Category Archives: Natural Resources

New rule addresses sand mining near San Jacinto River

A Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rule went into effect earlier this year requiring registered sand mining operations within the San Jacinto River Watershed to adopt best management practices (BMPs) based on TCEQ recommendations. TCEQ received petitions for the … Continue reading

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Texas Legislature could consider changes to aggregate industry regulations

An interim committee created in 2019 to study issues related to aggregate operations released its report last month on the industry, including recommendations for changes to certain state regulations. The committee was formed after lawmakers considered several aggregate-related proposals during … Continue reading

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As TERP fund grows, deposits set to expire in 2019

During the 86th regular session of the Texas Legislature, lawmakers may consider changes to how the state handles funds that are collected for certain programs but that go unused for those purposes. Appropriations of funds collected for one of these programs, the Texas … Continue reading

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Texas state parks planning updates with dedicated funding

Over the next few years, the state park system in Texas will undergo several repairs and renovations made possible by newly dedicated funding. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), legislation enacted by the 84th Legislature in 2015 to dedicate funding for parks … Continue reading

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New federal law requires labeling of bioengineered foods

A recently enacted federal law directs the secretary of agriculture to establish national standards for labeling bioengineered foods, sometimes described as genetically engineered foods or foods with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). S.764  by Wicker (R-MS) preempts state requirements for labeling bioengineered foods or seeds, including a labeling … Continue reading

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