2000 Texas Surface Water Quality Standards
Information about the 2000 revision of the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards and how they are approved, and links to previous versions including supporting documents.
On this page:
TCEQ Adopted Revisions in 2000
On July 26, 2000, the Commission of Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission (now TCEQ) adopted revisions to the 1997 Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (TSWQS), as codified by rule in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 30, Chapter 307. The 2000 TSWQS became effective as a state rule on August 17, 2000.
TCEQ submitted the 2000 TSWQS revisions and supporting documentation to EPA for review and approval on October 4, 2000. EPA provides notice to TCEQ whenever approval or other actions are taken on portions of the revised standards. EPA must approve the 2000 TSWQS before they may be used in federal permitting programs and for other Clean Water Act purposes.
TCEQ uses provisions from the 1997 and subsequent revisions of the TSWQS in administering its federal permitting programs, depending on which provisions from each revision year EPA has approved. The section below links to documentation of what actions EPA has taken for the 2000 revision. If EPA either disapproves or is still reviewing a portion of the TSWQS, the language of the prior revision year remains in effect for federally-delegated permit programs such as the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES).
Back to topEPA Actions Regarding the 2000 TSWQS
EPA Review Process
EPA must approve the 2000 TSWQS before TCEQ may use them for federal permitting programs and other Clean Water Act (CWA) purposes. State TSWQS become effective for CWA purposes on the date of EPA approval.
EPA did not take action on the state's proposed 2000 TSWQS in total. Instead, it reviewed and acted upon them over time. As it completes its review, EPA sends letters to TCEQ documenting what it approves, disapproves, or on which it takes no action.
TCEQ uses provisions from the 1997 and subsequent revisions of the TSWQS in administering its federal permitting programs, depending on which provisions from each revision year EPA has approved. A webpage for each TSWQS revision year describes what actions EPA has taken for that revision and what items are still pending EPA action. If EPA either disapproves or is still reviewing a portion of the TSWQS, the language of the prior revision year remains in effect for CWA purposes.
Timeline of EPA Action
The EPA Timeline of Approval of the TSWQS summarizes the dates on which the EPA notified the TCEQ of its decisions and the subjects of those decisions.
Letters Documenting the EPA's 2000 TSWQS Decisions
The following letters document the EPA's decisions on specific provisions of the 2000 TSWQS:
Final EPA Actions Regarding the 2000 TSWQS
EPA completed its final action on all revisions to the 2000 TSWQS in October 2009. Because EPA took no action or disapproved portions of the 2000 TSWQS revisions, the temperature criterion listed in Appendix A for the Comal River (Segment 1811) in the 1997 TSWQS remains in effect for any federally-delegated permit programs. For more information on more recent revisions to the TSWQS, see our Texas Surface Water Quality Standards webpage. For all non-federal programs, the most current adopted revision of the TSWQS is in effect.
- Portions of the 2000 TSWQS on which EPA has acted and the action date, including EPA’s Timeline of Approval of the 2000 TSWQS
- Provisions of the 2000 TSWQS not approved by EPA : for portions of the 1997 TSWQS that are still applicable for federal permits administered by TCEQ because 1) EPA disapproved a new or revised item in the 2000 TSWQS or 2) EPA has stated it will not take action on an item in the 2000 TSWQS.
The 2000 TSWQS and Associated Documents
- Final 2000 Texas Surface Water Quality Standards, Chapter 307 Rule Amendment
- Executive Summary of Rule Amendment Proposal
-
Final Preamble to Chapter 307 Proposed Rule Amendment
The preamble describes the Texas Surface Water Quality Standards rule amendment the commission adopted, provides other information required under state law, and includes a detailed response to all public comments.
Contact the Water Quality Standards Program
For more information, or to suggest topics for meetings, please e-mail standards@tceq.texas.gov, call the Water Quality Planning Division at 512-239-6682, or send mail to TCEQ, Water Quality Planning Division, MC-234, PO Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087.