(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) “Authority” means Maryland Potomac Water Authority.
(c) “Federal government” means:
(1) The United States of America; or
(2) Any governmental agency of the United States of America.
(d) “Initial cost” means the portion of water supply costs of the project which nonfederal entities must contract to repay prior to construction of the project. Actual payment of initial cost may be extended over a 50-year period beginning when augmented flow first is available from the project.
(e) “Non-Maryland user” means a user not assessable by a represented county.
(f) “Potomac River” means the main stem and North Branch of the Potomac River and its tributaries in those reaches below the augmented average flow surface level of the main stem and North Branch.
(g) “Project” means a federally constructed dam, reservoir, and appurtenances on the North Branch of the Potomac River, commonly referred to as the Bloomington Dam project.
(h) “Represented county” means any county enumerated in this subtitle as being within the district.
(i) “The district”, unless otherwise indicated in the text to mean the District of Columbia, means the area of jurisdiction of the Authority, which includes the following counties: Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Washington.
(j) “User” means any person who uses water from the Potomac River for any purpose without regard to whether or not the water is consumed, altered, or replaced.