TITLE 31.NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION

Part 2. TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

Chapter 51. EXECUTIVE

Subchapter H. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

31 TAC §51.170

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts new §51.170, concerning Memorandum of Understanding With Texas Economic Development Department and Texas Department of Transportation, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 22, 2000, issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 12599).

The new section is necessary to comply with the provisions Government Code, §481.028, which requires the Texas Economic Development Department to develop a memorandum of understanding with the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to cooperate in marketing and promoting Texas as a travel destination and provide services to travelers, and requires each agency to adopt the MOU by rule.

The new rule will function by adopting by reference the provisions of 10 TAC §195.6, concerning Memorandum of Understanding Between the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The department received no comments concerning adoption of the proposed rule.

The rule is adopted under Government Code, §481.029, which requires the department to adopt the MOU by rule.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 10, 2001.

TRD-200102045

Gene McCarty

Chief of Staff

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Effective date: April 30, 2001

Proposal publication date: December 22, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 389-4775


Subchapter I. HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED BUSINESSES

31 TAC §51.171

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts new §51.171, concerning the Historically Underutilized Business Certification Program, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 1, 2000, issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 11899).

The new section is necessary to comply with the provisions of Government Code, §2161.003, which requires state agencies to adopt General Service Commission rules governing historically underutilized businesses (HUBs).

The new section will function by adopting by reference the rules of the General Services Commission (GSC) contained in 1 TAC §§111.111-111.28.

The department received no comments concerning adoption of the proposed rule.

The new section is adopted under Government Code, §2161.003, which requires the commission to adopt the rules promulgated by the General Services Commission under Government Code, §2161.002.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 10, 2001.

TRD-200102044

Gene McCarty

Chief of Staff

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Effective date: April 30, 2001

Proposal publication date: December 1, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 389-4775


Chapter 57. FISHERIES

Subchapter A. HARMFUL OR POTENTIALLY HARMFUL EXOTIC FISH, SHELLFISH, AND AQUATIC PLANTS

31 TAC §§57.111, 57.113, 57.115 - 57.118, 57.120, 57.124, 57.129

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts amendments to §§57.111, 57.113, 57.115 - 57.118, 57.120, 57.124, and 57.129, concerning Harmful or Potentially Harmful Exotic Fish, Shellfish and Aquatic Plants, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 22, 2000, issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 12612).

The rules are necessary to clarify permitting and reporting procedures, and to protect native aquatic species.

The amendment to §57.111, concerning Definitions, will function by adding the channeled applesnail (Pomacea canaliculata) to the list of prohibited shellfish, and by altering the definition of 'fish farmer' to specify that the term applies only to persons licensed pursuant to the Agriculture Code. The amendment to §57.113 will function by requiring all permitted black carp to be certified as triploids, and by reinstating triploid grass carp to the list of species that may be possessed, propagated, transported and sold. The amendments to §§57.116, 57.117, and 57.124 will function by incorporating the term 'Aquaculture license' to be consistent with rules of the Department of Agriculture. The amendments to §§57.115, 57.118, 57.120, and 57.129 will function by creating accurate legal citations.

The department received no comments concerning adoption of the proposed rules.

The amendments are adopted under Parks and Wildlife Code, §66.007(d), which requires the commission to make rules to carry out the provisions of the section.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 10, 2001.

TRD-200102046

Gene McCarty

Chief of Staff

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Effective date: April 30, 2001

Proposal publication date: December 22, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 389-4775


Chapter 69. RESOURCE PROTECTION

Subchapter A. ENDANGERED, THREATENED, AND PROTECTED NATIVE PLANTS

31 TAC §69.8

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts an amendment to §69.8, concerning Threatened and Endangered Plants, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 1, 2000, issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 11900).

The rule is necessary to comply with the provisions of Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 88, which requires the department adopt regulations to administer the provisions of that chapter, including publication and distribution of lists of threatened, endangered, or protected plants.

The rule will function by adding the Zapata bladderpod to the list of endangered plants and deleting the Lloyd's hedgehog cactus from the same list, and by adding the Pecos sunflower to the list of threatened plants while deleting the McKittrick pennyroyal from that list.

The department received one comment concerning adoption of the proposed rule. The commenter opposed adoption of the rules on the basis that the department had eliminated protections for endangered animals. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that the proposed rule applies only to indigenous plants, not animals, which are subject to other regulations and statutes. No changes were made as a result of the comment.

The amendment is adopted under Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 88, which requires the commission to adopt regulations to administer the provisions of Chapter 88.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 10, 2001.

TRD-200102047

Gene McCarty

Chief of Staff

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Effective date: April 30, 2001

Proposal publication date: December 1, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 389-4775


Part 17. TEXAS STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION BOARD

Chapter 523. AGRICULTURAL AND SILVICULTURAL WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT

31 TAC §523.7

The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) adopts new 31 TAC §523.7 to establish guidelines for a program to provide incentives to promote hauling of excess manure to compost facilities, without changes, to the proposed text as published in the December 8, 2000, issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 12152) and will not be republished.

The adopted new rule establishes the purpose of the program, the eligibility requirements for the program, the hauling incentive rates, the payment procedures and program management. This program will prevent an imminent adverse impact on waters of the State, and is in response to the availability of Federal funds made available on October 10, 2000 for this purpose.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the new section.

The new section is adopted under Chapter 201.020 Agriculture Code which provides the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board with the authority to adopt rules as necessary for the performance of its functions under the Agriculture Code.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 12, 2001.

TRD-200102101

Robert G. Buckley

Executive Director

Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board

Effective date: May 2, 2001

Proposal publication date: December 8, 2000

For further information, please call: (254) 773-2250