The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
October 25, 2025
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has proposed rulemaking that implements Senate Bill (SB) 616 and SB 1061, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, relating to certain injection wells transecting the Edwards Aquifer used for aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects and Class III Production Area Authorizations (PAAs). SB 616 provides additional exceptions to prohibitions on drilling into or through the Edwards Aquifer. SB 1061 provides that amendments to Class III PAAs are to be uncontested matters if certain criteria are met and requires the commission to prioritize the conservation of groundwater resources when considering an application to amend a restoration table value. Because the SB 1061 revisions to Texas Water Code (TWC), §27.0513(d) now include amendment applications for PAAs and all of the applicability provisions applying under paragraphs (d)(1)-(4), all applications for PAAs would be uncontested matters and not subject to an opportunity for contested case hearing if certain criteria are met. Applications for PAAs are still subject to public notice requirements and the opportunity to submit public comments.
Scope of the rulemaking: The rulemaking implements SB 616 by amending the commission’s underground injection control rules to allow for authorization of an ASR injection well that transects the Edwards Aquifer as long as the geologic formation used for injection underlies the Edwards Aquifer and the injection well would be in either the area of Williamson County east of Interstate Highway 35 or in Medina County. The rulemaking also implements SB 1061 by amending the commission’s underground injection control rules to allow for an amendment to an in-situ uranium mining PAA to be an uncontested matter if certain conditions are met and to require the commission to prioritize the conservation of regional groundwater water supplies when reviewing an application to amend a restoration table value. For more information go to: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/rules/prop.html#2025-033-331-WS.
The Governor of the State of Texas has made four new appointments to the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG):
Appointed to the TBPG for a term to expire February 1, 2031, Eric S. Anderson, Ph.D. of Hallsville, Texas (replacing William "David" Prescott, II of Amarillo whose term expired).
Appointed to the TBPG for a term to expire February 1, 2031, James R. "Rusty" Branch of Hallsville, Texas (replacing Edward F. "Ed" Janak, Jr. of Fredericksburg whose term expired).
Appointed to the TBPG for a term to expire February 1, 2031, Jeremy C. Ransom of Georgetown, Texas (replacing Margon K. Dillard of Richmond whose term expired).
Appointed to the TBPG for a term to expire at the pleasure of the Governor, as Presiding Officer Mark N. Varhaug of Dallas, Texas (replacing William "David" Prescott of Amarillo).
Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report
10/25/2025