(a) The Sabine and Neches Rivers, their associated tributaries, Sabine Lake Bay, and the associated Sabine-Neches estuary are substantially sound ecological environments.     
      (b) The commission finds that these sound ecological environments can best be maintained by a set of flow standards that implement a schedule of flow quantities that contain subsistence flow, base flow, and one level of high flow pulses at defined measurement points. Minimum flow levels for these components will vary by season and by year since the amount of precipitation and, therefore, whether a system is in subsistence or base flow conditions, will vary from year to year and within a year from season to season, and the number of pulses protected will also vary with the amount of precipitation.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §298.260 adopted to be effective May 15, 2011, 36 TexReg 2908