(1) The department shall issue a wet storage permit for recirculating, flow-through, or beach wet storage if the requirements in this section and chapter 69.30 RCW are met.

(2) To qualify for a wet storage permit the applicant shall:

(a) Have a valid shellfish operation license;

(b) Have a valid harvest site certificate for the applicable site(s);

(c) Submit to the department a complete application on a form provided by the department and a written plan of operations that completely describes the procedures of the wet storage operation;

(d) Document that the water used for the operation meets the requirements of the NSSP Model Ordinance;

(e) Pass an inspection by the department; and

(f) Pay the applicable fee required by WAC 246-282-990.

(3) If shellstock are beach or flow-through wet stored, the following requirements must be met:

(a) The person shall have a valid wet storage permit for where the shellstock are stored;

(b) Both the original harvest site and the wet storage site must be classified as approved or conditionally approved in open status;

(c) The shellstock must:

(i) Contain a tag as specified in WAC 246-282-080 when moved from one harvest site to another;

(ii) Be identified by lot, with each lot containing shellstock of the same harvest site and date. Shellstock must not be commingled with other lots;

(iii) Be held in containers and stored in a manner that ensures the free flow of water to all shellstock; and

(iv) Be tagged according to requirements listed in WAC 246-282-080 once harvested.

(4) If shellstock are wet stored in a recirculating system, the following requirements must be met:

(a) The person shall have a valid wet storage permit for where the shellstock are stored;

(b) The operation shall undergo and pass a validation study as described in the NSSP Model Ordinance;

(c) The operation shall maintain water testing requirements as described in the NSSP Model Ordinance;

(d) The shellstock must:

(i) Contain a tag as specified in WAC 246-282-080;

(ii) Be identified by lot, with each lot containing shellstock of the same harvest site and date. The shellstock must not be commingled with other lots; and

(iii) Be held in containers and stored in a manner that ensures the free flow of water to all shellstock; and

(e) If the operation uses artificial seawater for a recirculating wet storage operation, the chemicals used to make the seawater must be approved food grade.

(5) If shellstock is wet stored for less than 14 days, the shellstock will keep the characteristics and properties of the original harvest site.

(6) If shellstock is wet stored, excluding a recirculating wet storage system, on a site for 14 days or more, the shellstock will take on the characteristics and properties of that harvest site and be considered transplanted. These shellstock must meet the requirements under WAC 246-282-044.

(7) A person operating under a wet storage permit shall follow all procedures in the plan of operations approved by the department.

(8) A wet storage permit issued under this section expires on the same date as the shellfish operation license.