As used in this act, unless the context indicates another or different meaning or intent:
(a) “Department” means the Department of Conservation and Economic Development, or its successor.

(b) “Construct” and “construction” mean, in addition to the usual meanings thereof, acts of construction, reconstruction, replacement, extension, improvement and betterment.

(c) “Cost” shall mean, in addition to the usual connotations thereof, the cost of acquisition or construction of all or any part of a water supply facility and of all or any real or personal property, agreements and franchises deemed by the department to be necessary or useful and convenient therefor or in connection therewith, including interest or discount on bonds, cost of issuance of bonds, cost of geological and hydrological services, engineering and inspection costs and legal expenses, cost of financial, professional and other estimates and advice, organization, administrative, operating and other expenses prior to and during such acquisition or construction, and all such other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the financing, acquisition, construction and completion of such water supply facility or part thereof and the placing of the same in operation, and also such provision for reserves for working capital, operating, maintenance or replacement expenses and for payment or security of principal of or interest on bonds during or after such acquisition or construction as the State Comptroller may determine, and also reimbursements to the State General Fund of any moneys theretofore expended for or in connection with such water supply facility.

(d) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Conservation and Economic Development.

(e) “Council” means the Water Policy and Supply Council in the Division of Water Policy and Supply.

(f) “Division” means the Division of Water Policy and Supply in the Department of Conservation and Economic Development.

(g) “Net revenues” means all revenues received by the department or division from the operation of a water supply facility, or any part thereof, in excess of the operating expenses thereof and provision for such reasonable reserves therefor as the State Comptroller may require or approve.

(h) “Operating expenses” means, in addition to the usual meanings thereof, all costs and expenses of operating, maintaining, managing, repairing and reconstructing a water supply facility and each and every part thereof including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, administrative expenses, premiums on insurance, including use and occupancy insurance and casualty insurance, costs of collection of any revenues, legal and engineering expenses, payments to employee retirement, insurance, health and hospitalization funds, expenses, liabilities and compensation of fiduciaries, and any other expenses required to be paid for or with respect to proper operation or maintenance of such water supply facility.

(i) “Project” means any work for the protection and preservation or for the development, conservation, regulation or recreational use of a water supply facility, which is separately planned, financed or identified by the department or division.

(j) “Real property” means lands, within or without the State, and improvements thereof or thereon, any and all rights of way, water, riparian and other rights, any and all easements and privileges in real property, and any right or interest of any kind or description in, relating to or connected with real property.

(k) “Water supply facility” or “facility” means and refers to the real property and the plans, structures, machinery and equipment and other property, real, personal and mixed, acquired, constructed or operated, or to be acquired, constructed or operated by or on behalf of the State, for the purpose of augmenting the natural water resources of the State and making available an increased supply of water for all uses, and any and all appurtenances necessary, useful or convenient for the collection, storage, control, sale or exchange of water, and to preserve and protect these resources and facilities and provide for the conservation and development of future water supply sources, and to facilitate incidental recreational uses of either of them.

L.1958, c. 34, p. 97, s. 3.