Texas Administrative Code
Title 30 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Part 1 - TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Chapter 220 - REGIONAL ASSESSMENTS OF WATER QUALITY
Subchapter A - PROGRAM FOR MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY BY WATERSHED AND RIVER BASIN
Section 220.1 - Purpose and Scope

(a) The purpose of this chapter is to establish procedures for the implementation of the Texas Clean Rivers Program under Texas Water Code (TWC), §26.0135, which commission program monitors and assesses water quality conditions that support water quality management decisions necessary to maintain and improve the quality of the state's water resources (as defined in TWC, §26.001(5)). The commission has the responsibility of ensuring that regional monitoring and assessments of water quality by watershed and river basin shall be conducted by the river authorities and designated local governments that have entered into cooperative agreements with the commission, or by the commission where a river authority does not exist or is unwilling to participate. Whenever feasible the monitoring and assessment will be the result of a cooperative partnership between river authorities, designated local governments, other political subdivisions, other state agencies, and the commission to provide the commission and other state agencies, river authorities, and local governments with sufficient information to take appropriate corrective action necessary to meet the goals of the TWC. The regional water quality monitoring and assessment program shall be designed to allow citizens and private organizations opportunities for involvement in protecting the state's water resources. The monitoring program shall provide data to identify significant, long-term water quality trends, characterize water quality conditions, support the wastewater discharge permitting process including support for the total maximum daily load process as necessary, and classify unclassified streams. The assessments must include a review of wastewater discharges, nonpoint source pollution, nutrient loading, toxic materials, biological health of aquatic life, public education and involvement in water quality issues, local and regional pollution prevention efforts, and other factors that affect water quality within the watershed.

(b) A river authority or designated local government shall be eligible for reimbursement of the actual costs of administration of the Texas Clean Rivers Program and implementation of the provisions of this chapter. The schedule and amount of any reimbursement shall be based on an equitable apportionment among basins. The allocation procedure shall be reviewed periodically and may be adjusted to reflect results of contractor evaluations, to address emerging issues, or to focus on problem areas identified in the water quality assessments.