As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) “District,” “conservation district,” “soil conservation district,” or “soil and water conservation district” means a governmental subdivision of this state and a public body, corporate and politic, organized in accordance with the provisions of this chapter for the purposes, with the powers, and subject to the provisions, herein set forth. All districts created under this chapter shall be known as conservation districts and shall have all the powers and duties set out in this chapter;
(2) “Director” means one (1) of the members of the governing body of a district, elected or appointed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter;
(3) “Petition” means a petition filed under the provisions of § 14-125-201 for the creation of a district;
(4) “Nominating petition” means a petition filed under the provisions of § 14-125-302 to nominate candidates for the office of director of a soil conservation district;
(5) “State” means the State of Arkansas;
(6) “Agency of this state” includes the government of this state and any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of the government of this state;
(7) “United States” or “agencies of the United States” includes the United States of America, the Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, and any other agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of the United States of America;
(8) “Government” or “governmental” includes the government of this state, the Government of the United States, and any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of either of them;
(9) “Landowner” or “owner of land” includes any person, firm, or corporation who shall hold title to or shall have contracted to purchase any lands lying within a district organized under the provisions of this chapter;
(10) “Due notice” means notice published at least twice, with an interval of at least seven (7) days between the two (2) publication dates, in a newspaper or other publication of general circulation within the appropriate area, or posted at a reasonable number of conspicuous places within the appropriate areas. This posting shall include, where possible, posting at public places where it may be customary to post notices concerning county or municipal affairs generally. At any hearing held pursuant to the notice, at the time and place designated in the notice, adjournment may be made from time to time without the necessity of renewing the notice for the adjourned dates;
(11) “Plan for works of improvement” or “improvement plan” means a plan for works of improvement, adopted by the board of directors of a district and approved by the chancery court, for an improvement project area established under this chapter;
(12) “Improvement project area” or “project area” means an area established under the provisions of this chapter within a soil and water conservation district or districts for the carrying out of a plan for works of improvement;
(13) “Qualified elector” means any owner of land within the district who is registered to vote under the election laws of the State of Arkansas.