CHAPTER 89. ARTIFICIAL REEFS
PARKS AND WILDLIFE CODE
TITLE 5. WILDLIFE AND PLANT CONSERVATION
SUBTITLE H. ARTIFICIAL REEFS
CHAPTER 89. ARTIFICIAL REEFS
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 89.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Artificial reef" means a structure or system of structures
constructed, placed, or permitted in water covered under this
chapter for the purpose of enhancing fishery resources and
commercial and recreational fishing opportunities.
(2) "National Fishing Enhancement Act" means Title II of Public
Law No. 98-623, enacting 16 U.S.C. Section 1220d and 33 U.S.C.
Sections 2101 through 2106 and amending 16 U.S.C. Sections 1220
through 1220c.
(3) "Reef materials" includes only materials allowed under the
national artificial reef plan adopted under the National Fishing
Enhancement Act for construction of artificial reefs.
(4) "Water covered under this chapter" means the navigable water
of Texas and water of the federal fisheries conservation zone
adjacent to Texas water.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 47, Sec. 1, eff. May 1, 1989.
Sec. 89.002. GENERAL DUTIES. (a) The department shall promote,
develop, maintain, monitor, and enhance the artificial reef
potential in water covered under this chapter.
(b) In carrying out the duties under Subsection (a) of this
section, the department shall:
(1) plan and review permit applications for artificial reefs;
(2) coordinate with relevant state and federal agencies;
(3) hold public hearings on proposed artificial reefs;
(4) oversee maintenance and placement requirements of artificial
reefs; and
(5) develop rules and guidelines, in conjunction with the
advisory committee, in the collection of fees, grants, and
donations to the artificial reef account.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 47, Sec. 1, eff. May 1, 1989.
Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 679, Sec. 58, eff. Sept. 1,
1993.
Sec. 89.0025. RULES. The commission may adopt rules and
guidelines as necessary to implement this chapter.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.
190, Sec. 1, eff. May 27, 2005.
Sec. 89.003. DEPARTMENT AUTHORIZED TO SERVE AS PERMITTEE. (a)
The department may apply for a federal permit and serve as
permittee for an artificial reef located in water covered under
this chapter if the establishment of the reef complies with this
chapter and the National Fishing Enhancement Act.
(b) In applying for a permit under this section, the department
shall:
(1) consult with and consider the views of appropriate federal
and state agencies, local governments, and other interested
persons;
(2) ensure that the provisions in the permit for siting,
constructing, monitoring, maintaining, and managing an artificial
reef are consistent with the criteria and standards established
under this chapter and the National Fishing Enhancement Act;
(3) ensure that title to an artificial reef component or
construction material is unambiguous; and
(4) consider the national artificial reef plan adopted under the
National Fishing Enhancement Act and notify the Secretary of the
United States Department of Commerce of any need to deviate from
that plan.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 47, Sec. 1, eff. May 1, 1989.
Sec. 89.004. PERSON OTHER THAN DEPARTMENT AS PERMITTEE. The
department shall review and comment on an application for an
artificial reef permit by a person other than the department to
ensure that the conditions of the permit are consistent with the
state artificial reef plan and the National Fishing Enhancement
Act.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 47, Sec. 1, eff. May 1, 1989.
Text of section as added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 968, Sec.
46
Sec. 89.005. USE OF BRIDGES, TUNNELS, AND CAUSEWAYS.
(a) The department, in cooperation with the Texas Department of
Transportation and local governments, may use obsolete bridges,
tunnels, and causeways to create artificial reefs under this
chapter.
(b) The department may receive from the Texas Department of
Transportation the transfer of obsolete bridges, tunnels, and
causeways to create artificial reefs.
(c) The department may provide assistance, including money, to a
local government to fulfill the purposes of this section.
(d) Any money appropriated to the department for the artificial
reef program under this chapter may be used for the purposes of
this section.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 968, Sec. 46, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.
Text of section as added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1137, Sec.
1
Sec. 89.005. USE OF BRIDGES, TUNNELS, AND CAUSEWAYS.
(a) The Texas Department of Transportation shall coordinate with
the department and local governments to use obsolete bridges,
tunnels, and causeways to create artificial reefs under this
chapter.
(b) The Texas Department of Transportation may transfer obsolete
bridges, tunnels, and causeways to the department to create
artificial reefs.
(c) The department may provide assistance, including money, to a
local government to fulfill the purposes of this section.
(d) Any money appropriated to the department for the artificial
reef program under this chapter may be used for the purposes of
this section.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1137, Sec. 1, eff. June 15,
2001.
Sec. 89.006. REEF CONSTRUCTION BY OTHERS. The department may
authorize a person to place a donation of reef materials in a
permitted zone in accordance with this chapter and commission
rules and guidelines.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.
190, Sec. 1, eff. May 27, 2005.
SUBCHAPTER B. STATE ARTIFICIAL REEF PLAN
Sec. 89.021. STATE ARTIFICIAL REEF PLAN. (a) The department
shall develop a state artificial reef plan that meets the purpose
of this chapter and is consistent with the standards under
Section 89.023 of this code.
(b) The department shall administer and enforce the plan in
accordance with this chapter and the National Fishing Enhancement
Act.
(c) The department shall develop any additional technical
information needed to carry out the plan.
(d) Repealed by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 925, Sec. 2(5), eff.
Sept. 1, 1999.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 47, Sec. 1, eff. May 1, 1989.
Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 925, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1,
1999.
Sec. 89.022. REQUIRED PROVISIONS. The state artificial reef
plan must include:
(1) operational guidelines for the plan, including specific
participant roles, and projected funding requirements for the
plan;
(2) geographic, hydrographic, geological, biological,
ecological, social, economic, and other criteria for permitting
and siting artificial reefs;
(3) design, materials, and other criteria for establishing,
constructing, and maintaining artificial reefs;
(4) mechanisms and methodologies for monitoring artificial reefs
in compliance with the requirements of permits issued under the
National Fishing Enhancement Act;
(5) mechanisms and methodologies for managing the use of
artificial reefs;
(6) a map that depicts priority areas for artificial reef
development consistent with this chapter and the National Fishing
Enhancement Act; and
(7) provisions for managing the artificial reef account in a
manner that will assure successful implementation of the plan.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 47, Sec. 1, eff. May 1, 1989.
Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 679, Sec. 59, eff. Sept. 1,
1993.
Sec. 89.023. STANDARDS. An artificial reef located in water
covered under this chapter must be sited, constructed,
maintained, monitored, and managed in a manner that:
(1) enhances and conserves fishery resources to the maximum
extent practicable;
(2) facilitates access and use by Texas recreational and
commercial fishermen;
(3) minimizes conflicts among competing uses of water and water
resources;
(4) minimizes environmental risks and risks to personal and
public health and property;
(5) is consistent with generally accepted principles of
international law and national fishing law and does not create
any unreasonable obstruction to navigation;
(6) uses the best scientific information available; and
(7) conforms to the state artificial reef plan.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 47, Sec. 1, eff. May 1, 1989.
Sec. 89.024. COMPLETION DATE. The department must complete the
state artificial reef plan on or before September 1, 1990.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 47, Sec. 1, eff. May 1, 1989.
Sec. 89.025. REEFS CONSISTENT WITH PLAN. (a) All artificial
reefs developed in state water must be consistent with the state
artificial reef plan.
(b) Comments and recommendations by a state agency regarding
artificial reefs in federal water must be consistent with the
state artificial reef plan.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 47, Sec. 1, eff. May 1, 1989.
SUBCHAPTER C. ARTIFICIAL REEF ACCOUNT
Sec. 89.041. ARTIFICIAL REEF ACCOUNT. (a) The artificial reef
account is a separate account in the general revenue fund.
(b) The account is composed of all funds received under Section
89.043 of this code, including interest and earnings.
(c) No state general revenue funds shall be expended in the
development or implementation of this plan.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 47, Sec. 1, eff. May 1, 1989.
Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 679, Sec. 60, eff. Sept. 1,
1993.
Sec. 89.042. DEDICATION. The funds received under Section
89.043 of this code are dedicated to the department for the
purpose of carrying out this chapter, including siting,
designing, constructing, monitoring, and otherwise managing an
artificial reef or artificial reef system.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 47, Sec. 1, eff. May 1, 1989.
Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 679, Sec. 60, eff. Sept. 1,
1993.
Sec. 89.043. GRANTS, DONATIONS, AND OTHER ASSISTANCE. The
department may accept grants, donations of money or materials,
and other forms of assistance from private and public sources.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 47, Sec. 1, eff. May 1, 1989.
Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 679, Sec. 60, eff. Sept. 1,
1993.
SUBCHAPTER D. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 89.061. LIABILITY. (a) The state, an agency of the state,
or an insurer of the state or agency of the state is not liable
for damages caused by an activity required under the terms and
conditions of a permit for an artificial reef.
(b) A person who has transferred title of artificial reef
construction materials to the state is not liable for damages
arising from the use of the materials in an artificial reef if
the materials meet applicable requirements of the National
Fishing Enhancement Act and applicable regulations of the United
States Department of the Interior.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 47, Sec. 1, eff. May 1, 1989.