Water, such as rainfall runoff, that collects and flows on the ground but does not form a watercourse. • Surface water is usu. subject to different regulations from water flowing in a watercourse. — Often shortened to surface water. See COMMON-ENEMY DOCTRINE; WATERCOURSE. [Cases: Waters and Water Courses 115. C.J.S. Waters § 254.]
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surface. 1. The top layer of something, esp. of land. 2. Mining law. An entire portion of land, including mineral deposits, except those specifically reserved. • The meaning of the term varies, esp. when used in legal instruments, depending on the language used, the intention of the parties, the business involved, and the nature and
surface interest. Oil & gas. Every right in real property other than the mineral interest. • The surface-interest owner has the right to the surface subject to the right of the mineral-interest owner to use the surface. The surface-interest owner is entitled to whatever nonmineral substances are found in or under the soil. — Also
wharfage (worf-ij), n. Hist. 1. The fee paid for landing, loading, or unloading goods on a wharf. [Cases: Wharves 15. C.J.S. Wharves §§ 3, 6, 22.] 2. The accommodation for loading or unloading goods on a wharf.
Water lying on the surface of the earth but not forming part of a watercourse or lake. • Surface water most commonly derives from rain, springs, or melting snow.
paterfamilias (pay-t[schwa]r-f[schwa]-mil-ee-[schwa]s or pah-t[schwa]r-), n. [Latin] Roman law. The male head of a family or household; the senior ascendant male; esp., one invested with potestas (power) over another. — Also termed homo sui juris. See patria potestas under POTESTAS.
undercurrent of surface stream. Water that moves slowly through the bed of a stream or the lands under or immediately adjacent to the stream. • This water is considered part of the surface stream. — Also termed underflow of surface stream.
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Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. A unit in the U.S. Department of the Interior responsible for protecting against the adverse effects of surface coal mining by enforcing laws relating to surface mining and restoration and by assisting states and local governments, which have primary responsibility in this area. — Abbr. OSM.
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warfare. 1. The act of engaging in war or military conflict. See WAR. [Cases: War and National Emergency 9. C.J.S. War and National Defense § 4.] 2. Loosely, the act of engaging in any type of conflict. biological warfare. The use of biological or infectious agents in war, usu. by delivering them via airplanes or