(1) General permits shall be issued for fixed terms not exceeding five years from the effective date.

(2) All permittees covered under a general permit shall submit a new application for coverage under a general permit or an application for an individual permit at least one hundred eighty days prior to the expiration date of the general permit under which the permittee is covered.

(3) When a permittee has made timely and sufficient application for the renewal of coverage under a general permit, an expiring general permit remains in effect and enforceable until:

(a) The application has been denied;

(b) A replacement permit has been issued by the department; or

(c) The expired general permit has been canceled by the department.

(4) Coverage under an expired general permit for permittees who fail to submit a timely and sufficient application shall expire on the expiration date of the general permit.