(a) The RWPs shall contain any regulatory, administrative,
or legislative recommendations developed by the RWPGs.
(b) Ecologically Unique River and Stream Segments.
RWPGs may include in adopted RWPs recommendations for all or parts
of river and stream segments of unique ecological value located within
the RWPA by preparing a recommendation package consisting of a physical
description giving the location of the stream segment, maps, and photographs
of the stream segment and a site characterization of the stream segment
documented by supporting literature and data. The recommendation package
shall address each of the criteria for designation of river and stream
segments of ecological value found in this subsection. The RWPG shall
forward the recommendation package to the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department and allow the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 30 days
for its written evaluation of the recommendation. The adopted RWP
shall include, if available, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's
written evaluation of each river and stream segment recommended as
a river or stream segment of unique ecological value.
(1) An RWPG may recommend a river or stream segment
as being of unique ecological value based upon the criteria set forth
in §358.2 of this title (relating to Definitions).
(2) For every river and stream segment that has been
designated as a unique river or stream segment by the legislature,
including during a session that ends not less than one year before
the required date of submittal of an adopted RWP to the Board, or
recommended as a unique river or stream segment in the RWP, the RWPG
shall assess the impact of the RWP on these segments. The assessment
shall be a quantitative analysis of the impact of the plan on the
flows important to the river or stream segment, as determined by the
RWPG, comparing current conditions to conditions with implementation
of all recommended WMSs. The assessment shall also describe the impact
of the plan on the unique features cited in the region's recommendation
of that segment.
(c) Unique Sites for Reservoir Construction. An RWPG
may recommend sites of unique value for construction of reservoirs
by including descriptions of the sites, reasons for the unique designation
and expected beneficiaries of the water supply to be developed at
the site. The criteria at §358.2 of this title shall be used
to determine if a site is unique for reservoir construction.
(d) Any other recommendations that the RWPG believes
are needed and desirable to achieve the stated goals of state and
regional water planning including to facilitate the orderly development,
management, and conservation of water resources and prepare for and
respond to drought conditions. This may include recommendations that
the RWPG believes would improve the state and regional water planning
process.
(e) RWPGs may develop information as to the potential
impacts of any proposed changes in law prior to or after changes are
enacted.
(f) RWPGs should consider making legislative recommendations
to facilitate more voluntary water transfers in the region.
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Source Note: The provisions of this §357.43 adopted to be effective August 12, 2012, 37 TexReg 5797; amended to be effective December 8, 2016, 41 TexReg 9589; amended to be effective June 28, 2020, 45 TexReg 4211 |