58:4A-23. Definitions relative to well drilling

19. As used in this act:

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Environmental Protection.

"Well" means a hole or excavation larger than a minimum diameter and depth established by department regulations pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1947, c.377 (C.58:4A-5) that is drilled, bored, cored, driven, jetted, dug, or otherwise constructed for the purpose of removal or emplacement of, or investigation of, or exploration for, fluids, water, oil, gas, minerals, soil, or rock, or for the installation of an elevator shaft.

"Well drilling" means the drilling, digging, driving, boring, coring, sealing, jetting, or other construction or repair of any well.

"Well driller" means a person possessing a New Jersey license as a well driller of the proper class, including but not limited to test borers and such other classifications as the department establishes by regulation, who engages in well drilling or pump installing.

"Master well driller" means a well driller possessing a New Jersey master well driller's license who has at least five years' experience in the trade, business, or calling of well drilling, including at least two years of experience as a licensed journeyman well driller in this State, and is skilled in the planning, superintending, and practical construction of wells, and the installation and repair of well pumping equipment and appurtenances thereto.

"Journeyman well driller" means a well driller possessing a New Jersey journeyman well driller's license who has at least three years of experience under the supervision of a New Jersey licensed well driller in the trade, business, or calling of well drilling, with concentration in the practical construction of wells, and the installation and repair of well pumping equipment and appurtenances thereto, or who satisfies equivalent experience and other requirements as prescribed by the department.

"Pump" means a mechanical device used to remove or emplace gases, water or fluids from or into a well.

"Pump installer" means a person possessing a New Jersey license as a pump installer who has at least one year of experience under the supervision of a New Jersey licensed well driller or a New Jersey licensed pump installer, and is qualified to engage in pump installing.

"Pump installing" means the installation, removal, alteration, or repair of well pumping equipment and appurtenances thereto in connection with any well including connecting lines between a well and storage tank or appurtenance thereto.

"Board" means the "State Well Drillers and Pump Installers Examining and Advisory Board."

"Department" means the Department of Environmental Protection.

"License of the proper class" or "license" means a document issued to a person pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1947, c.377 (C.58:4A-11) authorizing the individual to engage and perform work in the trade, business, or calling of well drilling, or pump installing.

1947,c.377,s.19; amended 1951,c.261,s.3; 1952,c.84; 1968,c.308,s.12; 1979,c.398,s.14; 1995,c.312,s.21.