Continuing Planning Process (PDF. Help with PDF)
What Is the Continuing Planning Process
The Continuing Planning Process (CPP) provides the current
management and technical procedures developed and implemented by
the TCEQ to control, manage, and abate water pollution in Texas.
The Clean Water Act, as amended, requires the state to prepare and
publish a CPP that describes the procedures by which the TCEQ will
operate. These operating procedures are developed by the various
divisions responsible for the implementation of the TCEQ's water
quality management program.
All series in the CPP except — Series 1, 6, and 11 —
were revised in 1997, and were approved by the Environmental
Protection Agency in September 1998. In 1999, the Commission
adopted, and the EPA later approved, changes to Series 1, 6, and
11.
In addition to the document provided above for download, the CPP
includes the
303d list of impaired waters that was most recently approved by
the commission, the most recently approved
Procedures for Implementing Surface Water Quality Standards
through permits, and the agency's most recent schedule for
developing total maximum daily loads for impaired surface
waters.
Goals and Objectives
The CPP's purpose is to describe the program requirements under
which the TCEQ operates and the methods it employs to protect and
maintain water quality for the benefit of Texans. This is
accomplished by documenting the TCEQ's procedures and the means it
uses to implement planning and management activities. Other
activities that play a significant role in overall water quality
management programs, but that are not currently subject to federal
regulation, are also included in the CPP.
Revisions
The CPP is updated as needed to reflect revisions of federal
regulations that support the Clean Water Act. The processes
described in the CPP embody the Commissioners' interpretation of
the Act and are the best management practices available to the
state in implementing its water pollution control programs.
Approval by the Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA's approval of these revisions indicates the federal
government concurrence with the state's procedures and its
agreement with the state's approach to implementing specific
requirements of the Clean Water Act. The CPP must be approved by
the TCEQ and the EPA regional administrator before the regional
administrator will approve the state's permit program under Title
IV of the Clean Water Act.
