(1) For all general permits, the department shall make a preliminary determination to develop a general permit. Interested persons may petition the director requesting that a category of dischargers be considered for the development of a general permit. The department shall respond to such a petition within ninety days of receipt.

(2) The department shall provide public notice of all preliminary determinations to develop a general permit pursuant to WAC 173-226-130(1).

(3) In the event that the department determines not to develop a general permit after publishing a preliminary determination pursuant to WAC 173-226-130(2), the department shall provide public notice to that effect in the same manner as the preliminary determination public notice was provided.