Aransas County Navigation District Commissioners Adopt Stormwater Discharge Ordinance

July 22, 2024

The Aransas County Navigation District (ACND or District) Commissioners adopted a new Stormwater Discharge Ordinance during a special meeting Monday, July 22, 2024.  The ordinance is designed to protect the waters and environment within the District amid rapid growth in the areas of the City of Rockport and the Town of Fulton. This ordinance is essential to preserve efficient navigation within the ACND waterways and to protect our vulnerable environments and the robust economic benefits of the ACND properties.

Why This Ordinance?

The ACND recognizes its responsibility to protect its waterways for safe navigation, stormwater and floodwater mitigation, and related environmental preservation. These critical waterways support a variety of endangered and threatened species. The ACND has dedicated extensive resources to study and protect these areas both for navigation and sustainability. Under the Texas Constitution, the ACND is responsible for maintaining the condition and navigation of the District’s channels, harbors, and basins and for the conservation of the environment. The distribution and diversion of stormwater runoff poses significant threats, including erosion, sedimentation, pollution, and flooding, all of which can disrupt safe navigation and harm the environment. This ordinance aims to regulate stormwater discharge, enhancing public health and safety while protecting delicate habitats.

What Does This Ordinance Do?

The ordinance prohibits unauthorized stormwater discharge or diversion, excluding single-family residences. It allows authorized discharge through local permits, encouraging, controlled and safe stormwater management.

Coverage Areas:

• Little Bay

• Rockport Harbor

  
  

• Fulton Harbor

• Cove Harbor

Ordinance Exemptions:

• Direct discharge from single-family residences

• Discharges into other ACND waters

• Minimal or no impact discharges, as determined by the ACND

Ordinance Enforcement:

• Fees may be assessed for authorized discharges.

• Penalties and fees may be imposed for unauthorized discharges.

• Violators must cover the ACND’s repair costs.

• All fees, charges, and penalties are subject to the ACND Commission order(s).

Permit Obtainment:

• Single-family residences are exempt.

• Authorization for stormwater discharge or diversion can be obtained through the ACND permit, with detailed application procedures to be published at a later date.

Next Steps:

The ordinance becomes effective upon adoption. Initially focusing on Rockport Harbor and its surrounding areas, the ACND will determine appropriate fees and charges to assess based on an adopted rate structure. No enforcement action for fees and charges will occur until a rate order is adopted at a later date. The ACND anticipates that its first rate order may be published between 60-90 days.

For access to the ordinance, please visit the following link: acnd.org/news/stormwater-discharge-ordinance. Together, we can safeguard our navigable waters, mitigate stormwater and floodwater, and protect natural resources for future generations.

For more information about the Stormwater Discharge Ordinance, please contact the following ACND officials:

About the ACND

The Texas Constitution authorizes the Aransas County Navigation District, which exists to conserve and develop natural resources, including the navigation of inland and coastal waterways, the lands deeded to it by letters of patent and acts of the Texas Legislature, and all other land and water resources acquired for the benefit of the citizens of Aransas County. Please visit the ACND website at www.ACND.org.