Current through Reg. 49, No. 44; November 1, 2024
Section 39.411 - Text of Public Notice(a) Applicants shall use notice text provided and approved by the agency. The executive director may approve changes to notice text before notice being given.(b) When Notice of Receipt of Application and Intent to Obtain Permit by publication or by mail is required by Subchapters H and K of this chapter (relating to Applicability and General Provisions and Public Notice of Air Quality Permit Applications) for air quality permit applications, those applications are subject to subsections (e) - (h) of this section. When notice of receipt of application and intent to obtain permit by publication or by mail is required by Subchapters H - J and L of this chapter (relating to Applicability and General Provisions, Public Notice of Solid Waste Applications, Public Notice of Water Quality Applications and Water Quality Management Plans, and Public Notice of Injection Well and Other Specific Applications), Subchapter G of this chapter (relating to Public Notice for Applications for Consolidated Permits), or for Subchapter M of this chapter (relating to Public Notice for Radioactive Material Licenses), the text of the notice must include the following information: (1) the name and address of the agency and the telephone number of an agency contact from whom interested persons may obtain further information;(2) the name, address, and telephone number of the applicant and a description of the manner in which a person may contact the applicant for further information;(3) a brief description of the location and nature of the proposed activity;(4) a brief description of public comment procedures, including: (A) a statement that the executive director will respond to comments raising issues that are relevant and material or otherwise significant; and(B) a statement in the notice for any permit application for which there is an opportunity for a contested case hearing, that only disputed factual issues that are relevant and material to the commission's decision that are raised during the comment period can be considered if a contested case hearing is granted;(5) a brief description of procedures by which the public may participate in the final permit decision and, if applicable, how to request a public meeting, contested case hearing, reconsideration of the executive director's decision, a notice and comment hearing, or a statement that later notice will describe procedures for public participation, printed in a font style or size that clearly provides emphasis and distinguishes it from the remainder of the notice. The notice should include a statement that a public meeting will be held by the executive director if requested by a member of the legislature who represents the general area where the facility is to be located or there is substantial public interest in the proposed activity;(6) the application or permit number;(7) if applicable, a statement that the application or requested action is subject to the Coastal Management Program and must be consistent with the Coastal Management Program goals and policies;(8) the location, at a public place in the county in which the facility is located or proposed to be located, at which a copy of the application is available for review and copying;(9) a description of the procedure by which a person may be placed on a mailing list in order to receive additional information about the application;(10) for notices of municipal solid waste applications, a statement that a person who may be affected by the facility or proposed facility is entitled to request a contested case hearing from the commission. This statement must be printed in a font style or size that clearly provides emphasis and distinguishes it from the remainder of the notice; and(11) any additional information required by the executive director or needed to satisfy public notice requirements of any federally authorized program; or(12) for radioactive material licenses under Chapter 336 of this title (relating to Radioactive Substance Rules), if applicable, a statement that a written environmental analysis on the application has been prepared by the executive director, is available to the public for review, and that written comments may be submitted; and(13) for Class 3 modifications of hazardous industrial solid waste permits, the statement "The permittee's compliance history during the life of the permit being modified is available from the agency contact person."(c) Unless mailed notice is otherwise provided for under this section, the chief clerk shall mail Notice of Application and Preliminary Decision to those listed in § 39.413 of this title (relating to Mailed Notice). When notice of application and preliminary decision by publication or by mail is required by Subchapters G - J and L of this chapter, the text of the notice must include the following information: (1) the information required by subsection (b)(1) - (11) of this section;(2) a brief description of public comment procedures, including a description of the manner in which comments regarding the executive director's preliminary decision may be submitted, or a statement in the notice for any permit application for which there is an opportunity for contested case hearing, that only relevant and material issues raised during the comment period can be considered if a contested case hearing is granted. The public comment procedures must be printed in a font style or size that clearly provides emphasis and distinguishes it from the remainder of the notice;(3) if the application is subject to final approval by the executive director under Chapter 50 of this title (relating to Action on Applications and Other Authorizations), a statement that the executive director may issue final approval of the application unless a timely contested case hearing request or a timely request for reconsideration (if applicable) is filed with the chief clerk after transmittal of the executive director's decision and response to public comment;(4) a summary of the executive director's preliminary decision and whether the executive director has prepared a draft permit;(5) the location, at a public place in the county in which the facility is located or proposed to be located, at which a copy of the complete application and the executive director's preliminary decision are available for review and copying;(6) the deadline to file comments or request a public meeting. The notice should include a statement that a public meeting will be held by the executive director if requested by a member of the legislature who represents the general area where the facility is to be located or there is substantial public interest in the proposed activity; and(7) for radioactive material licenses under Chapter 336 of this title, if applicable, a statement that a written environmental analysis on the application has been prepared by the executive director, is available to the public for review, and that written comments may be submitted.(d) When notice of a public meeting or notice of a hearing by publication or by mail is required by Subchapters G - J and L of this chapter, the text of the notice must include the following information: (1) the information required by subsection (b)(1) - (3), (6) - (8), and (11) of this section;(2) the date, time, and place of the meeting or hearing, and a brief description of the nature and purpose of the meeting or hearing, including the applicable rules and procedures; and(3) for notices of public meetings only, a brief description of public comment procedures, including a description of the manner in which comments regarding the executive director's preliminary decision may be submitted and a statement in the notice for any permit application for which there is an opportunity for contested case hearing, that only relevant and material issues raised during the comment period can be considered if a contested case hearing is granted.(e) When Notice of Receipt of Application and Intent to Obtain Permit by publication or by mail is required by Subchapters H and K of this chapter for air quality permit applications, the text of the notice must include the information in this subsection: (1) the name and address of the agency and the telephone number of an agency contact from whom interested persons may obtain further information;(2) the name, address, and telephone number of the applicant and a description of the manner in which a person may contact the applicant for further information;(3) a brief description of the location and nature of the proposed activity;(4) a brief description of public comment procedures, including:(A) a statement that the executive director will respond to: (i) all comments regarding applications for Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Nonattainment permits under Chapter 116, Subchapter B of this title (relating to New Source Review Permits) and Plant-wide Applicability Limit permits under Chapter 116 of this title (relating to Control of Air Pollution by Permits for New Construction or Modification);(ii) all comments regarding applications subject to the requirements of Chapter 116, Subchapter E of this title (relating to Hazardous Air Pollutants: Regulations Governing Constructed or Reconstructed Major Sources (FCAA, §112(g), 40 CFR Part 63)), whether for construction or reconstruction; and(iii) for all other air quality permit applications, comments raising issues that are relevant and material or otherwise significant; and(B) a statement in the notice for any air quality permit application for which there is an opportunity for a contested case hearing, that only disputed factual issues that are relevant and material to the commission's decision that are raised during the comment period can be considered if a contested case hearing is granted;(5) a brief description of procedures by which the public may participate in the final permit decision and, if applicable, how to request a public meeting, contested case hearing, reconsideration of the executive director's decision, a notice and comment hearing, or a statement that later notice will describe procedures for public participation, printed in a font style or size that clearly provides emphasis and distinguishes it from the remainder of the notice. Where applicable, the notice should include a statement that a public meeting will be held by the executive director if requested by a member of the legislature who represents the general area where the facility is to be located if there is substantial public interest in the proposed activity when requested by any interested person for the following applications: (A) air quality permit applications subject to the requirements for Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Nonattainment in Chapter 116, Subchapter B of this title;(B) applications for the establishment or renewal of, or an increase in, a plant-wide applicability limit subject to Chapter 116 of this title; and(C) applications subject to the requirements of Chapter 116, Subchapter E of this title, whether for construction or reconstruction;(6) the application or permit number;(7) if applicable, a statement that the application or requested action is subject to the Coastal Management Program and must be consistent with the Coastal Management Program goals and policies;(8) the location, at a public place in the county in which the facility is located or proposed to be located, at which a copy of the application is available for review and copying;(9) a description of the procedure by which a person may be placed on a mailing list in order to receive additional information about the application;(10) at a minimum, a listing of criteria pollutants for which authorization is sought in the application which are regulated under national ambient air quality standards or under state standards in Chapters 111 - 113, 115, and 117 of this title (relating to Control of Air Pollution from Visible Emissions and Particulate Matter, Control of Air Pollution from Sulfur Compounds, Standards of Performance for Hazardous Air Pollutants and for Designated Facilities and Pollutants, Control of Air Pollution from Volatile Organic Compounds, and Control of Air Pollution from Nitrogen Compounds);(11) If notice is for any air quality permit application except those listed in paragraphs (12) and (15) of this subsection, the following information must be printed in a font style or size that clearly provides emphasis and distinguishes it from the remainder of the notice: (A) a statement that a person who may be affected by emissions of air contaminants from the facility or proposed facility is entitled to request a contested case hearing from the commission within the following specified time periods; (i) for air quality permit applications subject to the requirements for Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Nonattainment permits in Chapter 116, Subchapter B of this title a statement that a request for a contested case hearing must be received by the commission by the end of the comment period or within 30 days after the mailing of the executive director's response to comments;(ii) for air quality permit applications subject to the requirements of Chapter 116, Subchapter E of this title, whether for construction or reconstruction, a statement that a request for a contested case hearing must be received by the commission by the end of the comment period or within 30 days after the mailing of the executive director's response to comments;(iii) for renewals of air quality permits that would not result in an increase in allowable emissions and would not result in the emission of an air contaminant not previously emitted and the application does not involve a facility for which the applicant's compliance history is in the lowest classification under Texas Water Code, § 5.753 and § 5.754 and the commission's rules in Chapter 60 of this title (relating to Compliance History), a statement that a request for a contested case hearing must be received by the commission before the close of the 15-day comment period provided in response to the last publication of Notice of Receipt of Application and Intent to Obtain Permit;(iv) for initial registrations for concrete batch plants under the Air Quality Standard Permit for Concrete Batch Plants adopted by the commission under Chapter 116, Subchapter F of this title (relating to Standard Permits) received on or after January 1, 2017, the following statements:(I) a request for a contested case hearing must be received by the commission before the close of the comment period provided in response to the last publication of the consolidated Notice of Receipt of Application and Intent to Obtain Permit and Notice of Application and Preliminary Decision in § 39.603(c) of this title (relating to Newspaper Notice);(II) if no hearing requests are received by the end of the 30-day comment period there is no further opportunity to request a contested case hearing; and(III) if any hearing requests are received before the close of the 30-day comment period, the opportunity to file a request for a contested case hearing is extended to 30 days after the mailing of the executive director's response to comments;(v) for new air quality permit applications and for permit amendment applications issued under Chapter 116, Subchapters B and G of this title (relating to New Source Review Permits and Flexible Permits), for which the executive director has declared the application administratively and technically complete and prepared a draft permit within 15 days of receipt of the application, the following information: (I) the date the application was received and the date the draft permit was completed; and(II) a request for a contested case hearing must be received by the commission before the close of the comment period provided in response to the last publication of the consolidated Notice of Receipt of Application and Intent to Obtain Permit and Notice of Application and Preliminary Decision in § 39.603(d) of this title. If no hearing requests are received by the end of the 30-day comment period there is no further opportunity to request a contested case hearing. If any hearing requests are received before the close of the 30-day comment period, the opportunity to file a request for a contested case hearing is extended to 30 days after the mailing of the executive director's response to comments; or(vi) for all air quality permit applications other than those in clauses (i) - (v) of this subparagraph, a statement that a request for a contested case hearing must be received by the commission before the close of the 30-day comment period provided in response to the last publication of Notice of Receipt of Application and Intent to Obtain Permit. If no hearing requests are received by the end of the 30-day comment period following the last publication of Notice of Receipt of Application and Intent to Obtain Permit, there is no further opportunity to request a contested case hearing. If any hearing requests are received before the close of the 30-day comment period following the last publication of Notice of Receipt of Application and Intent to Obtain Permit, the opportunity to file a request for a contested case hearing is extended to 30 days after the mailing of the executive director's response to comments;(B) a statement that a request for a contested case hearing must be received by the commission;(C) a statement that a contested case hearing request must include the requester's location relative to the proposed facility or activity;(D) a statement that a contested case hearing request should include a description of how the requestor will be adversely affected by the proposed facility or activity in a manner not common to the general public, including a description of the requestor's uses of property which may be impacted by the proposed facility or activity;(E) a statement that only relevant and material issues raised during the comment period can be considered if a contested case hearing request is granted; and(F) if notice is for air quality permit applications described in subparagraph (A)(vi) of this paragraph, a statement that when no hearing requests are timely received the applicant shall publish a Notice of Application and Preliminary Decision that provides an opportunity for public comment and to request a public meeting;(12) if notice is for air quality applications for a permit under Chapter 116, Subchapter L of this title (relating to Permits for Specific Designated Facilities), filed on or before January 1, 2018, a Multiple Plant Permit under Chapter 116, Subchapter J of this title (relating to Multiple Plant Permits), or for a Plant-wide Applicability Limit under Chapter 116 of this title, a statement that any person is entitled to request a public meeting or a notice and comment hearing, as applicable from the commission;(13) notification that a person residing within 440 yards of a concrete batch plant authorized by the Air Quality Standard Permit for Concrete Batch Plants adopted by the commission under Chapter 116, Subchapter F of this title is an affected person who is entitled to request a contested case hearing;(14) the statement: "The facility's compliance file, if any exists, is available for public review in the regional office of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;"(15) if notice is for an application for an air quality permit under Chapter 116, Subchapter B, Division 6 of this title (relating to Prevention of Significant Deterioration Review) that would authorize only emissions of greenhouse gases as defined in § 101.1 of this title (relating to Definitions), a statement that any interested person is entitled to request a public meeting or a notice and comment hearing, as applicable, from the commission; and(16) any additional information required by the executive director or needed to satisfy federal public notice requirements.(f) The chief clerk shall mail Notice of Application and Preliminary Decision, or the consolidated Notice of Receipt of Application and Intent to Obtain Permit and Notice of Application and Preliminary Decision, as provided for in § 39.603(c) or (d) of this title, to those listed in § 39.602 of this title (relating to Mailed Notice). When notice of application and preliminary decision by publication or by mail is required by Subchapters H and K of this chapter for air quality permit applications, the text of the notice must include the information in this subsection: (1) the information required by subsection (e) of this section;(2) a summary of the executive director's preliminary decision and whether the executive director has prepared a draft permit;(3) the location, at a public place in the county with internet access in which the facility is located or proposed to be located, at which a copy of the complete application and the executive director's draft permit and preliminary decision are available for review and copying;(4) a brief description of public comment procedures, including a description of the manner in which comments regarding the executive director's draft permit and, where applicable, preliminary decision, preliminary determination summary, and air quality analysis may be submitted, or a statement in the notice for any air quality permit application for which there is an opportunity for contested case hearing, that only relevant and material issues raised during the comment period can be considered if a contested case hearing is granted. The public comment procedures must be printed in a font style or size that clearly provides emphasis and distinguishes it from the remainder of the notice;(5) the deadline to file comments or request a public meeting. The notice should include a statement that a public meeting will be held by the executive director if requested by a member of the legislature who represents the general area where the facility is to be located or there is substantial public interest in the proposed activity. The notice must include a statement that the comment period will be for at least 30 days following publication of the Notice of Application and Preliminary Decision;(6) if the application is subject to final approval by the executive director under Chapter 50 of this title, a statement that the executive director may issue final approval of the application unless a timely contested case hearing request or a timely request for reconsideration (if applicable) is filed with the chief clerk after transmittal of the executive director's decision and response to public comment;(7) If the executive director prepares a Response to Comments as required by § 55.156 of this title (relating to Public Comment Processing), the chief clerk will make the executive director's response to public comments available on the commission's website;(8) in addition to the requirements in paragraphs (1) - (7) of this subsection, for air quality permit applications for permits under Chapter 116, Subchapter B, Divisions 5 and 6 of this title (relating to Nonattainment Review Permits and Prevention of Significant Deterioration Review): (A) as applicable, the degree of increment consumption that is expected from the source or modification;(B) a statement that the state's air quality analysis is available for comment;(C) the deadline to request a public meeting;(D) a statement that the executive director will hold a public meeting at the request of any interested person; and(E) a statement that the executive director's draft permit and preliminary decision, preliminary determination summary, and air quality analysis are available electronically on the commission's website at the time of publication of the Notice of Application and Preliminary Decision; and(9) in addition to the requirements in paragraphs (1) - (7) of this subsection, for air quality permit applications for permits under Chapter 116, Subchapter E of this title: (A) the deadline to request a public meeting;(B) a statement that the executive director will hold a public meeting at the request of any interested person; and(C) a statement that the executive director's draft permit and preliminary decision are available electronically on the commission's website at the time of publication of the Notice of Application and Preliminary Decision.(g) When notice of a public meeting by publication or by mail is required by Subchapters H and K of this chapter for air quality permit applications, the text of the notice must include the information in this subsection:(1) the information required by subsection (e)(1) - (3), (4)(A), (6), (8), (9), and (16) of this section;(2) the date, time, and place of the public meeting, and a brief description of the nature and purpose of the meeting, including the applicable rules and procedures; and(3) a brief description of public comment procedures, including a description of the manner in which comments regarding the executive director's draft permit and preliminary decision, and, as applicable, preliminary determination summary, and air quality analysis may be submitted and a statement in the notice for any air quality permit application for which there is an opportunity for contested case hearing, that only relevant and material issues raised during the comment period can be considered if a contested case hearing is granted.(h) When notice of a contested case hearing under Chapter 80 of this title (relating to Contested Case Hearings) by publication or by mail is required by Subchapters H and K of this chapter for air quality permit applications, the text of the notice must include the following information: (1) the information required by subsection (e)(1) - (3), (6), (9), and (16) of this section; and(2) the date, time, and place of the hearing, and a brief description of the nature and purpose of the hearing, including the applicable rules and procedures.30 Tex. Admin. Code § 39.411
The provisions of this §39.411 adopted to be effective September 23, 1999, 24 TexReg 8190; amended to be effective June 12, 2002, 27 TexReg 4948; amended to be effective March 29, 2006, 31 TexReg 2471; amended to be effective June 24, 2010, 35 TexReg 5198; amended to be effective April 17, 2014, 39 TexReg 2854; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 41, Number 52, December 23, 2016, TexReg 10340, eff. 12/29/2016; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 43, Number 21, May 25, 2018, TexReg 3379, eff. 5/31/2018; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 45, Number 19, May 8, 2020, TexReg 3069, eff. 5/14/2020