Texas Parks and Wildlife Code - PARKS & WILD § 86.021. Exemptions

(a) The commission by rule shall exempt the projects listed in Subsection (b) from any permit requirement or payment to the department for materials removed if the commission finds that the state will not be deprived of significant revenue and there will be no significant adverse effects on navigation, the coastal sediment budget, riverine hydrology, erosion, or fish and wildlife resources or their habitat.

(b) Projects that may be exempted under Subsection (a) include:

(b-1) In this subsection, “unconsolidated sedimentary material” means loose gravel, sand, or other sedimentary material that has been transported by the flow of the watercourse. The term does not include solid bedrock or earthen banks. A project results in an insignificant taking or disturbance of marl, sand, gravel, shell, or mudshell for purposes of Subsection (b)(1) if:

(c) The commission may require the performance of scientific studies as needed to determine the cumulative effect of permitted operations in a watershed on natural resources using the criteria described by Section 86.004 and may provide for permit holders to participate in the performance of those studies. The commission may reimburse a participating permit holder for costs incurred by the permit holder in performing the study in an amount equal to not more than one-fourth of all royalty fees paid by the permit holder to the commission. Total reimbursements to all participating permit holders may not exceed one-half the total cost of the study.