<<Prev Rule

Texas Administrative Code

Next Rule>>
TITLE 30ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
PART 1TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
CHAPTER 7MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING
RULE §7.103Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (commission), the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)

    (C) Formal written comments received from TPWD and TDA will be considered by the executive director in making decisions on applications requesting authorization for the discharge or disposal of wastewater from aquaculture facilities. TPWD's and TDA's comments will be evaluated in conjunction with all other applicable factors and will be incorporated by the executive director whenever it is consistent with the commission's responsibilities. In accordance with the responsibilities of the commission as described in this document, the executive director reserves the right to determine the final disposition of applications. Upon making a preliminary recommendation regarding an application, the executive director will provide a response to TPWD and TDA that contains a copy of the initial draft permit, draft order, or final decision on an exemption or registration, and documentation providing an explanation on why any of TPWD's and TDA's comments were not incorporated. A final draft permit will be transmitted to the TPWD and the TDA.

    (D) TPWD shall, within 120 days of the date of adoption of this MOU, develop guidelines identifying sensitive aquatic habitat within the coastal zone. TPWD will provide the guidelines it develops to the executive director and TDA. The executive director will consider the sensitive aquatic habitat guidelines when reviewing wastewater discharge applications for new aquaculture facilities or expansion of existing facilities in the coastal zone.

    (E) TPWD shall, within 120 days of the date of adoption of this MOU, develop guidelines which list the type of information it needs from permit applicants, in addition to the commission wastewater permit application, in order to make a determination as to whether the proposed discharges will not adversely affect a bay, an estuary, or other water in the state. This additional information will be used during the review of the permit application. The TPWD will develop these guidelines with input from the stakeholders, the commission, and TDA. When the guidelines are finalized by TPWD, the agencies will make them available to stakeholders and applicants, and it is expected that the requested information will routinely be required as part of any wastewater discharge application. It is understood that occasions may arise when information beyond that which is listed in the guidelines may be required by TPWD.

    (F) A new exotic species permit will not be issued by TPWD to any aquaculture facility that proposes to discharge wastewater until a commission waste discharge permit or other authorization has been issued or it is determined that the facility is exempted from such requirements.

    (G) TDA will provide a copy of each aquaculture license application received to the commission and TPWD. An aquaculture license will not be issued by TDA to any aquaculture facility until a commission waste discharge permit or other authorization has been issued, or it is determined that the facility is exempted from such requirements.

    (H) An interagency work group will be formed whose function will be to meet at least annually to address aquaculture issues relating to water quality, fish and wildlife resources, and receiving stream habitat and uses. This work group will serve to strengthen coordination of the commission, TPWD, and TDA activities related to the aquaculture industry and provide a conduit for shared information. The work group shall be composed of members of each agency and staffed at levels which are mutually agreeable as adequate to accomplish the stated goals. Each agency shall designate a primary contact person for this group and notify the other agencies of any changes to the primary contact person.

    (I) The executive director and TPWD will coordinate studies related to applications that request authorizations for the discharge and disposal of wastewater. This may include on-site visits, receiving water assessments, sample collection, data analysis and related activities. Notification of these activities will be provided at least five days prior to the activity or as soon as is practicable. TPWD will notify the appropriate commission regional office and the Wastewater Permitting Section. The executive director will notify TPWD Resource Protection Regional Office and headquarters.

    (J) The executive director and TPWD will strive to coordinate responses to emergency conditions, investigation of unauthorized waste discharges, and compliance inspections of aquaculture facilities. The executive director and TPWD will provide notice to each other regarding site inspections, so as to allow the other agency to participate if desired. Notifications of scheduled compliance inspections will be provided at least five days before the inspection. Notification of other activities will be provided as soon as practicable. TPWD will notify the commission regional office and the executive director will notify TPWD Resource Protection Regional Office.

    (K) The executive director, TPWD, and TDA will strive to provide to each agency notification of public meetings, public hearings, and contested case hearings that relate to aquaculture applications.

    (L) The executive director and TPWD will continue to develop and provide to applicants, permit conditions and, as appropriate, guidance related to disease, quarantine conditions, and emergency plans.

(e) Application Review Committee.

  (1) Purpose.

    (A) The application review committee (ARC) will review wastewater discharge authorization applications to ensure that the proposed discharges will not adversely affect a bay, an estuary, or other water in the state.

    (B) The commission, TPWD, and TDA recognize the importance of integrating and coordinating among themselves to ensure that this ultimate goal, stated in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, is achieved.

    (C) In order to accomplish this, the ARC will function as a forum for discussion, answering questions and resolving differences, in an attempt to come to consensus regarding the controls needed to meet the ultimate goal.

    (D) The ARC shall primarily be used as a means for settling unresolved disputes concerning aquaculture between the agencies.

  (2) Membership.

    (A) Each agency, the commission, TPWD, and TDA, will appoint one member to the ARC.

    (B) Each agency shall appoint an alternate member of the committee.

    (C) If a member or alternate is unable to attend a meeting, then that member or alternate will temporarily delegate his or her decision-making authority to other staff of that agency for that meeting only.

    (D) At meetings of the ARC, technical specialists representing the agencies may participate in or contribute to the committee's discussions and other activities.

    (E) Within two weeks of the adoption of this MOU, each agency will inform the other two agencies of the member and alternates.

    (F) An agency may change its member or alternate by providing notice to each of the other members and alternates.

  (3) Applicability. The ARC may consider any wastewater discharge application when disputes can not be resolved at the staff level.

  (4) Functioning of the ARC.

    (A) Meetings.

      (i) Meetings will be on an as needed basis.

      (ii) Any member of the ARC may request a meeting of the committee to consider one or more discharge applications.

      (iii) Any meeting of the ARC to consider a specific discharge permit application should, whenever possible, be requested prior to the public notice of the application and preliminary decision.

      (iv) It is the responsibility of the member requesting the meeting to notify all the members and alternates, and to establish a mutually agreeable meeting time and location.

      (v) The meeting shall take place within seven calendar days of the request.

      (vi) It is the responsibility of the agency requesting the meeting to take minutes of the meeting, to provide the minutes for review and comment by the other parties, and to provide a final version of the minutes which reflects any comments received.

    (B) Decision making. The ARC will strive for unanimous consent on all decisions. In the event that unanimous agreement cannot be reached among members of the committee, the matter under consideration may be referred to officials of the agencies for resolution in an expeditious manner. The agencies agree that, while recognizing the areas of expertise and authority of the members, decision-making deliberations will focus on the agencies' mutual purpose of ensuring that the proposed discharge will not adversely affect a bay, an estuary, or other water in the state.

Cont'd...

Next Page Previous Page

Link to Texas Secretary of State Home Page | link to Texas Register home page | link to Texas Administrative Code home page | link to Open Meetings home page