The following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Administrative Procedure Act” means State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Administrative Law Judge” means an Administrative Law Judge of the Office of Administrative Hearings. “Contested Case” has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §10-202(d), Annotated Code of Maryland. “Department” means the Department of Natural Resources. “Office of Administrative Hearings” has the meaning stated in State Government Article, §9-1602, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Party” means a person or agency named or admitted as a party, including the Department. “Person” includes the federal government, the State, any county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the State, or any of their units, or an individual, receiver, trustee, guardian, executor, administrator, fiduciary, or representative of any kind, or any partnership, firm, association, public or private corporation, or any other entity. “Secretary” means the Secretary of Natural Resources or a designee of the Secretary. For purposes of this chapter Secretary includes an official empowered by statute to render the final agency decision in a contested case.