Texas Administrative Code Title 31 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION
The Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Title 31 is dedicated to Natural Resources and Conservation. It encompasses regulations governing the management, protection, and use of Texas's diverse natural resources. This title is extensive and involves numerous state agencies, each responsible for specific aspects of natural resource management.
Key Agencies and Their Responsibilities within Title 31:
Title 31 is divided into various "Parts," with each part typically corresponding to a state agency or board. Here are some of the major ones and the areas they cover:
Part 1 - GENERAL LAND OFFICE (GLO):
Land Management: Rules related to the administration, surveying, and management of state-owned lands, including submerged lands.
Mineral Resources: Regulations for the exploration and leasing of state oil, gas, and other minerals.
Coastal Protection: Rules concerning coastal area planning, protection, oil spill prevention and response, and the Texas Coastal Management Program (CMP). This includes issues like beach cleaning, coastal barriers, and critical erosion areas.
Alamo Complex: Specific duties related to the preservation and maintenance of the Alamo complex.
Part 2 - TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT (TPWD):
Wildlife Management: Regulations for hunting, fishing, and the conservation of various wildlife species.
Fisheries: Rules concerning marine and freshwater fisheries, including oysters, shrimp, and finfish.
Parks and Recreation: Management of state parks and recreational areas.
Law Enforcement: Rules related to game wardens and enforcement of wildlife and park regulations.
Enhanced Contract Monitoring: Procedures for identifying contracts requiring enhanced monitoring to ensure efficient use of public funds.
Part 4 - SCHOOL LAND BOARD:
Manages and oversees the Permanent School Fund lands, which generate revenue for public education in Texas.
Part 5 - BOARDS FOR LEASE OF STATE-OWNED LANDS:
Regulations for leasing state lands for various purposes.
Part 9 - ON-SITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL:
Focuses on research and regulations related to on-site wastewater treatment systems.
Part 10 - TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD (TWDB):
Water Planning and Development: Rules for water resource planning, financial assistance for water projects, and the administration of state water funds (e.g., State Water Implementation Fund for Texas - SWIFT).
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF): Memoranda of Understanding and regulations related to providing financial assistance for public drinking water systems.
Part 16 - COASTAL COORDINATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
Works to coordinate coastal management efforts among various state agencies.
Part 17 - TEXAS STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION BOARD:
Promotes soil and water conservation practices across the state.
Part 18 - TEXAS GROUNDWATER PROTECTION COMMITTEE:
Addresses issues related to groundwater quality and protection.
Part 19 - TEXAS ALTERNATIVE FUELS COUNCIL:
Deals with policies and regulations concerning alternative fuels.
Part 21 - TEXAS LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL COMPACT COMMISSION:
Governs the disposal of low-level radioactive waste in Texas.
Accessing Title 31:
The official and most up-to-date source for the Texas Administrative Code is the Texas Secretary of State's website. You can typically navigate by title, part, and chapter. Legal research platforms like Justia and Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute (LII) also provide access to the TAC.
Recent Amendments (as of July 2025):
While specific amendments can be quite detailed and numerous, recent trends in Title 31 often involve:
Updates to contract monitoring and administrative procedures: Agencies like TPWD are regularly updating rules related to contract oversight and internal administrative processes, often in response to legislative requirements or agency reviews. For example, TPWD recently amended 31 TAC §51.61 concerning enhanced contract monitoring to provide more flexibility in considering factors for enhanced oversight.
Refinements to natural resource management: Ongoing adjustments to hunting, fishing, and wildlife regulations based on biological data, conservation goals, and public input.
Coastal management updates: Changes related to coastal protection, erosion control, and consistency with federal coastal management programs.
Water resource planning and funding: Amendments to rules governing water development projects, loans, and grants through the Texas Water Development Board, reflecting evolving water needs and infrastructure priorities.
Addressing new legislative mandates: The Texas Legislature often passes new laws impacting natural resources, requiring agencies to adopt or amend rules in Title 31 to implement these mandates.
For precise and current information on any specific chapter or section, it is always recommended to consult the official Texas Secretary of State website or the respective agency's website for the most recently adopted rules and any proposed changes.
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