Rima Petrossian, Ph.D., P.G., C.P.G., Manager of the Groundwater Technical Assistance Group of the Texas Water Development Board and her team just released: Texas Water Development Board Groundwater Management Report 17-01; TWDB Trans-Border Aquifers Report: A Summary of Aquifer Properties, Policies, and Planning Approaches for Texas, Surrounding States, and Mexico (here). Dr. Petrossian also serves as Vice President – Western Texas, of the American Institute of Professional Geologists.
Groundwater in Texas is a valuable natural resource shared with eight national and international states: New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana, in the United States; and Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila de Zaragoza, and Chihuahua, in Mexico. Of the 30 Texas aquifers that provide groundwater, 23 are shared with one or more other states. Internationally, Mexico and Texas share four major aquifers and three minor aquifers, based on the Texas definition of aquifers.
The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) proposes amendments to §851.10 and §851.30 to clarify the definition and role of an “Authorized Official of a Firm” (AOF).
Proposed amendments to §851.80 amend language to establish a proctored review of a Texas Geophysics Examination for a fee, and provide a reduction of the renewal fee to half price for a person who has a medical disability.
Proposed amendments to §851.20 clarify that an applicant who is not a citizen of the United States must provide a copy of a VISA or a Social Security Number.
Proposed amendments to §851.23 provide an alternate process for applicants who cannot provide a professional reference to verify qualifying work experience.
The State Legislature is now out of session. Two of the bills we’ve been following were passed and the Governor has vetoed both of them:
HB 2377, by Larson and Lucio III, Relating to the development of brackish groundwater. A landowner may drill and operate a well for a single-family dwelling, a landowner may drill and operate a well if, among other things, the well is used only for outdoor watering of landscape plantings on the property. 6/15/2017 Vetoed by the Governor. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB2377
SB 1525, by Perry, Relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of water needs and availability in this state. 6/15/2017 Vetoed by the Governor. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=SB1525
Gov. Greg Abbott signed the Railroad Commission’s Sunset Bill, House Bill 1818 (HB 1818) into law May 22, 2017 reauthorizing the RRC for 12 more years until Sept. 1, 2029. The bill also provides the agency with the authority to assess pipeline safety fees to support its pipeline safety regulatory program; jurisdiction over preventing interstate pipeline damage and a mandate to publish an annual oil and gas monitoring report.
Under this legislation, the RRC’s Oil & Gas Division is directed to develop and publish an oil and gas monitoring strategic annual plan each fiscal year to ensure the agency’s resources are used to protect public safety and the environment. The RRC is directed to publish this report on its website by July 1, 2017 preceding each state fiscal year.
The State Legislature is still in session. The following is a list of bills of potential interest to geologists. There are no new bills of interest this week. New information is listed in bold:
House Bills
HB 484, by Spring, Relating to training required to qualify for or renew a license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The TCEQ must provide a location within 100 miles of the place of employment of a person who is required to receive the training, reimbursement for travel and lodging expenses incurred if training isn’t available within 100 miles, or online training. 3/14/2017 Left pending in committee. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB484
The State Legislature is still in session. The following is a list of bills of potential interest to geologists.
There are no new bills of interest this week. New information is listed in bold:
HB 484, by Spring, Relating to training required to qualify for or renew a license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The TCEQ must provide a location within 100 miles of the place of employment of a person who is required to receive the training, reimbursement for travel and lodging expenses incurred if training isn’t available within 100 miles, or online training. 3/14/2017 Left pending in committee. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB484
HB 815, by Burkett, Dale, Rick Miller, and Paul, Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. “Before adopting an environmental rule, the commission shall conduct a regulatory analysis that considers the costs and environmental effects and benefits expected to result from implementation of and compliance with the rule.” 3/14/2017 Withdrawn from schedule. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB815
The State Legislature is still in session.
The following is a list of bills of potential interest to geologists.
There are no new bills of interest this week. New information is listed in bold:
HB 484, by Spring, Relating to training required to qualify for or renew a license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The TCEQ must provide a location within 100 miles of the place of employment of a person who is required to receive the training, reimbursement for travel and lodging expenses incurred if training isn’t available within 100 miles, or online training. 3/14/2017 Left pending in committee. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB484
HB 815, by Burkett, Dale, Rick Miller, and Paul, Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. “Before adopting an environmental rule, the commission shall conduct a regulatory analysis that considers the costs and environmental effects and benefits expected to result from implementation of and compliance with the rule.” 3/14/2017 Withdrawn from schedule. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB815
According to Academia.edu, as of this date, the publication has been reached by 1,000 interested persons through that venue in the Houston area and in counties up and down the Gulf Coast, but also including Arizona, and California where similar problems exist, and in some 48 countries, including China, Russia, India, many African countries and others where over-pumping of groundwater from unconsolidated and consolidated sediments exist along with similar geological conditions where growth faulting is a dominant structural feature within soft sediments.
PreambleMembers of The American Institute of Professional Geologists are dedicated to personal integrity and professional conduct. The Institute’s Code of Ethics comprises three parts:
The AIPG Canons: Are broad principles of conduct;
The AIPG Ethical Standards: Are goals to which Members aspire; and
