David Abbott, in cooperation with Peter Dohms and John Berry, on behalf of the AIPG, asked its members to select one of ten statements that summarized a view about climate range. The range of statements varied from climate alarmist through those denying that humans have any effect on climate change to those with no opinion at all. Those summarizing statements were:
The TCEQ has updated the Texas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP) Tier 1 Protective Concentration Levels (PCLs). You can access these tables at: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/remediation/trrp/trrppcls.html
The Railroad Commission of Texas proposes amendments to §3.40, relating to Assignment of Acreage to Pooled Development and Proration Units. The amendments are proposed to allow the same surface acreage to be assigned to more than one well in an unconventional fracture treated (UFT) field when mineral ownership is severed at different depths below the surface.
The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) adopts amendments to 22 TAC §§851.20, 851.22, 851.23, 851.40, and 851.41, concerning the licensure and regulation of Professional Geoscientists in Texas, and also adopts the repeal of 22 TAC §851.24, concerning references. The amendments and repeal are adopted to comply with statutory changes to Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1002, the Texas Geoscience Practice Act (the Act). These amended rules and the repeal are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the July 12, 2019, issue of the Texas Register (44 TexReg 3516), and will not be republished. These changes remove the requirements for references for various applications and waivers, relying on work experience instead.
For more information go to: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/te
One-Day Symposium
Successful Independents’ “Tools for the Modern Explorationists”
To be Held on Wednesday, October 30th, 2019
8:00 a.m.- Registration
8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. – Program
5:00 -7:00 p.m. – Networking Session
Martin University Center, Texas Wesleyan University
1201 Wesleyan Street, Fort Worth, TX 76105
Interested in learning about become an independent geologist or starting a privately funded company?
The TCEQ’s Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) Program has released updates for two important resources. These resources should be used, as appropriate, for Texas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP) submittals with an ecological component.
Aquatic Life Surface Water Benchmark Tables
The aquatic life surface water benchmark tables have been updated and are available on the TCEQ website. These tables can be found at any of the following links:
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) adopts amended §7.119 without changes to the proposed text as published in the April 12, 2019, issue of the Texas Register (44 TexReg 1813). This rule-making will adopt by reference updates to the commission’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) regarding TCEQ environmental reviews of TxDOT highway (transportation) projects. The updates are required to implement the following statutes and legislation:
Texas Transportation Code, §201.607(a) requires TxDOT and each state agency that is responsible for the protection of the natural environment, which includes the TCEQ, to revise their MOU that relates to the review of the potential environmental effect of a highway project. Texas Transportation Code, §201.607(b) requires TxDOT and the TCEQ to adopt, by rule, all revisions to the MOU. TxDOT and the TCEQ have negotiated updated MOU language. TxDOT adopted the updated MOU in 43 TAC Chapter 2, Subchapter I on February 28, 2019, the rules became effective on March 20, 2019. This rulemaking adopts by reference 43 TAC §§2.301 – 2.308. For more information go to: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/August162019/Adopted%20Rules/30.ENVIRONMENTAL%20QUALITY.html#80
Texas Water Code, Section 26.406 requires the annual report to describe the current status of groundwater monitoring activities conducted or required by each agency at regulated facilities or associated with regulated activities. The report is required to contain a description of each case of groundwater contamination documented during the previous calendar year. Also to be included, is a description of each case of contamination documented during previous periods for which voluntary clean up action was incomplete at the time the preceding report was issued. The report is also required to indicate the status of enforcement action for each listed case. The latest report can be found at: Joint Groundwater Monitoring and Contamination Report 2018, SFR-056/18
The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) proposes amendments concerning the licensure and regulation of Professional Geoscientists in Texas. TheTBPG proposes to repeal 22 TAC §851.24, and proposes amendments to 22 TAC §§851.20, 851.22, 851.23, 851.40, and 851.41, to comply with statutory changes to Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1002, the Texas Geoscience Practice Act (the Act) by the 86th Legislature (2019) when they enacted HB 1311, which amended the Act, effective September 1, 2019. The TBPG now proposes changes to its rules to implement the statutory changes. The proposed repeal and amendments will implement the statutory removal of the requirement that applicants for a P.G. license submit references, and the removal of the statutory requirement that P.G. applications be notarized. Proposed amendments will also remove the reference requirement for applicants seeking certification as Geoscientists-in-Training to be consistent with the requirements for P.G. applicants. The amendments also re-number the subsections accordingly. For more information go to: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/July122019/Proposed%20Rules/22.EXAMINING%20BOARDS.html#46
The State Legislature is now out of session. Bills that have been passed and are awaiting the Governor’s decision are listed below, along with their current status. New information is listed in bold (3 signed by the Governor and 1 becomes effective without his signature). All will take effect on 9/1/2019):
HB 720, by Larson and Guillen, Relating to appropriations of water for use in aquifer storage and recovery projects. Sent to the Governor, 5/26/2019. https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=86R&Bill=HB720
