Environmental Laws
Section 62. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Code:
a) "Ambient Air Quality" means the average atmospheric purity as distinguished from discharge measurements taken at the source of pollution. It is the general amount of pollution present in a broad area.
b) "Emission" means the act of passing into the atmosphere an air contaminant, pollutant, gas stream and unweanted sound from a known source.
c) "Water Quality" means the characteristics of water which define its use in terms of physical, chemical and biological contents; hence the quality of water for domestic use is different from industrial use.
d) "Water Quality Surveillance" means a close and continous supervision of the water quality to detect developments, movements on changes in the characteristics of the water.
e) "Water Quality Standard" means a plan that is established by governmental authority as a program for water pollutionm prevention and abatement. Such a standard may include water use classification and the criteria to support the uses of the water.
f) "Effluent Standards" means restriction established to limit levels of concentration of physical, chemical and biological constituents which are discharged from point sources.
g) "Clean-up Operations" refers to activities conducted in removing the pollutants discharged or spilled in water to restore it to pre-spill condition.
h) "Accidental Spills" refers to spills of oil or other hazardous substances in water that result from accidents involving the carriers of such substance such as collisions and grounding.
i) "Areas of Critical Environmental Concern" are areas where uncontrolled development could result in irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, or aesthetic values or natural systems or processes of national significance.
j) "Hazardous Substances" means elements or compounds which when discharged in any quantity present imminent or substantial danger to public health and welfare.
k) "Areas Impacted by Public Facilities" refers to areas where the intoduction of public facilities may tend to induce development and urbanization of more than local significance or impact.
l) "Environmental Impact" is the alteration, to any degree, of environmental conditions or the creation of a new set of environmental conditions, adverse or benificial, to be induced or caused by a proposed project.
m) "Government Agencies" refers to national, local and regional agencies and instrumentalities including government-owned and controlled corporations.