Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws > Chapter 42-122 - Natural Areas Protection Act of 1993

• Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
• Director: means the director of the department of environmental management of the state of Rhode Island. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-122-3
• Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
• Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
• Natural area preserve: means areas of most environmentally sensitive land and/or water containing habitat suitable for plant or animal life or geological features of biological, scientific, educational, geological, paleontological, or scenic value worthy of preservation in its natural condition which has been approved by the director. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-122-3
• town: may be construed to include city; the words "town council" include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9