Cadastral survey systemA survey that creates, marks, defines, retraces, or re-establishes the boundaries and subdivisions of the public land of the United States.
Cadmium (Cd)A chemical element used in making certain types of solar cells and batteries.
CairnA mound of stones erected as a memorial or marker.
CalcareousOf, containing, or like calcite (calcium carbonate).
CalderaA large, usually circular depression at the summit of a volcano, formed when magma is erupted from a shallow underground magma reservoir.
CalicheA sedimentary deposit, commonly made of calcium carbonate, and formed from the leaching of minerals from the top layers of soil.
California Ambient Air Quality Standard (CAAQS)A legal limit that specifies the maximum level and time of exposure in the outdoor air for a given air pollutant and which is protective of human health…
Cancer(KAN-ser) A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the…
CapA cap is a ceiling, or the highest level to which something can go. For example, an interest rate cap limits the amount by which an interest rate can be…
Capacity factorThe ratio of the average load on (or power output of) a generating unit or system to the capacity rating of the unit or system over a specified period of…
Carbon Monoxide (CO)A colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion. Carbon monoxide is poisonous if inhaled.
Carbon sinkA reservoir that absorbs or takes up released carbon from another part of the carbon cycle.
Carbonate rockRocks (such as limestone or dolostone) that are composed primarily of minerals (such as calcite and dolomite) containing the carbonate ion (CO32-).
CenozoicAn era of geologic time from the beginning of the Tertiary period (65 million years ago) to the present. Its name is from the Greek and it means "new life.
Census blockCensus blocks are defined by the U.S. Bureau of Census and are the smallest geographic unit for which the Census Bureau tabulates data.
Census block groupsGeographic entities consisting of groups of individual census blocks. Census blocks are grouped together so that they contain between 250 and 550 housing…
Center pivot irrigationA form of sprinkler irrigation consisting of several segments of pipe (usually galvanized steel or aluminum) that are joined together and supported by…
Central Arizona Project (CAP) AqueductA 336-mi (541-km) long diversion canal operated by the Central Arizona Water Conservation District that diverts water from the Colorado River into central…
CERCLASee Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
Change-outThe routine replacement of chemicals contained in process equipment, in accordance with schedules established by the manufacturer, or as a result of…
Channel incisionThe process of downcutting into a stream channel leading to a decrease in the channel bed elevation.
ChaparralA plant community of shrubs and low trees adapted to annual drought and often extreme summer heat and also highly adapted to fires recurring every 5 to 20…
ChertA hard, dense, fine-grained type of sedimentary rock; a microcrystalline aggregate of silica (quartz).
Chronic effectsEffects resulting from exposure to low levels of a stressing factor (e.g., contaminant, disease, electromagnetic field, noise, and radionuclides) over…
CienegaA perennially wet area supported by a spring or other water source; also called wetland, marsh, or swamp.
Cinder coneA conical hill formed around a volcanic vent by the accumulation of loose cinders and other pyroclastics ejected during a volcanic eruption, normally…
Class I AreaAny area designated for the most stringent protection from air quality degradation.
Class II AreaAny area where air is cleaner than required by federal air quality standards and designated for a moderate degree of protection from air quality…
ClayA very fine-grained rock or mineral fragment of any composition that has a diameter of less than 0.002 mm.
Clean Air Act (CAA)The Superfund law incorporates those substances listed as hazardous air pollutants under section 112 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) as CERCLA hazardous…
Clean Water Act (CWA)The Superfund law incorporates those substances listed as hazardous water pollutants under section 311 (b)(4) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) as CERCLA…
Clearing and grubbingCleaning a site to prepare it for construction. Involves removing debris, structures, shrubbery, trees, obstructions, and objectionable and unsuitable…
ClimateThe prevailing or average weather conditions of a geographic region.
Closed BasinA basin draining to some depression or a pond within its area, from which water is lost only by evaporation or percolation.
Closed-loop cooling systemAlso known as a wet closed-cycle cooling system, a system that circulates water between a steam condenser and a cooling tower to cool steam condensate at…
Clovis ComplexCharacteristic of Paleoindian finds located near Clovis, New Mexico, such as specific fluted points.
CollectionThe capture or obtaining of plant or animal specimens. This can include obtaining specimens for scientific study, pets, or illegal trade.
CollectorThe component of a solar energy heating system that collects solar radiation, and that contains components to absorb solar radiation and transfer the heat…
ColluviumA general term to include loose rock and soil material that accumulates at the base of a slope as the result of mass wasting processes.
ColorThe sensible perception of hue, value and saturation characteristics of surfaces of window components.
CommunityA political entity that has the authority to adopt and enforce floodplain ordinances for the area under its jurisdiction.
compactAn agreement between states apportioning the water of a river basin to each of the signatory states.
Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR)A type of concentrated solar power (CSP) technology similar to a parabolic trough design, where the sun's heat energy is reflected onto a receiver…
CompensationA type of mitigation in which the impacts to a species or habitat are offset by protecting, restoring, or creating suitable habitat elsewhere.
Compensatory mitigation(For purposes of the Clean Water Act Section 404 and Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 regulatory programs), compensatory mitigation is the restoration…
Composite noise levelA single noise level summed on an energy basis from many noise sources (e.g., Stirling engine, electric generator, cooling fan, and air compressor for a…
Concentrating (Solar) CollectorA solar collector that uses reflective surfaces to concentrate sunlight onto a small area, where it is absorbed and converted to heat or, in the case of…
Concentrating solar power (CSP) technologiesAny of a family of solar energy technologies that reflect and concentrate the sun's energy to produce heat that is subsequently used to produce steam to…
ConcentrationAmount of a chemical in a particular volume or weight of air, water, soil, or other medium.
ConcentratorA photovoltaic module, which includes optical components such as lenses (Fresnel lens) to direct and concentrate sunlight onto a solar cell.
Conditional Use Permit (CUP)In California, this is a permit that is required to be obtained from the county government authority in which a solar energy facility is to be located.
Cone of DepressionA depression in the water table that develops around a pumped well.
ConglomerateA conglomerate is a corporation whose multiple business units operate in different, often unrelated, areas.
ConiferA plant commonly having needlelike, persistent leaves and a woody cone for a fruit.
Consumptive use(1) Any use of water that permanently removes water from the natural stream system.
ContrastThe difference between the brightness of an object compared to that of its immediate background.
Contrast levelA description of the relative amount of visual contrast resulting from a change in the visible landscape.
Corona dischargeElectrical discharge accompanied by ionization of surrounding atmosphere around high-voltage transmission lines, occurring mostly under wet conditions.
Corona/corona noiseThe electrical breakdown of air into charged particles. The phenomenon appears as a bluish-purple glow on the surface of and adjacent to a conductor when…
CorridorA strip of land through which one or more existing or potential facilities may be located.
coverNatural or manmade objects on the bottom of lakes, rivers, or impoundments, especially those that influence fish behavior.
CraterA steep-sided, usually circular depression formed by either explosion or collapse at a volcanic vent.
Creep (rate)Relatively slow movement along a fault. It is sometimes called "seismic creep" to distinguish it from the slumping of rock or soil on slopes (which is…
CrescentsQuarter-moon-shaped (hence crescent) artifacts that may have been in the form of blades, scrapers, or projectile points.
Criteria air pollutantsSix common air pollutants for which National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) have been established by the U.S.
Critical habitatThe specific area within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time it is listed as endangered or threatened.
Crucial winter rangeThe portion of the winter range to which a wildlife species is confined during periods of heaviest snow cover or that portion of the year-long range which…
CrustaceansAquatic animals with hard external skeletons and segmented limbs, belonging to the class Crustacea; include cladocerans, shrimp, crayfish, fairy shrimp…
Crustal spreading centerA linear zone in the Earth's crust whose opposite sides are moving away from one another.
Cryptogamic soil crustsA soil crust dominated by a community of algae, lichens, or mosses. See also Biological soil crusts
CSPA type of tumor found in breast or prostate tissue. It is often large and bulky and grows quickly.
CuestaAn elongated ridge formed by gently tilting sedimentary strata. The landform has a steep slope (escarpment or cliff) where the strata are exposed on their…
Cultural modificationAny human-caused change in the land form, water form, vegetation, or the addition of a structure which creates a visual contrast in the basic elements (e.
Cultural resourcesArchaeological sites, structures, or features; traditional use areas; and Native American sacred sites or special use areas that provide evidence of the…
Cumulative impactsThe impacts assessed in an environmental impact statement that could potentially result from incremental impacts of the action when added to other past…
Cut-and-fillThe process of earth grading by excavating part of a higher area and using the excavated material for fill to raise the surface of an adjacent lower area.
CyanobacteriaBlue-green algae, prokaryotic, photosynthetic organisms that generally have a blue-green tint and lack chloroplasts.