§ 113A-152. Definitions.
§ 113A‑152. Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms as used inthis Article are defined as follows:
(1) "Areas of environmental concern" means: thoseareas of this State where uncontrolled development, unregulated use, or otherman‑related activities could result in major or irreversible damage toimportant environmental, historic, cultural, scientific or scenic values, ornatural systems or processes which are of more than local significance, orcould unreasonably endanger life or property as a result of natural hazards, orcould result in loss of continued long‑range productivity in renewableresource areas.
(2) "Principal officer" means the duly appointed orelected public official in responsible charge of a principal department ofState government.
(3) "Key facilities" means public facilities whichtend to induce development and urbanization of more than local impact andincludes, but is not limited to, major facilities for the development,generation, and transmission of energy, for communication, and fortransportation.
(4) "Local government" means any county, incorporatedvillage, town, or city, or any combination of counties, incorporated villages,towns, and cities, acting through a joint program pursuant to the provisions ofthis Article.
(5) "New communities and large‑scaledevelopments" means private development which, because of its magnitude orthe magnitude of its effect on the surrounding environment, is likely topresent issues of more than local significance.
(6) "Project of regional impact" means land use,public development, and private development on government or nongovernmentallands for which there is a demonstrable impact affecting the interests ofconstituents of more than one local unit of government.
(7) "Region" or "regional" means or refersto one or more of the official planning regions established pursuant to thelaws of this State. (1973, c. 1306, s.1.)