Definitions

Definitions. As used in this chapter: (a) “Beneficial use” shall include the use of water reasonably required for domestic, agricultural, commercial, industrial, recreational and other purposes on both public and private lands. The use of water for domestic purposes is defined as the highest beneficial use of water. (b) “Chief” shall mean the Chief of the Division of Environmental Quality within the Department of Public Health and Environmental Services. (c) “Contamination” shall mean the introduction of any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance into water which has the potential to pose a threat to human health or the environment or to impede the most beneficial use of the water. (d) “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, both public and private; and any entity or agency of the Commonwealth government and the United States of America. (e) “Water” shall be defined as ponds, springs, well, aquifers, streams and all other bodies of surface or underground water whether natural, inland, coastal, fresh, salt, public, or private. (f) “Well” shall be defined as any hole drilled, dug, or bored at any angle, either cased or uncased, for the purpose of obtaining water or knowledge of water bearing formations or for the disposal of surface water drainage of waste materials. Source: PL 6-12, § 4. Commission Comment: With respect to the reference to the “Chief of the Division of Environmental Quality” within the Department of Natural Resources, see Executive Order 94-3 (effective August 23, 1994), reorganizing the executive branch, changing agency names and official titles, and effecting other changes, set forth in the Commission comment to 1 CMC § 2001.