(1) In accordance with chapter 42.17 RCW, the department shall make records relating to NPDES permits available to the public for inspection and copying.

(2) The department shall protect any information (other than information on the effluent) contained in its NPDES permit records as confidential upon a showing by any person that such information, if made public, would divulge methods or processes entitled to protection as trade secrets of such person.

(3) Any information accorded confidential status, whether or not contained in an application form, shall be disclosed, upon request, to the regional administrator.

(4) The department shall provide facilities for the inspection of information relating to NPDES permits and shall insure that employees honor requests for such inspection promptly without undue requirements or restrictions. The department shall either (a) insure that a machine or device for the copying of papers and documents is available for a reasonable fee, or (b) otherwise provide for or coordinate with copying facilities or services such that requests for copies of nonconfidential documents may be honored promptly.