ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SHRIMP PRODUCTION WITHIN THE COASTAL ZONE.

(a) A commercial aquaculture facility located within the coastal zone and engaged in the production of shrimp must:

(1) obtain a site-specific wastewater discharge permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality before the facility may discharge wastewater if the facility will discharge wastewater or another substance into waters in the state;

(2) provide the report described in Subsection (b) to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;

(3) obtain an amendment to its site-specific discharge permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality before the facility may increase the amount of discharge or change the nature of the discharge above levels allowed by the wastewater discharge permit issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, except as otherwise provided by Section 26.0191, Water Code; and

(4) provide the report described by Subsection (b) before the facility may increase the amount of discharge, or change the nature of the discharge above levels allowed by the wastewater discharge permit issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, except as otherwise provided by Section 26.0191, Water Code.

(b) Before issuing a permit to a new aquaculture facility designed for the commercial production of shrimp that will discharge wastewater into waters in the state within the coastal zone, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality shall require the applicant to provide a report describing the existing environmental conditions at the proposed site, including aquatic habitat and the conditions of the waters in the state into which a discharge is proposed. The report must provide an assessment of any potential impacts of wastewater discharges on sensitive aquatic habitats in the area of the proposed site, significant impacts related to the construction or operation of the facility, and any mitigation actions proposed by the applicant.

(c) The applicant must provide the report required under Subsection (b) to the Parks and Wildlife Department. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may not issue a wastewater discharge permit to a new aquaculture facility designed for the commercial production of shrimp and located within the coastal zone without consideration of the report described by Subsection (b).

(d) In coordination with the Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality shall establish guidelines relating to the report required by Subsection (b) that:

(1) give public notice as to what the reporting requirements include; and

(2) minimize duplication of reporting requirements and other requirements related to the application for a wastewater discharge permit.