(a) “Department” means the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

(b) “Commission” means the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality.

(c) “Office” means an administrative subdivision of the department.

(d) “Executive director” means the chief officer of the department.

(e) “Environmental self-evaluation report” means any document, including any audit, report, finding, communication, or opinion or any draft of an audit, report, finding, communication or opinion, prepared solely as a part of or in connection with a voluntary self-assessment that is done in good faith, which report is kept and maintained solely within the confines of the evaluated party.

(f) “Voluntary self-evaluation” means a self-initiated internal assessment, audit, or review, not otherwise expressly required by environmental law, of a facility or an activity at a facility, or management systems related to a facility or an activity. A voluntary self-evaluation shall be designed to identify and prevent noncompliance with environmental laws, and improve compliance with environmental laws. In addition, a voluntary self-evaluation must be conducted by an owner or operator of a facility or an employee of the owner or operator or by a private contractor engaged by the owner or operator.

(g) “Environmental law” means any federal, state or local statute, rule or regulation, or any order, award, agreement, release, permit, license, standard or notice from or issued by a federal, state or local court, agency or governmental authority in pursuance thereof.