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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) published the final rule in the Federal Register for the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR), which codifies the definition of waters of the United States (WOUS) subject to federal regulation under the Clean Water Act (CWA). This final rule comes after numerous Supreme Court decisions over the last few decades; the publishing and eventual revocation of an Obama-era rule defining WOUS, and the publication and comment period of the draft rule of the NWPR. The rule will go into effect June 22, 2020; however, there is a high likelihood the rule will be litigated and may not go into effect on the stated date with litigation likely extending into the next presidential term.

According to the NWPR, “as a baseline concept, this final rule recognizes that waters of the United States are waters within the ordinary meaning of the term, such as oceans, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, and that not all waters are waters of the United States.” The NWPR defines WOUS in four different categories:

  1. Territorial Seas and Traditional Navigable Waters;
  2. Perennial and Intermittent Tributaries
  3. Certain Lakes, Ponds, and Impoundments of Jurisdictional Waters; and
  4. Wetlands Adjacent to other Jurisdictional Waters

The NWPR also defines “Waters and Features That are Not Waters of the United States.”

Summaries of the four different categories for WOUS as defined in the NWPR are summarized below. Please note that these summaries are not exhaustive and certain details have not been included for brevity:

Territorial Seas and Traditional Navigable Waters

The territorial seas, and waters which are currently used, or were used in the past, or may be susceptible to use in interstate or foreign commerce, including waters which are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide. The boundary of these waters extends to the lateral extent of the ordinary high water mark or high tide line.

The ordinary high water mark is defined as “that line on the shore established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical characteristics such as a clear, natural line impressed on the bank, shelving, changes in the character of soil, destruction of terrestrial vegetation, the presence of litter and debris, or other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding areas.”

Perennial and Intermittent Tributaries

Perennial tributaries are defined as tributaries (e.g. rivers, streams, or similarly naturally occurring surface water channels) having surface water flowing continuously year-round. Intermittent tributaries are defined as having surface water flowing continuously during certain times of the year and more than in direct response to precipitation. These tributaries must contribute surface flow to the territorial seas or traditionally navigable waters in a typical year either through one or more tributaries, lakes, ponds, and impoundments of jurisdictional waters, or adjacent wetlands. The boundary of these waters extends to the lateral extent of the ordinary high water mark or high tide line.

These tributaries do not lose jurisdiction if modified or if they contribute surface water flow to a downstream jurisdictional water in a typical year through channelized non-jurisdictional water features, through a subterranean river, culvert, dam, tunnel, or similar artificial feature, or through a debris pile, boulder field, or similar natural features. A typical year is defined as when precipitation and other climatic variables are within the normal periodic range (e.g., seasonally, annually) for the geographic area of the applicable aquatic resource based on a rolling thirty-year period.

Certain Lakes, Ponds, and Impoundments of Jurisdictional Waters

A lake, pond, or impoundment of jurisdictional waters is a WOUS if it is a traditional navigable water; contributes surface flow to the territorial seas or a traditionally navigable water in a typical year either directly or through one or more jurisdictional waters; or is inundated by flooding from the territorial seas or traditionally navigable waters, perennial or intermittent tributaries, or lakes and ponds and impoundments of jurisdictional waters in a typical year. These waters do not lose their jurisdictional status if they contribute surface water flow to a downstream jurisdictional water in a typical year through a channelized non-jurisdictional surface water feature, through a culvert, dike, spillway, or similar artificial feature, or through a debris pile, boulder field, or similar natural feature.

Wetlands Adjacent to other Jurisdictional Waters

Wetlands continue to be defined as “those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.” Wetlands continue to be identified by using the 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual and its regional supplements.

Wetlands are considered jurisdictional when they are adjacent to any of the three previously described types of WOUS. Wetlands are considered adjacent to those WOUS when they abut, meaning to touch at least one point or side of a WOUS; are inundated by flooding from a previously described WOUS in a typical year; are physically separated from a WOUS only by a natural berm, bank, dune, or similar natural features; or are physically separated from a previously described WOUS in a typical year by a dike, barrier, or similar artificial feature as long as that structure allows for a direct hydrologic connection between the previously described WOUS in a typical year, such as a culvert, flood or tide gate, pump, or similar artificial feature. An adjacent wetland is jurisdictional in its entirety when a road or similar artificial structure divides the wetland, as long as the structure allows for a direct hydrologic surface connection through or over that structure in a typical year.

Waters and Features That are Not Waters of the United States.

The following are not WOUS:

  1. Waters or water features not previously identified as WOUS;
  2. Groundwater, including groundwater drained through subsurface drainage systems;
  3. Ephemeral features, including ephemeral stream, swales, gullies, rills, and pools, where ephemeral is defined as surface water flowing of pooling only in direct response to precipitation;
  4. Diffuse stormwater run-off and directional sheet flow over upland;
  5. Ditches that are not territorial seas, traditionally navigable waters, or perennial or ephemeral tributaries, or constructed in non-adjacent wetlands. Ditches are defined as a constructed or excavated channel used to convey water;
  6. Prior converted cropland, where prior converted cropland mean any area that, prior to December 23, 1985, was drained or otherwise manipulated for the purpose, or having the effect, or making production of an agricultural product possible, as long as the area has not been abandoned and returned to a wetland condition, which can occur in five years;
  7. Artificially irrigated areas; including fields flooded for agricultural production, that would revert to upland should application of irrigation water to that area cease;
  8. Artificial lakes and ponds, including water storage reservoirs and farm, irrigation, stock watering, and log cleaning ponds, constructed or excavated in upland or in non-jurisdictional waters, so long as those artificial lakes and ponds are not impoundments of WOUS;
  9. Water-filled depressions constructed or excavated in upland or in non-jurisdictional waters incidental to mining or construction activity, and pits excavated in upland or in non-jurisdictional waters for the purpose of obtaining fill, sand, or gravel;
  10. Stormwater control features constructed or excavated in upland or in non-jurisdictional waters to convey, treat, infiltrate, or store stormwater run-off;
  11. Groundwater recharge, water reuse, and wastewater recycling structures, including detention, retention, and infiltration basins and ponds, constructed or excavated in upland or in non-jurisdictional waters; and
  12. Waste treatment systems.

Uplands are non-jurisdictional and are defined as any land area that under normal circumstances does not satisfy all three wetland factors (i.e., hydrology, hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils) required to classify an area as wetland, and, does not lie below the ordinary high water mark or the high tide line of a jurisdictional water.

The image below has been provided by the EPA as examples of aquatic features that no longer qualify as Waters of the U.S.

 

 

 

Posted by: In: EPA 25 Jul 2018 0 comments

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared Bexar County as a “marginal nonattainment” area. This designation is the lowest level of nonattainment classification possible. San Antonio was previously deemed in attainment. Seven other neighboring counties including Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina, and Wilson are still classified as attainment/unclassifiable.

Nonattainment status is determined by the EPA according to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of the Clean Air Act. In 2015, the standards were lowered by the Obama administration from 75 parts-per-billion (ppb) to 70 ppb. San Antonio currently measures at 73 ppb.

Andrew Wheeler, Acting EPA Administrator, said in a statement, “Information provided by the state indicates that the San Antonio area is on the path toward attainment, and we expect Bexar County will be able to demonstrate that it meets the standard well in advance of the attainment date in 2021.”

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will be responsible for performing Point Source Emissions Inventories. New businesses or expansions that will increase emissions by more than 100 tons per year will be required to complete a TCEQ permitting process called a New Source Review.

The Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) will be responsible for ensuring planned projects do not worsen the air quality levels.

If you have questions or would like to discuss how this change may affect your actions in the San Antonio region, please contact aci here.

Read the Federal Register Notice

See the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) here.

 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced today that the Texas Hornshell (Popenaias popeii) will be added to the list of Endangered Species on March 12, 2018. Comments will be accepted until the date of listing.

The freshwater mussel species can be found in parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. The species has been considered threatened by the State of Texas since 2009.

New Mexico has an existing Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) with the USFWS which pertains to lessees and grantees of state trust lands.

History:

August 10, 2016 – Proposed Listing

May 30, 2017 – Reopening of Comment Period

August 10, 2017 – 6 Month Delay of Decision

February 8, 2018 – Final Rule (Open Comment Period)

 

Location Map from USFWS:

Source: (USFWS)U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2016. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Texas Hornshell. Federal Register, vol. 81,p. 52796

Posted by: In: Uncategorized 15 Dec 2017 0 comments

Posted by: In: Drones 08 Nov 2017 0 comments

Kevin Ramberg, Principal Ecologist with aci consulting, recently presented at the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) National Conference in Orlando, Florida about the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as drones, into environmental compliance and monitoring.

The number of FAA-registered drone operators is quickly approaching 800,000. In recent years, scientists, surveyors, engineers, and contractors have created innovative approaches and solutions with this relatively new technology.

A/E/C applications for drone use include topography, site reconnaissance, quantity estimates, inspections, and high resolution up-to-the-minute aerial photography.

Drones have proven to be useful when regulatory authorities or multiple stakeholders need to have input on various aspects of the project. Mitigation site selection can be identified, and plant health can be assessed remotely. Vantage points that are unreachable on foot can be easily viewed using this technology.  For high profile projects, compliance commitments can be demonstrated through high resolution aerial photo documentation.

Other tools in the toolbox include: 3-D visualizations, habitat modeling and monitoring, rapid preliminary reconnaissance, and preconstruction condition assessment. Virtual site visits save project time and cost.

aci consulting recently used this technology to conduct a virtual site visit in central Texas and to perform a migratory bird nest survey to avoid potential impacts to Colorado raptors.

With Part 107 certified UAS pilots on staff, aci consulting is ready to support our clients’ needs with this cutting edge technology. Do you have a project that could benefit from using drone technology? Let us help!

Draft 2 of CodeNEXT is open for public comment until October 31st. This updated version of the City of Austin’s Land Development Code simplifies the many zone categories after feedback from Draft 1.

Other Updates include:

  • more allowances for residential development
  • removal of “transect” and “non-transect” corridors
  • simplified site plan requirements to help move along permitting for projects that are smaller, such as 3-9 unit residential developments

Since the new code aims to increase the total number of housing units, residents are concerned about the influx of traffic in areas likely to be redeveloped into higher-occupancy units. The City hopes to add 135,000 new housing units by 2025 with 65,000 of those for families earning less than the median family income.

The Austin City Council kicked off their Open House series last Wednesday at City Hall. Representatives from CodeNEXT were on hand to answer questions.

 

What’s Next:

Fall 2017 – Open Houses

November 2017 – Draft 3 (Final) to be released

January 2018 – Deadline for Zoning and Platting Commission to make their recommendation to City Council

April 2018 – City Council to approve final version

 

To review Draft 2 and make public comments, visit the City of Austin website.

Handouts from the Event: Building Height & Compatibility Triggers | Impervious Cover & Building Cover | Spectrum of Zones

Posted by: In: Events 06 Sep 2017 0 comments