TCEQ overturns Executive Director’s issuance of Travis County TLAP permit after procedural omission

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality voted to overturn the Executive Director’s earlier issuance of a Texas land application permit (TLAP) for Travis County Water Control and Improvement District No. 17 (WQ001-387-8001) and remanded the matter to the Executive Director for further processing.

Michael Parr (Water Quality Division) explained on behalf of the Executive Director that the September 30, 2025 notice and the permit issuance had been processed in error. Parr said a required step in the public participation process was inadvertently omitted and a timely comment from the City of Austin had been deemed untimely, which meant the draft permit issuance did not comply with TCEQ rules or the Texas Administrative Procedure Act. "Therefore, the draft permit's issuance does not comply with TCEQ rules, and the decision to approve the application and issue the draft permit should be overturned so that the ED may continue processing the application according to the TCEQ rules," Parr stated.

Garrett Arthur (OPIC/Public Interest Counsel) concurred with the ED and recommended the Commission grant the ED’s motion to overturn. Commissioners agreed the issuance should be overturned and remanded the matter to the Executive Director to continue processing in accordance with TCEQ rules; the motion passed by voice vote.

What happens next: The Executive Director’s office will continue processing the application, ensuring required public-participation steps are completed and comments are properly recorded.