As used in this chapter:

1. (1) "Catastrophic public nuisance" means a condition on state or federal land where natural resources and biota have been managed or neglected to such an extent as to cause:

   1. (a) the threat of a catastrophic wildfire demonstrated by:

      1. (i) stand density, basal area, or ground fuel load greater than 150% of land health standards; or
      2. (ii) an insect or disease infestation severe enough to threaten the mortality of at least 20% of the trees in the area; or

   2. (b) a condition in the area that threatens the:

      1. (i) quantity or quality of the public water supply of a political subdivision;
      2. (ii) health, safety, or welfare of the citizens of a political subdivision;
      3. (iii) air quality of a nonattainment area; or
      4. (iv) vegetative resources required to support land health and authorized livestock grazing.

2. (2) "Chief executive officer" means:

   1. (a) for a municipality:

      1. (i) the mayor, if the municipality is operating under a form of municipal government other than the council-manager form of government; or
      2. (ii) the city manager, if the municipality is operating under the council-manager form of government; and

   2. (b) for a county:

      1. (i) the chair of the county commission, if the county is operating under the county commission or expanded county commission form of government;
      2. (ii) the county executive officer, if the county is operating under the county-executive form of government; or
      3. (iii) the county manager, if the county is operating under the council-manager form of government.

3. (3) "County sheriff" means an individual:

   1. (a) elected to the office of county sheriff; and
   2. (b) who fulfills the duties described in Section 17-72-201.

4. (4) "Federal agency" means the:

   1. (a) United States Bureau of Land Management;
   2. (b) United States Forest Service;
   3. (c) United States Fish and Wildlife Service; or
   4. (d) National Park Service.
5. (5) "Federally managed land" means land that is managed by a federal agency.
6. (6) "Political subdivision" means a municipality or county.

Amended by Chapter 16, 2025 Special Session 1