Section 38-12.1-03 - DefinitionsAs used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Coal" means a dark-colored, compact, and earthy organic rock with less than forty percent inorganic components, based on dry material, formed by the accumulation and decomposition of plant material. The term includes lignite in both oxidized and nonoxidized forms, whether or not the material is enriched in radioactive materials. The term does not include commercial leonardite.2. "Coal exploration" means: a. The use of any technique which when applied to the surface of the land will aid in the discovery or evaluation of coal or commercial leonardite or aid in determining the quantity and quality of coal or commercial leonardite present. It includes drilling or digging, excavating, core sample drilling and collection, diamond drilling, trenching, or any other type of penetration of the surface of the earth; orb. Environmental data gathering activities conducted for the purpose of establishing the conditions of an area prior to applying for a permit under chapter 38-14.1. The provisions of sections 38-12.1-04 and 38-12.1-05 are not applicable to such environmental data gathering activities unless the natural land surface will be substantially disturbed or such activities are located on lands designated unsuitable for mining under section 38-14.1-05.3. "Commercial leonardite" means a dark-colored, soft, earthy rock formed from the oxidation of lignite coal, and is produced from a mine that has as its only function for supply for purposes other than gasification or combustion to generate electricity.4. "Commission" means the industrial commission of the state of North Dakota.5. "Permit area" means a county.6. "Person" means and includes any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, association, partnership, receiver, trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, fiduciary, or other representative of any kind, and includes any department, agency, or instrumentality of the state or of any governmental subdivision thereof; the masculine gender, in referring to a person, includes the feminine and the neuter genders.7. "Road" means a surface or right of way for purposes of travel by land vehicles used in coal or commercial leonardite exploration. A road consists of the entire area of the right of way, including the roadbed, shoulders, parking and side areas, approaches, structures, ditches, and surface.Amended by S.L. 2015 , ch. 257( SB 2377 ), § 4, eff. 7/1/2015.