P.R. Laws tit. 12, § 1151
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning stated below:
(a) Karst region.— Stretches of land located to the north, as a continuous strip; to the south, as a broken strip; the islands of Mona, Monito, and parts of Caja de Muertos; and isolated outcrops in other parts of the island. This region is characterized by a geology composed of chalky sedimentary rocks, mainly of limestone. It is greatly susceptible to being dissolved by the flow of surface and underground waters, to form a special negative (depressions), positive (superficial), and underground geography.
(b) Karst formations.— Limestone hills or mountains of conical configuration with slopes that vary from slight to abrupt, sometimes hollowed by caves, and that rise in alluvial plains.
(c) Doline.— A depression in the terrain formed by the dissolving action of underground water when it percolates through fractures in the limestone rock. It generally has the shape of a plate, a funnel, or a pot.
(d) Sinkhole.— Natural duct or canal in the terrain, through which the waters drain.
(e) Cave or cavern.— Natural cavity, niche, chamber, or series of chambers and galleries under the earth’s surface, inside a mountain, or formed by the horizontal projection of rocks in a cliff.
(f) Secretary.— The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(g) Owner.— Title holder of a portion of land that is part of the karst region.
(h) Natural material.— Any geological material that is a morphological part of the karst system and its related ideological region; or any biological component that inhabits the karst ecosystem.
(i) Areas of natural value.— Lands or bodies of water that have ecological importance and specific geological and hydrological characteristics, where there are one or more ecosystems with a high, precise, and self-sustainable biodiversity, with vital functions for the survival of that biodiversity which result in the survival, well-being or the quality of life of human beings. The areas inhabited by species that are endemic, threatened, or in danger of extinction, shall also be considered as areas of high natural value.
(j) Conservation easement.— A lien on real property with the purpose of guaranteeing the protection of an area of natural value.
History —Aug. 21, 1999, No. 292, § 3.