TCEQ renews quarry permit and expands coverage to new scenic riverway under HB1688

TCEQ staff presented the 2025 renewal and amendment of the quarries and certain water quality protection areas general permit, TXG-500000, which updates applicability to a newly expanded pilot program for scenic riverways.

Monica Garcia, a promoter with the stormwater team, said the renewal replaces the prior John Graves Quarry general permit and was presented and adopted at the commissioner's agenda on Jan. 16, 2025. She said existing permittees on administrative continuance will have 90 days from the permit's effective date to submit renewal applications.

Why it matters: The renewal implements House Bill 1688, which amended Texas Water Code chapter 26 subchapter M to expand the pilot program that originally established protections for the John Graves Scenic Riverway in the Brazos River Basin to include a second water quality protection area in the Colorado River Basin.

Major changes: Monica said the permit's title was changed to "quarries and certain water quality protection areas general permit." It adds a definition for the Coke Stephenson Scenic Riverway and modifies the definition of water quality protection areas to include the new area. Permit applicability language was modified to cover quarries in the new scenic riverway and to expand permitting and financial-assurance requirements for those quarries. The pilot program's expiration was adjusted to Sept. 1, 2027.

Discussion vs. decision: staff reported the renewal process timeline and legislative drivers; the renewal was adopted by the commission on Jan. 16, 2025 and staff asked stakeholders to submit questions via the meeting chat.

Ending: Monica invited questions and said staff would respond to chat submissions.