In this part, the following definitions apply:
(1) "Department" means the department of natural resources and conservation provided for in Title 2, chapter 15, part 33.
(2) "Forest land" means any land that has enough forest growth, standing or down, to constitute in the judgment of the department an insect or disease infestation breeding ground of a nature to constitute a menace, injurious and dangerous to the forest resources in the district or zone of infestation.
(3) "Forest landowner" means the person, firm, association, or corporation having the actual, beneficial ownership of forest land or timber, other than an easement, right-of-way, or mineral reservation.
(4) "Salvage" means the timely removal of dead and dying timber or timber that is threatened by insects, disease, fire, or windthrow when the removal of timber will help contain insect or disease outbreaks, aid in the prevention of wildfire, or provide long-range protection for such forest resources as wildlife, water, soils, or air quality.