The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this article:
(a) "Cut" or "excavation" means a portion of land surface or area from which earth has been removed or will be removed by excavation; the depth below original ground surface to excavated surface.
(b) "Erosion" means the wearing away of the land surface by action of wind, water or gravity.
(c) "Existing grade" means the vertical location of the ground surface prior to cutting or filling.
(d) "Fill" means a man-made deposit of soil, rock or other materials.
(e) "Finished grade" means the final grade or elevation of the ground surface conforming to the proposed design.
(f) "Grading" means any stripping, cutting, filling, stockpiling or any combination thereof and shall include the land in its cut or filled condition.
(g) "Grading permit" means a permit issued to authorize work performed under this article.
(h) "Mulching" means the application of plant or other suitable materials on the soil surface to conserve moisture, hold soil in place, and aid in establishing plant cover.
(i) "Permittee" means any person to whom a permit is issued in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(j) "Person" means a firm, partnership, association, body politic and corporate or any other group acting as a unit, as well as an individual.
(k) "Sediment" means solid material, both mineral and organic, that is in suspension, is being transported, or has been moved from its site of origin by air, water or gravity as a product of erosion.
(l) "Slope" means the degree of deviation of a surface from horizontal, usually expressed in percent or degree.
(m) "Soil" means all unconsolidated mineral and organic material of whatever origin that overlies bedrock and which can be readily excavated.
(n) "Site" means any plot or parcel of land or combination of contiguous lots or parcels of land where grading is performed or permitted.
(o) "Stripping" means any activity which removes or significantly disturbs the vegetative surface cover, including clearing and grubbing operations.
(p) "Monongahela Soil Conservation District" means the subdivision of the State of West Virginia created and organized in 1943 pursuant to the provisions of the "Soil Conservation District's Law of West Virginia."
(q) "Temporary cover" means straw, hay, mulch or annual seedings used for critical areas to minimize soil erosion for no more than one season.
(r) "Permanent cover" means perennial seedings and plants used for critical areas to minimize soil erosion as permanent cover.
(Passed 3-27-84.)