North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 14. Criminal Law § 14-159.20. Definitions

(1) “Cave” means any naturally occurring subterranean cavity. The word “cave” includes or is synonymous with cavern, pit, well, sinkhole, and grotto;

(2) “Commercial cave” means any cave with improved trails and lighting utilized by the owner for the purpose of exhibition to the general public as a profit or nonprofit enterprise, wherein a fee is collected for entry;

(3) “Gate” means any structure or device located to limit or prohibit access or entry to any cave;

(4) “Person” means any individual, partnership, firm, association, trust or corporation;

(5) “Speleothem” means a natural mineral formation or deposit occurring in a cave. This includes or is synonymous with stalagmites, stalactites, helectites, anthodites, gypsum flowers, needles, angel's hair, soda straws, draperies, bacon, cave pearls, popcorn (coral), rimstone dams, columns, palettes, and flowstone. Speleothems are commonly composed of calcite, epsomite, gypsum, aragonite, celestite and other similar minerals; and

(6) “Owner” means a person who has title to land where a cave is located, including a person who owns title to a leasehold estate in such land.