TITLE 31.NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION

Part 16. COASTAL COORDINATION COUNCIL

Chapter 501. COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Subchapter A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

31 TAC §501.3, §501.4

The Coastal Coordination Council (Council) proposes amendments to §501.3, relating to Definitions and Abbreviations and §501.4, relating to General Procedures. The Council proposed these amendments to conform the Council's rules to revisions to the Coastal Coordination Act (Act).

During the 77th legislative session, the Legislature amended the Coastal Coordination Act as a result of the scheduled review of the Council under the Texas Sunset Act. Texas Government Code Annotated, §325.001 through §325.024. The proposed amendments to §501.3, Definitions and Abbreviations, and §501.4, General Provisions, are intended to implement the amendments to §33.204 of the Act, relating to Administration of the Coastal Management Program (CMP), and the addition of §33.2041, relating to Composition of the Council; Terms. The proposed amendment to §501.3(c) adds "Sea Grant" as the abbreviation for the Texas Sea Grant College Program, the Director of which was added as a non-voting member of the Council. The proposed amendments to §501.4(b) require that the Council set aside time at each regularly scheduled meeting to receive public comment on any matter under the Council's jurisdiction, codifying the Council practice of allowing public comment on any matter of coastal concern, and clarify that only Council members eligible to vote may call special meetings. The proposed amendment to §501.4(e) clarifies that any Council member, including the Director of the Texas Sea Grant College Program, may set items on the Council agenda. The proposed amendment to §501.4(f) reflects that the Director of the Texas Sea Grant College Program is a non-voting member and is not counted for purposes of the two-thirds majority voting requirement necessary to protest consistency findings. Finally, the proposed amendment to §501.4(h) expands the Council's mandate to implement a grants program by allowing the Council to grant funds other than CMP funds provided by NOAA.

Ms. Ashley K. Wadick, deputy commissioner for the General Land Office Resource Management Program Area, has determined that during the first five-year period the proposed rulemaking will be in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local governments. Ms. Wadick has determined that during the first five-year period the proposed rulemaking will be in effect, the public benefit will be improved public involvement in resource management decisions and greater conformance with relevant statutes. There will be no effect on small businesses or local economies. Ms. Wadick has determined that during the first five-year period the proposed rulemaking will be in effect, there will be no economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rulemaking.

The proposed amendments relating to definitions and abbreviations and to general procedures for the Council will have no impact on private real property interests. Consequently, no takings impact assessment is required pursuant to the Texas Government Code, §2007.043, and the Private Real Property Rights Preservation Act Guidelines, published at 21 TexReg 387 (1996) and amended at 25 TexReg 8087 (2000).

Comments may be submitted to Ms. Melinda Tracy, Texas Register Liaison, General Land Office, P.O. Box 12873, Austin, Tx., 78711-2873, melinda.tracy@glo.state.tx.us, facsimile (512) 463-6311. In order to be considered, comments must be received by no later than 30 days from the date of publication. A public hearing on the proposed rulemaking will be held upon request.

This rulemaking is proposed under Texas Natural Resources Code, Chapter 33, §33.051, which authorizes the Council and the Land Office to perform the duties provided in Subchapter C; §33.052, which authorizes the commissioner to develop a continuing comprehensive CMP; §33.053, which sets out the elements of the CMP, including a description of the organizational structure for implementing and administering the CMP; §33.054, which allows the Commissioner of the General Land Office to review and amend the CMP; and §33.055, which requires the Council to hold public hearings, as deemed appropriate, to consider amendments to the CMP.

Texas Natural Resources Code §§33.051, 33.052, 33.053, 33.054, and 33.055 are affected by this rulemaking.

§501.3.Definitions and Abbreviations.

(a) The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Adverse effects or adversely affect--Effects that result in the physical destruction or detrimental alteration of a CNRA. Such detrimental alterations are:

(A) construction in critical dune areas and coastal hazard areas that increase risks to human safety or the potential for damage to property or CNRAs from floods, hurricanes, or other storms;

(B) alterations that interfere with public use and enjoyment of, or access to and from, those CNRAs to which the public has a right of use, enjoyment, or access;

(C) alterations that damage or destroy coastal historic areas;

(D) alterations that harm the functions and values of CNRAs as habitat for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife;

(E) alterations that disrupt wildlife corridors or fish or bird migratory routes;

(F) discharges of pathogens, radioactive materials, dissolved minerals or solids, toxic substances, or suspended solids at levels harmful to humans or terrestrial or aquatic life or that significantly impair the aesthetic qualities of CNRAs;

(G) alterations of salinity regimes, nutrient supply, oxygen concentration, or temperature regimes in coastal waters that are harmful to terrestrial or aquatic life;

(H) alterations of hydrology, water flow, circulation patterns, water level, or surface drainage that are harmful to humans or terrestrial or aquatic life, impair the aesthetic qualities of CNRAs, or exacerbate erosion of shorelines or river deltas;

(I) alterations of littoral and sediment transport processes that reduce the supply of sediments available to those processes or would otherwise exacerbate erosion of shorelines or river deltas;

(J) alterations that increase losses of shore areas or other CNRAs from a rise in sea level with respect to the surface of the land, whether caused by actual sea-level rise or land surface subsidence; and

(K) emission of air pollutants at levels that are harmful to humans or terrestrial or aquatic life or that significantly impair the aesthetic qualities of CNRAs.

(2) Avoid and otherwise minimize--To avoid adverse effects to the greatest extent practicable. Adverse effects that cannot be avoided must then be minimized to the greatest extent practicable.

(3) Coastal zone--The area within the boundary established in §503.1 of this title (relating to Coastal Management Program Boundary).

(4) Coastal hazard areas--Special hazard areas and critical erosion areas.

(5) Coastal natural resource area (CNRA)--Any area defined in Texas Natural Resources Code, §33.203(1) that is located within the coastal zone.

(6) Coastal waters--Waters under tidal influence and waters in the open Gulf of Mexico.

(7) Council--The Coastal Coordination Council.

(8) Critical areas--A coastal wetland, an oyster reef, a hard substrate reef, submerged aquatic vegetation, or a tidal sand or mud flat.

(9) Cumulative adverse effects--Adverse effects increasing in significance due to the collective effects of a number of actions.

(10) Pollutant--Any constituent that contaminates or alters the physical, thermal, chemical, or biological quality of any CNRA so as to be harmful, detrimental, or injurious to humans, animal life, vegetation, or property or to the public health, safety, or welfare or that impairs the usefulness or the public enjoyment of CNRAs for any lawful purpose.

(11) Practicable--Available and capable of being done after taking into consideration existing technology, cost, and logistics in light of the overall purpose of the activity.

(12) Public beach--Any public beach as defined in the Texas Natural Resources Code, §61.013(c).

(13) Secondary adverse effects--Adverse effects which would result from a proposed action and cause significant modifications or alterations to the physical or chemical characteristics of coastal natural resource areas beyond the limit of the immediate project area.

(14) Water-dependent use or facility--An activity or facility that must be located in coastal waters or on submerged lands or that must have direct access to coastal waters in order to serve its basic purpose and function. Facilities that are water-dependent include, but are not limited to, public beach use and access facilities, boat slips, docks, breakwaters, marinas, wharves and other vessel loading or off-loading facilities, utility easements, boat ramps, navigation channels and basins, bridges and bridge approaches, revetments, shoreline protection structures, culverts, groins, saltwater barriers, navigational aids, mooring pilings, simple access channels, fish processing plants, boat construction and repair facilities, offshore pipelines and constructed wetlands below mean high water. Activities that are water-dependent include, but are not limited to, marine recreation (fishing, swimming, boating, wildlife viewing), industrial uses dependent on marine transportation or requiring large volumes of water that cannot be obtained at inland sites, mariculture, exploration for and production of oil and gas under coastal waters or submerged lands, and certain meteorological and oceanographic activities.

(b) The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings, with respect to CNRAs.

(1) Coastal barrier--An undeveloped area on a barrier island, peninsula, or other protected area, as designated by United States Fish and Wildlife Service maps.

(2) Coastal historic area--A site that is specially identified in rules adopted by the Texas Historical Commission as being coastal in character and that is:

(A) a site on the National Register of Historic Places, designated under 16 United States Code, §470a and 36 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 63, Chapter 1; or

(B) a state archaeological landmark, as defined by Texas Natural Resources Code, Subchapter D, Chapter 191.

(3) Coastal preserve--Any land, including a park or wildlife management area, that is owned by the state and that is subject to Chapter 26, Parks and Wildlife Code, because it is a park, recreation area, scientific area, wildlife refuge, or historic site; and designated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission as being coastal in character.

(4) Coastal shore area--An area within 100 feet landward of the high water mark on submerged land.

(5) Coastal wetlands--Wetlands, as the term is defined by Texas Water Code, §11.052, located:

(A) seaward of the Coastal Facility Designation Line, established by rules adopted under Texas Natural Resources Code, Chapter 40;

(B) within rivers and streams to the extent of tidal influence, as shown on the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission's stream segment maps and described as follows:

(i) Arroyo Colorado from FM Road 1847 to a point 100 meters (110 yards) downstream of Cemetery Road south of the Port of Harlingen in Cameron County;

(ii) Nueces River from US Highway 77 to the Calallen Dam 1.7 kilometers (1.1 miles) upstream of U.S. Highway 77 in Nueces/San Patricio County;

(iii) Guadalupe River from State Highway 35 to the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority Salt Water Barrier at 0.7 kilometers (0.4 miles) downstream of the confluence with the San Antonio River in Calhoun/Refugio County;

(iv) Lavaca River from FM Road 616 to a point 8.6 kilometers (5.3 miles) downstream of US Highway 59 in Jackson County;

(v) Navidad River from FM Road 616 to Palmetto Bend Dam in Jackson County;

(vi) Tres Palacios Creek from FM Road 521 to a point 0.6 kilometer (0.4 mile) upstream of the confluence with Wilson Creek in Matagorda County;

(vii) Colorado River from FM Road 521 to a point 2.1 kilometers (1.3 miles) downstream of the Missouri-Pacific Railroad in Matagorda County;

(viii) San Bernard River from FM Road 521 to a point 3.2 kilometers (2.0 miles) upstream of State Highway 35 in Brazoria County;

(ix) Chocolate Bayou from FM Road 2004 to a point 4.2 kilometers (2.6 miles) downstream of State Highway 35 in Brazoria County;

(x) Clear Creek from Interstate Highway 45 to a point 100 meters (110 yards) upstream of FM Road 528 in Galveston/Harris County;

(xi) Buffalo Bayou (Houston Ship Channel) from Interstate Highway 610 to a point 400 meters (440 yards) upstream of Shepherd Drive in Harris County;

(xii) San Jacinto River from Interstate Highway 10 upstream to the Lake Houston dam in Harris County;

(xiii) Cedar Bayou from Interstate Highway 10 to a point 2.2 kilometers (1.4 miles) upstream of Interstate Highway 10 in Chambers/Harris County;

(xiv) Trinity River from Interstate Highway 10 to the border between Chambers and Liberty Counties;

(xv) Neches River from Interstate Highway 10 to a point 11.3 kilometers (7.0 miles) upstream of Interstate Highway 10 in Orange County;

(xvi) Sabine River from Interstate Highway 10 upstream to Morgan Bluff in Orange County; or

(C) within one mile of the mean high tide line of the portion of rivers and streams described by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, except for the Trinity and Neches rivers.

(i) For the portion of the Trinity River described by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, coastal wetlands include those wetlands located between the mean high tide line on the western shoreline of that portion of the river and FM Road 565 and FM Road 1409 or located between the mean high tide line on the eastern shoreline of that portion of the river and FM Road 563.

(ii) For the portion of the Neches River described by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, coastal wetlands include those wetlands located within one mile of the mean high tide line of the western shoreline of that portion of the river or located between the mean high tide line on the eastern shoreline of that portion of the river and FM Road 105.

(6) Critical dune area--A protected sand dune complex on the Gulf shoreline within 1,000 feet of mean high tide designated by the land commissioner under Texas Natural Resource Code, §63.121.

(7) Critical erosion area--An area designated by the land commissioner under Texas Natural Resources Code, §33.601(b).

(8) Gulf beach--A beach bordering the Gulf of Mexico that is:

(A) located inland from the mean low tide line to the natural line of vegetation bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico; or

(B) part of a contiguous beach area to which the public has a right of use or easement:

(i) continuously held by the public; or

(ii) acquired by the public by prescription, dedication, or estoppel.

(9) Hard substrate reef--A naturally occurring hard substrate formation, including a rock outcrop or serpulid worm reef, living or dead, in an intertidal or subtidal area.

(10) Oyster reef--A natural or artificial formation that is:

(A) composed of oyster shell, live oysters, and other living or dead organisms;

(B) discrete, contiguous, and clearly distinguishable from scattered oyster shell or oysters; and

(C) located in an intertidal or subtidal area.

(11) Special hazard area--An area designated under 42 United States Code Annotated, §4001 et seq, as having special flood, mudslide or mudflow, or flood-related erosion hazards and shown on a Flood Hazard Boundary Map or Flood Insurance Rate Map as Zone A, AO, A1-30, AE, A99, AH, VO, V1-30, VE, V, M, or E.

(12) Submerged land--Land located under waters under tidal influence or under waters of the open Gulf of Mexico, without regard to whether the land is owned by the state or a person other than the state.

(13) Submerged aquatic vegetation--Rooted aquatic vegetation growing in permanently inundated areas in estuarine and marine systems.

(14) Tidal sand or mud flat--A silt, clay, or sand substrate, without regard to whether it is vegetated by algal mats, that occur in intertidal areas and that are regularly or intermittently exposed and flooded by tides, including tides induced by weather

(15) Water of the open Gulf of Mexico--Water in this state, as defined by Texas Water Code, §26.001(5), that is part of the open water of the Gulf of Mexico and that is within the territorial limits of the state, including fishery habitat and the fishery resources therein.

(16) Water under tidal influence--Water in this state, as defined by Texas Water Code, §26.001(5), that is subject to tidal influence according to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission's stream segment map. The term includes coastal wetlands.

(c) The following abbreviations, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings.

(1) GLO--General Land Office;

(2) PUC--Public Utility Commission;

(3) RRC--Railroad Commission of Texas;

(4) Sea Grant--Texas Sea Grant College Program;

(5) [ (4) ] SLB--School Land Board;

(6) [ (5) ] THC--Texas Historical Commission;

(7) [ (6) ] TNRCC--Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission;

(8) [ (7) ] TPWD--Texas Parks and Wildlife Department;

(9) [ (8) ] TSSWCB--Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board;

(10) [ (9) ] TWDB--Texas Water Development Board; and

(11) [ (10) ] TxDOT--Texas Department of Transportation.

(d) To the extent that reference is made to statutory or regulatory terms or phrases which are not defined in this chapter, such terms and phrases retain the meaning provided in the pertinent agency or political subdivision policies or regulations.

§501.4.General Procedures.

(a) The commissioner of the GLO chairs the council and conducts all meetings. The council may select a vice chair who shall serve in the chair's absence.

(b) The council shall meet at least four times a year, once in each calendar quarter. The council shall set aside time at each regularly scheduled meeting for public comment on any issue under the jurisdiction of the council. The chair or any three members of the council who are eligible to vote may call special meetings by sending a written request to the council secretary to post notice in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Title 5, Subtitle A, Chapter 551, and sending a copy of the request to all council members.

(c) Each council member shall appoint a person to represent the member on an executive committee. The executive committee shall meet regularly in the interim between regular council meetings to coordinate implementation of council directives and review of policies, issues, or other matters that will or may be subject to council deliberation. The representative of the commissioner chairs the committee. The executive committee shall consider any matter a committee member refers to the committee.

(d) The chair shall appoint a council secretary. The secretary shall record the minutes of the meetings and perform other duties required by the council or this chapter.

(e) Any council [ Council ] members may set items for the agenda by submitting them in writing to the secretary at least 21 calendar days before a meeting except that proposed actions that are the subject of a significant unresolved consistency dispute shall be placed on the agenda as provided in §505.34 and §505.66 of this title (relating to Referral of a Proposed Individual Agency Action to the Council for Consistency Review and Referral of Subdivision Actions to the Council for Consistency Review). The secretary shall notify all council members of the agenda by certified or overnight mail, hand-delivery, electronic mail, or telefax at least ten calendar days before each meeting. The secretary shall notify the public of meetings as required by the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Title 5, Subtitle A, Chapter 551.

(f) A majority of the council members eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum and must be present for council action. To protest the consistency of a proposed state action listed in §505.11(a) of this title (relating to Actions Subject to the Coastal Management Program), a federal action listed in §506.12 of this title (relating to Federal Actions Subject to the Coastal Management Program), or a subdivision action listed in §505.60 of this title (relating to Review of Local Actions) shall require an affirmative vote of two-thirds of all council members who are eligible to vote. For all other actions, the council may act if a majority of a quorum agrees to the action.

(g) Time periods in this chapter do not include the day of the act or event that activates the time period. If the last day of the time period is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the time period is considered to end the next day subsequent that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

(h) The council [ Council ] shall implement a grants program [ CMP Grants Program ] to award [ federal coastal management grant ] funds to coastal local governments and other qualified entities for the planning and implementation of projects that address environmental problems affecting the coastal area, to promote sustainable economic development, and otherwise further the CMP goals and policies. For each year or for each grant cycle, the council [ Council ] shall promulgate guidance for the grants program [ CMP Grants Program ] describing the deadlines, schedule, eligibility requirements, funding policies, and approval process.

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 January 11, 2002.

TRD-200200133

Larry R. Soward

Chief Clerk, General Land Office

Coastal Coordination Council

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 24, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-9129


Chapter 505. COUNCIL PROCEDURES FOR STATE CONSISTENCY WITH COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM GOALS AND POLICIES

Subchapter A. PURPOSE AND POLICY AND STATE AGENCY ACTIONS SUBJECT TO THE COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

31 TAC §505.11

The Coastal Coordination Council (Council) proposes an amendment to §505.11, relating to Actions and Rules Subject to the Coastal Management Program.

The proposed amendment deletes §505.11(a)(6)(K), relating to Actions and Rules Subject to the Coastal Management Program. The deletion of references to the Trans-Texas Water Program Management Committee reflects changes to state water planning laws as a result of the passage of Senate Bill 1 during the 1997 legislative session. Acts of the 75th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1010, page 3610, 1997.

Ms. Ashley K. Wadick, deputy commissioner for the General Land Office Resource Management Program Area, has determined that during the first five-year period the proposed rulemaking will be in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local governments. There will be no effect on small businesses or local economies. Ms. Wadick has determined that during the first five-year period the proposed rulemaking will be in effect, the public benefit will be greater conformance with existing statutes. Ms. Wadick has determined that during the first five-year period the proposed rulemaking will be in effect, there will be no economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rulemaking.

The proposed amendment relating to the deletion of language pertaining to the Trans-Texas Water Program Policy Management Committee (resulting from changes in state water planning laws) will have no impact on private real property interests. Consequently, no takings impact assessment is required pursuant to the Texas Government Code, §2007.043 and the Private Real Property Rights Preservation Act Guidelines, published at 21 Tex.Reg. 387 (1996) and amended at 25 Tex.Reg. 8087 (2000).

Comments may be submitted to Ms. Melinda Tracy, Texas Register Liaison, General Land Office, P.O. Box 12873, Austin, Tx, 78711-2873, melinda.tracy@glo.state.tx.us, facsimile (512) 463-6311. In order to be considered, comments must be received by no later than 30 days from the date of publication.

This rulemaking is proposed under Texas Natural Resources Code Chapter 33, §33.054, which allows the Commissioner of the General Land Office to review and amend the Coastal Management Program.

Texas Natural Resources Code § 33.054 is affected by this rulemaking.

§505.11.Actions and Rules Subject to the Coastal Management Program.

(a) For purposes of this chapter and Chapter 501 of this title (relating to Coastal Management Program), the following is an exclusive list of proposed individual agency actions that may adversely affect a coastal natural resource area (CNRA) and that therefore must be consistent with the CMP goals and policies:

(1) for the land office, the School Land Board, or a board for lease of state-owned lands when issuing or approving:

(A) a mineral lease plan of operations;

(B) a geophysical or geochemical permit;

(C) a miscellaneous easement;

(D) a surface lease;

(E) a structure registration;

(F) a coastal easement;

(G) a coastal lease;

(H) a cabin permit;

(I) a navigation district lease;

(J) certification of a subdivision beach access or dune protection plan; or

(K) an agency or subdivision wetlands mitigation bank.

(2) for the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) when issuing a certificate of convenience and necessity.

(3) for the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) when issuing:

(A) a wastewater discharge permit;

(B) a waste disposal or storage pit permit; or

(C) a certification of a federal permit for the discharge of dredge or fill material.

(4) for the Texas Transportation Commission when approving:

(A) an acquisition of a site for the placement or disposal of dredge material from, or the expansion, relocation, or alteration of, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway; or

(B) an environmental document for a transportation construction project or maintenance program.

(5) for the Texas Historical Commission (THC) when issuing:

(A) a permit for destruction, alteration, or taking of a coastal historic area; or

(B) a review of a federal undertaking affecting a coastal historic area.

(6) for the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) when issuing or approving:

(A) a wastewater discharge permit;

(B) a permit for a new concentrated animal feeding operation located one mile or less from a critical area or coastal waters;

(C) a permit for solid or hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal;

(D) creation of a special purpose district or approval of bonds to construct infrastructure on coastal barriers;

(E) levee improvement or flood control projects;

(F) a certification of a federal permit for the discharge of dredge or fill material;

(G) a declaration of an emergency and request for an emergency release of water;

(H) a new permit for an annual appropriation of:

(i) 5,000 or more acre-feet of water within the program boundary; or

(ii) 10,000 or more acre-feet of water outside the program boundary but within 200 stream miles of the coast;

(I) an amendment to a water permit for an increase in the annual appropriation of:

(i) 5,000 or more acre-feet of water within the program boundary; or

(ii) 10,000 or more acre-feet of water outside the program boundary but within 200 stream miles of the coast;

(J) a change in the purpose of use of an annual appropriation of water to a more consumptive use of:

(i) 5,000 or more acre-feet of water within the program boundary; or

(ii) 10,000 or more acre-feet of water outside the program boundary but within 200 stream miles of the coast.

[ (K) The council may not review an action of the TNRCC described by subparagraphs (H)-(J) of this paragraph taken to implement a part of the Trans-Texas Water Program that the Trans-Texas Water Program Policy Management Committee has found to be consistent with the CMP goals and policies. To find that the program is consistent with the CMP goals and policies, the Trans-Texas Water Program Policy Committee must: ]

[ (i) include at least three members of the council, or representatives of those members, as voting members of the committee; and ]

[ (ii) make the finding by a majority vote of those members or their representatives. ]

(7) for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) when issuing or approving:

(A) an oyster lease;

(B) a permit for taking, transporting, or possessing threatened or endangered species;

(C) a permit for disturbing marl, sand, shell, or gravel on state-owned land; or

(D) development by a person other than the TPWD that requires the use or taking of any public land in a state park, wildlife management area or preserve.

(b) For purposes of this chapter and Chapter 501 of this title (relating to the Coastal Management Program), the following is an exclusive list of proposed agency rulemaking actions that must be consistent with the CMP goals and policies:

(1) a land office rule governing the prevention of, response to, or remediation of a coastal oil spill;

(2) TNRCC rules governing air pollutant emissions, on-site sewage disposal systems, or underground storage tanks;

(3) a State Soil and Water Conservation Board rule governing agricultural or silvicultural nonpoint source pollution;

(4) any rule governing an individual action described in subsection (a) of this section, including thresholds for referral.

(c) An agency's promulgation of rules governing or authorizing actions listed in subsection (a) or (b) of this section constitutes an action subject to the CMP as provided in Subchapter B of this chapter (relating to Council Certification of State Agency Rules and Approval of Thresholds for Referral).

(d) An action to renew, amend, or modify an existing permit, certificate, lease, easement, approval or other action is not an action under this section if the action is taken pursuant to rules that the council has certified as consistent under Subchapter B of this title (relating to Council Certification of State Agency Rules and Approval of Thresholds for Referral) and:

(1) for a wastewater discharge permit, if the action is not a major permit modification that would increase pollutant loads to coastal waters or would result in relocation of an outfall to a critical area;

(2) for solid and hazardous waste permits, if the action is not a Class III modification as defined in TNRCC rules; or

(3) for any other action, if the action only extends the time period of the existing authorization without authorizing new or additional work or activities or is not directly relevant to the CMP goals and policies.

(e) Whenever more than one state agency is involved in issuing a consistency determination for a single project, consideration should be given to the preparation of one consistency determination for all state agencies involved.

(1) Where multiple state consistency determinations are required, state agencies should consider coordinated preparation of the consistency determinations or designation of a lead agency for development of a single consistency determination. In the case where a single consistency determination will be prepared, such determination must be completed before final action is taken on any permit or authorization listed in subsection (a) of this section and required for the project. The single consistency determination must indicate whether each of the proposed actions listed in subsection (a) of this section and required for the project is consistent with the CMP goals and policies and must include information on each proposed action sufficient to support the consistency determination.

(2) An applicant, project sponsor, or other entity undertaking a project which requires more than one action listed in subsection (a) of this section may request in writing from the council either coordinated preparation of the consistency determinations or designation of a lead agency for development of a single consistency determination.

(3) To avoid duplication and time delays, it is the intent of the council, whenever possible, to provide for coordinated consistency determinations where multiple determinations are required. The council may direct the Permitting Assistance Group (as identified in §505.31(c) of this title (relating to Preliminary Review of Proposed Agency Actions by the Coastal Coordination Council)) to respond to the request and facilitate coordinated consistency determinations or preparation of a single determination by a lead agency, under guidance issued by the council.

(4) The council may not protest a proposed action by an agency or subdivision pertaining to an application filed with that agency or subdivision prior to the effective date of Subchapter C of this title (relating to Consistency and Council Review of Proposed State Agency Actions).

(5) The council shall not review actions listed in this subsection if such actions are taken pursuant to an enforcement order issued prior to the effective date of Subchapter C of this title (relating to Consistency and Council Review of Proposed State Agency Actions).

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 January 11, 2002.

TRD-200200134

Larry R. Soward

Chief Clerk, General Land Office

Coastal Coordination Council

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 24, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-9129


Chapter 506. COUNCIL PROCEDURES FOR FEDERAL CONSISTENCY WITH COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM GOALS AND PRIORITIES

31 TAC §§506.11, 506.13, 506.27, 506.29, 506.35 - 506.37, 506.45, 506.50, 506.52 - 506.54

The Coastal Coordination Council (Council) proposes amendments to §506.11, relating to Definitions; §506.27, relating to Council Hearing to Review Federal Agency Activities and Availability of Mediation; §506.35, relating to General Concurrence; §506.50, relating to Notice to the Council of Applications for Federal Assistance; and §506.52, relating to Council Hearing to Review Applications for Federal Assistance. The Council further proposes new §506.13, relating to Conditional Concurrence; §506.29, relating to Supplemental Interagency Coordination for Proposed Federal Agency Activities; §506.36, relating to Supplemental Coordination for Proposed Federal Agency Actions; §506.37, relating to Remedial Action for Previously Reviewed Federal Agency Actions; §506.45, relating to Failure to Comply Substantially with an Approved OCS Plan; §506.53, relating to Supplemental Coordination for Federal Assistance Activities; and §506.54, relating to Remedial Action for Previously Reviewed Federal Assistance Activities.

The Council proposes these amendments and new sections to conform the Council's rules to recent revisions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) rules for federal consistency review and to make other minor corrections and grammatical changes. This rulemaking revises existing provisions of Chapter 506, relating to Council Procedures for Federal Consistency with Coastal Management Goals and Priorities, and incorporates new provisions to implement new procedures for federal consistency review now allowed under NOAA's revised rules for federal consistency review, and otherwise amends Chapter 506 to conform to NOAA's revised rules, Federal Register, Volume 65, Page 77,124, December 8, 2000, codified at Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15, Part 930.

The proposed amendments to §506.11, relating to Definitions; §506.27, relating to Council Hearing to Review Federal Agency Activities and Availability of Mediation; §506.35, relating to General Concurrence; §506.50, relating to Notice to the Council of Applications for Federal Assistance; and §506.52, relating to Council Hearing to Review Applications for Federal Assistance; and the proposed new §506.13, relating to Conditional Concurrence; §506.29, relating to Supplemental Interagency Coordination for Proposed Federal Agency Activities; §506.36, relating to Supplemental Coordination for Proposed Federal Agency Actions; §506.37, relating to Remedial Action for Previously Reviewed Federal Agency Actions; §506.45, relating to Failure to Comply Substantially with an Approved OCS Plan; §506.53, relating to Supplemental Coordination for Federal Assistance Activities; and §506.54, relating to Remedial Action for Previously Reviewed Financial Activities, are intended to incorporate the changes in the recently amended federal regulations, relating to federal consistency review.

The proposed amendment to §506.11(12) adds a definition of "Director" for NOAA's director of the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management as required to implement the changes to NOAA's federal consistency regulations. The proposed amendments to §506.11(14) and §506.35 are grammatical and editorial changes.

Proposed new §506.13, relating to Conditional Concurrence provides for conditional concurrences and the process by which such concurrences are issued. A conditional concurrence would occur when the Council includes in its concurrence letter conditions that must be satisfied to ensure consistency with specific enforceable policies. Conditional concurrences are now allowed by NOAA's revised federal consistency regulations. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15, Part 930, Subpart A, §930.4. A conditional concurrence operates as a consistency objection if the federal agency refused to accept the Council's conditions; therefore, a two-thirds vote of the Council members eligible to vote is required to issue a conditional concurrence, under the Coastal Coordination Act, Texas Natural Resources Code, § 33.206(a). A conditional concurrence, then, could only be imposed by the Council and would not be used as part of routine consistency reviews.

Proposed new §506.29, relating to Supplemental Interagency Coordination for Proposed Federal Agency Activities, §506.36, relating to Supplemental Coordination for Proposed Federal Agency Actions, and §506.53, relating to Supplemental Coordination for Federal Assistance Activities, provide alternate means of resolving consistency issues that may arise in the period of time following the Council's consistency determination and the actual implementation of the project. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15, Part 930, Subpart B, §930.46, Subpart D, §930.66 and Subpart F, §930.101, respectively. The requirement for supplemental coordination is triggered when a proposed project, that was previously determined by the Council to be consistent with the CMP goals and policies, will adversely affect any coastal use or resources substantially different than originally described and was not reasonably foreseeable. Substantially different coastal effects are reasonably foreseeable if the project is modified in a manner that includes substantial changes that are relevant to the CMP goals and policies, or if there are significant new circumstances or information relevant to the proposed project and the proposed project's effect on any coastal use or resource that was not available or known when the proposed project was initially reviewed for consistency with the CMP goals and policies. Supplemental coordination provides an alternative dispute resolution process that may be used to resolve consistency issues with a project that arise subsequent to the Council's consistency concurrence for the project.

Section 506.37, relating to Remedial Action for Previously Reviewed Federal Agency Actions, and §506.54, relating to Remedial Action for Previously Reviewed Federal Assistance Activities, are proposed new rules that provide for remedial actions as allowed under NOAA's revised federal consistency regulations. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15, Part 930, Subpart D, §930.65 and Subpart F, §930.100, respectively. The proposed amendment to §506.27, relating to Council Hearing to Review Federal Agency Activities and Availability of Mediation is amended to provide for mediation and request remedial action when there is a serious disagreement resulting from a federal agency activity. The Council shall request a remedial consistency action when the Council previously determined that a proposed project was consistent with the CMP but which the Council later determines is being conducted or is having a substantially different effect on any coastal use or resource than originally described and, as a result, is no longer consistent with the CMP. The Council shall also request a remedial consistency action when the Council previously determined that the proposed project would not affect any coastal use or resource but which the Council later determines is being conducted or is having substantially different coastal effects than originally described and, as a result, the project affects a coastal use or resource in a manner inconsistent with the CMP. The proposed amendment to §506.27, relating to Council Hearings to Review Federal Agency Activities and Availability of Mediation, provides for the availability of mediation if a serious disagreement continues to exist after a reasonable time period following a request for remedial action on a previously reviewed federal agency activity.

Proposed new §506.45, relating to Failure to Comply Substantially with an Approved OCS Plan, provides for coordination with the Minerals Management Service when a person fails to substantially comply with an approved plan for operations on the Outer Continental Shelf. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15, Part 930, Subpart E, §930.85.

The proposed amendment to §506.50(a), relating to Notice to the Council of Applications for Federal Assistance, is intended to clarify that an applicant for federal assistance must ensure that an application is submitted to the Council Secretary. The proposed amendment is in response to the failure of coastal political subdivisions to submit many applications for federal assistance for consistency review as required by the Coastal Coordination Act and the Coastal Management Program (CMP). The proposed § 506.50(c) is added to require that an applicant for federal assistance provide a brief evaluation of the proposed project's consistency with the CMP goals and policies. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15, Part 930, Subpart F, §930.94(c). Further, the proposed amendment to §506.52 deletes the stipulation that the consistency review will concur with the schedule established in the Texas Review and Comment System regulations, because not all applications for federal assistance will be submitted to the Council for consistency review through the Texas Review and Comment System, the Council's schedule for consistency review will no longer be linked to the Texas Review and Comment System's schedule.

Ms. Ashley K. Wadick, deputy commissioner for the General Land Office Resource Management Program Area, has determined that during the first five-year period the proposed rulemaking will be in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local governments. Ms. Wadick has determined that during the first five-year period the proposed rulemaking will be in effect, the public benefit will be greater conformance with relevant statutes, and greater efficiency in the consistency process of the Council through conditional concurrences, supplemental coordination, and remedial actions. There will be no effect on small businesses or local economies. Ms. Wadick has determined that during the first five-year period the proposed rulemaking will be in effect, there will be no economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rulemaking except in the limited circumstances where actions by an applicant, another resource agency, or another party trigger a supplemental or remedial consistency review. Any economic costs that resulted from such a limited circumstance would be based on facts specific to the subject project and cannot be estimated at this time.

Pursuant to Texas Government Code §2001.0225, a regulatory analysis is not required for the proposed rulemaking as a "major environmental rule." Under the Government Code, a "major environmental rule" is 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, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, or the public health and safety of the state or a sector of the state. A regulatory analysis is required only when a major environmental rule exceeds a standard set by federal law, exceeds an express requirement of state law, exceeds a requirement of a delegation agreement or contract between the state and an agency or representative of the federal government to implement a state or federal program, or are adopted solely under the general powers of the Council. The proposed rulemaking will not adversely affect, in a material way, the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, or the public health and safety of the state or a sector of the state. The proposed rulemaking does not exceed a standard set by federal law, does not exceed an express requirement of state law, does not 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 or federal program, and is not adopted solely under the general powers of the Council.

The General Land Office has assisted the Council in preparing a takings impact assessment for this proposed rulemaking pursuant to the Government Code, §2007.043, and the Private Real Property Preservation Act Guidelines, § 2.18, published at 21 Tex.Reg. 387 (1996) and amended at 25 Tex.Reg. 8078 (2000). The proposed amendments and new sections substantially advance the stated purposes of implementing the changes to NOAA's federal consistency review regulations and of ensuring that the Council has the opportunity to adequately review applications for federal assistance for consistency. The proposed amendments and new sections relate only to procedures for federal consistency review and do not impose any additional burdens or restriction on private real property. Accordingly, the Land Office has determined that the rulemaking will not result in the taking of private real property. To receive a copy of the takings impact assessment, please send a written request to Ms. Melinda Tracy, Texas Register Liaison, General Land Office, P.O. Box 12873, Austin, Texas, 78711-2873, melinda.tracy@glo.state.tx.us, facsimile (512) 463-6311.

Comments may be submitted to Ms. Melinda Tracy, Texas Register Liaison, General Land Office, P.O. Box 12873, Austin, Texas, 78711-2873, melinda.tracy@glo.state.tx.us, facsimile (512) 463-6311. In order to be considered, comments must be received by no later than 30 days from the date of publication. A public hearing on the proposed amendments and additions will be held upon request.

This rulemaking is proposed under Texas Natural Resources Code Chapter 33, §33.051, which authorizes the Council and the Land Office to perform the duties provided in Subchapter C; §33.052, which authorizes the Commissioner of the General Land Office to develop a continuing comprehensive CMP; §33.053, which sets out the elements of the CMP, including a description of the organizational structure for implementing and administering the CMP; §33.054, which allows the commissioner to review and amend the CMP; §33.055, which requires the Council to hold public hearings, as deemed appropriate, to consider amendments to the CMP; §33.204, which authorizes the Council to adopt by rule goals and policies for the CMP; and §33.206(d) which authorizes the Council to adopt procedural rules for the review of federal actions, activities and outer continental shelf plans that incorporate provisions of federal regulations governing those reviews.

Texas Natural Resources Code §§33.051, 33.052, 33.053, 33.054, 33.055, 33.204 and 33.206(d) are affected by this rulemaking.

§506.11.Definitions.

The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Administratively complete--A consistency determination shall be determined to be administratively complete when the Council has received the information identified in §506.20 (relating to Consistency Determinations for Federal Agency Activities and Development Projects), §506.30 (relating to Consistency Certifications for Federal Agency Actions), and §506.40 (relating to Consistency Certifications for Outer Continental Shelf Plans).

(2) Applicant--Any individual, public or private corporation, partnership, association, or other entity organized or existing under the laws of any state, or any state, regional, or local government that, following management program approval, files an application for a federal agency action to conduct an activity affecting the coastal zone.

(3) Applicant entity [ agency ]--Any agency or subdivision or any related public entity such as a special purpose district, which, following federal CMP approval, submits an application for federal assistance.

(4) Assistant administrator--The assistant administrator for Coastal Zone Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce.

(5) Associated facilities--All proposed facilities:

(A) which are specifically designed, located, constructed, operated, adapted, or otherwise used, in full or in major part, to meet the needs of a federal action (e.g., activity, development project, license, permit, or assistance); and

(B) without which the federal action, as proposed, could not be conducted.

(6) CMP boundary--The CMP boundary established in §503.1 of this title (relating to the Coastal Management Program Boundary).

(7) Coastal area--The geographic area comprising all the counties in Texas which have any tidewater shoreline, including that portion of the bed and water of the Gulf of Mexico within the jurisdiction of the State of Texas.

(8) Coastal zone--The portion of the coastal area located within the boundaries established by the CMP under Texas Natural Resources Code, §33.2053(k), and described in Chapter 503 of this title (relating to Coastal Management Program Boundary).

(9) Consistency certification--The statement submitted by an applicant for a federal agency action subject to federal consistency review certifying that the proposed activity requiring the federal agency action is consistent with the CMP goals and policies.

(10) Consistency determination--The statement and supporting documentation submitted by a federal agency undertaking or planning a federal agency activity subject to federal consistency review certifying that the federal agency activity is consistent with the CMP goals and policies to the maximum extent practicable.

(11) Consistent to the maximum extent practicable--Being fully consistent with the CMP unless compliance is prohibited based upon the requirements of existing law.

(12) Director-Director of the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(13) [ (12) ] Federal agency action--A federal license or permit that a federal agency may issue that represents the proposed federal authorization, approval, or certification needed by the applicant to begin an activity. An action to renew, amend, or modify an existing license or permit shall not be considered an action subject to the CMP if the action only extends the time period of the existing authorization without authorizing new or additional work or activities, would not increase pollutant loads to coastal waters or result in relocation of a wastewater outfall to a critical area, or is not otherwise directly relevant to the policies in §501.14 of this title (relating to Policies for Specific Activities and Coastal Natural Resource Areas).

(14) [ (13) ] Federal agency activity--A function that is performed by or for a federal agency in the exercise of its statutory responsibility, including financial assistance, the planning, construction, modification, of [ or ] removal or a public work, facility, or any other structure, and the acquisition, use, or disposal of land or water resources. The term does not include the issuance of a federal license or permit.

(15) [ (14) ] Federal assistance--Assistance provided under a federal program to an applicant entity [ agency ] through grant or contractual arrangements, loans, subsidies, guarantees, insurance, or other forms of financial aid. Except as otherwise requested by the applicant entity [ agency ], council review of federal assistance for consistency with the CMP goals and policies is limited to federal programmatic requirements for project level funding. Agency management decisions such as funding priorities and allocation of funds among various projects are not subject to review. For purposes of the review procedures in this chapter, the term includes only the transfer or commitment of funds from the federal agency directly to an applicant entity [ agency ].

(16) [ (15) ] Federal development project--A Federal activity involving the planning, construction, modification, or removal of public works, facilities, or other structures, and the acquisition, utilization, or disposal of land or water resources.

(17) [ (16) ] Federal license or permit--Any authorization, certification, approval, or other form of permission which any federal agency is empowered to issue to an applicant.

(18) [ (17) ] Interagency coordination group--For purposes of the general agreement in §506.28 of this title (relating to General Consistency Agreements), a group established to review proposed federal development projects and whose duties include, among other things, advising on the consistency determination. Voting members of the group shall include, at a minimum, representatives of the local project sponsor and federal and state natural resource and regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over the project. The group shall seek and promote broad participation by local governments and coastal citizen groups.

(19) [ (18) ] Outer continental shelf (OCS) plan--A plan for the exploration or development of, or production from, an area leased under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 United States Code Annotated, §§1331-1356) and the rules adopted under that Act that is submitted to the secretary of the United States Department of the Interior after federal approval of the CMP.

(20) [ (19) ] State single point of contact--The state single point of contact for the Texas Review and Comment System as defined by 1 TAC §5.194 (concerning Definitions).

§506.13.Conditional Concurrence.

(a) Federal agencies shall cooperate with the council to develop conditions that if, agreed to during the council's consistency review period, and included in a federal agency's final decision or approval for activities identified in §506.12 of this title (relating to Federal Agency Actions, Federal Agency Activities, Outer Continental Shelf Plans Subject to the Coastal Management Program), would allow the council to concur with the federal agency's decision. As an alternative to finding a proposed federal agency action, activity, or funding assistance inconsistent with the CMP goals and policies, the council may, by a vote of two-thirds of all members eligible to vote, issue a conditional concurrence as described under this section.

(1) The council shall include in its concurrence letter the conditions that must be satisfied, an explanation of why the conditions are necessary to ensure consistency with specific enforceable policies and an identification of the specific enforceable policies. The concurrence letter shall also the inform the parties that if the requirements of paragraph (1) through (3) of this subsection are not met, then all parties are to treat the conditional concurrence as a consistency objection. The conditional concurrence letter shall also notify the parties, pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15, Part 930, Subpart D, §930.63(c), of the opportunity to appeal the council's objection to the Secretary of Commerce within 30 days of receipt of the council's conditional concurrence/objection or 30 days after receiving notice from the federal agency that the application will not be approved as amended by the council's conditions; and

(2) The federal agency, applicant for a federal agency action, the person submitting an OCS plan, or the entity applying for federal assistance, as applicable, shall modify the applicable plan, project, proposal or application to the federal agency in accordance with the council's conditions. The federal agency, applicant, person, or applicant entity shall immediately notify the council secretary if the council's conditions are not acceptable; and

(3) The federal agency shall approve the amended application with the council's conditions. The federal agency shall immediately notify the council secretary and the applicant or applicant entity if the federal agency will not approve the application as amended by the council's conditions.

(b) If the requirements of subsection (a)(1) through (3) of the section are not met, then all parties shall treat the council's conditional concurrence as an objection.

§506.27.Council Hearing to Review Federal Agency Activities and Availability of Mediation .

(a) Following referral of a federal agency activity, the council shall consider the public comments received, the relevant CMP goals and policies, information submitted by the federal agency, and other relevant information and determine whether the activity is consistent with the CMP goals and policies.

(b) The council secretary shall, by certified mail or hand delivery, provide notice of the hearing at which the council will review the federal agency activity to the federal agency.

(c) If the council decides to disagree with a consistency determination, the council shall notify the federal agency and the assistant administrator of its decision to disagree with the consistency determination prior to the time, including any extensions, that the federal agency is entitled to presume the activity's consistency under §506.26(e) of this title (relating to Referral of Federal Agency Activities). An affirmative vote of two-thirds of the council members is required for the council to disagree with a consistency determination.

(d) The council's finding that a proposed activity is inconsistent with the CMP goals and policies shall include:

(1) a description of how the proposed activity is inconsistent with specific CMP goals and policies;

(2) a description of any available alternative measures that would permit the proposed activity to be conducted in a manner consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the CMP; and

(3) in cases where the council's finding is based upon the federal agency's failure to supply sufficient information, the council shall include a description of the nature of the information requested and the necessity of having such information to determine the consistency of the federal activity with the CMP.

(e) If the council finds that a proposed activity is inconsistent with the CMP goals and policies and the federal agency does not modify the activity to achieve consistency with the program, the governor, with the assistance of the chair of the council, may seek secretarial mediation (as provided in Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15, Part 930, Subpart G, §§930.110 et seq).

(f) Federal and state agencies shall cooperate in their efforts to monitor federally approved activities in order to make certain that such activities continue to be undertaken in a manner consistent to the extent practicable with the enforceable policies of the CMP.

(g) The council may request that the federal agency take appropriate remedial action following a serious disagreement resulting from a federal agency activity, including those activities where the council's concurrence was presumed, which was:

(1) Previously determined to be consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the CMP goals and policies, but which the council later maintains is being conducted or is having an effect on any coastal use or resource substantially different than originally described and, as a result, is no longer consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the enforceable policies of the CMP; or

(2) Previously determined not to be a federal agency activity affecting any coastal use or resource, but which the council later maintains is being conducted or is having an effect on any coastal use or resource substantially different than originally described and, as a result, the activity affects any coastal use or resource and is not consistent to the maximum extent practicable with the enforceable policies of the CMP. The council's request shall include supporting information and a proposal for recommended remedial action.

(h) If, after a reasonable time following a request for remedial action, the council still maintains that a serious disagreement exists, either party may request the mediation services of the Secretary of the Interior or the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management as provided in Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15, Part 930, Subpart G, §§930.110 et seq.

§506.29.Supplemental Interagency Coordination for Proposed Federal Agency Activities.

(a) For proposed federal agency activities that were previously determined by the council to be consistent with the CMP, but which have not yet begun, federal agencies shall further coordinate with the council and prepare a supplemental consistency determination if the proposed activity will affect any coastal use or resources in a manner substantially different than was reasonably foreseeable when the proposed activity was originally described. Substantially different coastal effects are reasonably foreseeable if:

(1) The federal agency makes substantial changes in the proposed activity that are relevant to the CMP goals and policies; or

(2) There are significant new circumstances or information relevant to the proposed activity and the proposed activity's effect on any coastal use or resource.

(b) The council may notify the federal agency and the Director of proposed activities that the council believes should be subject to supplemental coordination. The council's notification shall include information supporting a finding of substantially different coastal effects than originally described and the relevant CMP goals and policies, and may recommend modifications to the proposed activity (if any) that would allow the federal agency to implement the proposed activity consistent with the CMP. Council notification under this subsection does not remove the requirement under subsection (a) of this section for federal agencies to notify the council when a proposed activity will affect any coastal use or resource in a manner substantially different than originally described.

§506.35.General Concurrence.

The council may develop general concurrences in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15, Part 930, Subpart D, §930.53[ (c) ].

§506.36.Supplemental Coordination for Proposed Federal Agency Actions.

(a) For proposed federal actions that were previously determined by the council to be consistent with the CMP, but which have not yet begun, applicants shall further coordinate with the council and prepare a supplemental consistency certification if the proposed action will affect any coastal use or resources in a manner substantially different than was reasonably foreseeable when the proposed action was originally described. Substantially different coastal effects are reasonably foreseeable if:

(1) The applicant makes substantial changes in the proposed action that are relevant to the CMP goals and policies; or

(2) There are significant new circumstances or information relevant to the proposed action and the proposed action's effect on any coastal use or resource.

(b) The council may notify the applicant, the federal agency, and the Director of proposed actions that the council believes should be subject to supplemental coordination. The council's notification shall include information supporting a finding of substantially different coastal effects than originally described and the relevant CMP goals and policies, and may recommend modifications to the proposed action (if any) that would allow the applicant to implement the proposed activity consistent with the CMP. Council notification under this subsection does not remove the requirement under subsection (a) of this section for applicants to notify the council when a proposed activity will affect any coastal use or resource in a manner substantially different than originally described.

§506.37.Remedial Action for Previously Reviewed Federal Agency Actions.

(a) Federal agencies and the council shall cooperate in their efforts to monitor federal agency actions in order to make certain that such actions continue to conform to both federal and state requirements.

(b) The council shall notify the relevant federal agency representative for the area involved of any federal agency action which the council claims was:

(1) Previously determined to be consistent with the CMP, but which the council later maintains is being conducted or is having an effect on any coastal use or resource substantially different than originally described and, as a result, is no longer consistent with the CMP; or

(2) Previously determined not to be an action affecting any coastal use or resource, but which the council later maintains is being conducted or having coastal effects substantially different than originally described and, as a result, the action affects any coastal use or resource in a manner inconsistent with the CMP.

(c) The council notification shall include:

(1) A description of the implemented activity involved and the alleged lack of compliance with the CMP;

(2) supporting information; and

(3) a request for appropriate remedial action. A copy of the request shall be sent to the applicant and the Director. Remedial actions shall be linked to coastal effects substantially different than originally described.

(d) If, after 30 days following a request for remedial action, the council still maintains that the applicant is failing to comply substantially with the CMP, the council may file a written objection with the Director. If the Director finds that the applicant is conducting an activity that is substantially different from the approved activity, the applicant shall submit an amended or new consistency certification and supporting information to the federal agency and to the council, or comply with the originally approved consistency certification.

(e) An applicant shall be found to be conducting an activity substantially different from the approved activity if the council claims and the Director finds that the activity affects any coastal use or resource substantially different than originally described by the applicant and, as a result, the activity is no longer being conducted in a manner consistent with the CMP goals and policies. The Director may make a finding that an applicant is conducting an activity substantially different from the approved activity only after providing 15 days for the applicant and the federal agency to review the council's objections and to submit comments for the Director's consideration.

§506.45.Failure to Comply Substantially with an Approved OCS Plan.

(a) The Department of the Interior and the council shall cooperate in their efforts to monitor federally licensed or permitted activities described in detail in OCS plans to make certain that such activities continue to conform to both federal and state requirements.

(b) If the council claims that a person is failing substantially to comply with an approved OCS plan subject to the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15, Part 930, Subpart E, §§930.70 - 930.85, and such failure allegedly involves the conduct of activities affecting any coastal use or resource in a manner that is not consistent with the CMP, the council shall transmit its claim to the Minerals Management Service. Such claim shall include: a description of the specific activity involved and the alleged lack of compliance with the OCS plan, and a request for appropriate remedial action. A copy of the claim shall be sent to the person and the Director.

(c) If, after 30 days following a request for remedial action, the council still maintains that the person is failing to comply substantially with the OCS plan, the council may file a written objection with the Director. If the Director finds that the person is failing to comply substantially with the OCS plan, the person shall submit an amended or new OCS plan along with a consistency certification and supporting information to the Secretary of the Interior or designee and to the council. Following such a finding by the Director, the person shall comply with the originally approved OCS plan, or with interim orders issued jointly by the Director and the Minerals Management Service, pending approval of the amended or new OCS plan. The requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15, Part 930, Subpart E, §930.82 (relating to Amended OCS Plans), §930.83 (relating to Review of Amended OCS Plans), and §930.84 (relating to Continuing State Agency Objections) shall apply to further council review of the consistency certification for the amended or new OCS plan.

(d) A person shall be found to have failed substantially to comply with an approved OCS plan if the council claims and the Director finds that one or more of the activities described in detail in the OCS plan which affects any coastal use or resource are being conducted or are having an effect on any coastal use or resource substantially different than originally described by the person in the OCS plan or accompanying information and, as a result, the activities are no longer being conducted in a manner consistent with the CMP. The Director may make a finding that a person has failed substantially to comply with an approved OCS plan only after providing a reasonable opportunity for the person and the Secretary of the Interior to review the council's objection and to submit comments for the Director's consideration.

§506.50.Notice to the Council of Applications for Federal Assistance.

(a) If the state single point of contact receives an application for federal assistance listed in §506.12 of this title (relating to Federal Actions Subject to the Coastal Management Program), the state single point of contact shall provide a copy of such application to the council secretary. If an application for federal assistance is not submitted to the state single point of contact, the entity applying for federal assistance shall provide a copy of such application to the council secretary.

(b) The council secretary shall distribute copies of the applications to all council members.

(c) In addition to the application, the applicant shall provide the council a brief evaluation on the relationship of the proposed activity to the CMP goals and policies and an evaluation of any reasonably foreseeable coastal effects.

§506.52.Council Hearing to Review Applications for Federal Assistance.

(a) Following referral of an application for federal assistance, the council shall review and either concur with or object to the application for federal assistance[ within the schedule established in the regulations governing the Texas Review and Comment System (1 TAC §§5.191 et seq, concerning Introduction and General Provisions of Texas Review and Comment System) ].

(b) The council secretary shall, by certified mail or hand delivery, provide notice of the hearing at which the council will review the application for federal assistance to the applicant, the federal agency, and the assistant administrator.

(c) The council's objection shall include:

(1) a description of how the proposed activity is inconsistent with specific CMP goals and policies;

(2) a description of any available alternative measures that would permit the proposed activity to be conducted in a manner consistent with the CMP;

(3) in cases where the council objects on the grounds of insufficient information, a description of the nature of the information requested and the necessity of having such information to determine the consistency of the activity with the CMP; and

(4) a statement informing the applicant of a right of appeal to the secretary of commerce on the grounds that the proposed activity is consistent with the objectives or purposes of the Coastal Zone Management Act or is necessary in the interest of national security as provided in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15, Part 930, Subpart H, §§930.120 et seq.

(d) If the council objects to an application for federal assistance, the federal agency shall not approve assistance for the activity, except as provided in the appeals process established in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 15, Part 930, Subpart H, §§930.120 et seq.

§506.53.Supplemental Coordination for Federal Assistance Activities.

(a) For federal assistance activities that were previously determined by the council to be consistent with the CMP, but which have not yet begun, the applicant entity shall further coordinate with the council if the proposed activity will affect any coastal use or resources in a manner substantially different than was reasonably foreseeable when the proposed activity was originally described. Substantially different coastal effects are reasonably foreseeable if:

(1) The applicant entity makes substantial changes in the proposed activity that are relevant to the CMP goals and policies; or

(2) There are significant new circumstances or information relevant to the proposed activity and the proposed activity's effect on any coastal use or resource.

(b) The council may notify the applicant entity, the federal agency, and the Director of proposed activities that the council believes should be subject to supplemental coordination. The council's notification shall include information supporting a finding of substantially different coastal effects than originally described and the relevant CMP goals and policies, and may recommend modifications to the proposed activity (if any) that would allow the applicant entity to implement the proposed activity consistent with the CMP. Council notification under this subsection does not remove the requirement under subsection (a) of this section for applicant entities to notify the council when a proposed activity will affect any coastal use or resource in a manner substantially different than originally described.

§506.54.Remedial Action for Previously Reviewed Federal Assistance Activities.

(a) Federal agencies and the council shall cooperate in their efforts to monitor federal assistance activities in order to make certain that such activities continue to conform to both federal and state requirements.

(b) The council shall notify the relevant federal agency representative for the area involved of any federal assistance activity which the council claims was:

(1) Previously determined to be consistent with the CMP goals and policies, but which the council later maintains is being conducted or is having an effect on any coastal use or resource substantially different than originally described and, as a result, is no longer consistent with the CMP goals and policies; or

(2) Previously determined not to be a project affecting any coastal use or resource, but which the council later maintains is being conducted or is having an effect on any coastal use or resource substantially different than originally described and, as a result the project affects a coastal use or resource in a manner inconsistent with the CMP goals and policies.

(c) The council notification shall include:

(1) A description of the activity involved and the alleged lack of compliance with the CMP goals and policies;

(2) supporting information; and

(3) a request for appropriate remedial action. A copy of the request shall be sent to the applicant agency and the Director.

(d) If, after 30 days following a request for remedial action, the council still maintains that the applicant entity is failing to comply substantially with the CMP goals and policies, the council may file a written objection with the Director. If the Director finds that the applicant entity is conducting an activity that is substantially different from the approved activity, the council may reinitiate its review of the activity, or the applicant entity may conduct the activity as it was originally approved.

(e) An applicant entity shall be found to be conducting an activity substantially different from the approved activity if the council claims and the Director finds that the activity affects any coastal use or resource substantially different than originally determined by the council and, as a result, the activity is no longer being conducted in a manner consistent with the CMP goals and policies. The Director may make a finding that an applicant entity is conducting an activity substantially different from the approved activity only after providing a reasonable opportunity for the applicant entity and the federal agency to review the council's objection and to submit comments for the Director's consideration.

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 January 11, 2002.

TRD-200200135

Larry R. Soward

Chief Clerk, General Land Office

Coastal Coordination Council

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 24, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-9129