25260
. The definitions set forth in this section shall govern the
interpretation of this chapter. Unless the context requires otherwise
and except as provided in this chapter, the definitions contained in
Article 2 (commencing with Section 25310) of Chapter 6.8 shall apply
to the terms used in this chapter.
(a) "Administering agency" means the agency designated by the
committee pursuant to Section 25262.
(b) "Advisory team" means the team convened by the committee
pursuant to Section 25263.
(c) "Agency" means any city, county, district, commission, the
state, or any department, agency, or political subdivision thereof,
that has jurisdiction under a state or local law, ordinance, or
regulation to supervise, oversee, or approve a site investigation and
a remedial action at a hazardous materials release site.
(d) "Hazardous material" means a substance or waste that, because
of its physical, chemical, or other characteristics, may pose a risk
of endangering human health or safety or of degrading the
environment. "Hazardous material" includes, but is not limited to,
all of the following:
(1) A hazardous substance, as defined in Section 25281 or 25316.
(2) A hazardous waste, as defined in Section 25117.
(3) A waste, as defined in Section 470 or as defined in Section
13050 of the Water Code.
(e) "Hazardous materials release site" or "site" means any area,
location, or facility where a hazardous material has been released or
threatens to be released into the environment. "Hazardous materials
release site" does not include a site subject to a response and
cleanup operation under Chapter 7.4 (commencing with Section 8670.1)
of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code or a corrective
action under Part 6 (commencing with Section 46000) of Division 30 of
the Public Resources Code.
(f) "Committee" means the Site Designation Committee created by
Section 25261.
(g) "Remedial action" means actions required by state or local
laws, ordinances, or regulations that are necessary to prevent,
minimize, or mitigate damage that may otherwise result from a release
or threatened release of a hazardous material, and that are
consistent with a permanent remedy for a hazardous materials release.
"Remedial action" includes, but is not limited to, the cleanup or
removal of released hazardous materials from the environment,
monitoring, testing and analysis of the site, site operation and
maintenance, and the placing of conditions, limitations, or
restrictions on the uses of the site after remedial action has been
completed.
(h) "Responsible party" means any person, except for an
independent contractor, who agrees to carry out a site investigation
and remedial action at a hazardous materials release site for one of
the following reasons:
(1) The person is liable under a state or local law, ordinance, or
regulation for the site investigation or remedial action.
(2) The site investigation or remedial action is required by a
state or local law, ordinance, or regulation because of a hazardous
materials release.
(i) "Site investigation" means those actions that are necessary to
determine the full extent of a release or threatened release of a
hazardous material at a hazardous materials release site, identify
the public health and safety or environmental threat posed by the
release or threatened release, collect data on possible remedies, and
otherwise evaluate the hazardous materials release site for the
purpose of implementing remedial action.