fort stockton mlt_ chapter 36 fundamentals_sarah rountree schlessinger

Sarah Rountree Schlessinger

TAGD Leadership Training

2017

Chapter 36 Fundamentals

Guiding Statute Overview


Tips & Good Practices

Acronym Quiz

• GMA

• DFC

• MAG

• GAM

Science & Policy

Groundwater Science Groundwater Policy

Physical Expression of Aquifer Capacity

Policy Decision of Aquifer Conditions

MAG DFC

Hydrological Conditions

Private Property

Rights

Impacts on Subsidence

Socioeconomic Impacts

Environmental Impacts

Feasibility of achieving DFC

Any other relevant

information

Aquifer Uses or Conditions

State Water Plan

GCD

GMA

DFC

TWDB

MAG

Regional & Joint Planning

Joint Planning

RWPG

State Water Plan

SWIFT

Regional Planning

GCD Guiding Statute

• Texas Water Code, Chapter 36

• Enabling Legislation

• Texas Special District Local Laws Code

Chapter 36 Subchapters

A. General Provisions

B. Creation of a District

C. Administration

D. Powers and Duties

E. Finances

F& G. Bonds, Taxes & Fees

H. Judicial Review

I. Performance Review and Dissolution

J. Adding Territory

K. Consolidation

L. Assistance Fund

M. Permitting Procedures

N. ASR

Fundamentals of Chapter 36

• Joint Planning

• Management Plan

• Rulemaking

• Enforcement

• Permits & Permit Proceedings

Joint Planning

• Each GCD belongs to at least one GMA

• GMAs establish:

– Relevant aquifers for joint planning

– DFCs for all relevant and certain other aquifers in GMA

• GMAs meet at least annually to assess GCDs progress in achieving/maintaining DFCs

• GMAs review/revise DFCs as necessary or re-adopt DFCs at least each five years

Management Plan

• Management Plan consists of:

– Management Goals, performance metrics, and technical information from TWDB reports

• Must be reviewed and approved by TWDB

• Must address/readopt/amend every 5 years

• Management Plan must exist before rulemaking

Rulemaking

• Initial rules to achieve Management Plan

• Rule Amendments Occur:

– Following legislative changes

– After Management Plan revisions

– Adoption of DFCs, MAG

– Change in circumstance

Rulemaking / Amendments

• 20 days notice

• Notice posting requirements:

– Office

– County Clerk

– Newspaper Publication

– Mail

– Available at office/internet site

• Public Hearing

Enforcement

• Action taken by GCD to enforce rules

• E.g.: illegal wells, metering requirements, production, waste or fees

• Requires an enforcement public hearing

• Civil penalties up to $10K per day

• Attorneys fees awarded to a prevailing District

Permits

• Permitting for non exempt wells

• Drilling, equipping, operating, completing or substantially altering a well

• Change in withdrawal or permit use

• District may establish exemptions in addition to 36.117

Permit Proceedings

• How to conduct a contested permit hearing

• Notice provisions

• Statutory timeframes for district action

• Steps of escalation/action for remedy:

– Contested permit hearing

– SOAH

• Public Comment


• Become familiar with the subchapters

• Get an electronic copy of Chapter 36

• Stay current with Chapter 36 changes

• Know your enabling legislation

Questions?

Sarah Rountree Schlessinger [email protected]

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