As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) “Board” means the Tennessee board of water quality, oil and gas;
(2) “For exploratory purposes” means drilling of mineral test holes for the specific purpose of exploring for mineral resources;
(3) “Mineral” means any substance with economic value whether organic or inorganic that can be extracted from the earth, but excluding oil and gas;
(4) “Mineral test hole” means any hole in excess of one hundred feet (100′) drilled during the exploration for minerals but excludes auger drilling in surficial or otherwise unconsolidated material, drilling in conjunction with mining or quarrying operations, drill holes for the exploration of oil and/or gas, water, structural foundations, and seismic surveys;
(5) “Natural brine” means naturally occurring mineralized water other than potable or fresh water;
(6) “Operator” means the person, whether owner or not, supervising or responsible for drilling, operating, repairing, abandoning or plugging of mineral test holes subject to this part;
(7) “Owner” means the person who has or attains the right to drill, convert or operate any mineral test hole subject to this part;
(8) “Person” means any individual, corporation, company, association, joint venture, partnership, receiver, trustee, guardian, executor, administrator, personal representative or private organization of any kind;
(9) “Pollution” means such alteration of the physical, chemical, biological, bacteriological, or radiological properties of the waters, soils, animal, fish and aquatic life or surface property of this state as will:
(A) Result or will likely result in harm, potential harm, or detriment to the public health, safety, or welfare;
(B) Result or will likely result in harm, potential harm, or detriment to the health of animals, birds, fish, or aquatic life;
(C) Render or will likely render the waters, soils, animal, fish and aquatic life or surface property substantially less useful for domestic, municipal, industrial, agricultural, recreational, or other reasonable uses; or
(D) Leave or will likely leave the waters in such condition as to violate any standards of water quality established by the Tennessee board of water quality, oil and gas; and
(10) “Supervisor” means the commissioner or the commissioner’s designee.
