Unless the context otherwise requires, the provisions of this article shall govern the construction of this part.

“Person” or “operator” means public agencies, federal, state, and local, private corporations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies, individuals, or groups of individuals, whether legally organized or not. “Owner” or “operator” also means the person to whom a water-producing facility is assessed by the county assessor of an affected county, or, if not separately assessed, the person who owns the land upon which a water-producing facility is located.

“Ground water” means all water beneath the earth’s surface, but does not include water which is produced with oil in the production of oil and gas, or in a bona fide mining operation, or during construction operations, or from gravity or artesian springs.

Notwithstanding Sections 75500 and 75502, for purposes of the United Water Conservation District, “groundwater” means all water beneath the earth’s surface, but does not include water that is produced with oil in the production of oil and gas, in a bona fide mining operation, during construction operations, or from gravity or natural springs. For the purpose of this section, “groundwater” includes water produced from artesian wells.

“Production” or “producing” means the act of extracting ground water by pumping or otherwise.

“Water-producing facility” means any device or method, mechanical or otherwise, for the production of water from the ground water supplies within the district.

“Accumulated overdraft” means the amount of water necessary to be replaced in the intake areas of the ground water basins within the district or any zone or zones thereof to prevent the landward movement of salt water into the fresh ground water body, or to prevent subsidence of the land within the district or any zone or zones thereof, as determined by the board from time to time.

“Annual overdraft” means the amount, determined by the board, by which the production of water from ground water supplies within the district or any zone or zones thereof during the water year exceeds the natural replenishment of such ground water supplies in such water year.

year immediately following the current water year.

“Agricultural water” means water first used on lands in the production of plant crops or livestock for market.