(1) General requirement. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, an owner or operator must continuously demonstrate financial responsibility for an UST system from the date of its installation until the date of its permanent closure or change-in-service.

(2) Suspension during temporary closure. An owner or operator is not required to demonstrate financial responsibility for an UST system while it is temporarily closed if:

(a) The UST system is emptied in accordance with WAC 173-360A-0800(2); and

(b) After the UST system is emptied, a site assessment around the UST system is completed and reported in accordance with WAC 173-360A-0730. Unless otherwise directed by the department, a site assessment is not required if:

(i) A release from the UST system had previously been confirmed and reported to the department; and

(ii) Further remedial action is necessary to investigate or clean up the confirmed release under WAC 173-360A-0750(4).