TITLE 30.ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Part 1. TEXAS NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Chapter 39. PUBLIC NOTICE

The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC or commission) proposes amendments to §39.15, concerning Public Notice Not Required for Certain Types of Applications; and §39.251 and §39.651, both concerning Application for Injection Well Permit.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE FACTUAL BASIS FOR THE PROPOSED RULES

On September 29, 1999, the executive director received a petition for rulemaking from the Texas Chemical Council requesting changes to §39.251 that would amend the mailed notice requirement for new permits, major amendments, renewal applications, and public hearings to owners of mineral rights near permitted Class I underground injection wells. The petition proposed that the current notice requirement for mailed notice to mineral rights owners within the cone of influence be changed to require mailed notice only to those persons who own mineral rights which underlie the existing or proposed injection well facility and which underlie the tracts of land adjacent to the well facility. In addition to §39.251, staff identified two additional sections, §39.15 and §39.651, that would require conforming modification.

In response to this petition, the commission's staff held two stakeholder meetings to receive input regarding how to best amend §§39.15, 39.251, and 39.651. Representatives from industry, environmental organizations, and the commission's office of Public Interest Counsel were invited to participate. As a result of the input received during this process, the proposed rules will change not only the mailed notice requirements but also the published notice requirements for Class I underground injection wells. The proposed amendments do not apply to mailed or published notice requirements for Class III injection wells or for permitted Class V injection wells.

The existing rules for Class I underground injection wells require notice to be mailed to mineral rights owners who own mineral rights within the cone of influence of an injection well. The proposed rules will require notice applications for new permits, major amendments, renewal applications, and public hearings to mineral rights owners beneath the injection well site and beneath the adjacent properties near permitted Class I underground injection wells. The proposed rules clarify and make explicit the existing requirement that mailed notice be sent to owners of the property on which the injection well is located, if different from the applicant, as well as to owners of land adjacent to the property on which the injection well is located. The existing notice requirements for Class I underground injection control (UIC) permit applications do not specify the size of the notices or the location of the notices in the newspaper. The proposed provisions require that the notice be at least 15 square inches (96.8 square centimeters) with a shortest dimension of at least three inches (7.6 centimeters) and be located in the section of the newspaper containing state or local news items.

Chapter 39, Public Notice, provides the procedural requirements for issuance of public notice of environmental permitting actions pending before the commission. The proposed amendments alter the mailed and published notice requirements to mineral rights owners for Class I underground injection well permit applications and hearings. The current rules require the commission's chief clerk to mail notice of UIC permit applications and hearings to mineral rights owners within the cone of influence of the injection well. When the current rules were proposed on June 18, 1996, it was the first time that the cone of influence definition was used in the context of determining what mineral rights might be impaired by an injection well.

An injection well is used for the subsurface emplacement of fluids. The cone of influence is defined as the potentiometric surface area around the injection well within which increased injection zone pressures caused by injection of wastes would be sufficient to drive fluids into an underground source of drinking water (USDW) or freshwater aquifer. The Texas Water Code (TWC), §27.015 provides extensive procedures to assure that known oil or gas reserves are not endangered and that water supplies are not contaminated by the operation of an injection well.

Depending on the geology of the subsurface injection zone and the volume of waste to be injected, the cone of influence may extend several miles from the well bore. The commission now believes that the term was improperly applied and created too great of a financial burden on the agency and on the regulated community in cases where there are large cones of influence. It was not evident at the time of enactment of the existing rules that the provision had the potential to require that notice be mailed to thousands of individuals within the cone of influence of an injection well. The proposed rules are more effective in providing notice to the mineral interests most likely to be affected by an injection well; that is, mineral interests underlying or adjacent to the injection well facility.

There is no requirement to provide notice to mineral rights owners near the injection wells under federal law. However, there are state law requirements, TWC, §27.018 and §27.051, which provide notice to persons affected by underground injection disposal wells. This would include mineral rights owners if their mineral rights would be impaired. Notice by publication is a more efficient method of notifying thousands of potentially affected persons of a permit application.

Providing mailed notice to all mineral rights owners within the cone of influence has presented a financial burden for some applicants for the commission where a large cone of influence is associated with the injection well. The applicant must currently research the deed records for every land owner adjacent to the injection well facility and every mineral rights owner within the cone of influence of the injection well. The applicant must then provide the landowner and mineral rights owner lists to the agency for each new permit application, major amendment, permit renewal application, or public hearing. For injection well applicants with a large cone of influence associated with the injection well, applicants have reported costs ranging from $20,000 to $110,000 to research and identify mineral rights owners within the cone of influence of their injection wells. Applicants for UIC permits have reported finding up to 20,000 mineral rights owners requiring notification for a single injection well facility.

The commission's UIC permitting program and the chief clerk's office are also burdened when thousands of people are to receive mailed notice. The UIC permitting program must assure that the mailing lists are correctly formatted, that is, each name and address must be typed in a format that meets the United States Postal Service requirements for machine readability. Additionally, the chief clerk is required to process the mailings. The $50 notice fee received from the applicant is often grossly inadequate to cover the commission's expenses for processing and mailing the notice required under the existing rules.

For an injection well applicant where there is a small cone of influence associated with the injection well, the proposed rules may require the applicant to research and identify more mineral rights owners than required under the existing rules. In this case, the commission would have to process more notices than are currently required. The commission proposes the rule amendments because they are a good compromise between the injection well applications involving large and small cones of influence, and are still protective of human health and safety and the environment. Overall, the new rules, as proposed, will still provide adequate notice to interested persons while reducing the administrative and financial burden on the regulated community and the agency.

The commission may not issue underground injection well permits unless the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) has determined that the well will not impair oil and gas interests. The TWC, §27.015, requires an applicant to obtain a letter from the RRC stating that drilling or using the disposal well and injecting industrial and municipal waste into the subsurface stratum will not endanger or injure any known oil or gas reservoir. The TNRCC does not declare an application to be technically complete until the RRC letter has been filed.

This rulemaking is not intended to decrease the opportunity for public participation. The proposed rules require more visible and accessible published notices. For hazardous waste facilities, the current rules require notice by radio broadcast as well. These methods of providing notice to very large numbers of people are considered to be more efficient and economical for the regulated community and for the commission. The proposed rules specify an enhanced newspaper publication of notice which requires the applicant to publish notice that is at least 15 square inches (96.8 square centimeters) with a shortest dimension of at least three inches (7.6 centimeters) and in the section of the newspaper containing state or local news items. This enhanced publication requirement will significantly increase the visibility of the notice, thereby providing a better opportunity for public participation.

Under the Chapter 39 amendments adopted recently to implement House Bill 801, which was effective September 1, 1999, applicants are required to publish an additional notice earlier in the application process which was not previously required. Additionally, any person may ask to be added to the mailing list for a permit application. Any person may also request to be placed on a county-wide mailing list to receive notice of any permit application in a particular county.

SECTION BY SECTION DISCUSSION

Section 39.15, Public Notice Not Required for Certain Types of Applications, is proposed to be amended. These proposed amendments provide that for voluntary transfers of Class I UIC permits, the chief clerk shall mail notice to persons who own mineral rights underlying the existing or proposed injection well facility and underlying the tracts of land adjacent to the property on which the injection well facility is located, rather than to all mineral rights owners within the cone of influence. The proposed rules also clarify and make explicit the existing requirement that mailed notice be sent to owners of the property on which the injection well is located, if different from the applicant, as well as to owners of land adjacent to the property on which the injection well is located.

Section 39.251, Application for Injection Well Permit, is proposed to be amended. In §39.251(a), the word "well" is proposed to be substituted for "will" to correct a typographical error. Subsections (d), (e), and (g) concern notices regarding administratively complete applications, draft permits, and hearings. These proposed amendments provide that for Class I underground injection wells, the chief clerk shall mail notice to persons who own mineral rights underlying the existing or proposed injection well facility, and underlying the tracts of land adjacent to the property on which the injection well facility is or will be located, rather than to all mineral rights owners within the cone of influence. Additionally, the proposed rules clarify and make explicit the existing requirement that mailed notice be sent to owners of the property on which the injection well is located, if different from the applicant, as well as to owners of land adjacent to the property on which the injection well is located. Section 39.251(e) and (g) is also proposed to be amended to specify that the published notice be at least 15 square inches (96.8 square centimeters) with a shortest dimension of at least three inches (7.6 centimeters) and that the notice appear in the section of the newspaper containing state or local news items. The amended language includes appropriate grammatical changes. In addition, §39.251 is proposed to be amended to clarify existing requirements that published notices must be in a form approved by the executive director and that approval must be obtained prior to the publication.

Section 39.651, Application for Injection Well Permit, is proposed to be amended. Subsections (c), (d), and (f) concern notices regarding Receipt of Application and Intent to Obtain Permit, Application and Preliminary Decision, and notice of contested case hearing. These proposed amendments provide that for Class I underground Injection wells, the chief clerk shall mail notice to persons who own mineral rights underlying the existing or proposed injection well facility, and underlying the tracts of land adjacent to the property on which the injection well facility is or will be located, rather than to all mineral rights owners within the cone of influence. Additionally, the proposed rules clarify and make explicit the existing requirement that mailed notice be sent to owners of the property on which the injection well is located, if different from the applicant, as well as to owners of land adjacent to the property on which the injection well is located. New §39.651(c)(6) is proposed to be added, and §39.651(d)(1) and (f)(2) are proposed to be amended to specify that, in addition to existing notice requirements, for Class I wells, the published notice be at least 15 square inches (96.8 square centimeters) with a shortest dimension of at least three inches (7.6 centimeters) and that the notice appear in the section of the newspaper containing state or local news items. Subsection (f)(2)(A) is also proposed to be amended to specify that this subsection concerns facilities other than hazardous waste facilities. In addition, §39.651 is proposed to be amended to clarify existing requirements that published notices must be in a form approved by the executive director and that approval must be obtained prior to the publication.

FISCAL NOTE: COSTS TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Jeffrey Horvath, Strategic Planning and Appropriations, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed amendments are in effect there will be no significant fiscal implications for units of state and local government as a result of administration or enforcement of the proposed amendments. The TNRCC may realize some administrative savings due to the reduced cost of not processing large mailings associated with notice requirements for Class I underground injection wells. However, these cost savings are not anticipated to be significant.

The purpose of the proposed amendments to Chapter 39, Public Notice, is to revise current requirements for mailed notice of Class I (deep disposal well) UIC permit applications, permits, and hearings. Under current rules, all persons who own mineral rights underlying the proposed or existing injection well facility and within the cone of influence must be notified by mail of permit applications, permits, and hearings. These proposed rules would amend the current notice requirement which requires the agency to mail notice of permit applications, permits, or hearings, to mineral rights owners within the cone of influence of the injection well. These proposed rules would require mailed notice to those persons who own mineral rights which underlie the proposed or existing injection well facility and underlying the tracts of land adjacent to the well facility. The proposed amendments would also provide new published notice requirements.

An injection well is a well for the subsurface emplacement of fluids. The cone of influence is defined as the potentiometric surface area around the injection well within which increased injection zone pressures caused by injection of wastes would be sufficient to drive fluids into an USDW or freshwater aquifer. The TWC, §27.015, provides extensive procedures to assure that oil or gas reserves are not endangered and that water supplies are not contaminated. Depending on the geology of the subsurface injection zone and the volume of wastes to be injected, the cone of influence may extend several miles from the well bore.

For some injection well owners with large cones of influence, the proposed amendments will reduce the costs to research and identify all of the mineral rights owners within their cone of influence. The current requirement of providing mailed notice to all mineral rights owners within the cone of influence requires a substantial effort and financial burden for well owners whose wells have a large cone of influence. The current requirements may also present a burden to the chief clerk of the commission who must process these mailings. Some applicants have reported significant costs to research and identify mineral rights owners within the cone of influence of their injection wells; they also report finding up to 20,000 mineral rights owners requiring notification under the current rule.

The proposed amendments would also provide new published notice requirements for Class I underground injection wells. Published notice must be at least 15 square inches (96.8 square centimeters) with a shortest dimension of at least three inches (7.6 centimeters) and be located in the section of the newspaper containing state or local news items. The current published notice requirements for UIC permit applications do not specify the size of the notice or where it will be located in the newspaper.

PUBLIC BENEFIT AND COSTS

Mr. Horvath has also determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed amendments to Chapter 39 are in effect, the public benefit anticipated from enforcement of and compliance with the proposed amendments will be a reduced regulatory burden, cost savings for injection well owners, and cost savings for the commission. However, there will be additional publication costs beyond the cost of providing notice as required by the current rule to all injection well owners of Class I wells regarding the new published notice requirements which require that the notice be at least 15 square inches and located in the state or local news section of the newspaper. These costs are not anticipated to be significant. There may also be cost savings to some injection well owners as some applicants have reported significant costs ($20,000 - $110,000) to research and identify mineral rights owners within the cone of influence of their injection wells; they also report finding up to 20,000 mineral rights owners requiring notification. Under the proposed mailed notice requirements for Class I underground injection control permits, major amendments, or renewals, owners of mineral rights with interests under the well facility or under adjacent tracts of land would be notified by mail.

The purpose of the proposed amendments to Chapter 39, Public Notice, is to revise current requirements for mailed and published notice requirements of Class I (deep disposal well) UIC permit applications, permits, and hearings. There are approximately 111 active Class I injection wells in Texas that will be affected by the proposed amendments. In addition, owners of mineral rights underlying the proposed or existing Class I injection well facility and adjacent tracts of land or owners of mineral rights within the cone of influence of a specific well will be affected by the proposed rules.

Specifically, the proposed amendments would revise mailed notice requirements for UIC permit applications, permits, and hearings to owners of mineral rights underlying the proposed or existing Class I injection well facility and adjacent tracts of land, rather than to all mineral rights owners within the injection well's cone of influence. It is recognized that some injection wells have large cones of influence while other injection wells have smaller cones of influence. While the proposed amendments will likely result in a significant reduction in notice requirements for wells with large cones of influence, they may also result in increasing notice requirements for well owners with small cones of influence. If the number of mineral rights owners adjacent to the well is larger than the number of mineral rights owners in the cone of influence, the proposed amendments will increase notice requirements. It is anticipated that the economic benefit of reducing notice requirements for wells with large cones of influence will be greater than the economic consequences of increasing notice requirements for wells with very small cones of influence. It is anticipated that additional costs for injection well owners with small cones of influence will not be significant.

The proposed amendments also revise the requirements for newspaper notice for Class I UIC permit applications by requiring that the notice be at least 15 square inches (96.8 square centimeters) with a shortest dimension of at least three inches (7.6 centimeters) and be located in the section of the newspaper containing state or local news items. The current notice requirements do not specify size or location in newspaper. A survey of newspapers indicated that a smaller city newspaper would charge approximately $210 for this type of notice and a larger city newspaper would charge approximately $3,000 for the same type of display notice.

SMALL BUSINESS AND MICRO-BUSINESS ASSESSMENT

The number of small businesses or micro-businesses engaged in Class I injection well operations is unknown but is generally considered to be few because of the costs involved in building such a well. However, no significant additional costs are anticipated to any person, small business, or micro- business as a result of implementing the provisions of the proposed amendments to Chapter 39 of the rules. The proposed amendments revise notice requirements to mineral rights owners at or near injection wells. Specifically, the proposed amendments would revise mailed notice requirements for UIC permit applications, permits, and hearings to owners of mineral rights underlying the proposed or existing injection well facility and adjacent tracts of land, rather than to all mineral rights owners within the cone of influence. While the proposed amendments will likely result in a significant reduction in notice requirements for wells with large cones of influence, it may also result in increasing notice requirements for some well owners with very small cones of influence. If the number of mineral rights owners adjacent to the well is larger than the number of mineral rights owners in the cone of influence, the proposed amendments will increase notice requirements. It is anticipated that the economic benefit of reducing notice requirements for wells with large cones of influence will be greater than the economic consequences of increasing notice requirements for wells with small cones of influence. It is anticipated that additional costs associated with the proposed notice requirements for injection well owners with small cones of influence will not be significant.

The proposed amendments also revise the requirements for newspaper notice by requiring for Class I UIC permit applications that the notice be at least 15 square inches (96.8 square centimeters) with a shortest dimension of at least three inches (7.6 centimeters) and be located in the section of the newspaper containing state or local news items. A survey of newspapers indicated that a smaller city newspaper would charge approximately $210 for this type of display notice and a larger city newspaper would charge approximately $3,000. The current notice requirements do not specify size or location for the published notice in a newspaper. Because existing regulatory requirements have been reduced for most injection well owners, the rulemaking may be considered to have potentially positive economic effects for small businesses and micro-businesses with injection wells that have large cones of influence. Conversely, additional costs associated with compliance with the proposed amendments for injection wells with small cones of influence are not anticipated to be significant.

DRAFT REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS DETERMINATION

The commission has reviewed the proposed rulemaking in light of the regulatory analysis requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.0225, and has determined that the rulemaking is not subject to §2001.0225 because it does not meet the definition of a "major environmental rule" as defined in that statute. "Major environmental rule" means a rule the specific intent of which is to protect the environment or reduce risks to human health from environmental exposure and that may adversely affect in a material way the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, or the public health and safety of the state or a sector of the state. The proposed rules change the cost of providing notice, increasing the cost to some applicants and reducing the cost to others. The proposed amendments are not anticipated to adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, or jobs in the state or a sector of the state. In addition, §2001.0225 applies only to a major environmental rule, the result of which is to exceed a standard set by federal law, unless the rule is specifically required by state law; exceed an express requirement of state law, unless the rule is specifically required by federal law; exceed a requirement of a delegation agreement or contract between the state and an agency or representative of the federal government to implement a state and federal program; or adopt a rule solely under the general powers of the agency instead of under a specific state law.

This rulemaking does not meet any of these four applicability requirements of Texas Government Code, §2001.0225(a)(1) - (4). There is a state law requirement to provide notice to persons affected by underground injection disposal wells. This would include mineral rights owners if their mineral rights would be impaired. The proposed amendments do not exceed a standard set by federal law nor exceed an express requirement of state law. There is no requirement to provide notice to mineral rights owners near the injection wells under federal law. There is a state law requirement to provide notice to persons affected by underground injection disposal wells. However, the proposed rules do not exceed this state requirement. In addition, the proposed amendments do not exceed a requirement of a delegation agreement nor are the rules proposed solely under the general powers of the agency, rather they implement TWC, §§27.018(b), 27.019, and 27.051.

TAKINGS IMPACT ASSESSMENT

The commission has prepared a takings impact assessment for these proposed rules pursuant to Texas Government Code, §2007.043. This action does not create a burden on private real property. The specific purpose of the proposed rules is to change mailed notice requirements that have proven to be burdensome and unworkable both to the commission and to the regulated community. The existing requirement to mail notice to mineral rights owners within the cone of influence of an injection well is not based on any federal requirement. However, state statute TWC, §27.018, requires affected persons to be notified and this could include mineral rights owners if their mineral rights would be impaired. The TWC, §27.051(a)(2), also requires that mineral rights not be impaired. The commission proposes to amend §§39.15, 39.251 and 39.651. This will modify the mailed and published notice requirements for UIC permit applications and mailed notice of hearings. The proposed provisions will require mailed notice to persons who own the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located, if different from the applicant, land owners adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located, persons who own mineral rights underlying the existing or proposed injection well facility, and persons who own mineral rights underlying the tracts of land adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located.

The proposed notice amendments require that the published notice be at least 15 square inches (96.8 square centimeters) with a shortest dimension of at least three inches (7.6 centimeters) and be located in the section of the newspaper containing state or local news items. The existing published notice requirements for UIC applications do not specify the size and location of the notice, therefore, the proposed rules will likely result in more potentially affected persons receiving notice.

Promulgation and enforcement of these rules will not burden private real property because the proposed rules only involve changes to notice requirements. The proposed amendments change the notice requirements but the result is not less stringent because the proposed provisions sometimes increase and sometimes decrease the number of mineral rights owners who receive mailed notice. The existing requirement to mail notice to mineral rights owners within the cone of influence of an injection well is not based on any federal requirement. However, state statute requires mineral rights not be impaired by injection well operations. No other exemption in Private Real Property Rights Preservation Act under Texas Government Code, Chapter 2007, applies to this rulemaking.

CONSISTENCY WITH THE COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The commission has reviewed the proposed rulemaking and found that the rules are not identified in Coastal Coordination Act, Texas Natural Resources Code, §33.2053(f). Therefore, the proposal is not subject to the Texas Coastal Management Program.

PUBLIC HEARING

A public hearing on this proposal will be held in Austin on September 6, 2000 at 10:00 a.m. at the TNRCC complex in Building F, Room 3202A, located at 12100 Park 35 Circle. The hearing will be structured for the receipt of oral or written comments by interested persons. Individuals may present oral statements when called upon in order of registration. There will be no open discussion during the hearing; however, an agency staff member will be available to discuss the proposal 30 minutes prior to the hearing and will answer questions before and after the hearing.

Persons with disabilities who have special communication or other accommodation needs who are planning to attend the hearing should contact the Office of Environmental Policy, Analysis, and Assessment at (512) 239-4900. Requests should be made as far in advance as possible.

SUBMITTAL OF COMMENTS

Written comments may be submitted by mail to Angela Slupe, Office of Environmental Policy, Analysis, and Assessment, MC-205, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087; or by fax at (512) 239-4808. All comments must be received by September 11, 2000, and should reference Rule Log No. 1999-071-039-WS. Comments received by 5:00 p.m. on that date will be considered by the commission prior to any final action on the proposal. For further information, please contact Devane Clarke at (512) 239-5604.

Subchapter A. APPLICABILITY AND GENERAL PROVISIONS

30 TAC §39.15

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The amendment is proposed under TWC, §5.103, which provides the commission authority to adopt any rules necessary to carry out its powers and duties under this code and other laws of this state; §5.105, which authorizes the commission to establish and approve all general policy of the commission by rule; §27.018(b), which requires the commission by rule to provide notice of the opportunity to request a public hearing on an injection well permit application which includes defining who is an "affected person;" §27.019, which requires the commission to adopt rules reasonably required for the regulation of injection wells; and §27.051, which requires the commission, when issuing an injection well permit, to find that no existing rights including, but not limited to, mineral rights be impaired.

The proposed amendment implements TWC, §§27.018(b), 27.019, and 27.051.

§39.15.Public Notice Not Required for Certain Types of Applications.

(a)

(No change.)

(b)

For the voluntary transfer of permits, no public notice shall be required, except that:

(1)

(No change.)

(2)

for notice of applications for the voluntary transfer of permits concerning underground injection wells (including injection wells for the disposal of hazardous waste), the chief clerk shall mail notice to the persons listed in §39.13 of this title (relating to Mailed Notice) ; [ , and to the persons who own mineral rights within the cone of influence, as that term is defined by §331.2 of this title (relating to Definitions). The deadline to file public comment is ten days after mailing; and ]

(3)

for notice of applications for the voluntary transfer of permits concerning Class I underground injection wells, the chief clerk shall also mail notice to:

(A)

persons who own the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located, if different from the applicant;

(B)

landowners adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located;

(C)

persons who own mineral rights underlying the existing or proposed injection well facility; and

(D)

persons who own mineral rights underlying the tracts of land adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located; and

(4)

[ (3) ] if the executive director determines that changes to the permit in addition to the transfer are necessary, other notice requirements may apply.

(c)

The deadline to file public comment for the voluntary transfer of underground injection wells is ten days after mailing.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on July 31, 2000.

TRD-200005277

Margaret Hoffman

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Proposed date of adoption: September 11, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 239-4712


Subchapter E. PUBLIC NOTICE OF OTHER SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS

30 TAC §39.251

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The amendment is proposed under Texas Water Code (TWC), §5.103, which provides the commission authority to adopt any rules necessary to carry out its powers and duties under this code and other laws of this state; §5.105, which authorizes the commission to establish and approve all general policy of the commission by rule; §27.018(b), which requires the commission by rule to provide notice of the opportunity to request a public hearing on an injection well permit application which includes defining who is an "affected person;" §27.019, which requires the commission to adopt rules reasonably required for the regulation of injection wells; and §27.051, which requires the commission, when issuing an injection well permit, to find that no existing rights including, but not limited to, mineral rights be impaired.

The proposed amendment implements TWC, §§27.018(b), 27.019, and 27.051.

§39.251.Application for Injection Well Permit.

(a)

Applicability. This section applies to applications for injection well [ will ] permits that are declared administratively complete before September 1, 1999. Any permit applications that are declared administratively complete on or after September 1, 1999 are subject to Subchapter L of this chapter (relating to Public Notice of Injection Well and Other Specific Applications).

(b) - (c)

(No change.)

(d)

Notice of administratively complete application.

(1)

The chief clerk shall mail notice to the School Land Board if the requirements of Texas Water Code, §5.115 apply concerning an application that will affect lands dedicated to the permanent school fund. The notice shall be in the form required by that section. The chief clerk shall also mail notice to the persons listed in §39.13 of this title (relating to Mailed Notice) [ , and to the persons who own mineral rights within the cone of influence, as that term is defined by §331.2 of this title (relating to Definitions) ].

(2)

For notice of administratively complete applications concerning Class I underground injection wells, the chief clerk shall also mail notice to:

(A)

persons who own the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located, if different from the applicant;

(B)

landowners adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located;

(C)

persons who own mineral rights underlying the existing or proposed injection well facility; and

(D)

persons who own mineral rights underlying the tracts of land adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located.

(3)

[ 2 ] After the executive director determines that the application is administratively complete, the executive director shall mail a copy of the application or a summary of its contents to the mayor and health authority of a municipality in whose territorial limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction the solid waste facility is located. The executive director shall also mail a copy of the application or a summary of its contents to the county judge and the health authority of the county in which the facility is located.

(e)

Notice of draft permit.

(1)

(No change.)

(2)

For Class I underground injection wells, the published notice must be at least 15 square inches (96.8 square centimeters) with a shortest dimension of at least 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) and the notice shall appear in the section of the newspaper containing state or local news items.

(3)

[ (2) ] The chief clerk shall mail notice to the persons listed in §39.13 of this title [ , to the persons who own mineral rights within the cone of influence, as that term is defined by §331.2 of this title, ] and to local governments located in the county of the facility. "Local governments" shall have the meaning provided for that term in Texas Water Code, Chapter 26.

(4)

For notice of draft permits concerning Class I underground injection wells, the chief clerk shall also mail notice to:

(A)

persons who own the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located, if different from the applicant;

(B)

landowners adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located;

(C)

persons who own mineral rights underlying the existing or proposed injection well facility; and

(D)

persons who own mineral rights underlying the tracts of land adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located.

(5)

[ (3) ] If the application concerns a hazardous waste facility, the applicant shall broadcast notice under §39.5(h) of this title (relating to General Provisions).

(6)

[ (4) ] The notice shall specify the deadline to file public comment or hearing requests. The deadline shall be not less than 30 days after newspaper publication, and for hazardous waste applications, not less than 45 days after newspaper publication.

(f)

(No change.)

(g)

Notice of hearing.

(1)

(No change.)

(2)

Newspaper notice.

(A)

(No change.)

(B)

For Class I underground injection wells, the published notice must be at least 15 square inches (96.8 square centimeters) with a shortest dimension of at least 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) and the notice shall appear in the section of the newspaper containing state or local news items.

(C)

[ (B) ] If the application concerns a hazardous waste facility, the hearing must include one session held in the county in which the facility is located. The applicant shall publish notice of the hearing once each week during the three weeks preceding the hearing under §39.5(g) of this title. The published notice shall not be smaller than 96.8 square centimeters or 15 square inches with the shortest dimension at least 7.6 centimeters or three inches. The notice shall appear in the section of the newspaper containing state or local news items. The text of the notice shall include the statement that at least one session of the hearing will be held in the county in which the facility is located.

(3)

Mailed notice.

(A)

For all applications concerning underground injection wells, the chief clerk shall mail notice to persons listed in §39.13 of this title [ , and to the persons who own mineral rights within the cone of influence, as that term is defined by §331.2 of this title (relating to Definitions) ].

(B)

For notice of hearings concerning Class I underground injection wells, the chief clerk shall also mail notice to:

(i)

persons who own the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located, if different from the applicant;

(ii)

landowners adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located;

(iii)

persons who own mineral rights underlying the existing or proposed injection well facility; and

(iv)

persons who own mineral rights underlying the tracts of land adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located.

(C)

[ (B) ] If the applicant proposes a new solid waste management facility, the applicant shall mail notice to each residential or business address, not listed under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, located within 1/2 mile of the facility and to each owner of real property located within 1/2 mile of the facility listed in the real property appraisal records of the appraisal district in which the facility is located. The notice shall be mailed to the persons listed as owners in the real property appraisal records on the date the application is determined to be administratively complete. The notice must be mailed no more than 45 days and no less than 30 days before the hearing. Within 30 days after the date of mailing, the applicant must file with the chief clerk an affidavit certifying compliance with its obligations under this subsection. Filing an affidavit certifying facts that constitute compliance with notice requirements creates a rebuttable presumption of compliance with this subsection.

(4) - (5)

(No change.)

(h)

All published notices required by this section shall be in a form approved by the executive director prior to publication.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on July 31, 2000.

TRD-200005278

Margaret Hoffman

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Proposed date of adoption: September 11, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 239-4712


Subchapter L. PUBLIC NOTICE OF INJECTION WELL AND OTHER SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS

30 TAC §39.651

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The amendment is proposed under Texas Water Code (TWC), §5.103, which provides the commission authority to adopt any rules necessary to carry out its powers and duties under this code and other laws of this state; §5.105, which authorizes the commission to establish and approve all general policy of the commission by rule; §27.018(b), which requires the commission by rule to provide notice of the opportunity to request a public hearing on an injection well permit application which includes defining who is an "affected person;" §27.019, which requires the commission to adopt rules reasonably required for the regulation of injection wells; and §27.051, which requires the commission, when issuing an injection well permit, to find that no existing rights, including but not limited to, mineral rights be impaired.

The proposed amendment implements TWC, §§27.018(b), 27.019, and 27.051.

§39.651.Application for Injection Well Permit.

(a) - (b)

(No change.)

(c)

Notice of Receipt of Application and Intent to Obtain Permit.

(1) - (2)

(No change.)

(3)

After the executive director determines that the application is administratively complete, in addition to the requirements of §39.418 of this title, notice shall be given to [ the following persons shall be notified ]:

[ (A) ]

the School Land Board, if the application will affect lands dedicated to the permanent school fund. The notice shall be in the form required by Texas Water Code, §5.115(c) [ ; and ]

[(B)

the persons who own mineral rights within the cone of influence, as that term is defined by §331.2 of this title (relating to Definitions)].

(4)

For notice of receipt of application and intent to obtain permit concerning Class I underground injection wells, the chief clerk shall also mail notice to:

(A)

persons who own the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located, if different from the applicant;

(B)

landowners adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located;

(C)

persons who own mineral rights underlying the existing or proposed injection well facility; and

(D)

persons who own mineral rights underlying the tracts of land adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located.

(5)

[ (4) ] The chief clerk or executive director shall also mail a copy of the application or a summary of its contents to the mayor and health authority of a municipality in whose territorial limits or extraterritorial jurisdiction the solid waste facility is located and to the county judge and the health authority of the county in which the facility is located.

(6)

For Class I underground injection wells, the published notice must be at least 15 square inches (96.8 square centimeters) with a shortest dimension of at least 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) and the notice shall appear in the section of the newspaper containing state or local news items.

(d)

Notice of Application and Preliminary Decision. The notice required by §39.419 of this title (relating to Application and Preliminary Decision) shall be published once under §39.405(f)(2) of this title (relating to General Notice Provisions) after the chief clerk has mailed the preliminary decision and the Notice of Application and Preliminary Decision to the applicant. This notice must contain the text as required by §39.411(c)(1) - (6) of this title. In addition to the requirements of §39.419 of this title, the following requirements apply:

(1)

(No change.)

(2)

For Class I underground injection wells, the published notice must be at least 15 square inches (96.8 square centimeters) with a shortest dimension of at least 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) and the notice shall appear in the section of the newspaper containing state or local news items.

(3)

[ (2) ] The chief clerk shall mail notice to the persons listed in §39.413 of this title (relating to Mailed Notice) [ , to the persons who own mineral rights within the cone of influence, as that term is defined by §331.2 of this title, ] and to local governments located in the county of the facility. "Local governments" shall have the meaning provided for that term in Texas Water Code, Chapter 26.

(4)

For notice of application and preliminary decision concerning Class I underground injection wells, the chief clerk shall also mail notice to:

(A)

persons who own the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located, if different from the applicant;

(B)

landowners adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located;

(C)

persons who own mineral rights underlying the existing or proposed injection well facility; and

(D)

persons who own mineral rights underlying the tracts of land adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located.

(5)

[ (3) ] If the application concerns a hazardous waste facility, the applicant shall broadcast notice under §39.503(d)(2) of this title (relating to Application for Industrial or Hazardous Waste Facility Permit).

(6)

[ (4) ] The deadline for public comments on industrial solid waste applications shall be not less than 30 days after newspaper publication, and for hazardous waste applications, not less than 45 days after newspaper publication.

(e)

(No change.)

(f)

Notice of contested case hearing.

(1)

(No change.)

(2)

Newspaper Notice.

(A)

If the application concerns a facility other than a hazardous waste facility, the [ The ] applicant shall publish notice at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the facility is located and in each county and area which is adjacent or contiguous to each county wherein the proposed facility is located.

(B)

For Class I underground injection wells, the published notice must be at least 15 square inches (96.8 square centimeters) with a shortest dimension of at least 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) and the notice shall appear in the section of the newspaper containing state or local news items.

(C)

[ (B) ] If the application concerns a hazardous waste facility, the hearing must include one session held in the county in which the facility is located. The applicant shall publish notice of the hearing once each week during the three weeks preceding the hearing under §39.405(f)(2) of this title. The published notice shall be at least 15 square inches (96.8 square centimeters) with a shortest dimension of at least 3 inches (7.6 centimeters). The notice shall appear in the section of the newspaper containing state or local news items. The text of the notice shall include the statement that at least one session of the hearing will be held in the county in which the facility is located.

(3)

Mailed notice.

(A)

For all applications concerning underground injection wells, the chief clerk shall mail notice to persons listed in §39.413 of this title [ , and to the persons who own mineral rights within the cone of influence, as that term is defined by §331.2 of this title ].

(B)

For notice of hearings concerning Class I underground injection wells, the chief clerk shall also mail notice to:

(i)

persons who own the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located, if different from the applicant;

(ii)

landowners adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located;

(iii)

persons who own mineral rights underlying the existing or proposed injection well facility; and

(iv)

persons who own mineral rights underlying the tracts of land adjacent to the property on which the existing or proposed injection well facility is or will be located.

(C)

[ (B) ] If the applicant proposes a new solid waste management facility, the applicant shall mail notice to each residential or business address, not listed under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, located within 1/2 mile of the facility and to each owner of real property located within 1/2 mile of the facility listed in the real property appraisal records of the appraisal district in which the facility is located. The notice shall be mailed to the persons listed as owners in the real property appraisal records on the date the application is determined to be administratively complete. The notice must be mailed no more than 45 days and no less than 30 days before the contested case hearing. Within 30 days after the date of mailing, the applicant must file with the chief clerk an affidavit certifying compliance with its obligations under this subsection. Filing an affidavit certifying facts that constitute compliance with notice requirements creates a rebuttable presumption of compliance with this subparagraph.

(4) - (5)

(No change.)

(g)

All published notices required by this section shall be in a form approved by the executive director prior to publication.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on July 31, 2000.

TRD-200005279

Margaret Hoffman

Director, Environmental Law Division

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Proposed date of adoption: September 11, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 239-4712