn; (6) 1lw tocøtíon ol each unll and the estimatpd, ratp at wltich unlø wìll be wilhd'tutt¡u (s) a unln well cbntn ptan ot ø dnclmúinn û,al lhß øpplicønt wì\tr complg with well pltóg¡ng guìdzl,íneo ønd nitort elnaulro to tlw aomttaisoiaw and (f) o iL¡vught conlingmcY plnn, (d) Berq¡p frro¿nling w danyìng ø pertnit, tlw tlixtråct sh&ll ænsid.sf wlwlhn: (û tß tlu wquå'wmnnla puoeribed bU tltía chaplet md ia oßcornwn (g) llw nruøtonably qfeda erìstiug gmu.nihwhr and autføce unler rcaotnvea; (s) the Wpoaed ute of ualer ìa ilalkaled tn øng benafi'cìal' we; 8646 ?õth LEGTSLATURE-REGTIIJTR SESSION ch. 1010, 0 432 Ø) tlw propored uee ol utalor i¿ co¡t"sùttÊnt ùilh thß dl,al,ricl'e crrfifrßd uator nanaga. mmtplnn; (5) llu oppl:lønt haa ogned tn owid utq,stp ond aßhiÊ1n wala¡ conaettnllon; oni (8) the opphcønl ltu Wued tlnt lrola¿onahla dil,þewe will h u.aed tn pmtpst gtwunduo,- tør Wality otd t,rÃl tlu aryplbont rørl, Íollutr well plWgiÌtg Wìthlinaa al tlw tùwe ol wll clantu.
@ Adld'röctryUngutvthalchøngeeinthpwilhùnwalonduoeolgruundutatetunilo¡o pørnútrøt bo nndo wílhø,ttthe prloø øppmwl of opwmitømeulmøúì.eawd by tlw díÅtríct SECTION 4.81. Subchrptrtr D, Chaptar 86, lV¡ter Code, ls ¡mended by adding Section 86,11S1 ùo read as follows: Sec, 80.118t. ELEMENTS OF PEHMIT, (o) A pemìr tenud by the dhtrict to tlw øpplicanl' und¿¡ Sectíøn 30,113 alw)l stale tlrn termt onÅ povìalnm preeÁbed by tlw dìstric| (b) Tlß pmnlt moy i¡ælude: (Ð tlw wme ond odùBu oltln pønon tn wfuym llw penníl ie lannd;, (2) tha lacolion of tha nnl,h (8) the daln tha pwmit ia to erpht if no unll in drilled; G) o stalrm¿nl, ol tlw ptrpoee lor whích tlw utell it to be usd; (5) ø nquircment tlnl, lh¿ utalor withllwm undar tlw permì|, be ytl ta betuftcld'ute ot dl tim¿s; (6) the lacotton of tha we of tlu u)al& fwt lhø wll; (D a wler tnll clarurc plorz. ø da.clømlíon ¿ry wll T !h" øpplì,:unt ulll comply with plugg¡ng guìdzlìnea ond rcWi clontl to tlw comnhúuq (8) tluco¡td.ìlioneondn,strìc,|,íonaìf,ony,plnnwlontluntøottd,w¡toutúotwithdruM; (9) ang consen¡aliono¡Ínle¡l m¿thd¡ of drì.llðtg onil opøtulttrg ymrcriberl by ttw d,Íatricl; (10) o dtwtgW contíngencg plan ynzacribed by üæ diahict; ønn (11) ol,ltn t¿rmr ond cottdilions o,t ptuìded by Sectlon 8E,Il3, SECTION 4.82, Secdon 86.11?, Water Code, ls amended ùo read as follow¡: Sec. S6.117, LIMITAT¡ONS. (¡) Á dutrí.ct ma,y erønpt unlh Ítv¡n ¿lu pxmtt, m opemltng permìt, or ãny otlin ynnit rcqrírz rul,ee, dlstrlct may not requlrr a permlt for¡ ^ (l) driling or prcduclng ftom a well elther dr.llled, completed, or equlpped so thaü it ls lnerpable of produclng more than 2ó,0ü) gallonr of groundwatcr a day; ct the prcductlon of a well lf or io be used 0o supply the a momber of esch hougohold or B member of the owney's an employee of the owner; ¡lt¿r¡tlon of the slzê of ¡ well or to ¡tet¡lcü the prcducüion ftom the duced or to be produced ftom the well l¡ used or to be used to pruvldo llvestoek rnd poultry connected wlth farming, ranchlng, or dalry (4) wat¿r wella to eupply wat,er on actlvlülec, regrrdleer of whether those wells are produdng¡ tny well permlttcd by tho R¡ilroad Commlsslon of Tex¡s drllled ¡ or 8M7 ch. 1010, $ 4.82 75th LEGISLATI.'RE-REGTILIR SESSION (6) let well¡ u¡ed for domestle need¡. (b) The bo¡rd shsll adopt nrles detærmtnlng the sppllceblllty of Suboeetlon (¡XB) to facllltie¡ u¡d p¡'lm¡rlly for feedlng llveeþock. (e) The dbHct ¡hall not deny tlre owner of a tract r¡f l¡nd equlpped to prnduee mo¡t than 2õ,(M ßallons a da¡r on the well on hla l¡nd or the pdvllege ùo produce groundwater ftom the dletrlct. (d) A dl¡trlct rnay not reaür'lct the productlon of any r+æll equlpped ùo pn¡duce 2õ,üX) gallonr or lesa r day. (e) Nothtng ln thlr chepter applles to well¡ drllled for oll, gal, aulphur, utanlum, or br'lne, or for corc Ceetr, or for l4Jectlon of gus, raltwater, or other fluld, or for any other purymae' Texa¡. A dlstr"lct may not rcqulre a äilt- tril ffi i,l if; :ï.i#:ni the ¡ule¡ of the distt'lct. Waler wells drillad qfin Seplmtbet l, t991, ta mWlry unler tor hyd,rccorbon prud,uclíon actittílíea mtut mpet thø epadng requíwnnn,l,a of tha di.slricl unlp¿a rn urye ìc oas,ll,oble witlvin 8M tøel ol tlw pmd,wtìon unll or the cød,rc|ínjeetim slolíorl
ln any grcundwster ¡ercwolr,
ln any groundunter rcætrolr. (h) A unll, ln uqryly uatw tm ø nhtl,ltisìon oî land lor whíph ø pløt approuøl h nquind by law ía ¡nl encmplad,wdet thís aecthn SECTION 4.&3. Subehapter D, Chapter 80, trVetor Code, Is ¡mended by uddlng Sectlon 90.122 ùo read e¡ follow¡: Sec, 10.122. TnANSFpn OF GROUNDWATEÈ OUf OF DISTRICT, (o) A dí.slr¡rt mary Ttronuþal,e rulas r,rlquúríng o prctn ln obtøin a pcrmít ftom lha diotricl þr the trcnqfer of grtwndwalar ml of llu d,htricl lo: (1) inc¡eaæ w Neï lhe amount of gruundumtar la be I'mn'qfenud w qflar Mønh 2' under ø contåmtìng onvrqennnl, ht etfect belon thnl døl'e: or (9) lmnaln gxnmdual.w ortt of the d.ístrial on ¡rt qfl.fi Møtt'h g, 1091, *nlot o tww anvngemmL (b) The dhlrícl may impoae o rcamnnbll tee lm Tnweeaing an øpptlícøl'ion tot a permil rundsr lhit cection, (c) Belore irauíng a permíl und.er lhis seclion, lhe d,ùtricl muú' giae nnlíce of I'hn applìcaliøt ond hold ø ptblíc heørüng, (d) In d¿terminíng whetlwr to i.sÈue ø ¡termiC und¿r lhia cecliøtl the dìslrict sLall cona¡der: (t) the aaøilnbilíl,A ol u¡altt tn the di.¿lri.ct ønd ín tlw ¡tropoaed, rcceíúng ømo ùthtg th,e period,tor whicl¿ the wøtar wpply ìt reqæúed; (Ð the auoilabilitA olleañble øndprudìcable allamalíua mrypliea to tlw a¡tplbøn| (3) lhe omnu¡tl utl ptrpoaea of rue in lhe pro¡nwd rcceivíng arcø lor whtclt rwler ìt necd¿tl; ß) lhe pryiecled elfect of llw pxtpoteÅ t'mn$er on aqrtìlor coulilions, d'epleliw, aubni' dencq or elfectu on cthting Tnrmit holdzn or other gnruttd.unlc¡ tuen tuìlltiz tl¿e d,islriah ùnd 8648 ?6th LDGTSLATURE-REGUIIIß SESSTON ch. lol0, $ 4,8õ (5) llu appmnd rcgìot ßl unlet pla:n ond cet'l,tfred dül'rìnl, mntqtmor'l plan (e) The dißlrôct may lími| ø pennåt ìaflßd undar |,hía sed,ion if condítípru in Subaecl'ion (tl) w,nunt the lhmítal,io¡t" (fl In addil,tan ln cqndíL,íowc ptuidodfo Seclíon 88.118\ tlw pewíl ahall qaffi: (1) the øn¿sml of nntor l,hnl møg be tm'netenz'd, otrl, ttf l,lw diclrìc,l; ø¡t'd (9) the period før which tho unlw møy be t¡unSÍsfitù (g) A dißtflcl may nol, prchibil, |,fu erVotl of gwtndnnler tf lfu pu.rcln¡e wat in effecl' on æbeforc J'un¿ 1, 1997, (h) This aectì.on applòee øtlg l,o o lrunqfw qf wolsr ttnl ìs ìnit¿otQd' or ìrunBaaed qfur t'lw efrecliw dnle of thöe asctiotl* (ì) A dißlricl ahall odopt ntlos o necelsol to impbmanl thís aeclion" SECTION 4.84. Subehaptar E, Chryier lß, W¡ter Code, ia ¡mended by addlng Sectton¡ 8B,lõ9, 86.160, and 86.161 to ¡ead us followsl Soc. ]B.Iõe. GÙOUNDWATEî DISTilCT MANACDMENT PLAN fU¡VDS. Tha Tør' oa Waler Dnelapmenl Bætd may allacab funda fiow¿ tlw u¡slßr oss¿alønee ltnd to ø diat'r¿cl to æ¡tdttct inittal dnlø coll¿ctione undot this chapl,ot, Lo clawl,op and im'plement o Inng-tann mmtøgemønl plan, u.ndæ Sectiott. 88,1011, and, to podiaipafo in rugiorwl ualæ plam' See. 86.160, FUNDS, Tha aion Utß Pørka øttd Wìldlile DeryntnmL ltw ínilltullme ot highsr eduôoliØr, mag allacato er ond' Choptsr 35, tohich inchda bul, aw not lbni,tad la: 0 cordnnting tnitial ø¡td anbaequenl úrlrlì,as oMI nlrre¡s undar Socliom 86,106, ûA,W, ønd 36,t09; (2) prwid,ing oppmpriale edtualiott' in o$eelød anae ídott't|fred in Sectìon 35,007 rcIalí'itg lo thà fiblerw and iaune enweming unler muw4em¿nl lhal may ørba (Ð poceeeirry pfoi\ gmmd,tmlø mønagemenJ orcø wdttølions ltldßr thia chøptßr ttdChøpter E6: Q) ptouìdíW technÍcal ond, adrnìnlatmllue a¿shtnnce tn wwlU crcatod dislrích undtt this cLø.ptet ond Chopler E6; (5) couering the eosts of nnuryaper wlìcee wqdted' undn Secliotu 8õ,009 ond E6,0tl and loilnd eløclìoz.ø ln o¡co¡dnwø wìth Sectiotu 85.0t1þ), 1ù.Lrl(b, o¡td 38,010; ond (s) Waid¡ny lor arnintønællta firutu e Tesu Wøtet Deaelopttiønt Boa¡d m diclrícl a tüildrlfe wlau.rce hahíinl, neoda aa they may apply biectiaee ottha dirlricL See, 86.161. ELIGIBILITY fon FUNDING. (o) Tlt¿ Touot Woler Dewlopment Boord maa und¿r fi, and ll, ond, Saüc chapler Boatd deler'¡ninea that U ailu,tt wth prwíaionn ol tkìa clwpter, diawnl¿nue ndn lhat the
shúll begíwn ín ooeo¡dance w¡lh tlß rulee ol the agsttcy. (ü Th¿ Tesas Water Dewlopmml Bootd, nny dzbgale lo llw Sløte Ofice ol Adminíetm' tíue Heøringe th¿ tpsrysibìlity to øndnut o lwøring wdar thi¡ sectíott" SECTION 4.36. SubehapÞr G, Chapùer 86, l¡ttuÞr Code, is umended by adding Sectlons 88,206 ¡nd 86,20? ùo rcad us followel 3649 ch. l0lo, $ 4.3õ 7õth LEGTSLATTJBE-REGT'LIIß SESSTON Sea 86.208, DISÎHCT FEES. (a) A tempomry boud nary eet tz*let leea tn py for tlw øuatìon and, inòliøl opemlðm, of o dhtric,l, unïìl m.ch tìmo ae thz diskìct cmallon lne bem confirmad utd, ø pemnmnl bnñ ltu hen elad,ed bA ømoimitA wln of tlu fltnlífrpd aotelro tntìng ín ¿rß disttict in on el¿ctíon cøllodlor lhaw Wrposøl, (b) Thß rtta qf feea wt lor ctop or liwatþck prvd,uctíon or otJwt agrìanl,lurul ueee ehnll be no mnte than 20 percent of tln ml,e a.Wl,ittltn wuníciplwee, 9ee, 88.207. USE OF PERMIT FEES AUÎHOHIZED BY SPECIAL LAW. A district maV uu fund.e oblntnad fion parmit feee collaclød prrnnnt to lhø epeeìnl law goumtìttg thn dtatt¿s, tor o'ny WrWBe cmaialþnt with aLz di.sttíct'a cstl,ifrcd utabr mnnagenwnt pløn ìnchr/ling, urtthout lìrz.;italíon malcin4 gffintq løøw, or cotútwhnl poymanh to aahioae, tarilìlnlq u erydítn ¡uducliatu ín pvunduntw WmpiW ør tlw datnlapwnt or di.alribulion of allrrnaliac walet atrylioa SECTION 4.86. Subchapter I, Chapter 86, Watsr Code, ls amended to read as follows¡ suBcHAPrEn t P E nFOnM ANCE nEVI EW AN D DTSSOLUTION toeD¡SEn¡gtl .Ssa Jø.JoI. FilLUnE TO SUBMIT A MANAGEMENT PLAN, It ø bwrd IaìlE tÐ auhrnit o nwnagemant plon or to nceìoe eeñificølìon ol íte mana4emant pløn und¿r Section s6.1072 or tøíls ta ruhnit o¡ receìw cedìficallon ol an omou.dmml, tû th¿ mana4mmt plm, undor Section. 3il,rc78, the coll'l¡nìseion aldl tal¡¿ oppopríøte oetìon. tmd¿r Sectìon lû,Eui Sec, Ea$DP. LDGISLATNI: AUDIT &EVIEW DETEilMINATION OF WHETHEÈ DISTilICI ß OPE&ATIONAL. (o) A díetrict ia eubjøct t,t tludtw bU tha etalß atúitnr tmdcr th¿ tlìtuctò¡m of the legiclaliue oudít cø¡tunillpe pürcw¡ t to Chnpl.er E|I, Gowrnm¿nt Coda (b) Thø comrøiseial6 tlu Tesoe Watw Dtulorymt Boaù, ond tlw pslrtr¿ aflt Wildlíß Depuimnnl thall pvvìù technìcal aesißtønte to tlu slnlþ utditør'e qffice Íú the rwiew, ft) Tha atole aul,ítot shøll mnlæ ø d¿lemúnnlion ol whzther ø ilì.str¡ct ia odíaelg nqa4ed in aahìwíng th,e obJecl,ioee of tht dblrictb mnnngemønt plnn, based on øn audrl ol the dhlricl'e perførmnwe mdntlw plnn (d) Tlß cMe otdiþr tlr.ll confuæt aurh øu/;ità loÛoutíng tlu fint onnìuenorX ol the ìnitìal cetTificalion, of tha plon ba the Teru Wal.er Detnlopnant Boord und.sr Sectlon 88, t0l9 aú lollouting tlw sud of ewry fiae-yø,r pæiod tlwefian (e) The etalÆ oud,itor olnll rcpod, findlnge of tlw tuvieut to the lngislntiw aud:il conuníttee und lo tlw eotnmíeaim" 0 U it ù dnkrminad undar Subces¡ion ft) thal tlw dt¡t¡ict ia rwt opemlional, the comnission únll tdlø ø'pprpríøle aclòon undû Soctrhrn 86,!08, Sea E0.E0t. ACTION 8Y COMMISSION. h) If Søction N0.E0I or ,10.!024 uppliel, tttß co¡nmi.eeìonn ús notbc ond heørin4 in aorotdøwe utith Ch'optw 9001, Gotnrnm¿nt Cúa ahal,l ta*l adion tlw com¡nìasíon ccm¿idpn ueryp:1al4 inaludinO: (1) ìeruing on, otdtr lrzqu,bing llw díatrid to talce ceúaín antiona or la tuftún frcm taking cnlahr, antio¡u: (9) díaæhtíng the bw¡d ån accotdonce wàth Sectlona Eaß05 ond. J8.!07; (t) rffiwìnq th¿ dìstricl,'e tailng øulhar¿tA; or Q) d,ìesoluing the ¡llslrict ìn s¿cotúnße with Seetionn 36.804, i8,30õ, ond J6,J0a, (b) I¡t add,ition to actiott¿ idmfìfred md¿¡ Subaeetion (o), th¿ cmtmìeeion mt U rccorn- mend, lo l.hp lagialotuw, baaed, upon alu tvporl rcquìrcd by Sec,t'ion 35.018, aclio¡u lh¿ comm,iasion dnema naceneorg ta accompliah cmtprchtnaiae managemanl ùt, üte dístr¿c| Sec. Jd.J0,l l3830f1. DISSOLUTION OF D/SfntCî. (al The tåSer+et¡ee+n¿h€¡¡ins tåsl commioslon mey dlesolve a dlstt'ict thatl (11 ìs nat optuliotwl" a.a dnt¿rnined, und¿r Seclion, Jd.J09 lh¡s-åes+¡met¡v€fu @hand (2) ha¡ no outstandlng bonded lndebtedne¡s.
3660 76th LEGISLATI.JRF-NEGUI"AB SESSTON ch. lolo, 0 4.s0 (b) A dl¡Hct eompoaed of ten{tory entlrely wlthtn one county m¡y be dl¡solv€d wen lf úâ¡ díeþiot ütl ha¡ out¡t¡ndlng lndebtadness thst m¡ture¡ aft¿r tùe year ln whlch the dl¡trlct l¡ dlraolved, whercupon tlre commlgslonen court rhall lery ¡nd csltect t$(es on dl t¡x¡ble ptÐpotty ln the dl¡dct ln an ¡mount eufficls¡t to pry the prlndpal of ¡nd lnte¡e¡t on t¡e {ndebt¿dne¡s when due. The t¡xeg ¡hall be levled and collected in the esme m¡r¡nsr ¡g county taxeo. tW ir.t¡rot hr¡ r be¡d [{l) the r ¡¡qulnd by Subch¡pþr D¡ t m¡ctlngst t d¡ðtddr I{ t(5) tltlr¡'grst hs rn flo tt ' Sec. ,td.,f0,l t8030S1. NOIICE OF HEARINO FOR DISSOLUTION OF BOIßD On DISTRICT, (a) The eommls¡lon ehdl glve nodce of the t¡ll¡¡C¡¡t¡enì he¡rlngfn dr¡rohttim of o dí¿trù;t u of a boord whlcb brlefy deeslbee tùe ¡eacons for the pnoceedlng, (b) The notlc¡ shall be publl¡hed onee ercb week for two consecutlve w¡skt before tåe day of hearlng tn o l¡em¡l nowspsper havlng generel elrvulaüon in tùe county or countleo ln whlch the dl¡hdct le loc¡tsd, The ñrst publteaüon ¡ha¡l be 80 dryr befo¡t tfie day of the hearlng, (e) fi¡e ctmmlsslon shall glve noüce of tlre hearlng by frnt cl¡¡¡ m¡ll addre¡sod to t¡e d¡¡ector¡ of üho dl¡trict accordlng to tha la¡t ¡¡cr¡d on ñls wlth the executtve dl¡rctor.
S€c. J6.J0d t383081. INVESTIGATION. Tte executlve dl¡ec'tor ahall lnveetlgrte tle fact¡ and cl¡cumst¡nc¡ of øny tríalatåotu ol aW rala m otdsr ol tlw cmunìeüon m ony prwbùone of thb clnpb¡ ønd ahall prvryv anÅ frlâ ø wríl7en, ¡vWrt with tlu wttmíaeöon ond dí¡lrict ond itt¿luda øny orltiotu Llu swaúhß dinctnr belì¿ræa tlu eonnùeíon ehmld ttkt uttd,st Seúion, E6,E0E, See. E8.E0f. OnDEn OF DISSOLUTION OF BOA&D, If llw conmbdon enbre øn orúî ln dì¿eolw tlu bootd. 3h¿ conmú¿eìon olull rwtify tlw counly com,miaúowre æurl of ewh emnly whích co¡tloba taftilory ín the d,hLricl, ond ttw cq¡ttnuír,clon efull ptvìdo alwl btnponrg dircelotro be appoíntad u¡tdø Seclåon 88,0fi to emn untíl, an elaction fu a rcut boatd can bo lwld, undsr 9ecl,íon tjl6.017, prv'uded, l,ilue1n\ lløl diet¡iot wnfrn¡nlíon ehall nnt be reryindfor conlínnnd eñ¿lmce of tlw d,iøtrìal, and ahull nol, be on hata ín tlw elactìpn I mpertl.
Ssc. td,t08 tS6€051. CERTIFIED COPY 0F ORDER. The comml¡slon shB¡l file a certlfred copy of the o¡der of dl¡aotudon of ihe dletÌ'lct ln the deed rreo¡d¡ of the county or coundee ln whlch the dl¡Het l¡ loe¡üed. If the dlstrlct w¡s ercatßd by a rpælrl Act of tås leglelsturc, tbe comml¡slon shsll fle ¡ ee¡'tlf,ed copy of the o¡der of dlssolutlon wlth the seuttery of stsùe.
Sec. .td,J09 t883061. APPEALS. t(cl Appsah ftom øay [¡l commla¡lon o¡der ldl¡¡el+Cng ¡Jl¡tddl ahall be f,led ¡nd heard ln the dlstrlct court of any of the countle¡ ln whlch the land le locat€d. [(b) Thrtd¡l en ¡ppeC ¡hCr be Ce neve rnd the¡ub¡t$t¡C eylCensc n¡¡e ¡h¡$ net ¡PPly'] Sec. J0.JI0 tgCJO?|. ASSETS ESCHEAT tTeÆ#f$l. Upon tùe dl¡¡olutlon of a
8661 ch. 1010, $ 4.86 ?õth LEGTSI./TTURE-NECULAN gEggTON
SECTION ¿.8?. Sub¡cction (b), Sectlon il8.ll2õ, ÌVa0er Code, l¡ amended üo rced a¡ follows: (b) The peHdon mu¡tbe ulgned by: (l) ¡ mqJorlty of the landowlerr ln the tenltoryl (2) st le¡¡t 60 landoumen lf the numb€r of landownen l¡ morc th¡n 60; or (8) the @nml¡sioners cou¡t of the eounty ln whlch the ¡re¡ l¡ locetéd lf tùe srea ls ldendfled ae a p¡áorì,lV gñtlnùtal$ managmenl todt¡er¡l anoa or lnclude¡ the entlre county. The petltlon must decerlbe the lsnd by legnl dercrlptlon or by meter ¡nd bounds or by lot end block number lf therc l¡ a ttcorded plat of the ru¡¡ to be lncluded In the dlsffict SECTION 4.S8. Sectlon 86,&91, ïltaüer Code, l¡ amended ùo ¡rad es followsr Sec.88.&91. ANNEXATTON OF NONCONTIGUOUS TERBIT0RY. Lurd not contlsu- ous to the edetlng bound¡rleg of a dhtrict may not be added to or annexed üo ¡ dtst¡'lct unleas the lend l¡ lm¡t¿d elther wltlrln the aame management erca, pñoríl.y grvundunlfi nuvnge- m4, [sdl¡e¡¡l aüsr, or r groundwaùer suMlvlolon derlgnaùed by the eommis¡ion or itr predæeruorr.
SECTION 1.80. Chapter 86, ïVaùer Code, lr ün€nd€d by addlng Subchapier L to ¡e¡d a¡ followa¡
SUBCHAPTEN L, GNOUNDWATEN DISTRICI ¿OáÀ' áSS'STANCE FUND Sec, í6.EtL GÀOUNDWATER DISTP"ICT ¿OárV áSS/STANCE FUND, (ø) Tlø gtuttduntæ d,ìetricl laon aeelelance fund íe realed tn be fmdad bg dincl øpryflattøu. and by tlu Teuqs Walßt Dewlnpm,ent Boad fiwn, thp uat¿r a^ccístonae fund. (Ð RepoUn¿ntt o[ laane ahnll be dnpoeíted, in I,hn waler uoíttante fiind- Sec, J6,8f2. FINA¡,lUlt áSS/S?I4À¡C¿'. (ø) The Inn find mav b¿ uned bU th¿ Tenas Waler Dewloprøttl Boold tn provìde lnms ta nautly confirmad dißtricts otd legíslel¿l)slA cnated d,ísl,rícta lhøl da not rcquín ø confirmalían ø\.øctían ln poy tor thsir ctBalíon ønl inìtial opemlione. (b) The Tcw.s Watn Deuelnpnttú Boañ elwll eatnhlish ntlee lor tltc ue and qiinìni.Bl,m- tíotr, olthe lnanfund- Sec, J6.Jru. APPLICATION fOA ÁSSISÎÁNCE (ø) In øn a,pplì¿ation to th¿ Tenat Wal,er Developrnenl Bootd, lor finøræíal aæi¿ta;rce IMn thn lr* lr d the u.Wlícøttl chnll' includp: (I) thennm¿ otlhe t[,hl.rM ønd,ih boa¡dmnnhen; (2) a ci¿alío¡¿ otthe lnw md¿r whinh llw díel,rict qsmtee øud, uns cnal,ed; (8) ø doscrlptton ofthn inìtíøl opemtiotu; (Ð alw lntal etnú.up coal olAho lnttiøl apemlima; (5) tlw wnØmt ol otøk finnncldl awißtonße ftW¿sted; (6) llw plø¡t, Ior rcwaiw tlt¿ tolal coat o{ tha lmu øqtd (f) ønU olhet ¡nlarmtlion |,ha Teuas Vlal,er Develapnent Boa¡d may rcqtìrc lo peúonn ila dutiea ud Wlect lhe ptblìo inl,etaL (b) Tltc Tcrox Wal,er Deuelop¡nent, Bootd nny nal ucepl nn opplúcotiur, lm o laon. ftwn lh¿ lnan frnd. unl¿et ìt, is rubnltCed ín qffinavít [orm. by lhe øpplicunl'c bostd- Tlw Tew Wolar Deuelopmenl Board alø,llpltcríbe thß ffidøntlÍomù in ite dßa (c) The rulee írnplcmentìng thit aect¡øn slæ.ll not rcat¡'lct or pohlbil, tlu Tew Water Deuelopmonl Boød, ftpm rcquårìng addðtíonal lodwl malßríul frvn øn a.ppûìcm,L Sec, 86.8z!', APPùOVAL OF LpPLICATION. Th¿ Terw W'oln Deuelapt¡ænl Boanl, by rcsoluliott, naa øpprØe øn a.pplication if ilfinns lhat (t) grr.inlång fítw¡ttìal o¿aíelønce to lh.e applícont will aenn tlæ pu,blic ítúercsl; o,nd 8662 ?õth LEGTSLATUN,E-REGUL.AN SESSION ch. 1010, ! 4.{4 (9) tlu rcuruu plulged by tlw ø;pplicottt flvn dísh¿d taaee ørd læa oul oüttr antrau wiü b &ffißísrú ta ruet all llu oblþaliotu otrumtd bV tlß W¿hønt SEOI¡ON {.10. Sub¡ectlon (g), Secdon 1ó1.318, Tor Code, l¡ emendod to rcrd a¡ foltoun: (g) E¡ch penon engaged In manuf¡cturlng, phocesdng, frbrlc¡tlng or rcpalrlng tsnglblo pereond propetty for ulHmrte ssle l¡ enHtled to ¡ rcfund on r mducËon ln the smount of tå¡( lnpooed by thle chrptor ar pwlded þ Subrectlon (h) for the purchare of mrchlnery, equlpmenÇ rnd replacement prrtr or ææssorles wlth ¡ u¡eful llfe ln excess of alx montì¡ lf the equlpment h' fr,f u¡ed or con¡umed ln or dulng tl¡e ¡ch¡cl menufrcturlng prcceealng, fabr'lcatlor , or reprlr of t¡nglble ponond ptþp€Éy for ultlm¡to a¡le, end the u¡s or connumptlon of the propolty l¡ neeesse¡ï or ensentlrl to t¡e msnufscturlng, pneerrlng, fabrlcetlon, or reprir operrtlon, or to r pellutton cont¡ol pnreiq or (Ð sryifuail,U i¡utall¿d ln: 6) tttlwe ualt¡ we ond'uta¡lanl¿rtlout wlumeaftvntlu manu,føcturl'ng, ptocots. ittg, îob¡írrlliu¡ ør rupoìr opotalìon; (B) twse ond, ncXcb utaabunlæ et¡uom¡ gürÊnlß.t wilhin tha manuf,acfutríng, pmeceeing ldhrbalìan sî rcpo¿r uperulì.oq m anothn hdwtrid w munícåpal aunw tor tlw pnrpou ql soutatæ tn tlw nanufacturh4, prwcedng, fabicalíon, u SECTION ¿,41, Subehapter D, Chrpter õ, l{atcr Code, l¡ ¡mended by rddlng Sectlon ¡prd a¡ follow¡: 6.1086 to
SE|CTION 4,42, Sectlon õ,â9õ, ìVater Code, l¡ ¡mended by addlng Sub¡estlon (o) ûo rerd a¡ follouu (o) A lce impaed undet Suheection (j) qf thh eectiøtt, lor ilu uø d aalínn tùlol ual¿r lor hdwtrial, plrßolriei sLall be $l per aæo-toot of uatn diuø,lnd þt tlß íNtdustttol rrvlceee, t,nt tn enceed o tntal lcc ot'î8,0ü).
SECTION 4.48. Subrectlon (¡), Sectlon 20.121, l#¡t¿r Code (efiectlve untll detegrtlon of NPDES pennlt authorlùy), la amended to rcd a¡ followr: (c) Exc€pt e¡ ¡uthorlzed by r nrle, perrnll or ordc l¡¡ued by the commlenlon, no peruon m¡y: (1) dhcharye s€wågp, munlclpal wutq rrcmsüonsl ìvüsto, ¡g¡lcultural wnst€, or lndusd- el wu¡ùe lnüo or a{acent üo eny wrt¡r ln the ntato; (2) dl¡cha¡ge other wasùe lnto or adJrcenü ùo eny watcr ln the et¡t¿ whleh ln lt¡elf or ln co¡Junctlon wlth ury other dlrcharge or actMty elurel, conünus8 to e¡uae, o¡ wlll c¡u¡e pollution of any of ùhe w¡t¿r ln the atatc, unlear tt¡e dhcharge compllee wlth the penon'u úU ce¡"tltled water quellty msnsgament plan eppmved þ the Stato Soll urd lV¡t¿r Consew¡don Boûd 8s provlded by Sectton ?,01,Wß, Agrdculture Codej or (B) wøtet poüutìon ond, obalamsnt plan appøed by the cotnnìeeioni ot (8) commlt rny other rct or engage h any other rctlvity whlch ln lt¡elf or ln co4junctlon wlth eny other dlscharye or rctlvlty earuea, eontinuee üo etuee, or wltl c¡use pollutlon of rny of the wrt¿r ln tl¡o ¡tate, unless the aatlvlty ie under the Judadlctlon of the Psrke ¡nd Wldllfe DeputnrenÇ the Generd Lrnd Office, or the R¡ilro¡d Comml¡¡lon of Texar, ln whlch ca¡e tlrla subdlvl¡lon does not rpply.
SECTION {.44, Subs€ctlon (¡), SecËon 26.121, lV¡tor Code (effectlve upon delegrdon of NPDES permlt eutåorlty), le amended to rc¡d a¡ follown; (¡) Exeepù a¡ ¡utho¡'lzed by the commholon, no ¡remon mayl 86Â9 ch. lolo, $ 4.44 ?6th LEGTELATUBA-NEGUI.ITß SESS¡ON (l) tilschargt ¡€w¡ge, munlclpal warte, rcercrtlonal wurùe, agrict¡ltursl qn¡üsi or lndu¡bl. ¿l unsüo lnto or {frcent to any wrùer ln the st¡ùe¡ (2) dtrchrrge otfiæ w¡¡t¡ inùo ¡t¡te whieh ln lt¡elf or ln eonJuncdon úth rny other dlæh et to eturo' or wlll c¡uso pollutton ol rny of iho n¡t¡r ln complter wlth r pemon'u l¡U cerülled waüæ qurlity msnsg3ment plan rpproved by the Steùe Soll ¡nd lV¡ter Con¡en¡¡tlon Bo¡rd as provlcled by Seetlon 201.(120, Agrlculture Cods; or (B) utatn pll'ttlinn ond ahalønettl plan op@ Ùy tlw commisdoni ot
SECTION {.{6. Subchapùer D' Ch¡pùer õt, ÌV¡ter Code, ls amended by addlng Sectlon õ1.100 tore¡d as followsl Sec. 6L1e0. DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERGBOUND WATEV BY CEBTAIN DIS' TRICTS, A comerr'rllìan nnd rcclnmnl,ion di¡lrìnl enated bU epecial law unfur lhe uutlwrìty ol Seclion 59, Aúlale WI Teru C¡nutltttlìon ond daeignntad' at. a mmicipal un¿r dls¡ilrt ln which tlw admini¡trutiue ond tnsing pwvicione Wlintthl¿ ln dhlncta gøwnwd by thín chøpler opply, mny dz1tclûP or othp¡wiae aqEütt unfurgmnd aowv,et ot lnten ø ùìvuiaim-in tlwt dhlricl'a ryecinl law oth¿t'tuisa prrr,hibiling tln nøtwdthri/;olutiW uqui.rilion of mderyrcmd'unlan doaelnpme.nl of SECTION 1.16. Subchepter L, Ch¡püer õ1, ìtr¡ter Code, lo ¡mended by adding SectJon õ1.684 to read a¡ follows:
SECT¡ON {,C?. .qubsectlon¡ (¡) and (c)' Sectlon 401.üÌ2, Local Gover¡ment Code, uæ amendsd to ¡eed as follow¡¡ may pruhlblt the pollutlon m d¿gnfution of rnd may pollco a nùlta¡ge oraa. or trlbutery tùat mry eonstltuüe û fichutye y munlelpallty.
SECTION 4.48, (c) Ssctlons 8ö,010' 8õ,011, ¡nd 8õ.016' l4¡¡üer Code' ue rcpealed, (b) Sectlon õ,02, Chaptel 188, Acte of the 60th Leglslrture, Regtrlrr Sesslon, 198õ, l¡ repeeled, SECTION 4.¿0, (u) In tl¡ls seedon, "dlstrlet" m c¡s¡ùed under Secdon 62, Artlcle III, or Sectlon õ0' the authollty to ¡rgul¡üs the spucing of water well¡,
8664 ?ilh Lnctst Âr\rRE-BDcuLAn SESSION ch. 1010, ¡ õ.09 certlftcrdon unden Sectlon 80.1fi2, lVater cnde, ¡¡ added by tl¡l¡ Act to the Tex¡s lry¡t¡r Døvelopment Bor¡d not late¡ tùBn Eeptember l, 1906. ûo ed¡tlng eonll¡med
gEC¡lON {,60. An ¡ree ¡¡ lt e¡d¡üed belort the effectlve snd refemed ùo ae r pr.lorlty gro thls Act.
ARTICLE 6. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR WATER NDEDS AND CONSERVATION SECTION 6.01. Eecdon t6.481, lil¡ter Code, l¡ rmended by amendlng Sub¡ec6on (d) ¡nd addlng Bubrecdon (g) ùo rcsd rs follows¡
(g) In thís "bonvw¡ díel,rì$l,"'Eoneertnlíon lmv" "indìvdtlr.l bo¡rmu.rl'",,lendet eøctíon, ùislrißt " end "Ioe,tù" løtn tlw meonìnge amìgnad thaee tarmt by Sactìott lf,Sft qf thil cúß, SECTION 6.02. Secdon 16.189, Wrter Grde, lr rmended ùo read sc follow¡: Sec. 10,189. LEASE PAYMENTE. In leeslng r rtrùe fedllty for a t¿¡m of yern, the bo¡¡d ¡hsll ruqulre t¡nnu¡¡l psym€ntt thd ar¿U t-rllotlr¡r øçr tlæ laã.ce periad, not leei tlr¡n tlre tet¡l of: - (l) al¿ tthemur¡l princlpel ¡nd lnteru¡t roqulrcmentr applicable ùo the debù lncurred by the ¡t¡te ln ecquldng the fscllltyi snd (2) tho 8trù8'E t¡nnu¡¡l cost for operadon, malntenrnee, ¡nd ¡shablllt¡tlon of tùe frcillty. - EECIION 6.08. Chapter l?, lV¡ter Codo, lr amended by addlng Subchrpùer L ùo rcad a¡ follows: SUBCHAPTEN L, WATEß flNANCTAL áSS'S?/4,IVCf BOND PNOGNA,M Sec,17,0il, DEFINITIONS, Inlh.ìn rubclnptzn: (l) "Fund" m¿aw lJw Teuat Wal¿¡ Datelnptttsttl Fmd IL 4066 ch. lolo, $ 6.os 7õth LEGISLATTTRE-REGITI,/Iß SESSION Q) "Re,soltttion" mnør.E any wwlulìon ar otdtr øppnued by tha boød øullwrizittg Utp í as uance of umlnr. fi nøncíal u.caÍ cl,øn ce bonda, Sec, 11,952, /SSU-{wC¡i OF WATER FINANCII!' áSS/S?Ì{¡VCø 8ONDS. The ltoard' by rcaolulìør, mag ptnukle tor lh,e issuance ol unter ftnoncial uainluæe lnnda, wh,ich altall be gmeml obligalian bonda of the atate, in an agyrugate pdrtcipol amumt nol lo esceed llw ptincipal ømmntl aulharized lo be iastæd. by Section 49-d-s, Articlø III, Texa.t Con¿lihtlio¡t Sec, 1?.e58. CONDITIONS FOR ISSUANCE OF WATEÙ FINANCIA', áSSISÎ,{ME' 8ONDS. fu) Wakr finønciøl øtaialønce lnnln møy be 'ianud a.c tnrioua seriea ønd íoauea. (b) Water tirtøneial a$islauce bonde nay malun, wrially or olherwiee, nol laler lhan 50 yean afie'r the date on which, tltey on ìwæil (c) Woterfr'naucíol usislntce boudn m,øy l¡e ic&ud. as bond.a, nolec, or olh,et'oblþttiorlr at pennítted by law and nny lte ìn th.e.l'onn ønd d¿¡¿otninøliona and be ìcsued itt lhe uta'nuer and unilor lh.e tcnm, conditiona, ond d.elaílc M ptouided by rcaolutìwr" (ù Walpr frtwnciol o¿*ial(mce bowla rtny be cold al lmblic or pritnl¿ aale ul a ¡triw or prieea uul on I.enn¿ delemtin,ed, by lh,e board" (e) Waler ftnøncíal o¡nintonce bondn ahall be eigned and eænúed aa pruuìded lty tq.solulion, (l) W'ster ,frua¡tcial a¡aiatence budn 'møy beør no intercal o'r Inar ìnlerunt al ø tvle ur ml.ea d.elennilted ín æcotdonce uith latu, Ø) Rales aújtutoble, con,lruchtal payment oJ' mte period.a.
See, t7,954. BOND ENHANCTMENT AGREEMENTS; PAYMENT OF BXPENSES, (a) Thc bootd at ony lime ond fiotn time to líma mary en.ler btlo me or mne bond
tnnw ond condilíona ønd be lor tlw period llal the ltoørd' øppxnne,
on llw unlør finmcial ombtu¡t¡e bmda,
poymcnts; PoYmml øutrsttcq, rtrlß, aWú or lnwc tlw marketabílilY, aentríly, ør Sec, tl.e56. PøRSONS DDSIGNATED TO ACT As AGENTS OF BO¿nD' @) In thn autharity tÐ otu û mme oficeta, ernplnyeel, or agmh behalf of tlw ltoad, iluríng th.c ti.me ony eerìae of twtar landh4 to: Ø frt dal'es, pröcea, ìntawt rut¿q amorl'iaalion rched'ulea, rcdampliun þalu'rce' and intercst paymml pniodu (Ð peüorm dutice ond obligøtíona of the lnañ' und¿r a bønd enlnncem¿nl agmenwtN and (Ð peíorm other pnrcedutua ryeffid in the naohtíotL 3666 ?6th LEGISTIITURN-RAGUIÁR SASBION ch. 1010, $ 6.08 b) Tlrc penon draignoted by th,e bostd may adjwt tha int¿rcst on. utalsr frnnwíal waìntwtce bon.ds qud Wform all dtúies deserifud in a bond enhancomnnt agrcemanl aa ile.,øisal to pennit lhe ruater ftuaucíal aÅsittÃnce bonda lo be sold, o¡ tuseld, at par in. conjruelíon with acwndary mørket lruwactiutn, See, 17.e56. TDXAS WATER DUVULOPMENT îUND IL The firnd h a s¡ncial,furtd in the únle treøutry, uil all unler fi,naucinl aaai,ahLnte bund prceeedt ilwll be &posìted. ín lhe slolø truamry to llw uud.it o[ lhe find- The lund alnll contuitt, o "tkrle portìcipation o¡cou,n,ln" on "economicall¡¡ diúnewd araoß progl\arn oæøunl," and u "firnnciol on¡istonce ttccount" and ¡rmceeù fiorn the mle of un,ter ft,nancíol onahtance bunda hsu.ed for tlw puryrose of pmuidi,ng finan,ciøl assìstance b Ttolítical aubdinleiønÅ sha,ll be cndited k¡ næh øreum,ts aa pmuided by wsolution by the bootd. By wtolution, the boatd mny cnale odd.itional acemtnts within tlæ find at tltp boo¡d determ.i¡ua øw neceElary or conwníen,l for the aùnin iilmliut ol the fund Søe. t7.057. STATû PAÈTICIPATION ACCOUNT. (a) Thc Teras Wùer Dewlnpnønt Fu.¡td II úale parlicipatiu¿ aæum,L rcferred, to oa th¿ "state Wrlic¿pa.litm ailountn" is øn account establìslted wilhiu tlw fiud ìn th.e atole hzaxvg. Tmnders shall be madn frcm thie attouttt an pruuhled by th,in uúclnplnr. (Ð The ntalo prl,ieí¡nlion. amotml h com,Tnsød ot! (1) money Mtd alsch ofr.ributabl¿ to waler ft.nantinl osaiatqnce bonda dnoþnalad by tlw boaú øa iwuedlor pto,iects desff¿bed in Seetion, :,0.181: @) mmey hom the ealg ttunelen or lnase of a prcject d¿acribed in Subdíuiaion (1) tlnl waa atquirud, con¡trucled, Nwnstntclpd, dawbped or ønlaryed with moneU frwn the stalß paflicipat i o t, asounl ; t
ß) put¡tnrn.h rcceiotd. u,ndu a fumd enlmrcsrncn,l, aînømml with rtapeet lo utatsr tinancínl a¡síÃtøuce btmds deúgnaled by tlw bø¡d an ìrrr.r,ed ltr Vtojecta deacríb¿d in Seetìon 16,181: (Ð inuertmmt inanne earned on monel on ùpoeit ìn lha ctole particí¡nlíøn aæuunl; olrd (5) ønU other tùndn, rcgardlaw oJ'their oource, tlnl the bootd diøcts be depoeibd to tlw cradìl ofthn xlote pørlicipalion arcount^ (c) Mo¡æa un dapoeit ín th¿ Btqlß pøtlhipalìon qgcunl may he wed by the bwd lm projects d¿acribed ín Søction l6.lEl in, th¿ mnnwn tløl the boa:td. d¿tprmìn¿s wce*B.try loî llw adminht¡v,tioil. qltha Íu.rtd" Søc. 1/,0ã8, ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED ABEAß PROGRA,M ACCOUNT. (o) The Tet:u Watar Deuelo¡tmart fund Il nfetttdk¡ a,¡ tlw "eatnomåcally di¡ttBssed wìthìtt. the fund. ìn the sttt¿ trcatutg. prûl,idnd b1¡ thì^t aubchnpi.cr, (Ð The ecotwnticol,ly dutrceced oñas rufinn aßcqtlÌtt i.a compoaød of: (1) ¡wmeu and, aÆels øttrifulahle ta unlnr fimwial aeeíelance bmda daaígtated by tlu fuøù. at iaaund lø ¡mjects dnstribed íu, Subchaptør K; (2) m,m,ey prcaidad bU the fedeml goaqn.m,cnt, tlu etal¿, politícol utbdìvíaíone, ønd priaole enlìlìen lot the tntryole of Ttoyíng dpbt seruine on uabr fr.noncía,l anehtancc bmds ìswedfir putpowe povíded ba &rbchapt¿r It (8) paym¿nh rcceíued und¿r n bonl enh,oncemmt agæcm.ent wìth rccpecl tt¡ utal¿r finawial onaíEtonce bmd.r daúgnaled by the bod¡d w ìew¿d Íor Wrposel pruìfud by Snhchøpttr ft G) inuectmenl innomB eantcd, øn nnwy on dapail in lh¿ ecowmicd)p díuhvaaed ørtat progran,orcounl; and (5) anv oth¿rlwtda, rcgundlew of their wun;q tløt the botnd, dìrccl¡ be dcpoaìted to lhn utdit olthe econ.om.ícuL¡ di¿ttastssd úreas pr(ryrøm lßcumL (ù tlu economícolly dletreaeed otuon ptugrutn oßcùttnt rnay be u*ed Money on de¡toait ìn by the boaú.for pürposes prcvided bg Subclr.:"ptu' K ìntlw mnnnsr lhatthe board d¿lermíw,a n.eceuaorg,fw th¿ ad,minìatmtìm oÍth¿ lu'nd.
36õ? ch. 1010, $ 5.03 ?õth LEGISLAI'IJRE-NEGULAß SESSION Sac. fl.9õ9. FINAÌ,ICU-, áSSISr/4,NCø ACCOUNT, (o) Tìu Teua¿ Wabr Dauelnp- mmt Futtd II woter finoncöal øaoistøtßo oÃcutnt ruferwd to at thB "finuwinl øsi¿tanae aacwnt " ìe an, arcaant estohtistad within thn find ín tlu ctßla trcamna' Trwutnt sllzl/,l be rnada ftvtu this otcouttt ae providnd' by thie mbchaptar, (b) Tho finøwlnl qf,ei.stofl,ce aæwnt fu cutt'poaed o[: (1) frnancíal a$ietan'ca bouh dnaigfldf¿d bU tlß boun c?ion le4-8, ArtÍcl¿ III, Teuot Conntittúítm otrher 11,957 olnd 17,9õ8; Q) pøVntmh l,r,eeiaeil u,ndat o bnd ønluwcment awomstùt with rcopect tÐ ualst fr.nonò¡ai ascialnnce bonda d¿si,gttalctl by the boøtd u íwted tot P.rqoffis d¿cfübed in 'soetion lg-d4, Aúicte III, Tlcos Conllìlutìow otlw¡ than, t'or pt'wowt d¿aribed in Scctiom 17.051 and 11,088; ß) ùtueatm¿nl incom¿ eønud, on maney on dcpoaíl in Lha fi,nønclal a¿slstot¡tîa ancøtnt; ønd (Ð any othe¡ fund* rcgorúlow of thcir aùufie, that the bootd dirrøctn be dapouítød to tho ctrdit oÍlhc frwnsiøl aÃ$ietanee accounL ucetl by tlu boøútw ong '!,!',#'i*f#:lYntr Sec, 11.960, tsOND ilESOLU?rOüS' (ø) In the rcsolutío¡t, lhe knd mag tmhe ollà' tionol cøuenan,le wìth wapcct tn umtel ft.nøncìal orniatønce brmd¿ øttd. mag ptrtitle fm: (1) lhe fløu oÍlitnds; (Ð the eetøblishntÊ¡tt o!' ancou,n.la ønil rubatwmla withìn tha lund lhal llu boo¡d d¿termin¿s ow ueceaaora lor tlw qdminhtrution oÍ the fund; lho boold. ìn at the boø¡d' (Ð the mninlnnnncq ínueslnpnl. and mnnngomml ol mntey uttthin tlw tund attd' øny a&ùunlc øslahlíslwd bg rt"aolution bv lh¿ boatrd¡ uti' (5) ønU otlwr pwttìeíona md, cownønh that tlu booñ tt¿lnnnìn¿a øn ruceenty lm llø sdmínistrutìon of tho fuul" (b) Ttß kwd, møy ìnueel o'nd rcìmtest marwg ín ¿lß frutÅ ønd any aßcumt-thøv¿n ín anv oAilgatims ø wcy,iíIíec w prwìdad hg alw reaolutíon or by ru,!¿ onopbd bU tln boøtd. (d Tho agr¿mmls or tngt øgruamanl eiol rlr,eÍâlßtwo bnds' i¡uluditta,
ntbclwlnr,
8668 ?5th I,EGTSLATURI:-REGULAR SESSION ch. 1010, i 6.09 frnd, ond lo'nw*e pagmenh und¿r a, bond enhswem¿nt agrcenml wítk tr;apect to princípal or ìulercst on lhe wal.er fitrr;nciul aaúclanae bondu
agnemanl wílh 'rcryect to yrind¡nl or ìnterr"ct on l,lw unl¿r finøwíal aasístance boruls, STATE APPilOVALS. (d Waler frnancìol aaeìatance bmds møU nal, be th.ls ntbchnpter unlpcs euch iasusnee hu besn nvieund and a¡tpvwl by thc oatd" (U The da iayucd und¿r thit aubch,opk ín thø wma nwnnet and tulth Legíehúurg Regulnr Scaútm, 1 (e) \fur approwl by thc atl amislottce bonds i.ssu.ed und¿ comptmllen oud daliwry qf lhe fin,ancial ø¡aiatance bondt orc unperuln tmunt¿t nL at th¿
CURIT tn of tha er laudul of See, 1/.965, LEGAL IIWESTMENTS. Wahr rt¡wn¿lal a¡cletnnce bonia øn l¿gal ud uilhorized ímn stmtnts lo r: (1) bønk¿: (Ð wi.ngc banlßs; (Ð l'rual' cotnpan,ìec; (Ð eattin4r and, lnan an¿ocitúinn,c: (5) ínwrunca compønies; (6) ttducíariea: (Ð lruotees; (8) guørdiano; and, (9) oùtking finfu and other public fimda of the stote ond ìls agencíee ønd of plitical aubdíuíriwn qf th¿ slnle, Sec. 1/,908, MUTILATED, LOST, On DESTÀOYED 80/VDg Tlw bmtd may pmaidc fm the rcplnnemnnl ol mul,ilated, hct tr dcehoyed. wslßr frnanciø|, oaritløtwe bondt, 8669 ch. lolo, $ 5.08 ?õth LEGTBLATI¡BE-ßEGULIß SDSSTON relortúistl mory pvuìdo la¡ tlu wt¿tnutíW bnd"s otd utaln Í?iatal conlru¿hnl obl'ìgal'åons
Sec, 1f,908, SALP OF POLITICAL SUBDMSION BO¡VDS BY THE BOARD: USE OF PROCEEDS, chaæd wíth ntonny Aullrñly, and tlw tlw aala of potriticøl (t) paU debt uenico on unl,er finøneíøl a¿aislønce bond,s isnßd unl¿r thh atbchnpter; oT (Ð prwida frnancial aeaial'o,nee ln polilical røbdíuieions Ior ønU onø or morc of tha pttrpoaea aul,lndzed by Secliun l9-d--i, Articla III, Teua¡ ConstìlttliotL (b) The boøld. ehdl, æil l,he pol,itical wbdiuialnn hotú¿ al lha yice ønd u,ndn tlw tprm¿ thot àt determítwe lo be rcononnble, Sec, 11.909. TN( EXEMPT 8O¡V¿S. Sínce lho boord iß WfomtöW an' eaeenliøl
Sec, 11,910. ENFOBCEMDNT BY MANDAMUS, Pøymtrú o! ualnr financíd aaeb' 'nnnwdund¿r by Sectton l0 àn a cuut ol Sec, 17.ef1. SUBCHAPTEB CUMULATM OF OTHEÙ UWS. (o) Thìt whchøptør
uúharìtg gt,rrnted bU thi.e æØrìÃe the gowming bodU oI an ì ìwnrye ol a50, Aeta of tlø oath LeA 988 (At/';¿cl¿ Slatut¡,s),
s680 ?6th LEGISIJITURD-RECUI./IR SDEEION ch. lolo, | õ.oE be i.nalutw ol the yoaì.aünw of thla rubchoptpr Md Sectio'n $-d-s, Art¿tlâ III, Tøn¿ Conatltution SECTION 6.04. Subdlvl¡ion (?), Sætlon 17.ü)1, 14r¡t¿r Code' ie ¡mendsd üo r¡ad ee follow¡; (?) "lrV¿ber Bupply prc,¡ect, meanei (A) any englneedng undørtaklng or work ùo con¡ewe and develop t¡u¡ftca++t¡bntr. fml wat¿r re¡ouroeE of the st¡bs, lneludlng the control, otomge, and prerervution of lt¡ Bùorm watßr ¿nd floodwater snd the waber of lt¡ river¡ and ahtem¡ for dl ue€fu! snd
e malnte- ough well in ualcr (C) ønU undø1nhinï ot unk by Tem.r polìltcú euhd'hrhiûts ta aweonte, conwu, or dntnlop unler tpeuwres in uvqt au,laìdt Tewa lf snck undeilnlcittg ø utotk æm)l'a ín umter behg øaoìlnhla tor rue ín or lor the benqftt ol Tnaa; or inl¿nnlioul bwndatV betwcen Tetne Teme ø¡td üw'waeo"tuh plmtniw, øttd y al tha lacal, stalß, a¡td lcdenl leucl, SECTION 6,06. Sectlon l?.(X)I, lV¡tBr Code, t¡ ¡mended by rmending SubdMslon (U) urd ¿<ldlng SuMlvielon (2õ) to read a¡ follow¡:
(26) ,Walw frnwßial aæisln'nße bondt" 'mßo'ru the Tøna¿ Walør Døwloprnen'l Bør1i8 uttlwrí¿ed,la bø iauød by Section $-d-E, Att¿clâ III, îenoa Cmatítulir'tt" ønâ d¿¿¿¡aUA ø uw þr tha Wrposel dþsfríbed ht tJnl' eeeliþtl SECTION õ.06. Secùlon U.0ll, rrltst¿r Code, ls amended by addlng Subs€ctlon (c) t¡o read as follow¡: prwbinnof bynaolutíonmøViann Ím ønA ou ses d¿acribed' tn Sectton utlø\ ìn øn t¡t'utnt not tn eraøed, üw ømmnl, oîbutdt quthffí¿ed, bV Sectim, $-d-E, At7í414 III, Tesu Conolltttl'ìul, in øaeonúnce w¿lh the Wvíeítns of Subchtrytar L.
SECTION 6,0?. Seetlon l?'0111, Water Code, l¡ ¡mended ùo resd sB follow¡: Sec. 1?.0111. DEDICATION OF CERTAIN BONDS. No morc ttun î250 millìøn in prinoipal [gl$y#rs€nt4f+heJ ¡mount of bonds authorlzed by Artl.cle III, Section 40{-?' of ihe tdx¡¡ Conátliution ønd, ùwed unle¡ ailher Unl eectían or Ad'ial¿ III, Section $.ù8, ol tlw Tera¿ Conatitutío¡t, moA be [iel dedlcgt¡d ùo the purpores pr¡vldod by Subch¡pt¡r K lef tl¡+el¡pte"].
SECTION 6.08, Sectlon 1?.182, l4tgt¿r Code, le amended te read ¡¡ folloun: Sec. 17.188, PROCEEDS FROM SALE. Unles¡ used ùo pry debt ¡ervlce on bond¡ issued under thls chepùer, tlre pmceeda ftom the rale of polltled suHlvlslon bondn held by the 3801 ch. 1010, $ 6.08 ?&h LT:GßLITTT'BE-REGIJI"AB SNSSION
SECTION õ,09, Sectlon l?.278, tJtrst€r Code, l¡ ¡mended to re¡d a¡ follow¡: Sec. l?.1t8. FINDINGS REGABDING PEBMITS. If an appllcatlon lnelude¡ a poporel
SECTION õ.10. Sectlon¡ 44.0lIl through 44.010, Agdct¡lturc Code, a¡e ¡mended Ûo rc¡d as follmrs¡ g€c. 4,û.00?. LINKED DEPOBIT PBOGRAM. (¡) The bosrd ¡hal eet¡bli¡h ¡ linked the enhsnc€d pmduetlon, pueaelng thø finarnín| tpr.¡eh¡¡cl of w¡tar uctlon putposes. (b) The bor¡d ehdl promulgaüe n¡lee for tìe loen portlon of the llnkod deposlt prcgram.
O¡e rule¡ muat lnelude¡ (1) a ll¡t of the eategor'lee ol cropr oretomarlly gown ln Texrs¡ (2) ¡ I¡t ofcropr that ¡¡t ¡lùern¡tlve ¡grlculturel crops; (8) ¡ ll¡t of crop tlre productlon of whlch ha¡ dællned markedly boc¡us€ of nahrral dl¡e¡tan¡ snd (l) ldenttflcatlon of pojeû ond tthel tf,pea of equlpment consldercd rs vt¡ùor oonrena. llonprojecte or equlpment for egr'lculhrd produetlon pu¡poeês (c) ln odsr to p¡¡üdpato tn the llnked depostt pnogttrr¡, an ellglble lendlng lnatltudon mr¡t so¡lclt loan ¡ppllc¡tlon¡ from ellglble bonower¡. (d) Aflgr cant l¡ eliglble and crrd¡tworthy for c llnk€d {ePqdt loan ùo the Fìttt¡tce AufhnW, ¡hrtl the aPed[c appllc trmlot qf t,,2 a, (0 Aft¡r rovlewlng e¡ch ltnkod depoelü loen applle.edon, tlrebo¡rd shall rccommend ùo tìe cotttpholhr t¡t¡t¡¡¡cml tlre rßeeptåncs or çJectlon of the rppllcatlon.
8062 7õth LDGISL]ITUR¡:-RDGUIITR SESSION ch. 1010, ! 6.19 (h) Belorc the placlng of a llnked deporll the eliglble lendlng lnsdtudon urd the ¡ü¡0s, rcprcaented by lhe conplroll¿r t¡¡¡¡+¡¡rr¡¡¡n¡l ¡nd tle bos¡d, ¡hsll enüer tnto s w¡'ltùen deporlt agrcement contulnlng t¡e eondlHon¡ on whlch the llnked dopodt ls made, (l) If a lendlng in¡tlùutlon holdlng llnked depoelte cea¡es to be a ¡t¡t¿ depoalù0ry, the cuttpl,rillør t¡tdea¡er¡¡pe¡l mqy wlthdraw the llnked depodh.
0) The boüd muy adopt rule¡ th¿t c¡r¡te ¡ prccedure for detprmlnlng p¡lo¡ltle¡ lor loan¡ Fsntod under tùl¡ chrptor. Each rulo adopted mu¡t ¡t¡üe the poltcy obJectlve of the ¡r¡le.
The pollcy obJeetlveo of tl¡e rule¡ may include prcfercnces ùo: (l) achleve rdequrto grographlc dl¡tdbudon ofloanr; (2) r¡sl¡t cortåln lndu¡de¡; (8) encourage eeñeln practlcer lncludng wator con¡enr¡tlon; and (4) encourage value-¡dded proæeslng of agrlcultural producte, Sec. {4,ü}8. COMPL¡ANCE. (r) On aecoptlng a llnked deporlt, rn ellglble lendlng lnstltudon mu¡t lo¡n money üo ellgtble bonþwer¡ ln accordunce with the depoait agreement end thi¡ chapter, The ellgiblo lending instltutlon ¡hsll fonilBrd a compllrnee r€pott to the boa¡d. (b) The bo¡rd shsll monltor eompllance wlth thlc chrptor and lnfonn the amtpCrollot l* t¡r¡¡ure¡l of noncompllance on the part of an eltglble lendlng ln¡tltutlon.
Sec, 44.(X)9, STATE LIAA¡LITI PROHIBTTED, The stst€ l¡ not ll¡ble to rn ellgible lendingin , on ¡ loan made to eligt rn e born¡n'er does not affect €xten¡lon of the ¡ü¡to'¡ crcdlt wlthln the meanlng of rny ¡t¡te constltutlonal prchlbldon. gec, 44.010. LIMITATIONS IN PROCRAM, (a) At sr¡y on€ tlme, not morc thcn ttt fl6l mllllor4 ol whtch $10 míllion mag onlg be ucd, tn fiw,we wabt aowmtatíon prqjecte, rvy be placed ln llnked depositr under thl¡ chapüer, (b) The m¡¡dmum ¡mount of ¡ lo¡n under thls chaptar to proe€s8 ¡nd market Texaå ¡Sllcultur¡l crrpo lr iõ00,000. lte ms¡dmum e¡nount of ¡ loan under thl¡ chapter te prcduce ¡ltornadve ag¡.lcultural crcps ln thl¡ ¡ù¡te lr f250,0fi). the m¡xltnum amount of a loen undo¡ thie chapter Ìo ftnnw tpr¡¡oh¡¡e¡ wstor conr€lvsllon pujeeh ø' equlpment for aglleulh¡rd producdon purpoBet l¡ $2õ0,0(X). (e) A loan granùed pursurnt !o thlr chaptor mu¡t be appll€d to the puehase or lea¡e of lrnd, oqulpmenÇ reed, feÉlllzer, dlrect mar*etlng frcllldea, or prcceulng f¡cllltles, or ùo ¡uyment for profeselonal s€rylcr¡. lhü cltøpler, wlwn tuaV be applhd to cte or epipttonl lm by boañralo, SECTION 6.11. Subchapter B, Chapter ll, Tut Code, ls ¡mendod by addlng Section 11.32 io rrsd ss follows: Sec. tt,ttt. CERTAIN WATEÈ CONSERVATION INITIATNES. Tlw guvrning búy ol a taøi¡tg unít, bU qltci.al ad.ím o|t nqünd hU løw lor ofrcìd acl,ione nnry euenpl cd mhc ql WpeÌtg løu been tmpletnmtad. Fm Wqroæs Luee eìøll be daetgrøted, pu'tru- øntto øn ¿L SECTION 6.12. Secdon 2166,441, Government Code, ls amended by rddlng Subs€ctlon (d) to rcad us lolloun¡ (d) The latí'on lor londacoPíttg Wrposest ¡túiu ta tlw ¡vgíon 1f ilt¿ coet la SECTION 6.13. Subchrpter E, Chrpter 18, Wåtor Code' ls amended by addl¡g Seetlon ¡s follonr¡: 18,148 to read 8{168 ch. 1010, $ 6.18 ?õth LEGISLATT'BE-REGT'TIIB SESSION Sac JJ,I4,I NOTICE OF WHOLESALE WATDR SUPPLY CONTRACT. A tlídtisl m
olhr¡ cond,ìlio¡tm agtemnnt nlal,itp lo tlu cutttut| ARTICLE 8. SMALL COMMUNITIES ASSISTAI.¡CE SECTION 0.01. Section õ.811,!il¡ter Code, lr ¡mended ùo rc¡d a¡ follow¡: S€c. õ.Sll. DELECATION OF BESPONSIBILIIiY, (a) The commlrsion mry delegate ùo ¡n admlnletratlve lrw Judge of the St¿te Offiee of Admlnl¡hatlve Hearlngs the ruaponelblll- ty ùo hear Bny matt€r before the commls¡lon and to isaw inlailncutty uún nlnhd tn ínterim mler undar Chaplnr 18. (bl Enefi u prwiden, in Suhaection (o), tha lT*pl admlnl¡trative law Judge ahall repoÉ ùo the eornml¡slon on the herrlng ln the m¡nner prcvlded by law.
SE(IIION S.0¿. SuMlvi¡lone (ll), (21), ¡nd (24)' Sectlon lS.0Û2, W¡Ùor Code, 8¡8 smsnd' ed ùo read ae followË:
the peraon ownr. (21) "Servlce" meane or eupplled, uô ady fwíliJi bY a u^lßil prilic utlllty ln 11¡, employeãe, other rõîllil of faclllties between two or
except tlrat the not a memher ll rvlce ls pmvlded SECT¡ON 6.1ts. Sectlon 18.181' lVst€r Code' ls amend€d ùo re¡d a¡ follervr: gec. 18.181. P011IER TO ENSURE COMPLTANCE¡ RATE REGULATTON, (a) Eu' coÛ lol llw rryc¡¿i.síont ol Seclian 18,199 lhie auhchapln ell,øil apply onlA tn o túilìty ønd st;di nol be'applied tn 'inunitípalilbq cquntícq d,ìtÞirlq or unler uryply or anltor eentíco cowotulìottt the ¡ù¡ùe ùo tle for of feder¡l regulstory ee¡ferrt¡en*l ÎÌe commleslon mry adopt ruler whlch I whlch l¡ permlttad 8664 ?õth LEG¡SI.JTTURE-ITEGUT.{B SESSION ch. 1010, | 6.08
€fficlent, rnd rc¡¡on¡ble.
SECTION 0,04, Set{l<¡n l$.t&|, ìrVat¿r Code, ls smended by rddlng Subsection (c) to rcad a¡ followe:
the ulilities, SECTION 6.06, Srlbsectlon (¡), Sectlon t8,t84' lVstÆr Code, l¡ amended to rc¡d u¡ follow¡: hl Lhileaa tlw csmmheiu ectnblfuhee alt¿mate ml,e mal,hadnlogieo in qßcodercc wilh
¡rublic.
IJECTION 0.06. Subc€ction (a), Sectlon 18.18õ, Wrtsr Code, lc amended to rcad as follou¡¡: (al llnlecs allÆrtÃk mathadalogiee ue odofrnd at ¡rrouådtd tn Sectìotu lE,lE9(c) and lÌ,t81@), úå¿ lThcl componenta of lnvect€d cupltal and net lncome ¡hsü b€ deüermlned æcordlng to the n¡lea st¡têd ln thls s€cdon.
SECTION 0.0?, Subchapter G, Ch¡pter 18, Water Code, ls amended by addlng Sectlon lS.¿4t to rcad ss follounr fu) In detnnining wh¿tlwt ta gruttl ø ,#*i#W,;YlffiH"H (b) Fm ua*t ulllitg eeruíca, the cutnmb¿íon ehÃll ensum ttnl üß oplicottl; (t) ir cwwbl¿ oÍ p¡wìdiw drínhhg utalß? llnl woeh tlw rquínnunir oÍ Ch.aptor E[l, Hsalth øn¿ Soîefa Aado, and nqtírcmenh oI tlt'åc coda; ø¡ti (9) ho¿ otceaa to an adaqnto wpplg of unl'er, (c) For aeuer utili ¿htl thß øpplìnnt h cøpahl¿ ol mnetíny tlu æmmhe plantn andtlrc rcrytremenb of thia coda ønd ¡ucøcsita lør an Hffi,Wffi SECTION 6.08. Sectlon 1S.246, Waùer Code, ls amended to re¡d ¡¡ follow¡: Sec. 18.210. NOTICE Al.¡D HEARING¡ ISSUAìICE OR REFUSA"L; FACIORS CON- S[DERED. (a) If sn rppllcatlon for s ceÉlffcrtr of public convenlence utd necearlty lo frfed, the commlaelon shall cause notlce of the rppllcrdon üo be given ùo atrætcd p¡¡tlea ¡nd' if 8866 ch. lolo, 0 6.08 ?Írh LEGISLAIIUßE-ßDGIuIa sEssloN ¡equ€std, ¡h¡ll fix r time und ptuce for r hearlng and give notlct of the her¡lng. futy penon affectêd by the appllcrtion may lntenene ut the heat'lng.
SECI ION 6.00, Sectlon 18.2Á9, W¡t¿r Code, l¡ cmended to rcad ¡¡ follow¡; sec. l8.z6e. IMPROVEMENTSI lN SEBVICE; INTERCoNNECnNG SERVICE, lol Aft¿r notlce and he¡¡lng, the commlrslon mayl pub (l) order ury rctail Puþ!19 *iúnt.n." neæråity iñ¿ wqlb emwctti¡¡wa ondwcøeeiiY 16'EU ùù' fá) provlde n€d ¡rcs lf ¡ervlce ln thrt ¡ràlt'n.¿ãq compurble ¡r¿u ¡nd lt l¡ re¡son0ble to the lmprcved e€rvle€t or
(2) order two or morc publle uùllltlea or w¡ter rupply or s€\iler servlce cotporadons ùo e¡tsÛIsh epeclfled fucllldei for ttåcl lnùerconneedng servlce; [e[]
eedcl.
8606 ?õth LEG¡ST,ITUNE-NEGULAß SESSION ch. roro, | 6.10 haø¡d bU tlt¿ cømmiaeiß¡an al ø cum,¡nìee¿on, nuctìtu, mary imnudiatalg oñn epeci'frld
rcplnoe tlæ finatwial aatumnce wedlu llu improuemonte.
BECTION 6.10, Sectlon 18.264, Watsn Code, l¡ amended to re¡rl ¡¡ follom: Sec. 1S,264. BEVOCATION OR AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE. (a) The commls- slon rt any tlme ¡fler notlce anrl helrlng may revoke or amend any cer{ñcatie of publlc corrvenlenc'e and necemlty wlth the w¡ltten conðent of the certlfleat¡ holrler or lf it ñnd¡ tha[' lU the cer(ifrcat¿ hol¡lel h¡¡ never pruvlderl, ie no longer prcvldlng, or h¡¡ f¡iled to provide contlnuoul and rdequata ¡ervlce in the û€a, or part of the ¡req covered by the certtffc¡t¡l
øb¡enße ol otlur rulannt fadnrc: (s) th¿ ceñifrcølp halÅor hu agted ín miltng tß oll&t anothB¡ nløil ¡ntblöc util;íl'g tn Wt ùdE seruiie u¡llhin ìh eentice ø¡po, eoccpl for øn intnñn ptìaú w¿tLûtt øttwndin4 ila cerlificøln; or
(b) Upon w¡ltt¿n requeet ftom the ce¡"tlfrcstÊ holden the executlve dlrec'tor mey cancel tùe terttficaie ol a utillty or w[t¿] rupply coryoratlon ¡uthorlzed by ntle 0o operata wlthouü ¡ cettificate of publle eonvenience and necesslty under Sectlon ß242(cl, th (c) If , the commle¡ton m¡Y on requlne sorvlce ln the ¡¡t¡ ln questlon. PrrPeñU, (ù A tvltlli, pu,blia túüil.U moy nal, in øny tmg ¡ottds¡ rcla¡|, ualsr ot eetrlæ eerrtite d'iructly m indìncll,A to tha pu,blíc in øn arø úÃt lun bsln dsceúifrsd uúsr tht¿ æctìon utíllmil Wtälùng ennpe¡udlím. Íot sny erryeúU ttw, ttw coln'mì¿edon delnnùne¿ ie tvdered weles¿ or wlrnlnse ta t u .lßcsflifred, wtail puhlì¡ td,ìIifU a¿ o, wttilt oI tlu tl¿cø¡i'Wation (e) Tlu æmWnnatiot¡ ì[ any, elnll be døtçr' möwd at, ln W1,ülc eenthe in tlu pßttioßlg dacetllfud
860?
Ch. 1010, $ 6.10 tõth LEolsLrtruRE-REGttLllR snsstoN
SECTION 8.11. Sectlon 18,Í101, Watsr Code, l¡ amended to read aa follounl
(1) frte ø l¿u¡íttpn opptícalìon ü,irà fnettryl the eomml¡sloni and (2) urrlese pubtle notlce ls welved the exæutlve d¡reeùor for c8U8e notiea ol tlu aation
ageten eantnt d¿mowtmlP uí,ffi"ä,ffii""#.i ld The commls¡lon ¡hsll, wlü or wlthout a publlc he¡rlng, invesülgats tJre sale'' acqulslüon' lea¡á, or ¡entat ùo determlne whether the t¡an¡ac$on wlll sene the publlc lnùercst, f¿) [(e)l Beforc notlfy all knornt reque¡t that the the publlc lntercs (Ll lha Wtìcalíon frIßd æ¿t[ fnetlgcr¡¡€F*el the sommlsslon or the publle notlce wao lmpropen
(8) the pereon or an afflll¡tetl lnterc¡t of the poreon purcharing or acqulrlng the water or rewer syrtem has a hleùory of; noncompll¡nce wlth tùe rcquirement¡ of the commls¡lon or the Tex¡¡ Deprrtrnent l¡¡ of Health or prnovlde¡ @Íeflcontlnulng mlsmonagement or mlause of revenues as a utillty servlee (4) the per¡on or sewer syrtcm eannot demon¡t¡süe til hnurci¡ Otl lnveatment to engure the provlslon of contlnuoua snd of the wat¿n or sewer eystom; or 8668 zõth LEGISLATUNE-REGUI,AB SESSION ch. 1010, | 6.12 (õ) tl¡erc rre conosrns th¡t tùe Fan¡¡cdon mry not sewe t¡e publlc lntse¡t, sftår tlrc applleadon of tLe consldoradone provlded by Sectlon 18.%0(c) for det¡rmlnlng whetùer 0o gnnt a eertlf,e¡üo of convonlenee ¡nd neeesslff. ø t$l Unless t¡e €x€cuüvo dl¡echr requeeta thrü a publlc herrlng bo h€ld, tùe ssle, acqulrldon, lea¡o, or rcnt¡l may be eompleted ar prcpoeed.' f¡) ¡t the end of the 120-dry pe¡.lod,' or lE) tm¡y+e¿emp¡cteCl at rny Hme ¡ftar the execudve dlrector notlfrss the utlllty or wrüor rupply or s€wer s€wlc6 coryor¡don th¡t a heu.lng wlll not be rcqueaûod. or rvater aupply or s6ìvor servlcÊ eorporatlon
"ffifol'ffiliåf,ffi"#J,li the publle lnt¿rc¡L lål A ¡de, acqulrltlon, lease, or rcnt¡l of Bny $'at€r or rery€r ayrùom required by lew to poss€ss r eertlfre¡t¿ of publle convenlence end næeaslff th¡t l¡ not completed ln aæordance wltl¡ tl¡e pmvlrlonr of thls ¡€ctlon l¡ vold. f, t$l Thl¡ s€cdon doe¡ not rppþ to; É) ùhe purclu¡e of roplacement pmportlf or lþl ¡ tren¡¡ctlon under Secüon 18.26õ oftl¡ls code. (2) ú) t$l If a publlc utllþ faclllty or rystam is sold Bnd the feclllty or eyntem was partldly or wholly eonstncted wlth cultomer eont¡lbudon¡ ln dd of conshucdon derlved ftom rpeelfe aurchtger appmved by the regula0ory ruthorlty over and ¡bsv€ revonu€s requlred for normd operedng ery€ns€s and r€turn, the publlc udllty mry not ¡ell or tr¡r¡sf€r uy of lte ¡¡sets, lt¡ ce¡tlllc¡te of eonwnlence end necesslty, or dh cont¡rlllng lntoreaü ln rn lncorlorat' ed utlllty, unless t¡ß uüllty prcvlder üo tùe purclrarer or tssn¡f€¡€€ befom tl¡s daùe of the ¡¡le or Fsnrfor ¡ wrltten dl¡clogu¡r rclatlng to tlre contrlbudons. Ihe dlsclosure murt contdn, rt a mlnlmum, the 0ot¡l doll¡r ¡mount of the contrlbudon¡ and ¡ ¡tstom€nt that tle contrlbut¿d property or caplürl mry not be lncluded ln lnve¡tcd capltal or sllowed deprccladon etçenre by tle rcgrlatory eutlority ln ratc-maldng proceedtnga, l&) t$l A udllty or ¡ w¡ter supply or s€w€r servlce cnrporadon that pmporæ to sell, að¡lgn, lea¡€, or rBnt it¡ f¡clllde¡ abell notlf! the otùer pûty to the tran¡¡c{on of the rcqulremente of thl¡ sectlon befort elgnlng an agreomsnt ùo ¡ell, asslgn, lease, or rent lt¡ faclllthe.
SEOTION 0,12. Seedon 18,302, Wotor Code, ls ¡mended to reed a¡ follow¡: Sec. 18.802. PURCHASE oF VOTING STOCK IN ANOTHER PUBLIC UTILITÍ: REPORT. (a) A utlllty mry not punhaee vodng otock ln anotåer utlllty dolng busln€ss ln thl¡ ¡t¿le end a person mry not ecgulre a eontrolllng lnterc¡t, ln e utlllty dolng budneer ln thle sü¡t¿ unlesc the perron or udllty,ñl¿r ø tnitls¡t, appl,íaaLton rdrr! tnetse¡l tlre commleelon [C @l not latcr tùan the 61rt dry bofore the d¡t¿ on whlch the b¡nruHon l¡ to ocur. (b, Thßcomtnhaionmøynqulntlntøperwnanryìrín4acontmltrlngìnterectinouttlitU d¿motuahall adßWaln frÌrenrial, nwnagerhl, and t¿chnínl npdffiffu fu pluôtlìttg contímt. uu and adepØte eerttite lo tlw rcryaetd ømø and ønA (wot eurwntlg cettifualad, tn tlu wturr tmln adøryßlß ftnandnl cø bottd ot ollur fiwntíal øa ntutt conliwotu u,nd o/doqual¿ utílítg amÄce is pwtidaù (tl) Tlte exeeudve dlrector mry rcqueat th¡ü the eomml¡¡lon hold r publlc heu'lng on tåe tr¡n¡acdon if the exeeutlve dl¡rctor bslleve¡ lhat s critßrion tedt ri¡l pescribed by Secdon 8,801 (e) tf$Ok)-efahisaedel ¡pplle¡, (e) lþll Unlec¡ the executlve dl¡rctor requertr that e publle hearing be held, tfte purchare or acqulritlon may be eompletcd ar pmpered.' lr) ¡t the end of tùo 6ûdry perloc[ or 3669 ch. lolo, $ 6.12 ?lth LEG¡SITITUBE-BEGI'LAR SESEION f¿) tm¡+¿¡e-eemp¡etedl st üy tlme efter the exeeutlve dhsctor notlle¡ the ponon or utlllty thrt a hearlng wlll ¡¡questsd. noü be (/) If utllþ falh tà nr.lce tlu øpplimlín ta tlu c hes¡lns le requerùad or lf the p€rrrln or cotnttüaion, a¡ tpmdd¡$cl rcqulred tM, the purchare or acquldtlon may not be conpleùed unless the comml¡¡lon det¡rmlne¡ tl¡¡t the pmpo¡ed tran¡¡ctlon servæ the publlc lnùorerL A purchase or acqulrltlon tlr¡t ls not rompletod In accordance wlth tl¡e provlrionr oftlrl¡ gesHon l¡vold.
SECTION 0.19. Sectlon 18.412, lltator Oode, l¡ amsnded by amendlng Sub¡ecdonc (¡) and (b) and addlng Subsectlon¡ (0 ¡nd (s) to rerd ¡s follow¡r (¡) At the rcque¡t of tl¡e commtsslon, the atlerney general ¡h¡ll b¡'lng sult for the appolntment of a ¡rceþer ùo collect the assst¡ and crrry on the bu¡lne¡g of ¡ watsr or s€\{er utillty that' û) ha¡ abandoned opsratlon oflt¡ facllitie¡; (2) ìnlCIrmt üu corr'r¿¡ni¡sìon ilwf tlß oam¿¡ íe abandm,íng the ryeten; ltl terl vlolat¿s ¡ frnal order of the commi¡slo$ or l4) alloçn any property owned or eontrolled by lt ùo be us€d ln vlolattron of a frn¡l order of the cqnmlsslon. (b) Tt¡e æurü shall appolnt a recelver lf an ¡ppolntment ls neco¡saq¡: (l) E¡¡rsntse the collectlon of qssessmento, feea, penaltler, or lnüereat; üo (2) to n¡ar¡nùeø cøtlìutnn ønt atnpúe teenttn¡¡edl sendce to the customerà of the utlliüy¡ or (8) to pwent conHnued or repeatcd vlolatlon of t¡e flns¡ oden (f) For rrlupneeo olthin ees|;íun ani Sectìon 1t,118Ð, ahontlnnmonl nøy àna,fuda ktt i.e nat lìmildta: (1) lsilúr" ln pay o bíll or obligatim¿ wad b ø wtoil, Vuhlic utìlity or tn an elaúria ot gaa uttlìlA wôth tlu rcwll tlnl tlu tûíl,ifA amtipa pmñdæ hn huul ø notiæ ol d,lacvnlinunrce ol nnceowrg c6n ices; (2) føihw tD Wtido øppWrlale ualer ot uaatannls¡ l,realmmt eo tl,nl, ø pot¿nlìal h¿alth hawdrewlla; (t) løilure Lo onaqunlnly møinlnùn laøil¿tios, nml,tång ín poknlìal haalth lwø¡dt, eú,cndnd aulngeq or repøalnl. asn üø íntefiWtions; ft) løíl,utz aà pru,ùdo ctulomon adßWalâ wtíco of a lwlfh hntüñ or ptnnllnl lwalth lntañ (5) løllun to eeaw qn allßn nlíM unìlabh ualn tupplg durhq øn ulage; (6) dìâploy¿W ø poltam ol lwstüítU tmnnd m tryladly tøll'hg ta T crynn b ilß co¿rr;miaeion ot iln ulilitg'e antomne; and (D loüun ln Waìdß Llw cott¡whtìow wíth anoryalß ¿tdomÃlion m hnt to ctnlaú tlw utìlity lot nomnl huínnse and mwgortÊU Wpowl (g) Notwithttøndl'n4 Sectlon 84,091, C¿tíl Ptnr;ttße and. Renadipe Codî" ørroeùnr appoint ed tndar lhh eestìon møy aeek con¡nbeian øppvnl tn oquhu thß roolßr o1 Mlræ nlìlitg'e fqcilil/øs ønd. hvt4før tlw nl,ilítg'a ceúifrratt ol comenðonne md wceeeily, Tlu rcceiwr nwt øppl,g ìn wødmae wìlh Suhclnptæ H, SECTION 0.14. Sub¡ectlon¡ (¡) and (c), Sectlon 18.4182, lilater Code, arc ¡mended to rcad as followsr (a) The commlssion, afùer prwldlng to tlre utllity notlce and an opportunity lp be hawd bA tha comnhcio¡un ol, q cofiùrnissiùn meøtüq tfeç*-he¡dnSl, m¡y autho¡'lze a wllllng penon üo temporadly manage and op€rate a uHllty tf tlu uftlifu: lr,, tthdl h¡¡ dtscontlnued or ¡b¡r¡doned operatlons m the prvlrlon of servlceq or (Ð hot been ot lo belng rcferred üo the attorney generul for tle appolntment of r rcceiver under gecüon 18.412 fet¡hi¡+edel, 86?0 76th LEGISI.ITTUNE-NEGI,'LIIa SESSION ch. 1010, $ 6.1õ (c) A penon appolnt¡d under thlg s€ctlon has the powen ¡nd dude¡ nsc€strry ûo ensure tl¡e contlnued operatlon of the utlllty and the provlrlon of contlnuou and adequata servlces ù0 curtomen, lncludlng the power and duty ta: (l) resd meüen; (2) blll for utillty eervlces¡ (8) collect nsvenuer; ({) dleburse tund¡¡ [¡ndl (6) øneee all qetøn, eønpwenle; anil fd) rcquegù r¡te lnc¡Ba¡ee.
SECTION 0.fõ, Secdon 16.002, lryatêr Code, le amended üe read as follow¡¡ Sæ, lõ.6û2. DEFINITIONS, In thls rubchapùer: (l) "Additjonal riaüe revolvlng fund" mesn¡ any atate revolvlng fr¡nd hereaft€r eståb- llehed by the boa¡d üo prcvlde flnanclcl asgl¡bsnce üo polltlcal subdivlslons for publlc workr ln accord¡nce wlth r capltallzatlon grunt progrsm hercsfter established by r federal agency or ot¡erwlse rutho¡.lzed by ledenl law, (2) "Äutbor'lzed lnvestmentl' mean! rny ruthor.lzed lnvestment¡ desslbed ln Sectlon M,021, Gover¡¡r¡ent Code. (81 "Contmtmìty untet ayaten" rnalna o p,blic ualer eyetßmüøl; (A) aerü)e at laa.at 1õ aeníce connectlm¿a lur,ad, bg Ueør-nnnd rccídt¡ú of tlw a,rcø aeruød by tlu aydøn1 or (Ð wguløty asn øa al laa¡t 95 yea:r-rvnd nEìdsttls, 14) "Con¡tructlon" shall hsve the meanlng aselgned by tùe Federal l¡l/úer Pollutlon ConürolAct (&9 U.S.C. 126l et seq.). (Ð "Diaadnnnlnged com:nuntlg" maara on oteo mactíW sr¿te¡it eetúlhlud, by boald, rula, whírh crìtßîia aha,U be baeed, on m,eeatnlæ that may i.naludo aingla-fomüy ncídatttlatr pwpn.l,y aaluatíor\ i¡t¡o¡tu lawh of neifunta of lha arøo. ú d.lør oimilartg appvyrðalt mle(nLfe& (8) I$ll "Federal Act" meane the Federal lVuùm Pollution Control Aet, a¡ amended (98 U,S.C. 1261 et s€q.), (7) "Nonprofrt nonmnrwnily unler eyetsm," tì.ßona a p.bltt utab e4atßm thal h not openlod,fm pufit wtd. thal,: (A) ìs tutud by ø politíaal, rubdíubíon ot nm,pmfit øntílU¡ ønd (B) ia tnt a, wmmunil,y unler ayetam" l8) t$l "Politicsl subdlvlelon" mesns I munlelpallty, inüennunlclpal, lnt¡nt¡ùe, or st¡tß sgency, asßl¡tsnce under tl¡l¡ ¡ubchaptsr, or a [e¡l uny otlrer publlc entlty ellglble for nmpmfit untnr wpplg co¡?o¡ntíon craaled ønd, opemting mdø ChilptØ 78, Acta of tlw lStd Legíalalun, tat Cdl,lad, Søeeím, 1088 (Atticla 1481ø, Vanon'a Teno Ciaül Slatutas), lf nnh nlil;y ìa elìgibla lø Jhwncial anritto'¡we undør federal, Inw oebblhhíng tlw etatt ltluol,uìng fund, q an addí\,ìpnal etate ruwluingfitnd, (0) "Publåc unttt ayalem" mßanE ø eyatem thal ìe oumed, by any penon ønd, lhøt moøta tho dafwitim, of yubltc umtw eyetatn ín thn Sqîe IhðnkìW Wøtø Act (10) V&ll "Public rryorkslr means any proJeet to acqulm, conetruet lmprove, rop¡lr, or otherulse provide any bulldlngr, etructurcs, frcllldee, equlpmenÇ or otler real or pononal property or lmpruvements dorlgned for publlc u8e, prctoctlon, or enJoyment under.taken by a polltical subdlvlsion snd paid for, in whole or ln part out of publlc fundr, (U) I$l "Revolvlng ft¡nd" mean¡ the ¡t¿ùe water pollutlon conürol rcvolvlng fund, (19) "Saîo Ilrinking Wøt¿r Acl" mnow Tilh XN of lha feileml Public Hæ|lh Servíce Act, cønunnnlg lcnwn qß ütc So,fo Drínhina Watet Act, ae ømsndad, (12 U,S,C, Sectiut 800f at' aeq,).
867t ch. lolo, $ 6.16 ?6th LEGISLAIIjßE-BEGI]I¡Aß SEBSION
tr cà û¿, l(8)l "lÌeatment work¡" has tùe meanlng estsbllshed by the federal act snd t¡e eHgible component¡ of the management prcgrams estsbll¡hed by Sectlonr 810 and 320 of feder¡l acL ühe SECTION 0.16. Subchapter J, Chrpüer lõ, lrVabr Code, l¡ amended by adtllng Sectlon 16.6041 to read as follonn:
(Ð to ¡tolitícal whdìaislow lor comtrutnílg trr.ler ryebna andtu nmprcfrl"¡wtwommru' nítg utaler ryetamq, (Ð ln peno¡u othn tlwt' politícal auhdlúüìùnt lor cun'maníty ualat eyoløma .or nonprortt-nowonmunity untci ryatama fiwt¿ thp aßcfl,nt øetnhlielwt by Subeeclíow (b)(1): (il Co Waon¡, itæhtd,ing polílioal wbdiuìsìo¡t+ tor emtbe ln dbutwúngcd commurui' üao f¡oni tlu aæurnl establislwd by Subaeclion (b)(2); o¡td g) lot olhor Wrpoaøa authprl¿ed W ¿hp Súc Drínlcing Walæ Acà (b) In add.ílton la othn anctu¡tl¡ th¿ bútd maU ettnhlhh in lha eofe d'rinlclW tntot rsltoluiW fund" the boo¡d slr.ll eat'ohlísk llw toÛauíng eepøtulc a¿ewnts:
anou¡ú; and
(c) Tlw bootñ may Wvt¿da frnn¡wiql ossíatøntpe ftvrn' the dísulùønlnged com'tnunöty ac,coUnttP: (il ø polítícal, suMìItißtm: (A) thnt h a. dttsdùonlnged' communùly¡ or (B) ,fot ø project emtùn4 an øno lhnl: (i) ìa lncsted' ødßid¿ tltp boundaríeo of tlw políl'ìcal ¡r¿üd,itisìo'n; ønd (ìi) mppte tlw definítiør' of o tlíeoùnntdged' communitv; m o¡nwinaion to pttttìde *thlnnce ìa lor the :
8672 ?õth LDG|SLATURE-REGULAR SESSTON ch. 1010, 0 6.20 SECTION 6,1?, Subæctlons (c) ¡nd (g), Seedon lõ.603,l4t¡t¿r Code, are ¡mended to tt¡d a¡ followg: (c) Tte revolvlng fund consllù¡ ofmoney derlved ftom federsl grantr' dlnect lnve¡tment earnings on amount¡ c¡ædlüod to ühe fi¡nd, and, ¡t t'he ftom any ¡nd alt ¡ourme avallable tlt¡-a*ef¡nt¡rl.
rpeciñed ln thlr subchapt¿n tl¡e federal ¡ct, and tlre rules of the boatd.
SECTION 6.18. Subsætton (¡), Sectlon 841.081' Heslth ¡rrd Srfety Code' le amended ta re¡d as follows¡ (¡) Public drlnklng watEr must be ft€e stsnda¡ds e¡t¡bllshed by tùe comml¡¡lon[ Unlt¿d St¡loe Envlronmentål hotecùlon ruleg to lmplement the feal€rsl Safe Drlnklng W¡üer Act (42 U.S.C. Sectlon 8ffif et req.).
SECTION 0.f9. Subchapter C, Chapter 8{l' He¡lth and Safety Code, i¡ arnended by addlng Sectlon 841,031õ to rcad as follow¡: Sec 841.0t15, PUBLIC DBINKING WATEÈ SUPPLY SYSflEM nEqUInEMENfS. (ø) To preeenn tfn ryhltc lwdth sqfotu, wd' unVolv tlu cmmbaltn alnll tnÅwa I'tnl' ryhlie drínhinA tnter rupply ryatama: (1) mtWlU aode drìnhíng tntsr ìn adßWnlß qwntål'iæ; (2) øtu fr,nancíailU stahl¿: and (E) øn technì¿aÌlv aotmd. (b) Thß commlsìon alnll encmnge and Wmate tlw dawlppmsnt andusa qf rpgíoÌtÃI, a!ìtd amatttida drinkíng waler wpply ayclama, (c) Ea¿h pu,blíc d¡ìnkìng tlater wpply ryelnm thall W,ùdß on adnqu.alß and, aqle drinkìna utalør rupply, The suqlu mtnt maet tln nquìremønla of Soctåon t41'0ît anì comwi.aaian nllßd (d) The cø¡nlrlliesåørn, sl'ø.ll consldst cunpliørwe hìslo¡V in d¡hrninìng isnnnae ol rutn penrúlu w¡tnnl pemil* and pennìï, øt¡undmmta for a plblia drinlcötW untsr agetotn SECTION 0.20. Subchnpter C, Ch¡pter 841' Herltlr and Safety Code, ls unen{qd by rmendlng Seetion 841.086 ¡nd uddlng Sections 841,03õ1 through 841.08õ6 to re¡d as follouæ: Sec. 811.08õ. APPR \ryATEB 9UPPLIES. (al E$copt ot ptwidad on¡httt4ion of ø pttbllo drìr,*ing untrrt ctrylU cøm'mìscìøt øppxruet: (t) o, hní¡use plonlw lhn sfaløu atnl' (2) the plaru ønd ryecifiwl'íaw for tlæ eyete,m.
(1) shall revisut Lhp btuí¡wee plnu and (Ð may o¡dar the prcepectiue ounßr or operutn of I'læ syetnm ln pwuìda adaqt!'alß fi.nønainl-antnwce oi øhilitg to operute tlw egotern in oÆoda¡uc wíth opplbahl¿ I'awe 86?8 Ch. 1010, $ 6.20 ?óth LEctBL/\TrrRE-nEcuL/n gDsg¡or dnd, nlp¿ ìn thc înm qf ø boul or u epeclfirld ùy tlu comnla¡loû unlaea l,lw eæc'utiw dlnctmfinfu tlwi tlw butlrøae plan. dstttonttffitns adapob frnancW mpohlltly. (c) Tlle proryactìu nttwr ot opnalo¡, Clw po¡nwd shßll to tlw coíùmi8noû completad fm ønd, Nfa withcommhdon¡vl¿e (cL) A pønon h nat nqdnd tu filn ø btnlnoas pløn wrhr Suhucl,lon (a)(t) ot (Ð if ilu pergØl: (D høcønlv: (9) I"e ø r,g,tøíl publiu nl,tlítg u dofrnßd by Sedíon [s.W Walfi Codß, unlnn tlnl penon fu øul.ílily u thfr.nalby tlnl ced,ía (s) haa emantod on Wcûflßnl wilh o polltüal wbd,lt¡bìon tn tranCfff lhe uunørahip a,nd opeml,ion of l,he rwtar wpply Eyetßt¡¿ to tln polítìoal wbdlvhío¡t; o¡ (Ð ie u nonaonmtmilg noilnnsíønl unlfi lw dßrttr,shdßd ftnnwðnÌ ssnûanße ufldûr CL,ortn t6, ot C82 28, Wolãr Cúo Îb @1.
Sec. J/.t,nE¡r. NOTIFICATION OF SySruM CHANGES. t$l Ary pcnon [rgÐnËl, lncludlng a munlc ¡ke r metorld or mql ¡ of tlret udllty murt the change, Sec. il1,0852. ADVEilTISED $UALITY Of WATEî SUPPLY, l(e)l A weter ¡upply ryaùem ovner, rupply syetem owner, msnsgsr, or operator mry belng of a qusüty other thsn tùe quallty thaù ls Sec. 811,0!58, DHNKING WATEÈ SUPPLY COMPAÈATNE RATING INI'ORMA- TION, f(d)¡ ul¡te all nsc€sggrl' in[ormarion ldrrtl rclatlng !o pu each year and as oflen durlng the yerr as condltlon¡ [d¡t¡l form¡ the b¡d¡ of ¡n of,lelal comparatlve retlng ol pubUc drlnklng water supply ryrüemr.
Sea 011.0t61. HICHWAY SIC,IVS fOß APPfuOVED SYSTEM RATING. [(e)l Arvat€ü eupply sysùem th slga eppro'ed by ihe drmmlssl wetor auPPly ej'rtem ls locatad commlsslon lf tle watar supply
enforcemøn,l ottionto: T
rulpa: ond (9) pruida ad¿quatp financial eÃEuntncø ol llw obllìly lo opettln lhe ayil'am in onotdance wòüt, øpplìæhla lowc ond nilat bt Uw form of ø bond m aa opecifted by llw com,mieslort (h) Il the cotnneìeaíon mliet on røl,e Ltlclotu or ønlomar tturchørget at lhe firnn of financial uffinancq næh fimde shøll be dapoeíled, in øn carrow a¿count ond. relna.eed' ort'lg wilh llw opprcul ol lhe æmmíoúut" 8674 ?õth LEGISIITTURE-REGI,¡,IB SESSTON ch. 1010, ! 6.ll A whtia tlolæ mpflg eytun tilu øoctilhn ilhodnr ql tlu ú nclíon (b) Trtß e¡¡sullw dùrvdff m tlu ætunìeûon nary otlæ a pblia uúr wpplg tyrttrtt to etop opralåone if: (1) tlu syúßnt u¡oa coultttttd¡ttðt;lml ttt¿ øpplrrpl rcq.Lifld bU Secttlln tll,N6¡ m ' (Ð ttß ag,r,culhn díncto¡ ilatBrnh$ tløt tlß tyebn prcef,/il, m immìtmt lwalllt lwmñ. (c) A natfualton or o¡dt¡ ttttud tttú¿¡ tlth seatlo¡t mov fu dslfuctd W taacinW b! prEond cet1rtae, or b! tßlL A wafâ tWl¡V c1slzr¿ @ed, ta nd,tfr¿ahfu. o¡ an otdet mder thln secüoû ott (d) urùfÉn raquaet, ä ûfìilßd to an opprlunúU to h lrcod, bV ilu wtnmì¡6llottø¡t ol, ø commbebnrweetlng, (e) Ttw Fuhlìc utatþ¡ ,üppll EVatry nwg rcl NútmP oporul,ìont unñl lhß cofimí¿clor\ Un err¡culíw dånolot, m o cønl wlltoins ilu l,r¡¡¡¿mptíott SECTION Sub¡ectlons (a) snd O), $ectlon 841,047, He¡lth ¡ttd Ssfsty Code, arc 621. amended to r€sd a¡ follow¡¡ (a) A penon commlt¡ ¡n offen¡e lf the penon: (1) vlolate¡ a pmvlalon of Sectton 841.081¡ (2) vloleües a pmvlalon of Secdon 841.082(e) or (b)¡ (8) vlol¡tB¡ a prwhlon of Sectlon &{l.tl&9(¡H0¡ ({) con¡buct¡ a drlnking waùer rupply ryatem wltlrout eubmlttlng oompletod plrnr rnd epedlleaHonr aå rsquttd by Sectlon Jll.0Júlc) t8llJ8õ(r)l; (61 bogìnß cotuttttd'ion qf tetrb¡l¡hc¡l a drlnldng wator rupply syaüom wlthout the commlrllon's approvrl as rtqulred by Sec{ion 841'û98(a); (0) vlolate¡ I prtvl¡lon of Secdon tlt,otrl o¡ tl1ü52 t84¡{85ê)+{e)l¡ (?) falls to remove r algn ar requlrcd by Sectlon tU.Nõl [84JÆ(dl¡ or (8) vlol¡t¿o a pwlolon of Sectlon S41.080. (b) An ofien¡e undo Subsoctlon (s) ls a G-la¡s C ml¡deme¡nor W ¡e¡¡+¡¡+$tOgl.
SECilION 0,22. Sube€ctlone (b) thrcugh (l), Secdon 841.018, He¡ltt¡ ¡nd Ssfety Code' aro amended to read aå follow¡: (b) A peno vlol¡üon u¡rder tùls auhhapter rhall be'¡¡¡e¡ied ¡ ths¡n 81,000 [$5001 for ench vlolatlon.
Erch day of a
t$ltf tt sppesrs that a peraon h¡¡ vloht¿d, h vlolatlng or th¡eat¿n¡.üo vlolaÛe a.provlrlon unäeo tt¡la rubährpten, tlre óomml¡¡lonr I ooüht], or a munlclpdlùy m¡y tn¡tltut¡ e clvll sult ln a dl¡trlct eou¡t for: 6) lqluncüve reltef to ¡¡¡üral¡ the peraon ftom eontlnulng ühe vloledon or threst of vlol¡doni (2) the ar¡es¡ment ¡nd rocovery of ¡ clvil penalty¡ or (8) both lnJuncttve ¡cllef ¡nd a cMl penalty. (d) lþll Tt¡e commis¡lon ls e necgs¡atT ¡nd lndl¡peng¡ble party ln e sult bmught by c oounùyor munlclpelity unden tùl¡ sectlon.
80?6 ch. 1010, $ 6.22 ?õth LEGIST"ATUNHEGT'IIIB SDESTON (e) ItÐl On tlo commls¡lon'r rrqueri thc attorney genral shdl lru6h¡ü6 ¡ ¡ulü ln tåe ¡¡no ol tlre ¡t¡te for lqlunctlve rclhf, te rtcovsr r dvll pen¡lty, or lor botå idunstlve rrllef ¡¡rd clvll pon¡lty.
0, tg)l Tte ¡ult mry be brcught ltr' f¡) Ilwl¡ County; lt, trbl the county in whlch the defend¡nt rn¡ldes' or lt, tre¡Jnl the eounff ln whlch the vlol¡Hon or thre¡t olvlol¡Hon oæure, lC) t$l In ¡ ¡ult under thl¡ ¡sctlon to enJol¡ ¡ vlol¡üon or threú of vlol¡Hon ol thl¡ tho ståto, county, or munlclpellty, wlttout bond or otlø the fect¡ ma¡r wrnant lndudlng temperrr¡' rcstralnlng r notlce rnd heutng, urd permurent l4Juncdonr. fâ) t$l Clvll penslHer rccovercd ln s ¡ult brnr¡ght under tùls eectlon by r county on munlclpdlty ¡hall bs equally dlvlded betweenr (l) the st¡to¡ ¡nd (2) the county or munlclpallty thet ñnt brcugbt tlre ¡ull SECTION 8.21t. Sub¡ecHon (¡), Sectlon 8¿1.010, Healüh ¡nd Srfety Code, l¡ ¡¡nended to ¡red ¡¡ follow¡: (¡) If ¡ por¡on cause¡, rufrerc, allowr, or permlh ¡ vloledon ol tåh rubchapter or ¡ rule or order adop,tad under perron as pmvlded by $I,000 l$6001 for each sepanta vlol¡üon.
SECTION 6.21. Secüon I, Chapter l00r Act¡ of tfte 68tl¡ Leglelrhre, Regular Sesslon' lü19 (Artlclo lll0f, Vernon'e Tex¡¡ Clvll St¡tute¡), l¡ smended to ¡sd a¡ lollotu¡:
t¡ke¡ efrect.
SECTION 6.26. Sectlon 2, Chapùcr 100, Acts of the 66tl¡ l¡gl¡l¡h¡re, lt79 (Artlcle lllOf' l¡ ame¡rded by omendlng Sub¡ecüon¡ (2), (8), ¡nd (4) üo tt¡d Vernon'¡ Texa¡ Clvll Strtut€sl ¡s follos,r¡ (2) "Prlv¡te endt¡/' merna rny entlty other tl¡ur e publlc entlty rolely lnvolved in frnrnclng, conrtructin& operatlng ¡nd melnt¡lnlnruorþr ltnd sswÊr ficllltle¡, (8) "Frcilltie¡n me¡¡rs frcillde¡ noces¡alT or lncldent¡l üo ühe colleetlon, trurrpofietlon, t¡s¡imentr or disporal ol m¿nl, and d,í^etrifution of prcperty urd equlpment tr¡nepottsdon, tr€sünsn t, tio¡t, fiwlm¿nl, and dì¿tri 8676 ?õrh LEctsutruBE-RDcurlrR SEsgroN ch. 1010, I 6¿7 s!' Fertod undæ tülr Act by tm flnanclng, con¡h¡sdng, or*nlng' achtevlng eoonomles of ¡c¡le ln prwldlng unfar or sswbr !€ntlcsr.
SECTION 8.26, Sub¡ecdon (¡), Secdon I, Ch¡ptêr lg0, Aßt¡ of tho 66th L€glsl¡hm, lgl?
Grtlde ltt0f, Vernon'¡ Texås Civü St¿h¡t¿¡)' l¡ ¡msndsd to ¡tad a¡ follo¡n¡
Actn ¡ concurrent o¡dlnance ¡hrll not be auþJect to ¡ relerendum eleetlon.
SECTION 0¿?. Subrectlon¡ (f) ¡nd (8), Sectlon 4, Chaptar lg0, Act¡ of ths 60tl¡ Legl¡l¡t¡re, ltlg (Artlcle lll0f, Vernon'¡ Tex¡¡ Clvll St¡h¡ües), are amended üo ¡e¡d e¡ follow¡:
bo¡rd of dlrecüon. (c) Tl¡e ugpncy' ln eo transmls¡lon, t¡eutmsnt tíu¡ hualmønt, ønd dt¡ (l) üo p¡fi ell expenaer of operatlon utd melntenrneel (2) to p¡y ¡ll lnters¡t and ptnelpnl dus on bords l¡sued ¡¡ they become due ¡nd payrble¡ (S) to pry the prlnclpd of ¡nd lnt¡re¡t on any legal debt of the sgsncyi (4) üo pry rll sinklng ¡nd ¡e¡ene tbnd peymente ar they bseome due und pryablo¡ and 8877 Ch. 1010, 0 6.27 tfih Lncrsrrrrunn-nncuLrrn BEBsroN (õ) 0o fum the tenn¡ of any agreement¡ m¡de wittr ttre holdan of rny bondr. ud emcgency fund, Payrnentr h¡te u operetlng expenss of the unless othen'lre pmhlbltad by r SECTION 8.28. Subchapter C, Cheptc 18, lV¡t¡r Code, ls ¡mendsd by addlng Secdon 18.fXõ Co rcad ¡s followb: Sac, t',,Dlõ, ønd beloæ øny tro¡loil ctuto¡¡ur wløla o¡ ìnpoñ SECTION 8,29. Subchepter D, Chepùer 18, Water Code, le ¡mended by eddlng Becdon ts rcad as folloun: 18.080 Scc 1E.08c. Filn WHOLESLLE nAfES FOn WHOTCS¡L E WATER, &{¿OS ?0.A
(b) Tkìs aectìm, daes not a'p¡tly ln ø aalo of tttabr undet ø crrtltncl, eueculßd bøfon l)u effcclíue ùln oJthìo aedíotr.
SECIION 080. Secüon l8.4ll, lVeüer Code, ls ¡mended ùo ¡r¡d as foltorvs;
(b) If the eacculíae dínclor lne rcø¿on lD blünß t of o ualer utíllty tn plpeily oryrule, mníntaít or i¡nmìn¿¡tt tlveal to human Ìtpoltk w oqþtg, tlw (t) natifV Jlw nlillty'a rcpreeenlnlíw: ond (2) inìlídle erdorcemmt ocl,ìon eon,cietÊnl, u¿llu (A) thts eubclnplar, and, @ ) ptocd,urul rulao adøplnd by tlt¿ cornmlealorl SECTION 0"81. Sectton 18.4t8, lVaùer Code, ls omended 0o resd as follow¡: g€c, tg,4l8. TER IITILITY IM- PRovEMENf lhh chaptor lronr o nlail Whlìa ul procædingo átwü Oø paidtotlw cwn
Wúnd m^: by Sect Jì1trï'f':'l'Jij,*,Hfr aú, Sofetg Cod¿ tG€n€d "flliiå SECTION 6.82, Subchapter C, Chapter 841, He¡ltlr snd Safety Code, ls arnended by adding Seetlon 841.0{86 to resd as follow¡: Sec. 841,0186. WATDî UTILITY IMPùOWMENT ACCOUNT. (a) Th¿ untn utititrs imprwemnnl ancuttt;t ìt c¡pold, oute¡lß of tlw olde tnom,ry, 86?8 ?õth LEGI$LATURD-RSGLII|R sEggtON Ch. 1010, ! 7.01 (Ð A ciui, m odmini.cl,mlit.¡ pmolty WUùlo ln Un etalt tlnl ì.a æilÆtld frvzt o ltll,tll Ío¡ øvblalim of lhia rubolrrfi,ot elnll.b dtpnilßd inllu omtnt
la tlø ualar w aanr rXalnn qf a ulìl,if¡ lful f,as poid fitua or ot u¡tdtt Clnpta¡ lt, Wøl&t CùA tlnl lwu been dapeìfd h (2) httptwtuo expenaea þr ø ntìlil,y plad ðn n unts¡ Seclion tt.ltfÊ, WalÊî Cüo,
(e) Money uÃd uttdtl Sttbæcl,ìst (o)(Ð nny nd, be wuìùwd u ínlurlilatl wptlal cl Llts rúi¿Wfo't onyWNæ.
A In thìe eoctìm\ "utìlllX" hu tlw meonlW aaeigtatl by Seclìon tt,NS, Walsî Coù, SECTION 0,&9, Subchrpter, L, Chrptor 49, lVctor Code, lr rmended by ¡ddlng SeeHon 49.8õ21 ùo ¡t¡d a¡ follorp¡l Sec 9,862. MUNICIPAL SySføM IN UNSEBV. ED AREA (d TILìI eætlon, applloo only tn ø,wru-rulo muníoipalilg ilnl; (l) b la@lßtl ín o wnrly trttth ø pptlalíut qf man llw;n t.Tõ milliott tlul la d,iøaenf b o ffiL.nty wilh ø poplal,ian qf morc tlnn I mìllíon; øntl (2) ltøs uil,hín ita boundotrt¿e ø pú qf o disttißL
ricl,lw tlu dalluery qf NÃhh ualerlw friv lotl alwf h llr4ltßinnf ql frrc kUdrunfs ond lræ cowt¿ol,lon ql tlu ualsî ryelmt tn fin
ngla csrlifroution ín tlu mo! rtlß øn øppllnul,Íotr, úß1 Utß munìci.palil.g 2õõ(Ð, ABT¡CLE ?. WATER DAÎA COLLECTION AND DTSSEMINATION SECTTON 7,01. Seeüon 10.012, l4rrter Code, l¡ amended ùo re¡d ¡¡ follow¡l Sec. 10.012. STUDIES, INVESI¡GATIONS, SURVEYS. (¿) The exeeutlve admlnl¡tr¿- , sltd #* collec! reeelve, andyze, [rnd ds]Ã øfld *^m ¿tîorttøltotù concrmlng [thel guídtnßc nga:rdin| datntbfinafÅ anddaenåptiotu utalø¡rceou¡w thld, (b) The execuüve ¡dmlnlst¡atror ¡hglll (l) deto¡mlne ¡uit¡ble locsdoru for fr¡ture wsùer faßllitle¡, lndudlng rcreruolr riüo; (21 dstarmí'¡u slt¿lahlß, coú-effectítn utaln rupply qlhwÃlirßn on ø ngioìnl, basis, ítæludíng wlanlnry maom of enæungí.n4 aggteeiae uolercotæeruúìou 8670 ch. 1010, $ 7.ol ?6th LEGISTJITTJßHEGTJI./TB BETIION lll locat¿ lurd bs¡t rulted for lrrlgrüon¡ l1l t(8)l m¡ke e¡tlm¡ùe¡ ol tlre co¡t of pnposed lnlg¡tlon work¡ r¡d tåe lmpovement of ¡¡sonolr slh¡; ltl t({)l ex¡mlne ud rtwey rcs€rvolt ¡lt¿¡; l¡ndl (il ryontlm t0--l#c¡t¡S¡t¡l the etYect¡ of freoh w¡t¡r lnlowr upon ülre bayr urd estuu.le¡ of To¡¡q. (7 ) t¡wtttlor ínatrrlam tloan;
(g) atú eficctíuen¡lco ql unlar rtrtw ta oflstup Uttl futig unlÊr f\0$øtu (10) mtlçe baiír dalø ød nnnmarX ítllorntæltùn date@d undet thìs wbeec';ion ocæeeiblo ta etal,e ogencloe ond otlw¡ in/ø¡eoied pruonl ùûíae n,quirr¿d under &tMirtìsíoûÅ (t), U), 6), ß), o¡d (7) oI iuad,mínitfuú,a¡ elnll con¿ìdel' úuice ftom tTø Pøtke and,Wildliþ dwalíø¡ lhal colleet o¡ ue dønlarynl qÎ q coüditwl. tlaction øtd tlhaerùi¡¿al,iDn le) fire exeeutive sdmlnlsb¡tor ohdl keep fr¡ll urd prcper rccorda of hl¡ work, ob¡enrr¡- tlon¡, d¡t¡, ¡nd c¡lculstlona, ell of$'hleh are the prupeÉy ofthe et¿ûe, (, f(d)l In per{orrnlng hl¡ dut'le¡ under tl¡l¡ rectlon, the executlve ¡dmlni¡tretor shsll assl¡t the eomml¡slon ln earrylng out tlre puposer rnd polleles ¡t¡t¿d ln Sectlon 12.014 of tl¡l¡ code. @) No laln tløn Ðeeembcr Et, 1999, thp tw¡¿mùeíon elwV obletn or bulnp an updatal ualor tm út ríær baain¡ u d¿lorníud by tha eomñíeeiott Tlrz c,l.milabìlil,y modnl ctt¡t¡t¿i¿eíon elnll oblnh q dãnlap øn uful¿tl utater owílahiltty mdel þr all mruinhg ¡ítw fusi,tu no lalpr ttw Deeembù tt, NOt, for,ø rüa åntin Llw frlhwq and eerti.fuøIn¿ tnl a,ouW be ønílnbl¿: and when tlau wt al
SECTTON ?.02. SectJon 16.021, Wrter Code, l¡ ¡mended to resd ¡¡ followsl Sec. 16.021, TE)üS NATURAL RESOURCES INFORMATION SYSTEM. (s) Tte exeeutlve sdmlnls (TNnlS.J tn eorlr¿ æntartor ttthtml tlen ¡y¡te¡n-.ln¡e¡?emttng Cl ñer-- r¡tu¡r¡ rc¡ei¡rm d¡b seCo.eerer¡e d¡b m¡¡tsd te 8680 ?6th LDcrst ATIRE-REGIJLAn SEE8ION ch. 1010, c 8.01 .b tlrrt l¡ eelt¡¡t¡C by ¡t¡t¡ ¡3¡nsle¡ er eth¡r cnt¡Ucsl,
_ (c) Under the guidanee of tho ?G,lC tfcï¡ t¡Cun¡ ne¡cu¡sc¡ lde¡rrrt¡en I Ferecl, tlre executlve ¡dmlnlstr¡tor shsll: Sysùem ày índoúín$, fulz ønd ìrdormal,iolr't (2) obt¡ln lnform¡ülon ln retponls to dlsrgreementr regerdlng n¡mes and name rpolllngo for net'ur¡l ¡nd cultural feaùurcs ln the ¡t¡ùe ¡nd p¡ovide this lnfom¡tlon ø the Bö¡¡d õn Oeogrrphlc N¡mes of the Unlt¿d St¡t¡¡ Depertrneirt of tl¡e IntÁ¡.lor¡ (8) m¡ke ¡tcommend¡tlone to the Boa¡d on Geographlc N¡mes of the Unlüed Stå0e¡ Deprrtmgnt of the Into¡lor for namlng any nahual or cultur¡l feeturu aubJeet ùe the llmltatlone prwlded by Subeectlon (d) of thi¡ ¡edo¡¡* ffiw,xffifr:"m,ffi and knal gutentnwúa ønd, ollwr ùú¿rp¡tnd porl|ìit; . (õ) a'cquin ond dhesnì'ånaln naluml resØnae ønd nlalal sos¿oæonomìa dnlo doacribínq tlw TeNt-M efiho Mer ngion; ønd @ coodtnaþ eondwl und.facilílnl,e tha dawlop¡nenl¡ mninhtnnaq ønd tne o! mulu- ully compal.íbla Etnleu,idß dígílal baæ mape dopidlíng mtuml rsloumen an¿ nain-mpd¿ feal,uru, (d) A recommendrtlon mey not be made under Subdlvlslon (8) of Subaectlon (e) of thla e€ctlon for: . (l) ¡ feat¡¡¡e prevlously named under rtahr0ory autìorlty or rueognired by an rgency of tbe feder¡l goverîment, the sù¡t€, or a polltieal suMlvlslon of the at¡te¡ (2) ¡ fe¡ùure loeaùed on prlvaüe prcperty for whleh con¡ent of the pruperty owner c¡nnot be ohtalned; or (8) nanlng r netura¡ or cultur¡l fe¡tu¡r for r llvlng perron.
tlon Councll, ARTICLE 8, INTERIM COMMITTEE ON 1VATEB RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND MANACEMENT SECTION 8.01. CREATION AND COMPOSTT¡ON. (¡) The Inter.trn Committ¿e on Water Resourc€r Devetopment and Mrnagement ls crt¡t€d to etudy tt¡e et¡te'¡ wotar eupply ¡nd wa¡tewaüer inf!¡ot¡r¡ctu¡e needs.
968l ch. 1olo, $ g.or ?6th LEGISLIITURE-BEGTJLII.R SESSION (b) The eomnltlee conslsts of l0 memberg, of whom: (l) f,ve thåll -be ¡ppolnted by tlre speaker of tle houee of rcprcsentrtlvee ftom tl¡e memben of tl¡e hou¡e of rcprtsentatlveo; and (2) frve ahall be appolntad by the lleutanent governor from tlre member¡ of the sen¡ts. (c).The lleutenant-gove¡nor ¡nd the sperker of the houae of rcpresentrttve¡ each shall appolnt r prerldlng offlcer flom among the members appolnted ùo the commlthe. (d) The eommlttee shall convene at the call of the two prcrldlng oñtcen.
SECTION 8.(P. DUTIES Al.tD P014,ERS. (a) Tl¡e commlttpe ls speclfrealþ chuged üo revlew: (l) Texa¡' current invenùory of w¡tcr reoouroes, lneludng wutnr rupply and w¡etow¡t€r heatmenü lnflestructure; (2) prdectlons for Texas'futum water and wa¡tpw¡ùer needs to tlre year Ð60¡ '(s) the mle of the st¡ùo snd rtglonal and locsl enttdes ln puüclpadon and lnvestment ln weter-rel¡ùed pqlectr; and ^ (4) the -lmplementatlon of senate Blll No, l, futs of the ?6th Legislrturc, Re8rrlar Se¡slon, t90?. (b) In addltlon, the commltùee ahall develop rccommendatlone üo: (l) a¡gl¡t Texas communltler having llmlted f,nurel¡l eaprbllltles wlth thelr w¡ter supply and wa¡tew¡ter lnfra¡t¡uetu¡r needq - (2) en¡ure efficlent allocstlon of ¡t¡ùe and loeal ¡esourres tlrrough the uæ of reg'lonal wat¡r facilitle¡ and maneçmen! lncludng watpr market transacüonã¡ and (8) help loeal government¡ to meet the f,n¡ncl¡l cost¡ erssüed by federal end at¡t6 $'at€r quollty rcgrlatlons. (e) The com-mitüee may tlavel ¡round the ¡t¡te and hold hearlngs or pubtle meetlnga as needed to ft¡lñll its dutles under thl¡ arttcle. (d) The Seneto Committse on Natural Re¡ourres ¡nd the Hou¡e Commtttee on Natural Resources rhall pruvide st¡ff ü0 the commlttee. eommltt¡e shall submlt a prcpoaed budget to the li'ffn Hiä, ii;åi$#i:yi,îHH#u SECTION 8.0¿, REPORT. N aI report tn the governor, tåe lleutenant gov t¿üves, ¡nd members of the ?6th Legldature s for n€cos. aary leglrlatlon, AßTICLE 9. REPEALER¡ EFFECTÍVE DATE; SAWNGi EMERGENCY SECTION 9.01. Sectlon 11.028, lVatnn Code, ls repealed.
SECaION 0.02' (a) Except ao prcvided by Subrectlono (b) thmugh (0 of thie seetlon, thls Act takee efrect Seplember l, 1997, (b) Thls s€ctlon end sectlons 2.08, 2.09, 2.10, 2.18, snd B,0B of thls fut t¡ke effeet lmmedlately. . (e) Sectlon 4.40 of thl¡ Act t¡kee effect on the ñrst dey of the ffrat calend¡r quarter þslnnlns on or after tlre d¡te th¡t tt mey take effeet unde'r seetlon 80, Arilclo III,'T¿xas Con¡tlhitlon.
0 of thl¡ fut t¿ Seetion t6t,gl8, Tur Code, does ,:ii"îå:#4".*å1ii,ii,f*,iÊ,#f,iil¿l (e) Sections 6,08 and 6,0õ through 6.08 of thls Act t¡ke effeet, on tlre d¡te on whlch the co¡etltutlonsl amenùnent pfoposd by S.J.R. No. 17, 76th Leglslaturc, Regrlar Slesrlon, lggll, t¿ke¡ effeet. If that amendment i¡ not approved by the votnrr, tùoee sectlìns have no effect, 8882 76Ih LEGTgLÂTURE-REGTJIJIR SESS¡¡ON ch. l0ll (f) Section 6.ll ofthls Act, t¿kes effoct on the deùe on whlch ths coneHtudond ¡mendment prcpoeed by S.J.R. No. 46, ?õth Legislature, Regular Seeslon, lgû1, trker effect" If tt¡at amendment h not approved by the voterr, tùet s€ction ha¡ no effecL _ (g) Thechan .ll ofthls Act to Subchspùer B, Chrpùer 11, Tur Code, doe¡ not the sffectlve dstê of S€eúon O.ll of [hle Act, and the l¡w ln effec tù¡t ¡ecdon l¡ eontlnued in effect for purpooea of llabiliüy for and anges ùo vloledon lnltiaüsd N¡tur¡l
G) Sectlon g4l,û9õõ, Health ¡nd Safety Code, as ¡dded by Sectlon 6.ã) of thi¡ Act, rppller to tl¡e owner or openùor of a publle drlnklng water supply eystem regardle¡s of tho ô¡te cunstfi¡ction of the syetem began, SECTION 9.05. (¡) A change iu l¡w m¡de by thlr Act thrt applles to ¡ c¡.lmln¡l, elvll, or administrstive penalty appller only lo an olÏense com¡nltted or ¡ vlol¡tjon tùat ocrur¡ on or ¡ft,er the effective daùe of thls Act. For the purpores of tlrl¡ Aet, an oflen¡e l¡ committed or a violatlon oecurg befom the effectlve daùe of thls Act lf rny elernent of the offenss or violaüon oceur¡ befo¡r th¡t d¡t¿. (b) fui offense cummitt¿d or vloladon thst oceurs befo¡r the effeetlve datc of thls Act ls covered by the law in efleet when the offense wss comml{,ted or the vlolatlon oecurred, and the former law ls continued ln effect for thls purpore.
SIICT¡ON 9.00. An Aet, creating dl¡tr.lct tha[ requlres r conff¡mation eleetion enrcted by the Leglalature ls rèpeded, effectlve on tl¡e ¡econd annlvenary of t, unle¡s the dlst¡ict h¡r been approved st ¡ conffnnatlon election beforu the s€cond snnlversary ol tåe effætive daùe of thi¡ Act.
Pas ; o amendment¡, vot€¡ May 20, 1992, Houee granted the request ol ference Commlttee¡ Juns 1; 1997, House adopted Yea¡ 1¡[0, Naye 4, on6 prsænt not votlng.
Approved June 19, 1997.
Effes{lve September 1, 1997, 6xcôpt as provlded In g 9.02(b) to (0,
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30 TAC S 297.19 Page I Tex. Admin. Code tit. 30, ç 297.19
c (4) the proposed permit would be detrimental Texas Adminishative Code Cturentness to the public welfare.
Title 30. Environmental Quality Palt l. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (c) A term permit is subordinate to any vested or Chapter 297 . Water Rights, Substantive senior appropriative water right. Additionally, con- [tå Subchapter B. Classes of Vy'ater Rights ditions may be placed in the permit as necessary to +.+ $ 297.19. Term Permit under protect instream uses and freshwater inflows to Texas Water Code, $$ 11.1381 and bays and estuaries.
I 1.153-1 1.155 (d) The commission may grant a permit under this (a) The commission may issue a permit for a term section for an aquifer storage and retrieval project of years for the use of unused appropriated water as defined in $ 297.I of this title (relating to Defini- when there is insufficient unappropriated water in tions). the source of supply to satisff the application.
Source: The provisions of this ç 297.19 adopted to (b) An application for a term permit under this sec- be effective May 29,1986, I I TexReg 2330; tion shall be denied ifi amended to be effective June 28, 1996,21 TexReg 5442; amended to be effective February 24, 1999, 24TexReg7762. (1) the commission finds there is a substantial likelihood that the issuance of the term permit will jeopardize financial commitments made 30 TAC ç297.19,30 TX ADC ç297.19 for water projects that have been built or that are being built to optimally develop the water resources in the area; Curent through 40 Tex.Reg. No. 1770, dated March 20, 2015, as effective on or before March 27,20t5 (2) ifthe holder ofan affected unused appropri- ation can demonstrate that the issuance of the Copr. (C) 2015. Allrights reserved. permit would prohibit the holder from benefi- cially using the water right during the term of END OF DOCUMENT the permit. Such demonstration may be made by using water use projections contained in the state or regional water plans, economic indicat- ors, population growth proj ections, electrical generation needs, or other reasonable projec- tions based on accepted methods;
(3) the proposed permit is not intended for a beneficial use; or
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30 TAC S 297.42 Page I Tex. Admin. Code tit. 30, S 297 .42
c (d) Projects that are not required to be based upon Texas Administrative Code Culrentness the continuous availability of historic, normal Title 30. Environmental Quality stream flow include, but are not limited to: the arti- Part L Texas Commission on Environmental frcial recharge of the Edwards Aquifer under TWC, Quality g I 1.023(c); conjunctive ground and surface water Chapter 297 . W ater Rights, Substantive management projects such as aquifer storage and FE Subchapter E. Issuance and Conditions recovery projects; diversions or impoundments at of Water Rights times of above-normal stream flow (e.g., "scalping" ++ $ 297.42. Water Availability operations) for seasonal or supplemental use; a sys- tem operation in conjunction with other water rights; non-consumptive instream uses; or other (a) Except as provided by Texas Vy'ater Code similar type projects. The required availability of ('ì'WC), S 1 1.1381, and $ 297.19 ofthis title unappropriated water for these special type projects (relating to Term Permit Under Texas Water Code shall be determined on a case-by-case basis based $$ I l.l38l and 11.153, I Ll55), an application for upon whether the proposed project can be viable for a new or increased appropriation will be denied un- the intended purposes and the water will be benefi- less there is a sufficient amount of unappropriated cially used without waste. water available for a sufficient amount of the time to make the proposed project viable and ensure the beneficial use of water without waste. (e) For an application for an on-channel storage fa- cility to be authorized for domestic or municipal water use, the proposed diversion right ofthe reser- (b) A new water right may be conditioned as appro- voir must be equal to its firm yield. The purpose of priate to protect instream uses, water quality, aquat- this limitation is to ensure a secure and dependable ic and wildlife habitat, and freshwater inflows to source ofwater supply for uses necessary to protect bays and estuaries as provided by TWC, |i$ 1 t.147, the public health, safety, and welfare (see also 30 I . l-50, 1 l. 152, and 16.059. 'f'AC 290.41(b) requiring public water systems to $ have a "safe" yield capable of supplying the max- imum daily demands during extended periods of (c) For the approval ofan application for a direct peak usage and "critical hydrologic conditions"). diversion from a stream without sufflrcient on or off Such reservoir may be authorized in excess of its channel \.vater storage facilities for irrigation, ap- firm yield when the implementation of a drought proximately 7 5Yo of the water requested must be management plan or alternative sources of water available approximately 75% of the time when dis- supply such as groundwater, other reservoir sys- tributed on a monthly basis and based upon the tems, or other means are available to satisff water available historic stream flow record. Lower avail- needs during drought periods when the reservoir's ability percentages may be acceptable if the applic- normal supply capabilities would be exceeded. ant can demonstrate that a long-term, reliable, al- ternative source or sources of water of sufficient quantity and quality are economically available to (f) Except for an application for an emergency, the applicant to make the proposed project viable temporary, seasonal, or term permit, or as provided and ensure the benefrcial use of state water without by this section, the commission may require an ap- waste. plicant to provide storage sufficient to yield the re- quested annual diversion.
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30 TAC ç297.42 Page2 Tex. Admin. Code tit. 30,5297.42
(g) In order to make the optimum beneficial use of available water, a water right may be granted based upon the availability of retum flows or discharges.
However, a water right granted upon return flows or discharges that may cease in the future because of new or increased direct reuse (i.e., the lawful re-, use of water before it is returned or discharged into the stream) or that may cease for other lawful reas- ons will be granted with the express provision that the water available for the water right is dependent upon potentially interruptible return flows or dis- charges.
Sou rce: The provisions of this S 297 .42 adopted to be effective February 24,1999,24 TexReg I 162; amended to be effective August 15,2002,27 TexReg 7152.
30 TAC S 297.42,30 TX ADC $ 297.42
Current through 40 Tex.Reg. No. 1770, dated March 20,2015, as effective on or before March 27,2015 Copr. (C) 2015. All rights reserved.
END OF DOCUMENT
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http:llweb2.westlaw.comlprinflprintstream.aspx?prft:HTMlE&vr:2.0&destination:atp&... 4ll0l20l5 I soAII DOCKET NO. s82-08-1698 TCEQ DOCKET NO. 2008-0181-\ryR gn* APPLICATION BY $ BEFORE TIIE STATE oFffcE= o z Tf Ç, $ m BRADLEY B. WARE $ Plq fr! ¡\t s OFv TO A}{END \ryATER USE $ ct=l = $ ctó al PERMIT NO. 5594 $ ADMIMSTRATI\TE HEATCN GF vl CI r"t t\,
TO THE HONORABLE ADMIMSTRATME LAW TUDGE: The question in this case is whether a sufficient arnount of water is available to satisfy the 'Water application as required under Texas Code Section 11.134þ)(2) for a new appropriation of water or Section 11.1381(a) for a renewal of a term use permit. Applicant had the burden to prove that water is available by a preponderance of the evidence. The record clearly shows that Applicant did not prove up any factual dat4 analysis or other evidence usefrrl in answering this question As the Public Interest Cowrsel agrees in his brief the Applicant did not meet his bwden of proof and the application must therefore be denied.
Beyond the factual questions, however, Closing Arguments filed by the Applicant and Office of the Public Interest Cor¡nsel (OPIC) demonstrate that confüsion remains regarding certain legal issues- In this response, the Executive Director will strive to firrther explain his legal position so that the arlswers to disputed questions become apparent. Hopefully, this will lead to r¡nderstanding of how the Executive Director's actions in interpreting and applying the regulatory scheme not only comply with the principle of the law that "füst in time is first in right," but are absolutely necessary to bear it out.
The legal principle "fi¡st in time is first in right" is implemented in state law through the doctrine of prior appropriation. Understanding the regulatory framework built up around this doctrine requires an understanding of what it means to "appropriate" and when to properly attach a "priority date" to achieve compliance with the doctine. These terms of art have given rise to much discussion and deliberation in the hearing on this matter and in Closing Arguments, most likely because the parties recognze that their proper definition and application will be dispositive of the ultimate issue.
Tex. Water Code $ 11.1381. TERM PERMITS. (a) Until a rvater right is perfected to the fuIl extent provided by Section 11.026 of this code, the commission may issue permits for a tenn of years for use of state water to which a senio¡ wate¡ right has not been perfected. j - (d) A permit issued under this section is subordinate to any senior appropriative water rights. (emphasis added) Tex. Admin. Code $ 297.I9. Term Permit under Texas'Water Code, $$11,1381 and 11.153- 11.155. (a) The commission may issue a permit for a tenn of years for the use of unused appropriated water when there is insufficient unappropriated water in the soruce of supply to satisfy the application. (emphasis added) (d) A term permit is subordinate to any vested or senior appropriative water right.
Sec. 1L.l4l. DATE OF PRIORITY. IVhen the commission issues a pemrit, the priority of the appropriation of water and the claimant's right to use the water date from the date of filing of the applicatiou.
Special condition 3.b. of M¡. Wa¡e's term permit states: The authorizatton to divert and use 130 acre-feet of water shall expire and become null and void on November 7, 2007 unless prior to such date, permittee applies for an extension hereof and such application is subsequently granted for an additional temr or in perpetuity. The príoríty date of this permít and all extensions hereof shall be July 1, 1997. (emphasis added) r
There is only one \ryay to harmonize ttle above laws, rules, and permit condition that results in an intemally consisten! logicat regulatory and legal framework.l Even more compelling is the reality of the physical world in which there is only one way to apply these together that will not result in $ving away the sasre water more than once, thus over- appropriating the available supply. The Executive Director has successfully used this interpretation and implementation time and again in analyzing simil¿¡'applications.
I. Term Permits and PriorÍty Dates There are two points necessary to understanding the Executive Director's analysis of water availabilify with respect to Applicant's request for a renewal of his term permit: i. The Executive Director did not assign a new priority date to Permit 5594; rather, the Executive Director used a priority date as of the administrative complete date of the application to determine whether a sufficient amount of water was available for term use. 'When 2. the Commission assigned a priority date to the original term permit, its purpose was not to restrict fuhue analyses of availability to outdated stea:n conditions, but rather was only to assert the permit's seniority against junior term permits. That is the purpose of a priority date.
I Statutes should be harmonized whenever possible. See La Sara Grain Co. v. First Nat'l Bank of Mercedes, 673 S.V/.2d 558, 565 (Tex. 1984) (cäng State v. Standard Oil Co., 107 S,!V.2d 550, 559 (Tex. 1937)); see also Tex. Gov't Code Ann. S $ 3 L 1 .021 (2),.025 (a)-(b),. 026(a).
J\ )
. The express policy of the State of Texas in regulating the use of state water is to "effectuate the maximum utilization of water[.]"2 Among the means used to achieve that goal is the issuance of term permits. During a period in which a holder of an appropriative water rigbt is not making full use of the water subject to that right, another individual who is able to make beneficial use of that water, by virtue of his location relative to the appropriative right, may be perrritted to do so.3 A term user, however, is not entitled to a renewal of ubr* permit if unused äppropriated water is no longer available.a A priorify date is assigned to a term permit in orde_r to preserve the seniority of use authorized in the permit against claims by other term users.t 'When a term user appües for a renewal of a terrn permit, the Executive Director must perform a water availability analysis that can show whether r:nused appropriated water is available for diversion by that user during.the new temr requested. I¡ order to do that, the analysis must be performed as though the permit has a nerv priority date as of the beginning of the new term. An analysis perfonned based on the original priority date of the permit itself would reveal no useful information regarriing the availability of water during the requested subsequent term. That would potentially result in issuance of a renewal in error, and an over-appropriation of surface water resources.
When the Executive Director perfomred a water availability analysis for_Applicant's request for a renewal of Permit 5594, he applied a priority date of March2},2006.o' ' Using that date was necessary to accurately determine whether unused appropriated water would be available during Applicant's requested second term. 'When the Commission originaily iszued Pennit 5594, and stated that the original priority date would remain for all extensions thereot it did not intend to require the Executive Di¡ector to only consider ganting such extensions in the context of water availabilify at Applicant's diversion point as it existed ,a lgg7.8 Using a 2006 priority date to deterrnine whether enough water is available to justify granting a term renewal Tø<. wnrsRCoou $ 11.123. 'ra. çtt.natial. o ta, çtr.tz+1e¡.
Seeid. $ 11.141. The priority date of a permit is the date from which the claimant's right to use the water authorized under the permit originates. For a termperrrit, the right authorized is to use unperfected appropriated water. It follows tlat an application for an exte¡sion of a terq¡ permit must be granted before the priority date for that d beyond its expiration date. t Tr vol. 1, at 117-18, 170.
Io Applicant states that the Executive Di¡ector "applied one or two other priority dates" and the reasons therefore ranged "from the mysterious to the erroueous." (App. Closing Arg. at 14 and l5). However, the reasons for the dates used are clear in the tanscript and in commission nrle. Staff fust ru¡s the model as soon as practicable after receipt of the application for admimstrative effrciency and as a matter of courtesy so that an applicant can make alterations to the application as necessary to achieve its goals. (Testimony of JeffThomas, Transcript at 118). Once the application is declared administratively complete, it is accçted as fúed (30 TAC 295.201). The date the application is filed is the priority date for the application. 30 TAC 297 .44 (c) clearly states: the time priority of an appropriation of water dates from the filing of the related application with the commission or as determined with a fi¡al decree in accordance with Texas Water Code S11.323. The application is considered fÌled after the applicatiou has been declared administatively complete in accordance with $28 1 . 17 of this title (relati¡g to Notice of Receipt of Application and Declaration of Administrative Completeness) aud filed with the chief clerk.
This is the second date used. t As Ms. Alexander testified, to do so would be in violatjon of the'Water Code. Transcript of Proceedings Vol. 2, at 346.
)a )
does not affect the original July 1, 1997 priority date, because it serves only to assert the seniority of Applicant's permit, and any extension thereof, against claims made by junior term users.
By definition, the permit Mr. Ware hoids is to water that has already been appropriated.
Water cannot be appropriated more than once. While Mr, IVare's appiication may not be for a "new permit," rather it is for an extension of an existing permit, ít does require a new analysis of water availability based on curtent conditions. The priority date used to evaluate water availability for each new application must be linked to the date of the request for each new term of use because that is the point in time when that water is first being requested.
The logic of the Executive Director's position becomes even more apparent when considering the practical consequences of the Applicant's position. To adopt the Applicant's interpretation would lead to an absurd result: a system of ter¡n permits that is obviously hydrologically impossible to sustain. Consider, for example, an applicant approaching the agency n 7997 and asking for a direct diversion of water. The agency cannot find enough water at that diversion point that has not already beeu promised to a¡other water rigbt holder, so the Executive Di¡ector's staff must determine whether there is some appropriated but unused water available. For this analysis, staff reviews records of actual water usage by other water right holders for the last ten years (1987 -1997) and decides that at least one of them is not yet using all of the water they have been granted.e Based on the most recent ten years' usage reports showing underutilization, the applicant is allowed to use some portion of that currently unused water, but only for a limited time, such as 1997 to 2007. Although usage rèports show that the water has not been fully used in the past ten years, the water right holder has the right and may start using all of the water appropriated to it at any time. After a period of time, the agency must look again and see if the pemranent water right holder has increased its utilization over the past ten years and in 1þs sgming ten year period (2007-2017), will need to use the acre-feet it had not used in the ten years from 1987-1997. A term permit, by its very definition, requires this reevaluation of avaiiability at the beginning of each new requested term of years. How else can it be deterrrined whether appropriated but currently unused water is available in the stream, as required by law and rule before issuing a term permit?
If we adopt the Applicant's interpretation, the term perrrit holder would come in every ten years and the Executive Di¡ector's staff would perform the availabilify analysis using the sarne inputs, including the same priority date. Of course, the Executive Di¡ector's staff would get the same result every time, showing water availability for the term 1997-2007. T\ere would be no purpose in having a term of years specified in the pennit in the first place. Indeed, the applicant's time would be wasted in coming back to the Executive Director every ten years to run the same analysis over and over again. V/ith the same input and result each time, th,is would render the permit exactly the same thing as a permanent appropriative water right.
Arnong the factors to be considered in interpreting a statute are the consequences of a particular construction.l0 As explained above, interpreting the law in the manner suggested by the Applicant would place an effective construction on the term "appropriation" that would make e Transcript of P roceedings Vol. 1 , at 82, 87 . 'o TEx. Gov'r'Cooe $ 311.023(6).
j j all term permits issued by the Commission duplicative authorizations for the permanent use of water. This would retroactively constitute an enonnous over-appropriation of the precious and scarce surface water resources in the State of Texas, and would fatally flaw the regulatory system of management of those resowces. The Legislature clearly did not intend that consequence when enacting Section 1 1. 1381.
The Public Interest Corursel comments in his ciosing argument that the Executive Director's interpretation of Section 11.1381, and how the provisions therein ¡elate to those in Section 11.141, renders the priority date provision in Applicant's original term permit meaningless.ll As stated above, a priority date is assigned to a term permit in order to preserve the seniority of use authorized in the permit ag rinst claims by other tenn users.l2 Using a new priority date in performing an availability analysis for the new application is necessary to accurately determine whether r:nused appropriated water would be available during Applicant's requested second terrr. That action did nothing to nègate the priority of the permit itself against junior term permits. The Executive Di¡ector's interpretation of how applications for term renewals must be reyiewed is not in conflict with Section 11.141.
II. The Executive .Director reiterates that Applicant failed to meet his burden of demonstrating that water is available for his use at his diversion point.
While Applicant dedicates the vast majority of his closing argument to questioning the Executive Director's application of the law, the relatively brief section of the argument titled "Additional 'Water Is Available for Appropriation in the Brazos River Basin" provides no evidence from the record that there is any water available f.or Applicant's use at hís diversíon point. The Executive Director agÍees, as w¿rs thoroughly discussed at hearing and in his closing argumen! that there is some water avaiiable for use in the Brazos River Basin. Nothing in the record demonstrates to any degree that any of that water is available for diversion a¡d use at Applicant's location without some hann coming to other water rights in the basin. Indeed, Applicant fails to even directly assert in his closing that such is the case. V/ithout belaboring the point, the Executive Director observes again that ttre 74,387 acre-feet retum flows on which Applicant's argument depends can only be diverted at the furthest downstream diversion point possible in the basin without causing potential harm to other water rights holders.
Applica+I mischa¡acterizes the return flows as purely "surplus water" as govemed by Section 11.046.tr Applicant quotes that section, observing that it reads in part: Once water has been diverted under a permit, certiñed filing, or certificate of adjudication and then returned to a watercourse or steam, however, it is considered surplus water and therefore subject to reservation for instream uses or
" Ofüce of Public Interest Counsel's Closing Argumen! at 6.
See TEX. IVATER CoDE $11.141. The priority date of a permit is the date from which the claimant's right to use the water authorized under the permit originates. For a term permit, the right authorized is to ¡ss unperfected appropriated water, It follows that an application for an extension of a terrn permit must be granted before the priority date for that permit may be extended beyond its expiration date.
See Applicant's Closiag Argument, at 18. Q.{ote that Applicant cites an incorect Section of Chapter 11 when discussing relurn surplus water.)
;
beneficial inflows or to appropriation by others r:nless expressly provided otherwise in the pemrit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication. '' Applicant would have you read that section as requiring the Commission to reserye all retum flåws for use by other water rights applicants in perpetuity or until the flows a¡e exhausted,ls This is clearly not the intent of this statute.
Section 11.046(c) merely states that return flows are subject to reservation for othe¡ downstea¡n uses a¡d not that retum flows must be reserved. Furthet, the section lists multiple types of use for which surplus water may be reserved including inst¡eam uses such as environ:nental flows, and beneficial inflows into bays and estuaries. Even when you read the section in eror, as Applicant has, the record shows that diversion of the retu::r flows referenced at hearing anywhere but the firthest downstea:n point in the enti¡e basin results in potential han¡ to other water rights holders u¡less the diverter has a means to insure that no shortages occur as a result of the diversion.l6 The return flows were not included in the modeling used in reviewing Applicant's request for a permanent wate¡ right because they are intemrptible and, therefore, cannot be relied upon as source water for an appropriation by a person who has no conüol over the discharges from which they originate. The Executive Director did include the retum flows in the modeling used in the review of Applicant's request for a term renewal but the model showed that none of 'What the model shows is that those retum flows was available at Applicant's diversion point. these return flows were already reserved for some purpose of use downstream from Applicant's diversion point by the time his application rryas received. The hydrologic function and management of the Brazos River Basin depends on the presence of those return flows.
As observed in both the Executive Director's and Applicant's closing arguments, the Executive Director recomizes that some permanent water rights were granted based, at least in par! on the presence of the return flows.l? The record does not indicate the specific circtrmstances under which those appropriations were made. What is known about those appropriations is'that they were made before BRA submitted its application rn 2004, making those appropriations prior to BRA's request and therefore afforded the protection of seniority.
III. Ware Farm Applicant has stated that the Ware farm has provided a living to his family since 1874 'Ware Farm is dependent on the granting of this and insists that the continued existence of
'o TEx. WATER CoDE. $ 1 1.0a6(c) (ernphasis added). r5 Applicant's Closing Argument at l8-19.
Transcript of Proceedings Vol. 2, at 360-361, Such rights are allowed under 30 TAC Sec. 297 .42(g): In order to make the optimum beneficial use of available f
water, a water right may be grauted based upon the availability of return flows or discharges. However, a water right granted upon return flows or discharges that may cease in the future because of new or increased direct reuse (i.e., the lawful reuse of water before it is retumed or discharged into the stream) or tlat may cease for other lawfi-rl reasons rvill be granted with the express provision that the water avaiiable for the rvater right is dependent upon potenfially interruptible return flows or discharges.
) ] application.ls 'ffhile the Executive Di¡ector recognizes and takes very seriously the fact that agriculture and irrigation are two of the most important uses of state water, and are vital to not only the livelihoods of many Texaas, but to the economy of the State generally, he observes that water is not exclusively available through the water rights permitting process. Indeed, Mr. V/are testiñed at hearing that he was able to secure a substantiai arnount of water througb a pruchase of a permanent appropriative_right to 100 acre-fe property, to "expand (his) operation".re Further, the farm 960s20 until 1996, when Mr. Ware testified that he re-started interim, Mr. 'Ware testified he was working in town "and the farm just kind of laid there".22 Finally, the record shows that Mr. Ware uses the land for recreation and sees the expansion of recreation as the futrue of the properby, not a sustained-level of farrring,23 The Executive Directo¡ has no desi¡e to take away anyone's family farrr; that was the reason for the execution of a fomral process of adjudication for historical water users. The State had to have a plan by which to do the initial distribution of certificates, and to be fair and workable, that plan required participants to make thei¡ claims to historically-used water within a cefain period of years. As Mr. 'Wa¡e testified at trial, knowing the consequences of inaction,'a his furnily'Just dropped the ball,"2s and subsequently, that water has been appropriated to another user. The Executive Director must also thi¡k of the consequences to those other users, whose own liveühoods would suffer if the Executive Director over-appropriated the available water, making the supplies they need unreliable. They are entitled to the protections of the law, too.
fV. The Executive Director's RoIe The Applicant questions the appropriateness of the actions the Executive Director has 'Water taken in fulfilling his role in this hearing, citing Texas Code Secti on 5.228.26 Tris statute was enacted to enstue that the Executive Director does not aid an applicant in meeting his bwden of proof. It is not intended to require the Executive Director to try to fulfill his duty to protect state water with one hand tied behind his back.
The state's role as trustee of state water requires that the Executive Director always participate in water rights hearings.2T As trustee and pennitting entity, the TCEQ is the custodian of a comprehensive repository of the hundreds of thousands of pieces of data necessary to Applicant's Closing Algument, at 9.
Testimony of Bradley B. 'Ware, Transcript o¡p¡oçseding Vol. 1, at 65. le 'o fd. at22.
2rId. at 28,29=30. u ld. at4l. æ Id. at 56 a¡d 61. 'n Id. at 43: "As soon as the adjudication period was over. . .your chances are lost forever is the way that it was led to us to believe. , . ".
2s rd. atzz.
Tex. Water Code $ 5.228(c) states, in part: The executive director may parficipate as a party in contested case permit hearings before the commission or the State Office of Administative Hearings for the sole purpose of providilg information to complete the administrative record. t7 This is implemented in rule at 30 TAC $ 80.108(b)(l), which requi¡es the Executive Director to participate as a parly in all water rights hearings. Moreover, the Executive Director is entitled to request a contested case hearing on a water rights application on his own motion (30 TAC $ 295.171).
I J "r accurately model water availability. The state is both charged with the responsibilify of protecting state water resowces and also possesses the information necessary to do so. Conversely, it is inadequately protective of the state's water and senior water right holders to rely.solely upon other affected persons to maintain the integrity of the management system.28 Due to the complex nature of a basin's hydrology, it is not the case that granting a given application will affect another specific water right holder. Rather, all permits must be applied to all the water to see how much remains available, and when and where it remains. The practical affect is that it rarely obvious to any given water user how they might be affected by any one application. Indeed other water right holders and users rely on the state to serve this function. Even BRA withdrew from this hearing, stating "BRA is confident that the TCEQ staff s analysis and position...is correct and will prevail in the proceerling .>2e ç a sophisticated holder of large water rigþts can rely on the Executive Director, should not all smaller water right holders and even water users be able to rely on us as trustee to ensu¡e that the water supply they depend upon remains reliably available? Further,-many who might be affected could choose not to particiiate in a hearing beðause of the "xpent".3o There are myriad r€asons other affected parties might fail to or choose not to protest a water rights applicatior¡ but the state cânnot fail to or choose not to ensure the integrity of the management system ensuring the reliabilify and sustainability of oru surface water supply. A vigorous defense of the state's system of surface water ma¡agement is not oniy within the bounds of the Executive Director's proper role, it is a duty of monumental importance that as evidenced by this proceeding, the Executive Director takes very seriously.
V. Conclusion The Commission has never issued a permit for an appropriation of water to Applicant.
Applicant has no claím to use water pr:rsuant to an appropriative right. The priority date assigned to Permit 5594 is void upon the expiration of the tenn, and has no effect in regard to Applicant's request for a permit for a new, pernanent appropriation of water. Using the correct priority date, the Executive Director has found that no water, whether for use as a new appropriation of water or for tsrm use of previously-appropriated water, is available for diversion at Applicant's díversion point. Even more, the Applicant failed to produce any evidence or analysis of evidence proving water availability for his request. Consequently, the Executive Director respectfully requests that the Honorable Administrative Law Judge recommend denial of Application 55944.
As Applicant states in his Closing Argumen! "The legal principles of Vy'estern water law...support the concepts of government oversight of water resources, deemed essential to promoting the beneficial use of available water in accordance v/ith the public welfare." Applicant's Closing Argumeng 4.
2eApplicant'sExhibit 43,BrazosRiverAuthority'sWithdrawalofP¡otestandParlyStahs,January9,2009,at2.
For example, in its withdrawal, BRA cited a "disproportionate commitrnent of resoruces that is being required" of it cliscontinuing its participation ia this proceediag. Applicant's Exhibit 43, at2. in
I ) 3 Respectfully submitted, ,
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Mark Vickery, Executive Di¡ector Stephanie Bergeron Perdue, Deputy Director Office of Legal Services Rob ert Martinez, Director Environmental Law Division
Al-** Shana L. Horton, StaffAttomey Environmental Law Division State Bar No. 24041131 P. O. Box 13087, MC 173 Austin, Texas 7 87 11 -3087 (s1,2) 239-1088
J Staff Attonrey Bayi¡snm ental Law Division State Bar No. 24058514 P.O. Box 13087, MC 173 Austin, Texas 787t7-3087 (s12) 23e-2496 9B rfl \o o -"1 '= z PÊ; rrl Nt Ð -¡D -t o= ï.8 -rt FS
iJ -\ J CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that on the 21't day of December, 2OOg, the foregoing Executive Director's Response to Closing Arguments was filed with the Chief Clerk of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and that a tue and correct copy rñ/as forwarded to each of the parties listed below by the method(s) indicated.
The Honorable Paul Keeper State Office of AdminisEative Hearings West 15th Street, Suite 502 PlO. Box 13025 Austin, Texas 7 87 ll -3025 Via Fax 572.475.4993 Vi a E-mail to : carmen.montalvo @so atr. state. tx.us For the Applicant: Gwendolyn Hill V/ebb L270Bank of America Center Congress Avenue P.O. Drawer 1329 Austin, Texas 7 87 67 -1329 Via E-mail to : s\ilen.hill. webb @sbcelob al.net For OPIC: Garrett A¡thw Office of the Public Interest Counsel ll È¡r TCEQ, MC 103 -t= \<t o ñ a- Via E-mail to: [email protected](.us 'tl et oiq ñNt (/'= c, TI .E -f.l ù.
Fs Shana L. Horton I i I {_t Bryan W. Shaw, Ph.D., Chairmon Buddy Garci4 Commis s ioner Carlos Rubirut ein, Commissioner Mark R. Vickery, P,G., Executíue Director
T¡rus CoururtsstoN oN E¡wrnoNüuTENTAL Quru,lrv Protecting Texas by Reducing and Preuenting Poilution December 21,2009 The Honorable Paul Keeper State Office of Administative Hearings West 15ù Steet, Suite 502 P.O. Box 13025 Austin, Texas 7 87 1l -3025 Re: Application by Bradley B. Ware to Amend Water Use Permit No. 5594 SOAII Docket No. XXX-XX-XXXX TCEQ Docket No. 2008-0181-\ /R
Dear Judge Keeper: Enclosed please find the Executive Director's Response to Closing Arguments.
Thank you for yor:r attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
-/Lto"-* / d4fu Shana L. Horton Attorney Environmental Law Division SH ;ñ ìó o Encloswe :n E z crs mt-) aËP- TCEQ Chief Clerk ãNÐ Ð Service List ut -t EËñg o= ì1 2Y .E -1 t*,l t- = Èí Nt
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P.O, Box 13087 Austin,TexasTSTII-3087,' 512-239-1000 Intemet address: www.tceq.state.bcus lnnted on recycled paper using soy.based ink
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.