TITLE 2: NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION 2: PORTS
§ 2203. Definitions. As used in this article: (a) “Airport” means Saipan International Airport, Rota International Airport, and West Tinian Airport. (b) “Airport elevation” means the highest point of an airport’s usable landing area measured in feet above mean sea level. (c) “Airport hazard” means any structure or object of natural growth located on or in the vicinity of a public airport, or any use of land near such airport, which obstructs the airspace required for the flight of aircraft in landing or taking off at such airport or is otherwise hazardous to such landing or taking off of aircraft. (d) “Approach, transitional, horizontal and conical zones” are zones set forth in 2 CMC § 2204. (e) “Authority” means the Commonwealth Ports Authority established by division 2 of this title, as amended [2 CMC § 2101 et seq.], and any successor governmental or quasi-governmental entity or public corporation charged with the administration and management of the airports of the Northern Marianas. (f) “Board” means the board of directors of the authority. (g) “Executive director” means the person in charge and control of the operation and maintenance of the airports of the Northern Marianas. (h) “Height” means for the purpose of determining the height limits in all zones set forth in this article shown on the zoning map; the datum shall be mean sea level elevation unless otherwise specified. (i) “Nonconforming use” means any preexisting structure, object of natural growth, or use of land which is inconsistent with the provisions of this article or an amendment thereto. (j) “Nonprecision instrument runway” means a runway having an existing instrument approach procedure utilizing air navigation facilities with only horizontal guidance. It also means a runway for which a nonprecision approach is planned and is so indicated on an FAA-approved airport layout plan, a military service’s approved military airport layout plan, or other FAA planning document, or military service’s military airport planning document. (k) “Person” means an individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, joint stock association, or governmental entity and includes a trustee, receiver, assignee, or similar representative of any of them. (l) “Precision instrument runway” means a runway having an existing instrument approach utilizing an Instrument Landing System (ILS) or a Precision Approach Radar (PAR). It also means a runway for which a precision approach system is planned and is so indicated on an FAA-approved airport layout plan, any other FAA planning document, or military service’s military airport planning document. (m) “Primary surface” means a surface longitudinally centered on a runway. When the runway has a specially prepared hard surface, the primary surface extends 200 feet beyond each end of that runway. The width of the primary
TITLE 2: NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION 2: PORTS
surface of a runway will be that width prescribed in Part 77 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) for the most precise approach existing or planned for either end of that runway. The elevation of any point on the primary surface is the same as the elevation of the nearest point on that runway centerline. (n) “Runway” means a defined area on an airport prepared for landing and taking off of aircraft along its length. (o) “Structure” means an object constructed or installed by man, including, but without limitation, buildings, towers, smokestacks, earth formation, and overhead transmission lines. (p) “Tree” means an object of natural growth. Source: PL 4-10, § 3, modified. Commission Comment: The Commission arranged the definitions in this section in alphabetical order.