For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms and phrases shall have the meaning stated hereinbelow, unless a different meaning is clearly inferred from the text:(a) Cave or cavern.— Natural cavity, niche, chamber or a series of chambers and galleries under the surface of the earth, inside a mountain, or formed by the horizontal projections of rocks in a cliff.(b) Sinkhole.— Hole which is usually circular in form, found in karstic regions, with a diameter that may vary from several meters to a kilometer. [Its depth may be of several hundred meters.](c) Owner.— Proprietor of the piece of land or farm in which the cave, cavern or sinkhole is located, or in which the access or accesses to one of these is located.(d) Natural material.— Every deposit, concretion or mineral formation in a cave, cavern or sinkhole. It includes, without being limited thereto: stalactites, eccentric stalactites, stalagmites, columns, dripstone, hangers, calcyte crystals, fans, dikes, cavern pearls, guano or deposits of living creatures, and others. Provided, That the walls, floors and ceilings of the caves, caverns or sinkholes are considered to be natural material.(e) Government body.— Any ls, guano or deposits of living creatures, and others. Provided, That the walls, floors and ceilings of the caves, caverns or sinkholes are considered to be natural material.(e) Government body.— Any department, agency, bureau, office, instrumentality, public corporation or political subdivision of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.(f) Person.— Any natural or juridical, public or private person and any association thereof.(g) Commercial activity.— Any activity carried on in any cave, cavern or sinkhole that generates or intends to generate financial profit. History —July 12, 1985, No. 111, p. 384, § 3.
Puerto Rico Legal Code