(1) The following definition shall apply to this section: “Upland finfish hatching and rearing facilities” means those facilities not located within waters of the state where finfish are hatched, fed, nurtured, held, maintained, or reared to reach the size of release or for market sale. This shall include fish hatcheries, rearing ponds, spawning channels, and other similarly constructed or fabricated public or private facilities.

(2) Not later than September 30, 1989, the department shall adopt standards pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW for waste discharges from upland finfish hatching and rearing facilities. In establishing these standards, the department shall incorporate, to the extent applicable, studies conducted by the United States environmental protection agency on finfish rearing facilities and other relevant information. The department shall also issue a general permit as authorized by the federal clean water act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., or RCW 90.48.160 by September 30, 1989, for upland finfish hatching and rearing facilities. The department shall approve or deny applications for coverage under the general permit for upland finfish hatching and rearing facilities within one hundred eighty days from the date of application, unless a longer time is required to satisfy public participation requirements in the permit process in accordance with applicable rules, or compliance with the requirements of the state environmental policy act under chapter 43.21C RCW. The department shall notify applicants for coverage by a general permit as soon as it determines that a proposed discharge meets or fails to comply with the standards or general permit conditions set forth pursuant to this section, or that a time period longer than one hundred eighty days is necessary to satisfy public participation requirements or the state environmental policy act.