(1) The sediment quality standards of WAC 173-204-300 through 173-204-315, and 173-204-350, and the sediment cleanup standards of WAC 173-204-500 through 173-204-575 shall apply to all surface sediments.

(2) The sediment quality standards of WAC 173-204-320, 173-204-330, and 173-204-340 and the applicable sediment cleanup standards of WAC 173-204-560 shall apply to marine, low salinity and freshwater surface sediments, respectively.

(3) The source control standards of WAC 173-204-400 through 173-204-420 shall apply to each person's actions which exposes or resuspends surface sediments which exceed, or otherwise cause or potentially cause surface sediments to exceed, the applicable standards of WAC 173-204-320 through 173-204-340.

(4) The sediment recovery zone standards of WAC 173-204-590 shall apply to each person's cleanup action decision made pursuant to WAC 173-204-570 and 173-204-575 where the selected cleanup action leaves in place marine, low salinity, or freshwater sediments that exceed the applicable sediment cleanup standards of WAC 173-204-560.

(5) The sediment quality standards of WAC 173-204-320 through 173-204-340 shall not apply:

(a) Within a sediment impact zone as authorized by the department under WAC 173-204-415; or

(b) Within a sediment recovery zone as authorized by the department under WAC 173-204-590; or

(c) To particulates suspended in the water column; or

(d) To particulates suspended in a permitted effluent discharge; or

(e) To Part V of this chapter.

(6) Nothing in this chapter shall constrain the department's authority to make appropriate sediment management decisions on a case-specific basis using best professional judgment and latest scientific knowledge for cases where the standards of this chapter are reserved or standards are not available.