launch market · TX

Texas regulatory stack

Edwards Aquifer, TCEQ, oil & gas, coastal

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What makes Texas different

›Edwards Aquifer Recharge & Contributing Zones — TCEQ pre-construction WPAP/CZP required before any regulated activity on >1 acre of disturbance.
›No state wetland program — §404 goes straight to USACE (Galveston, Fort Worth, Albuquerque, or Tulsa districts depending on locale).
›TPWD Natural Diversity Database for state-listed species; Karst invertebrate critical habitat (USFWS) is unavoidable in the Austin–San Antonio corridor.
›Railroad Commission jurisdiction over oil & gas, produced water, and pipeline ROW — not TCEQ.
›Coastal Management Program (Texas GLO) for projects seaward of the coastal boundary.
›Austin SOS / Save Our Springs Ordinance imposes net-zero loading inside Barton Springs recharge.

Sample parcel

30.2672°N, 97.7431°W

South MoPac corridor, Austin, TX 78745 · 38.6 acres · SF-2 w/ SOS overlay (Drinking Water Protection Zone)

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Layers

Regulations (7)

TX-EAPP-WPAP

highTexas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

Water Pollution Abatement Plan (Recharge Zone)

Any construction activity disturbing ≥1 acre on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone requires a TCEQ-approved WPAP before ground-breaking. Covers BMPs, sealing of sensitive features (caves, fractures, sinkholes), and post-construction water-quality controls.

Citation: 30 TAC §213.5
Triggered by: Parcel overlaps Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone — Barton Springs segment
Timeline: 60–120 days
Typical cost: $1,550 application fee + geologic assessment
Permit path: WPAP application → geologic assessment → TCEQ review (60–120 days) → pre-construction inspection
Source: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/eapp

TX-SOS

highCity of Austin Watershed Protection

Austin Save Our Springs Ordinance

Impervious cover cap of 15–25% and net-zero increase in pollutant loading inside the Barton Springs Zone. Stricter than state rules.

Citation: Austin City Code §25-8-511
Triggered by: Parcel inside Barton Springs Zone with proposed IC > 15%
Timeline: 90–180 days
Permit path: SOS water-quality plan → Watershed Protection review → City Council variance if above cap
Source: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances

ESA-7-KARST

highUSFWS Austin Ecological Services

ESA §7 — Karst Invertebrates

Nine federally listed karst invertebrates (Bone Cave harvestman, Tooth Cave spider, etc.) have designated critical habitat across Travis and Williamson counties. Any federal nexus triggers consultation.

Citation: 16 U.S.C. §1536; 50 CFR §17
Triggered by: Parcel within designated critical habitat for Tooth Cave ground beetle (Rhadine persephone)
Timeline: 12–24 months for HCP
Permit path: Karst survey → Habitat Conservation Plan → §10(a)(1)(B) Incidental Take Permit (12–24 months)
Source: https://www.fws.gov/office/austin-ecological-services

TX-TXR150000

mediumTCEQ (EPA-delegated NPDES)

TPDES Construction General Permit

Sites disturbing ≥1 acre must file an NOI under TXR150000 and maintain a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWP3) until final stabilization.

Citation: 30 TAC §305 (TXR150000)
Triggered by: Disturbed acreage 38.6 > 1.0 threshold
Timeline: 10–15 days to NOI coverage
Typical cost: $150 annual fee
Permit path: NOI via STEERS portal → SWP3 on file → quarterly inspections
Source: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/stormwater/construction

TX-RRC-SWR32

lowTexas Railroad Commission

Statewide Rule 32 — Flaring & Venting

Flaring of associated gas limited to 10 days without an exception. Tighter rules pending for the Permian under SWR-32 amendments.

Citation: 16 TAC §3.32
Triggered by: Active oil & gas lease intersects parcel (check with RRC GIS viewer)
Permit path: Form R-32 exception → district office review
Source: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/applications-and-permits/

TX-CMP

lowTexas GLO + NOAA

Coastal Management Program Consistency

Projects inside the coastal zone (18 counties from Orange to Cameron) require a federal consistency review under CZMA §307.

Citation: 31 TAC §501; 16 U.S.C. §1456
Triggered by: Parcel within CMP boundary (not applicable for Austin sample)
Permit path: Consistency determination bundled with §404 or other federal permit
Source: https://www.glo.texas.gov/coast/coastal-management/index.html

TX-ACT

mediumTexas Historical Commission

Antiquities Code of Texas

Projects on state or political-subdivision land require Texas Historical Commission review of archaeological/historic resources — separate from federal §106.

Citation: Tex. Nat. Res. Code §191
Triggered by: Public land or public funding present
Permit path: Antiquities Permit → THC review → mitigation MOA
Source: https://www.thc.texas.gov/preserve/projects-and-programs/archeology

Authoritative sources

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