The following words or phrases, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, or unless a subchapter has a different definition that only applies to that subchapter:

1. (1) Affected person--a person who meets the requirements of §55.256 of this title (relating to Determination of Affected Person) for the specific environmental condition proposed to be adjusted.
2. (2) Base flow--the range of average flow conditions, in the absence of significant rainfall events, that may vary depending on current weather patterns.
3. (3) Environmental flow regime--a schedule of flow quantities that reflects seasonal and yearly fluctuations that typically would vary geographically, by specific location in a watershed, and that are shown to be adequate to support a sound ecological environment and to maintain the productivity, extent, and persistence of key aquatic habitats in and along the affected water bodies.
4. (4) Environmental flow standards--those requirements contained in this chapter, adopted by the commission under Texas Water Code, §11.1471.
5. (5) Lower Rio Grande--the main stem of the Rio Grande, and its tributaries in Texas, from just above Falcon Reservoir to the mouth of the Rio Grande.
6. (6) Measurement point--a specific geographical location on a watercourse where environmental flow standards are established.
7. (7) Middle Rio Grande--the main stem of the Rio Grande, and its tributaries in Texas, from just above Amistad Reservoir to just above Falcon Reservoir.
8. (8) Pulse or high flow pulse--relatively short-duration, high flows within the stream channel that occur during or immediately following a storm event.
9. (9) Set-aside-an amount of unappropriated water, if available, to be set aside to satisfy the environmental flow standards to the maximum extent reasonable when considering human water needs.
10. (10) Subsistence flow--the minimum streamflow needed during critical drought periods to maintain tolerable water quality conditions and to provide minimal aquatic habitat space for the survival and recolonization of aquatic organisms.
11. (11) USGS--United States Geological Survey.
12. (12) Water right holder--a person or entity that owns a valid certificate of adjudication, certified filing, or water right permit.
13. (13) Water right permit--a valid certificate of adjudication, certified filing, or water right permit. The term does not include exempt water uses, such as domestic and livestock water uses.

Source Note:The provisions of this §298.1 adopted to be effective May 15, 2011, 36 TexReg 2908.