For the purposes of furthering necessary research, the land application of nonexceptional quality biosolids is exempt from the agronomic rate requirements in WAC 173-308-190 or 173-308-270, the reporting requirements in WAC 173-308-295, and the permitting requirements in WAC 173-308-310 if all of the following requirements are met:

(1) A research proposal must be submitted containing, at a minimum, the following:

(a) A description of the nature of the project, what may be learned, the anticipated benefits, provisions for progress reports, provisions for peer review, and provisions for providing a final report to the department.

(b) A discussion of any potential adverse impacts of application rates in excess of agronomic rates, along with potential mitigation or response to adverse effects if observed.

(c) An explanation for the sizing of the research plot(s) that will receive biosolids. Plot size must not exceed the minimum area required to support the goals of the research.

(2) The generator of the biosolids must report the dry tons of biosolids land applied in the research project in their annual biosolids report required under WAC 173-308-295.

(3) The department must approve, in writing, the research proposal required in subsection (1) of this section.

(4) There must be no sustainable objections to the approval required in subsection (3) of this section from the EPA or the local health jurisdiction(s) in the county(s) where the biosolids will be managed.

(5) All other applicable requirements of this chapter must be met.

(6) All other local, state, and federal regulatory requirements must be met.