(1) The department will post stewardship plans on the department's website to allow public review and comment.

(2) Within ninety days after receipt of a complete plan, the department will determine whether the plan complies with this chapter.

(3) The department will determine if the plan is:

(a) Approved. If approved, the department will send a letter of approval to the stewardship organization via certified mail. The approval letter will include an expiration date for the plan, either after two years, for initial plans, or four years, for updated plans, from approval.

(b) Disapproved. If disapproved, the department will send a letter of disapproval to the stewardship organization via certified mail. The disapproval letter will provide the department's reasons for not approving the plan.

(i) The stewardship organization must submit a new or revised plan within sixty days after receipt of the disapproval letter.

(ii) The department will have an additional sixty days to review the new or revised plan.

(4) The department will consider the following when reviewing a plan for approval:

(a) The plan met the submittal dates;

(b) The plan meets all the requirements in this chapter and provides descriptive information sufficient to allow the department to determine that the implementation of the plan will be in compliance with this chapter;

(c) When reviewing a plan for service level, the department may contact the local governments or communities identified in the plan; and

(d) The plan, when implemented, would meet or exceed required collection service levels (see WAC 173-910-320).

(5) The department may request additional information or clarification during the review of a plan. If the department determines that additional information is needed, the stewardship organization must submit the additional information to the department within sixty days of receipt of the notice.

(6) Stewardship organizations may request portions of the plan be exempted from public disclosure in accordance with RCW 42.56.270.