Ohio Code § 1517.21

§ 1517.21.

As used in sections 1517.21 to 1517.26 of the Revised Code : (A) “ Cave ” means a naturally occurring void, cavity, recess, or system of interconnecting passages

beneath the surface of the earth or within a cliff or ledge, including, without limitation,

a grotto, rock shelter, sinkhole, cavern, pit, natural well, pothole, or subsurface

water and drainage system. (B) “ Cave life ” means any organism that naturally occurs in, uses, visits, or inhabits any cave,

except those animals that are permitted to be taken under Chapter 1533. of the Revised

Code. (C) “ Material ” includes: (1) Any speleothem, whether attached or broken, found in a cave; (2) Any clay or mud formation or concretion or sedimentary deposit found in a cave; (3) Any scallop, rill, or other corrosional or corrasional feature of a cave; (4) Any wall or ceiling of a cave or any other part of the speleogen. (D) “ Owner ” means any person having title to land in which a cave is located. (E) “ Speleothem ” means any stalactite, stalagmite, or other natural mineral formation or deposit

occurring in a cave. (F) “ Speleogen ” means the surrounding material or bedrock in which a cave is formed, including walls,

floors, ceilings, and similar related structural and geological components. (G) “ Sinkhole ” means a closed topographic depression or basin generally draining underground, including,

without limitation, a blind valley, swallowhole, or sink. (H) “ Hazard ” means a risk of serious physical harm to persons or property.