As used in this article:

(1) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 48-2-320

(2) "Department" means the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

(3) "Environmental Emergency" means a situation, to be determined by the commissioner, that constitutes an immediate threat to the environment or public health, or both, and providing immediate, but temporary relief to the situation may require the expenditure of funds to effect a solution, provide temporary relief, or retain the services of appropriate technical personnel or contractors.

(4) "Fund" means the "Environmental Emergency Fund" established pursuant to this article.

(5) "Responsible party" means a person determined to be legally responsible for any environmental pollution or threat to public health which requires expenditures from the fund.