(a) Without obtaining a permit from the commission, a person engaged in mariculture activities on land may take an appropriate amount of water from the Gulf of Mexico or adjacent bays and arms of the Gulf of Mexico for that purpose if:
  (1) prior to the first taking of water, the person gives notice to the commission of the proposed appropriation including:
    (A) the name and address of the person(s);
    (B) the location of the project;
    (C) the name of the water source;
    (D) the maximum annual amount of water to be appropriated and the basis for calculating the amount needed; and
    (E) the month and year of the first appropriation.
  (2) the person submits annual water use reports as required by §295.202 of this title (relating to Reports).
(b) After notice and hearing, if the commission determines that low freshwater inflows resulting from an appropriation authorized under subsection (a) of this section are interfering with natural productivity of bays and estuaries, the commission shall issue an order requiring interruption or reduction of the use of water under this section.

Source Note: The provisions of this §297.24 adopted to be effective February 24, 1999, 24 TexReg 1162