As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings:

1. I. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the department of environmental services.

   I-a. "Department" means the department of environmental services.

2. II. [Omitted.]

3. III. "Cost of project" shall mean the cost of construction; the cost of all lands, property, rights, easements, and franchises acquired which are deemed necessary for construction; the cost of all machinery and equipment; financing charges; interest prior to and during construction; cost of engineering and legal expense, plans, specifications, surveys, estimates of costs, and other expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of any project; all costs to operate, maintain, and repair the project; the proportionate administrative expense properly allocable to a project as determined by the department; and other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the construction, operation, maintenance, and repair of the project.

   III-a. "Groundwater" shall mean all water in the ground below the water table.

4. IV. "Hydro-energy production facility" shall mean any of those facilities which are adapted to producing and utilizing electrical or mechanical power from water resources, such as power plants and appurtenant substations, including transmission lines to the extent that the lines are necessary to utilize the power produced by a hydro-energy production facility.
5. V. "Project" shall be deemed to include all property, rights, easements and franchises relating to the project and necessary or convenient for its operation. "Project" shall include all means of accomplishing the purposes set forth in RSA 481:1, including, but not limited to, projects involving reservoirs, dams, diversion and distribution canals, lateral ditches, pumping units, mains, pipe lines, waterworks systems and hydro-energy production facilities. The department may enter into projects by means of contracts or agreements with any public or private entity.

Source. 1935, 121:2. 1937, 118:2. RL 266:2. RSA 481:2. 1981, 505:2. 1983, 402:3. 1986, 202:6, I(k). 1996, 228:53, 54, 106. 2009, 112:5, eff. Aug. 14, 2009.