34A-12-1. Definition of terms. Terms used in §§ 23A-27-25, 34A-1-39, 34A-12-1 to 34A-12-15, inclusive, 38-20A-9, 45-6B-70, 45-6C-45, 45-6D-60, and 45-9-68 mean:

(1) "Corrective action," any action taken to minimize, contain, eliminate, remediate, mitigate, and clean up a discharge, including any necessary emergency remedial action;

(2) "Corrective action cost," any cost incurred by the department in the investigation of a discharge; removal, attempted removal, emergency remedial efforts, and corrective actions performed on a discharge; or the performance of reasonable measures undertaken to prevent or mitigate damage to the public health, safety, welfare, or environment of the state;

(3) "Department," the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;

(4) "Discharge," an intentional or unintentional act or omission which results in the release, spill, leak, emission, escape, or disposal of a regulated substance into the environment and which harms or threatens harm to public health or safety or the environment. The term excludes any discharge made in compliance with the conditions of a federal or state permit;

(5) "Emergency remedial effort," any action taken to protect the public health, safety, or the environment from imminent danger resulting from a discharge, and any action taken to contain a discharge which, if not contained, will in time pose a greater threat to the public health, safety, or the environment than if such action is not immediately taken;

(6) "Environment," land, including public and private property, surface and underground waters, fish, wildlife, biota, air, and other such resources within the state;

(7) "Person," public or private corporations, companies, associations, societies, firms, limited liability companies, partnerships, cooperatives, joint stock companies, individuals, the United States, this state and any of its political subdivisions and agencies, and any other state;

(8) "Regulated substance," the compounds designated by the department under §§ 23A-27-25, 34A-1-39, 34A-6-1.3(17), 34A-11-9, 34A-12-1 to 34A-12-15, inclusive, 45-6B-70, 45-6C-45, 45-6D-60, and 45-9-68, including pesticides and fertilizers regulated by the Department of Agriculture; the hazardous substances designated by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and Clean Water Act (33 United States Code sections 1251 to 1387, inclusive), as amended to January 1, 2011; the toxic pollutants designated by Congress or the Federal Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to section 307 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 United States Code sections 2601 to 2671, inclusive), as amended to January 1, 2011; the hazardous substances designated by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 United States code sections 9601 to 9675, inclusive), as amended to January 1, 2011; and petroleum, petroleum substances, oil, gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, oil sludge, oil refuse, oil mixed with other wastes, crude oils, substances, or additives to be utilized in the refining or blending of crude petroleum or petroleum stock, and any other oil or petroleum substance. This term does not include sewage and sewage sludge;

(9) "Response fund," the regulated substance response fund established by § 34A-12-3;

(10) "Responsible person," a person who has caused a discharge of a regulated substance, or a person who is an owner or operator of a tank at any time during or after a discharge;

(11) "Secretary," the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources;

(12) "Tank," any one or a combination of containers, vessels, and enclosures, including structures and appurtenances connected to them, that is, or has been, used to contain or dispense a regulated substance which is either stationary or attached to a motor vehicle. This includes pipeline facilities which transport and store regulated substances. Facilities used exclusively for natural gas and liquified natural gas storage and transport are not included as part of §§ 23A-27-25, 34A-1-39, 34A-12-1 to 34A-12-15, inclusive, 45-6B-70, 45-6C-45, 45-6D-60, and 45-9-68.Source: SL 1988, ch 291, § 1; SL 1991, ch 17 (Ex. Ord. 91-4), § 17; SL 1994, ch 351, § 72; SL 1995, ch 120, § 2; SL 2011, ch 165, § 152.