Honorable Ron Bird Chairman Committee on Regions, Compacts and Districts P. O. Box 2910 Austin, Texas 78769
Re: Authority of a city to promulgate run-off regulations for development over the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer.
Dear Representative Bird:
You have requested our opinion regarding the authority of the City of San Antonio to promulgate run-off regulations for that portion of the re-charge zone of the Edwards Aquifer which lies within the city limits and within the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction. The Edwards Aquifer has been statutorily defined as
that portion of an arcuate belt of porous, waterbearing limestones composed of the Comanche Peak, Edwards, and Georgetown formations trending from west to east to northeast through Kinney, Uvalde, Medina, Bexar, Kendall, Comal, and Hays counties, respectively and as defined in the most recent order of the board adopting rules for the protection of the quality of the potable underground water in those counties.
Water Code § 21.098(a).
We note that the City of San Antonio has enacted Ordinance No. 48106 (June 9, 1977) which prohibits issuance of building permits, approval of zoning changes, approval of plats and construction and installation of all sewer, water, gas or electric service extensions or connections over the recharge zone until December 31, 1978. That ordinance is being challenged in the federal courts. Encino Park Venture v. City of San Antonio, (Civil Action No SA-77-CA-174). This office does not issue opinions on matters pending before the courts. Accordingly, we have examined the pleadings in that case to determine whether we are precluded from issuing an opinion on your inquiry. The ordinance provides for a moratorium on new construction which presents different issues than your question involving run-off regulations. Additionally, the ordinance is attacked on federal constitutional grounds rather than on the statutory issues raised by your request. Thus, we believe the specific question you pose is not raised by the pleadings in Encino Park Venture.
Section 21.357(a) of the Water Code authorizes any city to `establish a water pollution control and abatement program for the city.' The statute further provides:
The water pollution control and abatement program of a city shall encompass the entire city and may include areas within its extraterritorial jurisdiction which in the judgment of the city should be included to enable the city to achieve the objectives of the city for the area within its territorial jurisdiction. The city shall include in the program the services and functions which, in the judgment of the city or as may be reasonably required by the [Water Quality] board, will provide effective water pollution control and abatement for the city. . . .
Water Code § 21.357(b). In Attorney General Opinion H-304 (1974) we held that whatever authority is necessary for a city `to perform the actions permitted or required under § 21.357 is necessarily implied' therefrom. Id. at 3. It is our opinion, therefore, that the City of San Antonio is authorized to enact measures to control water pollution, including the promulgation of run-off regulations, in that portion of the re-charge zone of the Edwards Aquifer which lies within the city limits and within the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction.
SUMMARY The City of San Antonio is authorized to promulgate run-off regulations for that portion of the re-charge zone of the Edwards Aquifer which lies within its city limits and within its extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Very truly yours,
John L. Hill Attorney General of Texas
Approved:
David M. Kendall First Assistant
C. Robert Heath Chairman Opinion Committee