Montana Code 23-2-902. Definitions
23-2-902. Definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply:
Terms Used In Montana Code 23-2-902
- Cave: means any geologically formed void or cavity beneath the surface of the earth or within a cliff or ledge, including but not limited to natural subsurface water and drainage systems, whether or not a natural entrance is present. See Montana Code 23-2-902
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
- Person: means an individual, partnership, firm, association, trust, corporation, or other legal entity. See Montana Code 23-2-902
- Speleothem: means a natural mineral formation or deposit occurring in a cave, including but not limited to formations known as stalagmite, stalactite, helectite, shield, anthodite, gypsum flower and needle, angel's hair, soda straw, drapery, bacon, cave pearl, popcorn, rimstone dam, column, palette, and flowstone. See Montana Code 23-2-902
(1)”Cave” means any geologically formed void or cavity beneath the surface of the earth or within a cliff or ledge, including but not limited to natural subsurface water and drainage systems, whether or not a natural entrance is present. The term does not include a mine, tunnel, aqueduct, or human-made excavation but does include any natural structure that is commonly known as a cavern, sinkhole, pit, grotto, or rock shelter and that communicates with a subterranean passage or drainage system.
(2)”Cave life” means any life form that occurs in, uses, visits, or inhabits a cave.
(3)”Gate” means a structure or device located to limit or prohibit access or entry to a cave.
(4)”Material” means all or part of any archaeological, cultural, paleontological, biological, or historical item or artifact found in a cave, including but not limited to any petroglyph, pictograph, pottery, basketwork, fossil, human remains, or animal remains.
(5)”Owner” means any person or public or private agency that has the right to possession of a cave.
(6)”Person” means an individual, partnership, firm, association, trust, corporation, or other legal entity.
(7)”Speleogen” means the surrounding natural earth or bedrock in which a cave is formed, including but not limited to clastic sediments, walls, floors, ceiling, and other related structural and geological features.
(8)”Speleothem” means a natural mineral formation or deposit occurring in a cave, including but not limited to formations known as stalagmite, stalactite, helectite, shield, anthodite, gypsum flower and needle, angel’s hair, soda straw, drapery, bacon, cave pearl, popcorn, rimstone dam, column, palette, and flowstone. A speleothem is commonly composed of calcite, gypsum, epsomite, aragonite, celestite, or other similar mineral.