PERMANENT RULES
Date of Adoption: February 5, 2001.
Purpose: To adopt by reference the 1999 National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) model ordinance, make revisions in this chapter to be consistent with the 1999 NSSP Model Ordinance, adopt Department of Health (DOH) shellfish operation licensing policies into WAC, and adopt recommendations of the department's Shellfish Advisory Committee into WAC.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 246-282-030, 246-282-040 and 246-282-090; and amending WAC 246-282-001, 246-282-005, 246-282-010, 246-282-020, 246-282-050, 246-282-060, 246-282-070, 246-282-080, 246-282-100, 246-282-110, 246-282-120, 246-282-130, and 246-282-990.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 69.30.030.
Other Authority: RCW 43.20.030.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 00-22-125 on November 1, 2000.
Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: See Concise Explanatory Statement. The DOH is adding two definitions to improve the clarity of the rules:
"Abatement" means an action or series of actions to eliminate a public health hazard or reduce it to a level acceptable to the secretary.
"Approved laboratory" means a laboratory that is in conformance with requirements of the NSSP model ordinance.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 4, Amended 2, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 4, Amended 2, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 11, Amended 13, Repealed 3.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 3, Amended 13, Repealed 3.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 10, Amended 13, Repealed 3. Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
February 5, 2001
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary
OTS-4240.5
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 124B, filed 12/27/90,
effective 1/31/91)
WAC 246-282-001
Scope and purpose.
These requirements, as
authorized under chapter 69.30 RCW (((chapter 144, Laws of
1955))), establish minimum performance standards for the growing,
harvesting, processing, packing, storage, transporting, and
selling of shellfish for human consumption. These requirements
do not apply to persons who conduct activities limited to:
(1) Retail food service, in compliance with the requirements of chapter 246-215 WAC, Food service;
(2) Personal use, in compliance with requirements of chapters 77.32 RCW, Licenses, and 77.15 RCW, Fish and wildlife enforcement code; and
(3) Transporting as a common carrier of freight.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as 246-282-001, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030. 78-08-059 (Order 163), 248-58-001, filed 7/24/78; Regulation 58.001, effective 3/11/60.]
(a) The requirements of the ((1997)) 1999 National Shellfish
Sanitation Program (NSSP) Model Ordinance, published by the
United States Department of Health and Human Services, Public
Health Service, Food and Drug Administration((.)) (copies ((can
be obtained)) available through the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration, Shellfish Sanitation Branch, and the Washington
state department of health, office of food safety and shellfish
programs((.)));
(b) The provisions of 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),
Part 123 - Fish and Fishery Products, adopted December 18, 1995,
by the United States Food and Drug Administration, regarding
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans((.)) (copies
((can be obtained)) available through the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration, Office of Seafood, and the Washington state
department of health, office of food safety and shellfish
programs((.))); and
(c) All other provisions of this chapter.
(2) ((Where)) If a (("satisfactory compliance" provision))
requirement of the NSSP Model Ordinance or a provision of 21 CFR,
Part 123, is inconsistent with a provision otherwise established
under this chapter or other state law or rule, then the more
stringent provision, as determined by the department, ((shall))
will apply.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030. 98-18-066, 246-282-005, filed 8/31/98, effective 10/1/98; 98-03-096, 246-282-005, filed 1/21/98, effective 2/21/98; 96-18-096, 246-282-005, filed 9/4/96, effective 10/5/96; 94-23-026, 246-282-005, filed 11/8/94, effective 12/9/94.]
(1) "Abatement" means an action or series of actions to eliminate a public health hazard or reduce it to a level acceptable to the secretary.
(2) "Approved" means acceptable to the secretary based on
((his or her)) the department's determination as to conformance
with appropriate standards and good public health practice.
(((2))) (3) "Approved laboratory" means a laboratory that is
in conformance with requirements of the NSSP Model Ordinance.
(4) "Certificate of approval" means a license issued by the department.
(5) "Civil penalty" means a monetary penalty administratively issued by the secretary. It does not include any criminal penalty; damage assessment; wages, premiums, or taxes owed; or interest or late fees on any existing obligation.
(6) "Commercial quantity" means any quantity exceeding:
(a) Forty pounds of mussels;
(b) One hundred oysters;
(c) Fourteen horse clams;
(d) Six geoducks; or
(e) Fifty pounds of other hard or soft shell clams; or
(f) Fifty pounds of scallops.
(((3))) (7) "Cultch" means any material, other than live
shellfish, used for the attachment of seed shellfish.
(8) "Department" means the state department of health.
(((4) "Easily cleanable" means readily accessible and of
such material and finish, and so fabricated that residue may be
completely removed by approved cleaning methods.
(5) "Food contact surfaces" means those surfaces of equipment and utensils with which the shellfish meat normally comes in contact, and those surfaces that drain onto surfaces that may come into contact with said food being processed.
(6))) (9) "Export certificate" means a certificate issued by the department to a licensed shucker-packer or shellstock shipper for use in the foreign export of a lot or shipment of shellfish.
(10) "Harvest" means the act of removing shellstock from a harvest site and its placement on or in a container for transport.
(11) "Harvester" means a shellfish operation with activities limited to growing shellstock, placing shellstock in a container, harvesting shellstock, transporting shellstock within Washington state, and delivering shellstock to a shellfish dealer licensed by the department within four hours of landing it. A harvester does not process shellfish, ship shellfish outside of Washington state, sell shellfish outside of Washington state, sell shellfish to retail outlets, shuck shellfish, repack shellfish, or store shellfish in any location outside of the approved growing area from where the shellfish is harvested.
(12) "Harvest site" means an area of intertidal or subtidal property within a commercial shellfish growing area, that is described by a unique county parcel number, department of fish and wildlife tract number, department of fish and wildlife catch area number, tribal identification number, or other government identification.
(13) "Harvest site certificate" means a type of certificate of approval that designates one or more harvest sites approved for the harvesting of shellfish.
(14) "Hatchery" means an operation where shellfish larvae are produced and grown to the first sessile stage of life.
(15) "Notice of correction" means a document issued by the department that describes a condition or conduct that is not in compliance with chapter 69.30 RCW, this chapter, or the NSSP Model Ordinance and is not subject to civil penalties as provided for in RCW 43.05.110. It is not a formal enforcement action and is not subject to appeal. It is a public record.
(16) "Nursery" means an operation where shellfish are grown from an early sessile stage of life up to a maximum size meeting the definition of shellfish seed.
(17) "Number of previous violations" means the number of prior violations of the same or a similar nature for which the department has taken a license action or assessed a civil penalty.
(18) "Person" means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, company, association, or joint stock association, and the legal successor thereof.
(((7))) (19) "Person in charge" means an individual
responsible for the supervision of employees and the management
of any shellfish operation ((as defined in subsection (12) of
this section)).
(((8) "Sanitized" means the treatment of clean surfaces of
equipment and utensils by an approved process which is effective
in destroying microorganisms, including pathogens.
(9))) (20) "Public health threat" is either:
(a) "Low," which means a violation that poses a minor possibility of direct or indirect hazard to public health;
(b) "Intermediate," which means a violation that poses a moderate possibility of direct or indirect hazard to public health; or
(c) "High," which means a violation that poses a known significant hazard or possibility of significant direct or indirect hazard to public health.
(21) "Sale" means to sell; offer for sale; barter; trade; deliver; consign; hold for sale, consignment, barter, trade, or delivery; and/or possess with intent to sell or dispose of in a commercial manner.
(22) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of health or the secretary's authorized representative.
(((10))) (23) "Seed" means shellfish that are less than
market size for human consumption and have a maximum shell length
of:
(a) Thirteen millimeters (1/2 inch) for mussels;
(b) Twenty-five millimeters (1 inch) for scallops;
(c) Nineteen millimeters (3/4 inch) for Olympia oysters;
(d) Nineteen millimeters (3/4 inch) for Kumomoto oysters;
(e) Fifty-one millimeters (2 inches) for other oyster species;
(f) Thirty-eight millimeters (1 and 1/2 inch) for geoducks; and
(g) Thirteen millimeters (1/2 inch) for other clam species.
(24) "Shellfish" means all varieties of fresh or fresh-frozen oysters, clams, scallops or mussels, either shucked or in the shell, and all fresh or fresh-frozen edible products thereof.
(((11))) (25) "Shellfish dealer" means a person with a
shellstock shipper or shucker-packer license.
(26) "Shellfish growing area((s))" means the lands and
waters in and upon which shellfish are grown for harvesting in
commercial quantities or for sale for human consumption.
(((12))) (27) "Shellfish operation" means ((any activity in
the)) growing, placing in a container, harvesting, transporting,
processing, ((to include, but not limited to)) culling, shucking,
packing, and repacking ((or)), storing, shipping, or reshipping
of shellfish in commercial quantities or for sale for human
consumption.
(28) "Shellfish operation license" means a type of certificate of approval applying to the overall activities of a shellfish operation.
(29) "Shellstock shipper" means a shellfish operation that does not shuck shellfish or repack shucked shellfish.
(30) "Shucker-packer" means a shellfish operation that may shuck and pack shellfish.
(31) "Technical assistance" means information provided by the department to a person regarding chapter 69.30 RCW; this chapter; technologies or other methods to achieve compliance with these rules; assistance in applying for a departmental license or permit required by these rules; or the goals and objectives of these rules. This is not intended to modify the definition of "technical assistance" as provided in RCW 43.05.010(3).
(32) "Violation" means the commission of an act or acts prohibited by the provisions of chapter 69.30 RCW, these rules, or the NSSP Model Ordinance.
(33) "Wet storage" means the temporary storage of shellstock in containers or floats in natural bodies of water or in tanks containing natural or synthetic seawater.
(34) "Wild seed" means naturally set seed shellfish.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030. 92-02-019 (Order 225B), 246-282-010, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as 246-282-010, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030 and 43.20.050. 85-21-048 (Order 296), 248-58-005, filed 10/14/85. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030. 78-08-059 (Order 163), 248-58-005, filed 7/24/78.]
(2) Any person who possesses a commercial quantity of shellfish or any quantity of shellfish for sale for human consumption must possess, or act on behalf of a person who possesses, a valid shellfish operation license. To obtain a shellfish operation license, a person must:
(a) Submit to the department a completed application on a form developed by the department;
(b) Submit to the department an acceptable written plan of operations that completely describes the shellfish operation;
(c) Pass a preoperational inspection demonstrating compliance with chapter 69.30 RCW, this chapter, and the NSSP Model Ordinance; and
(d) Pay the department any shellfish operation license fee required by this chapter.
(3) Any person who harvests a commercial quantity of shellfish or any quantity of shellfish for sale for human consumption must possess, or act on behalf of a person who possesses, a valid harvest site certificate. In order for a person to obtain a harvest site certificate, all of the following requirements must be met.
(a) The person possesses a valid shellfish operation license.
(b) The person submits to the department a completed application that describes the following characteristics of the site:
(i) Geographic location;
(ii) Map showing legal boundaries;
(iii) Unique government identification number, such as county parcel number, department of fish and wildlife tract number, department of fish and wildlife catch area number, or tribal identification number; and
(iv) Documentation of legal ownership or lease for shellfish harvesting.
(c) The harvest site is in a growing area that meets the requirements of chapter 69.30 RCW, this chapter, and the NSSP Model Ordinance for a commercial shellfish growing area.
(d) The harvest site is not impacted by any actual or potential sources of pollution.
(e) The harvest site passes a pollution assessment inspection conducted by the department if necessary to determine if the site is impacted by any actual or potential sources of pollution.
(f) The person signs the current conditionally approved area management plan, if applicable.
(g) The person pays the department any harvest site application fee required by this chapter.
(4) All shellfish operation licenses and harvest site certificates for shellfish dealers expire on the thirtieth day of September each year. All shellfish operation licenses and harvest site certificates for harvesters expire on the thirty-first day of March each year, beginning in 2002.
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(2) Any person who harvests a commercial quantity of shellfish or any quantity of shellfish for sale for human consumption must display a photocopy or original of a valid harvest site certificate, upon request, to any authorized representative of the department, a fish and wildlife patrol officer, or an ex officio patrol officer. Failure to do so subjects the person to the penalty provisions of this chapter, as well as immediate seizure of the shellfish by the representative or officer.
(3) Any person who places a commercial quantity of shellfish or any quantity of shellfish for sale for human consumption in containers at a harvest site must do so only at a site for which the person possesses a valid harvest site certificate. (4) The owner(s) of a shellfish operation must designate an individual as the person in charge of the operation. The owner(s) of a shellfish operation that includes one or more harvest sites may designate a different individual as the person in charge of the operation's harvest site(s) than the individual designated as the person in charge of all other phases of the shellfish operation.
(5) The owner(s) and the designated person in charge of a shellfish operation must:
(a) Ensure that at least one individual harvesting shellfish on behalf of the operation at each harvest site carry a copy of both the operation license and the harvest site certificate designating that the site is approved by the department for harvesting by that operation;
(b) Furnish shellfish tags meeting the requirements of chapter 69.30 RCW, these rules, and the NSSP Model Ordinance to those individuals harvesting on behalf of the operation;
(c) Ensure, by supervision at harvest sites or other adequate means, that those individuals working on behalf of the operation harvest only from harvest sites approved by the department for the operation; and
(d) Notify the department if an owner or person in charge has reason to believe that any individual is using the operation's tags, shellfish operation license, or harvest site certificate for any purpose other than one approved by the department.
(6) The designated person in charge of a shellfish operation must have a functioning telephone message device or service issued by a telephone service provider to the owner(s) or person in charge. The person in charge must:
(a) Monitor the device or service each day that the shellfish operation is active, regarding messages from the department about emergency closure of harvest areas or recall of shellfish products; and
(b) Notify the department whenever the telephone number used for this purpose changes; or
(c) Maintain another equivalent method of contact with the department approved in the plan of operations.
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(1) A hatchery operation; or
(2) A nursery operation handling only seed that is obtained from a hatchery.
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(2) Approved shellfish growing areas shall be located in areas not adversely affected by human waste, industrial or natural toxins, recreational use, or other sources of pollutants which may have a detrimental influence on the water quality of the shellfish growing beds and subsequent hazards to the human consumers of shellfish.
(3) No commercial quantities of shellfish or shellfish to be sold as defined in RCW 69.30.010(2), for human consumption, shall be harvested from growing areas which are not approved as provided herein: Provided, That permission may be granted by the director for the removal of shellfish from nonapproved growing areas for relaying to approved growing areas under the following conditions:
(a) Shellfish shall be relayed to a designated, approved growing area for a minimum of two weeks or for a longer time period as prescribed by the director.
(b) Relaying and subsequent removal from the approved area for sale or shipment shall be under the supervision of the director.
(c) Records shall be kept showing growing areas from which the shellfish were taken, where relayed, dates of relaying, and dates of harvesting.
(4) All boats, oyster harvesters, and floats used for harvesting or transporting shellfish shall be so constructed, operated, and maintained as to prevent contamination or deterioration of the shellfish. Approved facilities shall be provided for the disposal of human waste.)) Any person who harvests a commercial quantity of shellfish or any quantity of shellfish for sale for human consumption must do so only from a harvest site that meets one or more of the following conditions:
(a) The department has classified the growing area as "approved" or "conditionally approved," according to provisions of the NSSP Model Ordinance and the harvest site is in open status at the time of harvest;
(b) The department has approved the harvest site according to provisions of a permit for relay, wild seed, or bait;
(c) The harvest site is used for shellfish activities limited to a hatchery or a nursery operation handling only seed obtained from a hatchery; or
(d) The harvest site is used for shellfish activities limited to the initial harvest of seed attached to containerized empty shellfish shells or other cultch material.
(2) The department classifies a shellfish growing area as "restricted" or "prohibited" according to provisions of the NSSP Model Ordinance. However, the department considers classifying a harvest site as "restricted" only when the department has received a valid application for a permit for relay or wild seed harvest from the site.
(3) While a harvest site is in closed status, no person may move shellfish from it to a location outside of the harvest site or above the mean low tide line of the harvest site, unless the department has approved:
(a) Harvesting shellfish by that person from the site according to provisions of a permit for relay, wild seed harvest, or bait harvest; or
(b) Moving shellfish by that person from the site to another site in a natural body of water within the same "conditionally approved" growing area under a written plan of operations.
(4) Harvesting is prohibited from all growing areas unclassified by the department.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as 246-282-020, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030 and 43.20.050. 85-21-048 (Order 296), 248-58-010, filed 10/14/85. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030. 78-08-059 (Order 163), 248-58-010, filed 7/24/78; Regulation 58.010, effective 3/11/60.]
(a) The person possesses a valid shellfish operation license.
(b) The person possesses a valid harvest site certificate listing both the initial harvest site and the grow-out site.
(c) The initial harvest site and grow-out site meet the requirements for relay specified in this chapter and the NSSP Model Ordinance.
(d) The person submits a completed written application and plan of operations approved by the department completely describing the procedures and conditions of the relay operation.
(e) The person conducts and documents a separate validation study approved by the department for each of the following periods of time when shellfish will be relayed:
(i) May 1 through October 31; and
(ii) November 1 through April 30.
(f) The person pays the department a relay permit application fee or renewal fee as required by this chapter.
(2) Each validation study for a relay permit must demonstrate that shellfish harvested from a specified initial site do not contain excessive levels of fecal coliform bacteria and when relayed to a specified grow-out site for a specified time period consistently purge themselves of bacteria to approved levels. Each validation study must meet all of the following conditions.
(a) It must document that the geometric mean fecal coliform bacteria level in a minimum of five 100-gram tissue samples, representative of shellfish of the same species in the entire initial harvest site, is equal to or less than 1300, with no sample having more than 2300.
(b) It must document that specified relay procedures, times, and environmental conditions reduce fecal coliform bacteria in a minimum of five 100-gram tissue samples, representative of the entire lot of shellfish relayed, to levels that are equal to or less than:
(i) 330, with no more than two samples having greater than 230; or
(ii) Ten percent greater than the geometric mean of a minimum of five 100-gram tissue samples representative of the same shellfish species grown continuously for a minimum of six months at the grow-out site.
(c) It must be repeated a minimum of once every twelve years for a continuing operation and whenever relay conditions change.
(d) All samples must be analyzed by an approved laboratory.
(3) A person operating under a relay permit must follow all procedures in the plan of operations approved by the department, including:
(a) Staking or marking the grow-out site to be easily identified by the person until the minimum relay period of time is passed;
(b) Considering the beginning of the minimum relay time period for a lot to be the moment that the last part of the lot is added to the grow-out site;
(c) Relaying shellfish to a designated grow-out site for a minimum of seven days, or longer period of time as approved by the department; and
(d) Keeping records for each relayed lot of shellfish that show a lot identification number; the species, location, date, and quantity moved from the initial harvest site; the grow-out location; and the date of first harvest of any of those shellfish from the grow-out site.
(4) For each lot of shellfish relayed to a site for a grow-out period of less than fourteen days, a person must:
(i) Collect at least one sample from the shellfish lot at the initial harvest site and have it analyzed by an approved laboratory to demonstrate that the lot contains no more than 2300 fecal coliform bacteria per 100 grams of shellfish tissue; and
(ii) Collect at least one sample from the shellfish lot at the grow-out site at the end of the relay period and have it analyzed by an approved laboratory to demonstrate that the lot contains fecal coliform bacteria within the maximum limits determined by a validation study, as described in subsection (2)(b) of this section, before releasing control of the shellfish lot.
(5) A person is exempt from any fees for an initial application and a validation study conducted by the department for a relay permit for the purpose of relaying shellfish from a growing area that the department downgraded from a classification of "approved" or "conditionally approved" to "restricted" within the previous twenty-four months.
(6) A person's relay permit expires on the same date as the person's shellfish operation license.
(7) A person is exempt from the provisions of subsection (1) (e) of this section for the purpose of relaying shellfish to an approved grow-out site for a minimum of six months.
(8) A person possessing a valid shellfish operation license may act as an agent for another person possessing a valid shellfish relay permit for the purpose of harvesting shellfish from the initial harvest site specified in the permit, provided that the agent conducting the harvest is:
(a) Documented in the permit;
(b) In possession of a copy of the permit at the time of harvest; and
(c) Conducting activities described in the written plan of operations approved by the department for the agent's shellfish operation.
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(a) The person possesses a valid shellfish operation license.
(b) The person possesses a harvest site certificate listing both the initial harvest site for the seed and the grow-out site.
(c) The original harvest site has acceptable levels of poisonous chemicals, is not in an area known to be a hazardous chemical disposal site, and is not in a closure zone of a wastewater treatment plant or marina.
(d) The grow-out site is in a natural body of water classified by the department as "approved" or "conditionally approved."
(e) The person submits a completed written application and plan of operations approved by the department completely describing the procedures of the wild seed operation, including the size distribution of the seed.
(f) The person pays the department a wild seed permit application fee or renewal fee as required by this chapter.
(2) A person operating under a wild seed permit must:
(a) Follow all procedures in the plan of operations approved by the department;
(b) Harvest seed from an area classified as "prohibited" only during daylight hours;
(c) Harvest seed from an area classified as "prohibited" only under direct monitoring by a person approved by the department;
(d) Leave seed in a grow-out site for a minimum of six months before final harvest;
(e) Limit harvest of live shellfish larger than seed size attached to, or commingled with, the seed to less than five percent of the total number of the shellfish harvested from the site;
(f) Place any live shellfish larger than seed size attached to, or commingled with, the seed in the grow-out site for a minimum of six months after initial harvest;
(g) Stake or mark the grow-out site to be easily identified by the person for a minimum of six months from the time of moving to the site any seed attached to, or commingled with, shellfish larger than seed size; and
(h) Keep records for each lot of seed harvested that show a lot identification number; the species, location, date, and quantity moved from the initial harvest site; the grow-out location; and the date of first harvest of any of those shellfish from the grow-out site.
(3) A person's wild seed permit expires on the same date as the person's shellfish operation license.
(4) A person is exempt from the requirements of this section for the activity of harvesting seed attached to containerized empty shellfish shells or other cultch material, provided that the person:
(a) Meets the conditions of subsection (1)(a) through (d) of this section;
(b) Leaves the seed in the grow-out site for a minimum of six months before final harvest; and
(c) Fully describes the seed harvest and grow-out activities in a written plan of operations approved by the department for the person's shellfish operation license.
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(a) The person possesses a valid shellfish operation license.
(b) The person possesses a valid harvest site certificate for the site.
(c) The harvest site is not impacted by biotoxin levels that would cause the department to close it for harvest for human consumption.
(d) The person submits a completed written application and plan of operations approved by the department completely describing the procedures of the bait operation.
(e) The person pays the department a bait permit application fee or renewal fee as required by this chapter.
(2) A person operating under a bait permit must:
(a) Follow all procedures in the plan of operations approved by the department;
(b) Harvest bait from an area classified as "prohibited" only during daylight hours;
(c) Harvest bait from an area classified as "prohibited" only under direct monitoring by a person approved by the department;
(d) Completely immerse the shellfish in an approved dye that imparts an easily noticeable permanent color to the tissue immediately upon landing the shellfish;
(e) Label each container of shellfish "NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION - BAIT USE ONLY" prior to removal from the harvest site;
(f) Store the shellfish physically separated from any shellfish intended for human consumption; and
(g) Keep records for each lot of shellfish harvested for use as bait showing a lot identification number, the species, the harvest site, the harvest date, the quantity harvested, the names of all buyers, and the quantity sold to each buyer.
(3) A person's bait permit expires on the same date as the person's shellfish operation license.
(4) Any person possessing a commercial quantity of bait shellfish is exempt from the requirement to obtain a bait permit provided that the person:
(a) Obtains the shellfish from a person with a valid bait permit;
(b) Possesses a sales invoice for the shellfish from a person with a valid bait permit; and
(c) Maintains each container of shellfish prominently labeled "NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION - BAIT USE ONLY."
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(2) A person licensed as a harvester may wet store only in a natural body of water that is part of the same growing area as the harvest site of the shellfish.
(3) Any person who operates a recirculating or flow-through wet storage system must possess a wet storage permit issued by the department. A wet storage permit will be issued to a person for a recirculating or flow-through wet storage system if the person:
(a) Possesses a valid shellfish operation license;
(b) Submits a completed written application and plan of operations to the department completely describing the procedures of the wet storage operation;
(c) Documents that the water used for the operation meets the requirements of the NSSP Model Ordinance;
(d) Passes an inspection by the department; and
(e) Pays the department a wet storage application fee or renewal fee as required by this chapter.
(4) If a person uses a natural body of water for a wet storage operation, the person must possess a valid harvest site certificate listing the body of water.
(5) If a person uses artificial seawater for a wet storage operation, the chemicals used to make the seawater must be approved food grade.
(6) A person operating under a wet storage permit must follow all procedures in the plan of operations approved by the department.
(7) A person's wet storage permit expires on the same date as the person's shellfish operation license.
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(2))) Any person who packs, handles, or stores shucked
shellfish ((shall be maintained at)) must maintain it at an
internal product temperature of forty-five degrees Fahrenheit or
less ((until received by the consumer. A temperature of
thirty-four degrees Fahrenheit to forty degrees Fahrenheit shall
be maintained in refrigerators where shucked shellfish are
stored.
(3) Shellfish which are to be marketed as a frozen product shall be frozen as quickly as practicable and maintained at a product temperature of zero degrees Fahrenheit or less until received by the consumer.
(4) The packing of shucked shellfish shall take place in the same plant in which the shellfish are shucked, unless specific approval for repacking is granted by the director.)) beginning within three hours after it is shucked.
(2) Any person who operates a shucked shellfish repacking
plant((s shall)) must meet all the requirements ((as)) specified
in this chapter and the NSSP Model Ordinance for packing plants. ((Frozen shucked shellfish shall not be repacked.))
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as 246-282-050, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030. 78-08-059 (Order 163), 248-58-040, filed 7/24/78; Regulation 58.040, effective 3/11/60.]
(2) ((Persons who shuck or handle shucked shellfish shall
wear clean, waterproof aprons or coats and clean clothing that
can be easily cleaned and shall practice good personal
cleanliness during all periods of duty. They shall wash their
hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before starting to work
and as often thereafter as may be necessary to remove soil and
contamination. Gloves or other protective gear worn on the hands
shall be made of waterproof, easily cleanable material and shall
be clean. When manual handling of shucked shellfish becomes
necessary, sanitized rubber gloves shall be worn or the hands
shall be thoroughly cleaned immediately before such handling. Effective means shall be taken to keep hair from shellfish
(shucked meats) and from food contact surfaces.)) Any person who
is an owner, a person in charge, or an employee of a shellfish
operation must practice good personal cleanliness while handling
shellfish. These persons must wash their hands thoroughly with
soap and water before starting to handle shellfish and as often
as is necessary to remove filth and soil that might contaminate
shellfish.
(3) If the department determines by investigation that an owner or employee of a shellfish operation might be the source of a foodborne illness transmitted through shellfish, then the secretary may require medical examination of that person and laboratory examination of clinical specimens from that person to determine presence of infection. Any person failing to obtain an examination required by the secretary may not work for a shellfish operation, for a period of time the department determines that person could be infectious, in any capacity that could result in contamination of shellfish with pathogenic organisms.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as 246-282-060, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030. 78-08-059 (Order 163), 248-58-050, filed 7/24/78; Regulation 58.050, effective 3/11/60.]
Utensils and food contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned, sanitized and stored in an approved manner so as to be protected from recontamination. Cleaning and sanitization shall occur before use and at such intervals as necessary to preclude contamination of the shucked product.
Nonfood contact surfaces of equipment shall be constructed of corrosion resistant and nonabsorbent materials, designed to be easily cleanable and shall be clean and in an approved condition of repair.
(2))) All owners and persons in charge of shellfish
operations must arrange their physical facilities((: The plant
shall be so arranged)) to ((facilitate)) aid in the flow of
((the)) shellfish products through all handling, processing, and
storage areas in a manner that will ((preclude)) minimize
contamination of the shellfish. ((Shucking and packing
operations shall be conducted in separate rooms. Only authorized
persons shall be allowed in the packing room during periods of
operation.
Interior surfaces of rooms or areas where shellfish are stored, processed or utensils or hands are washed, and in walk-in refrigerators and freezers shall be easily cleanable, clean and in an approved condition of repair.
Rooms for utensil and packaging material storage shall be provided, and separate from areas which shall be provided for employee clothing storage. These areas shall be separate and apart from the shucking and packing rooms.
Approved lighting, heating and ventilation shall be provided. Approved measures for control of rodents and flies, roaches, and other insects on the premises shall be utilized. Live animals shall be excluded from all areas of the plant.
(3) Sanitary facilities: Hot and cold water adequate in quality and quantity, and under pressure shall be provided or easily accessible to all rooms in which shellfish are processed or utensils are washed. The water supply, plumbing, sewage, garbage and rubbish disposal, handwashing, toilet and other facilities shall be installed, operated, and maintained in an approved manner.
Ice shall be from an approved source and shall be stored and handled in a manner as to be protected from contamination.
Handwashing facilities consisting of a lavatory or lavatories and equipped with hot and cold or tempered running water, hand-cleansing soap or detergent, single service towels or approved hand drying devices shall be located and maintained to permit convenient use by all employees in shellfish processing areas, utensil washing areas, and toilet rooms or vestibules. Such facilities shall be kept clean and in an approved condition of repair.)) (2) Any owner of a shellfish operation must submit to the department for consultation properly prepared plans and specifications of physical facilities for shellfish processing or sanitation activities at least thirty days before the facilities are:
(a) Originally constructed;
(b) Converted from another use; or
(c) Extensively remodeled to the extent that a plan for a building permit is required by the city or county where located.
(3) The department will review properly prepared plans and specifications of physical facilities for shellfish processing or sanitation activities required by subsection (2) of this section within thirty days of receipt and provide technical assistance to the owner of the shellfish operation regarding whether the proposed physical facilities would meet the requirements of this chapter.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as 246-282-070, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030. 78-08-059 (Order 163), 248-58-060, filed 7/24/78; Regulation 58.060, effective 3/11/60.]
(2) Shipments of shellfish in the shell shall be accompanied by a tag, label or other mark showing that the shipper has been duly certified by the state in which the growing area is located.
(3) Shucked shellfish shall be packed, shipped and sold retail in approved containers that are legibly marked by embossing, lithographing, or other permanent means with the name, address, and certification number of the packer, and the date packed or coded in such a manner that the date packed can be determined. Fresh packs shall be labeled with wording equivalent to "keep refrigerated," and frozen packs shall be labeled with wording equivalent to "keep frozen."
(4) All shippers, reshippers, packers, repackers, and wholesalers shall keep an accurate record of all lots of shellfish received, shipped and sold. Retailers shall keep a record of all lots received. Such records shall be kept on file for a minimum of six months.
(5) Information recorded by the harvester-shipper shall include: (a) Location of harvesting area(s) by name or code, (b) name and quantity of shellfish, (c) date of harvest, (d) date shipped.
(6) Shucker-packers and repackers shall record the following information: (a) Location of harvesting area(s) by name or code, or name of harvester, (b) name and quantity of shellfish, (c) date of harvest or date received, and (d) packing date.)) (1) Any person who possesses a commercial quantity of shellfish or any quantity of shellfish for sale for human consumption must possess a written record documenting that the shellfish came from one or more of the following sources:
(a) Harvest site(s) for which the person possesses a valid harvest site certificate;
(b) Another shellfish operation licensed by the department; or
(c) A shellfish dealer located outside of the state who is in compliance with the requirements of the NSSP Model Ordinance and is eligible for inclusion on the current Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List, published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
(2) Any person who possesses a commercial quantity of shellstock or any quantity of shellstock for sale for human consumption must identify the shellstock by an approved tag with permanent marking, according to requirements of the NSSP Model Ordinance, upon removal from the harvest site.
(3) Any person who packs a commercial quantity of shucked shellfish or any quantity of shucked shellfish for sale for human consumption must do so in approved containers that are legibly labeled by permanent marking, in accordance with the requirements of the NSSP Model Ordinance and with:
(a) Wording equivalent to "keep refrigerated" on containers of fresh shellfish; and
(b) Wording equivalent to "keep frozen" on containers of frozen shellfish.
(4) The owner or person in charge of a shellfish operation must keep accurate records of all lots of shellfish harvested, received, wet stored, shucked, packed, shipped, or sold by the shellfish operation for a minimum of three years.
(5) Information recorded by the harvester-shipper shall include: (a) Location of harvesting area(s) by name or code, (b) name and quantity of shellfish, (c) date of harvest, (d) date shipped.
(6) All tags for shellstock and labels for containers of shucked shellfish required by this section must be used only for the original lot of shellfish for which they were intended and must not be reused.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030. 92-02-019 (Order 225B), 246-282-080, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as 246-282-080, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030. 78-08-059 (Order 163), 248-58-070, filed 7/24/78; Regulation 58.070, effective 3/11/60.]
(1) Is exporting the lot to an Asian country that requires a production certificate from a governmental health authority;
(2) Possesses a shellfish operation license issued by the secretary;
(3) Is in compliance with the requirements of chapter 69.30 RCW, this chapter, and the NSSP Model Ordinance;
(4) Completes an application specified by the department;
(5) Documents use of each export certificate as specified by the department; and
(6) Pays the department any fee for each export certificate required by this chapter.
[]
(2) The department inspects each shellfish operation:
(a) A minimum of once per year;
(b) Before issuing a new shellfish operation license to a person;
(c) Before a shellfish operation uses any physical facility for the first time; and
(d) Before the shellfish operation uses any extensively remodeled physical facility.
(3) If the department determines by inspection that an owner, person in charge, or any person working on behalf of the shellfish operation is in violation of any of the requirements of chapter 69.30 RCW, this chapter, or the NSSP Model Ordinance, then the department may conduct a reinspection of the shellfish operation. If the same violation is identified by the department during the reinspection, then another reinspection may be conducted by the department within one month. The department may charge the owner of a shellfish operation a fee for a second or subsequent reinspection.
(4) If necessary to conduct an inspection, then the department may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for an administrative warrant in accordance with RCW 69.30.120.
(5) During inspections, the department has free and unimpeded access to any of the following in order to determine whether the operation is in compliance with chapter 69.30 RCW, this chapter, and the NSSP Model Ordinance:
(a) Buildings, yards, warehouses, storage facilities, transportation facilities, vehicles, vessels and other places reasonably considered to be or to have been used in connection with the shellfish operation;
(b) Ledgers, books, accounts, memorandums, or records reasonably believed to be or to have been used in connection with the shellfish operation;
(c) Shellfish, shellfish products, components, or other materials reasonably believed to be or to have been used, processed or produced by or in connection with the shellfish operation;
(d) Copies of any documents reasonably believed to be or to have been used in connection with the shellfish operation; and
(e) Samples of shellfish to determine whether they are safe for human consumption.
(6) The department may inspect shellfish growing areas at any time of day and will inspect any other aspect of a shellfish operation:
(a) Between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on any weekday that is not a legal holiday;
(b) During any time the shellfish operation has established as its business hours;
(c) During any time the shellfish operation is open for business or is otherwise in operation; and
(d) During any other time with the consent of the owner or the person in charge of the shellfish operation.
[]
(2) The department's notice of imposition of a civil ((fine
shall be)) penalty is consistent with RCW 43.70.095. A person
upon whom the department imposes a civil fine has the right to an
adjudicative proceeding to contest the decision.
(3) A license applicant or holder or a person upon whom the
department imposes a civil ((fine, contesting)) penalty, may
contest a department decision, ((shall)) within twenty-eight days
of receipt of the decision((:
(a) File)) by filing a written application for an
adjudicative proceeding by a method showing proof of receipt with
the administrative hearings unit, department of health((, 1300
Quince Street S.E., P.O. Box 47851, Olympia, WA 98504-7851; and
(b))). The person must include the following in or with the application:
(((i))) (a) A specific statement of the issue or issues and
law involved;
(((ii))) (b) The grounds for contesting the department
decision; and
(((iii))) (c) A copy of the contested department decision.
(4) ((The)) An adjudicative proceeding is governed by the
Administrative Procedure Act (chapter 34.05 RCW), this chapter,
and chapter 246-08 WAC. If a provision in this chapter conflicts
with chapter 246-08 WAC, the provision in this chapter governs.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030. 92-02-019 (Order 225B), 246-282-100, filed 12/23/91, effective 1/23/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as 246-282-100, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW and RCW 69.30.030. 90-06-049 (Order 040), 248-58-085, filed 3/2/90, effective 3/2/90.]
(a) Fails to comply with any of the provisions of chapter 69.30 RCW, these rules, and the NSSP Model Ordinance;
(b) Refuses an inspection by the department;
(c) Harvests shellfish from any harvest site for which the secretary has not issued a harvest site certificate to the person;
(d) Knowingly obtains shellfish from a person who is not in compliance with any requirements of chapter 69.30 RCW, this chapter, or the NSSP Model Ordinance;
(e) Makes false statements or misrepresentations to the department during any investigation, inspection, or application for a shellfish operation license or any permit required by these rules;
(f) Makes false statements or misrepresentations to the department during any investigation, inspection, or application for a shellfish harvest site certificate;
(g) Fails to cooperate with the department or the department of fish and wildlife during an investigation;
(h) Aids another person in violating any requirement of chapter 69.30 RCW, these rules, or the NSSP Model Ordinance;
(i) Provides the department with false or fraudulent records of the shellfish operation;
(j) Transfers or reassigns a shellfish operation license to another person without the written approval of the department; or
(k) Fails to comply with the terms of a conditional area management plan, shellfish operation license, harvest site certificate, or any permit required by this chapter.
(2) Violations of chapter 69.30 RCW, these rules, or the NSSP Model Ordinance committed by a person in charge, employee, or agent of a person issued a shellfish operation license may be treated by the department as a violation committed by the licensee.
[]
(a) The level of threat to public health;
(b) The number of previous violations attributed to the violator; and
(c) The presence of aggravating or mitigating factors.
(2) The department determines administrative penalties from the range in the following penalty schedule. The standard penalty is assessed unless a proportionate adjustment is warranted and/or there are aggravating or mitigating factors present.
Penalty Schedule
NUMBER OF PREVIOUS VIOLATIONS | ADJUSTMENT FACTORS |
PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT | ||
LOW License Action/ Civil Penalty |
INTERMEDIATE License Action/ Civil Penalty |
HIGH License Action/ Civil Penalty |
||
0 | Mitigated | 0 Months/$150 | 0 Months/$300 | 3 Months/$350 |
Standard | 0 Months/$200 | 1 Month/$350 | 6 Months/$400 | |
Aggravated | 1 Month/$250 | 3 Months/$400 | 9 Months/$450 | |
1 | Mitigated | 0 Months/$200 | 1 Month/$350 | 6 Months/$400 |
Standard | 0 Months/$250 | 3 Months/$400 | 9 Months/$450 | |
Aggravated | 3 Months/$300 | 6 Months/$450 | 12 Months/$500 | |
2 | Mitigated | 0 Months/$250 | 3 Months/$400 | 12 Months/$500 |
Standard | 3 Months/$300 | 6 Months/$450 | 18 Months/$500 | |
Aggravated | 6 Months/$350 | 9 Months/$500 | 24 Months/$500 | |
3 or More | Mitigated | 3 Months/$300 | 6 Months/$450 | 18 Months/$500 |
Standard | 6 Months/$350 | 9 Months/$500 | 24 Months/$500 | |
Aggravated | 9 Months/$400 | 12 Months/$500 | 36 Months/$500 |
(4) The department reserves the right to proportionately decrease the civil penalty and increase the license action when circumstances in a particular case demonstrate the ineffectiveness of a civil penalty as a deterrent.
(5)(a) When assessing a civil penalty or license action, the department considers any previous violation(s) for the following period of time, depending on the severity of the previous violation(s):
(i) Three years for low public health threat;
(ii) Five years for intermediate public health threat; or
(iii) No limit for high public health threat.
(b) The time period will begin on the date of adjudication or settlement of the previous violation(s), rather than the date on which the incident or conduct occurred.
(6) The department considers circumstances that increase the seriousness of a violation, including, but not limited to, the following aggravating factors:
(a) The extent to which the violation is part of a pattern of the same or substantially similar conduct;
(b) The extent to which previous education, technical assistance, or notice of correction has been provided for the same or substantially similar conduct; and
(c) The extent to which the violation caused serious and actual injury or death to a person or persons.
(7) If the department determines that one or more aggravating factors are present, then the department may assess the aggravated penalty or may increase the penalty to a level greater than listed in the penalty schedule, including, but not limited to, revocation of the license.
(8) The department will consider circumstances that decrease the seriousness of a violation, including, but not limited to, the following mitigating factors:
(a) Voluntary disclosure of the violation;
(b) Complete cooperation and voluntary disclosure during the investigation of the violation; and
(c) Voluntary taking of remedial measures that will result in increased public health protection and that will result in a decreased likelihood that the violation will be repeated and that other violations will occur.
(9) If the department determines that one or more mitigating factors are present, then the department may assess the mitigated penalty or may decrease the penalty to a level less than listed in the penalty schedule.
(10) The maximum civil penalty that may be imposed by the department is five hundred dollars per day for each violation.
(11) The department considers each violation to be a separate and distinct event. Each day a violation is continued is a separate and distinct violation. When a person has committed multiple violations, the violations are cumulative for purposes of calculating the appropriate penalty. Penalties are added together, rather than served concurrently.
(12) Nothing in this section prevents the department from responding to a violation by:
(a) Declining to pursue an administrative penalty;
(b) Issuing a notice of correction instead of pursuing an administrative penalty; or
(c) Negotiating settlement of a case on such terms and for such reason as the department deems appropriate. Violations covered by a prior settlement agreement may be used for the purpose of determining the appropriate penalty for the current alleged violation(s), unless prohibited by the prior settlement agreement.
[]
(2) The director shall have access to and be permitted to inspect any and all areas comprising the shellfish operation for the purpose of determining compliance with these regulations and chapter 69.30 RCW, or for the purpose of determining whether any person, shellfish, or condition in the shellfish operation constitutes a nuisance or a threat to the public health.
(a) In the course of such inspection, the director may, among other things, examine or sample the shellfish in the shellfish operation as often as necessary to determine its safeness for human consumption, and he or she may also examine any and all pertinent records pertaining to shellstock, shellfish, or operational supplies purchased, received, or used, and records pertaining to persons employed.
(b) If, after the inspection of a shellfish operation, the director finds such operation fails to comply with the requirements of the law, rules and regulations, he or she shall issue to the person in charge of the shellfish operation a written order specifying the manner in which the operation fails to comply with the law, rules and regulations and which sets out a specific and reasonable period of time for correction of the violations.
(c) In the event the person in charge of the shellfish operation fails to correct the violations as required by the order of the director, the director may revoke the certificate of compliance and/or license of such person and/or initiate such legal enforcement proceeding as authorized by law.
(d) During or after an investigation or inspection of a shellfish operation, the director may, if he or she suspects the shellfish are unsafe for human consumption, give to the owner or person in charge of the shellfish operation a written hold order prohibiting the disposition or sale of the shellfish pending the director's further investigation of the shellfish's safety. The person in charge shall thereafter cease from offering such shellfish for human consumption and shall store such shellfish in a suitable place as prescribed by the director until the hold order is lifted or modified by the director or by a court of competent jurisdiction. Shellfish placed under a hold order shall not be destroyed for at least two days and shall not be held longer than fifteen days; however, upon a finding that the shellfish are safe for human consumption, the director may release them immediately.
(e) If, during an inspection of a shellfish harvesting operation, the owner or person in charge of the operation fails to immediately display his or her certificate of approval upon request from an authorized representative of the department, a fisheries patrol officer, or an ex officio patrol officer, a written hold order may be issued prohibiting the disposition or sale of the shellfish or the shellfish may immediately be seized. If a hold order is issued, the person in charge shall thereafter cease from offering such shellfish for human consumption and shall store such shellfish in a suitable place as prescribed by the director until the hold order is lifted or modified by the director or by a court of competent jurisdiction. Shellfish placed under a hold order or seizure shall not be destroyed for at least two days and shall not be held longer than fifteen days; however, upon a finding that the shellfish are safe for human consumption, the director shall determine disposition. If the director determines that the operation is certified, the shellfish shall be released to the owner or person in charge of the operation. If the director determines that the operation is not certified, the director may release the shellfish according to his or her discretion.
(f) If after investigation the director determines the shellfish are unsafe for human consumption, he or she shall give the owner or person in charge of the shellfish operation a written abatement order, which abatement order may require any or all of the following measures:
(i) A)) If the department finds during an inspection that any owner or person working on behalf of a shellfish operation fails to comply with any requirements of chapter 69.30 RCW, this chapter, or the NSSP Model Ordinance, then the department may issue a written statement of deficiencies or notice of correction to the owner, person in charge, or other employee of the operation who is present.
(a) The statement of deficiencies or notice of correction specifies the manner in which the operation fails to comply with chapter 69.30 RCW and these rules. It specifies a reasonable period of time for the owner or person in charge to correct the violation(s).
(b) In the event the owner or person in charge fails to correct the violation(s) specified in the statement of deficiencies, the department may revoke the license and certificate of compliance for that shellfish operation or may initiate any other enforcement proceeding authorized by law.
(2) Any authorized representative of the department, fish and wildlife patrol officer or ex officio patrol officer may, without previously providing a statement of deficiencies, immediately seize shellfish or issue written hold orders prohibiting the disposition or sale of shellfish whenever a commercial quantity of shellfish or any amount of shellfish for sale for human consumption is on the premises of, or in the possession of, any person who:
(a) Fails to display an original or photocopy of a valid shellfish operation license;
(b) Is reasonably expected to have harvested the shellfish and fails to display an original or photocopy of a valid shellfish operation license and a valid harvest site certificate; or
(c) Fails to maintain each container of shellfish properly tagged or labeled as required by chapter 69.30 RCW, these rules, and the NSSP Model Ordinance.
(3) If the department determines during an inspection or investigation that there is reasonable cause to believe that shellfish is potentially unsafe for human consumption, then the department may issue a hold order prohibiting the disposition or sale of the shellfish pending further investigation by the department of the safety of the shellfish.
(a) The department must complete its further investigation within ten days.
(b) At the conclusion of the investigation, the department may release the shellfish for sale or issue a written abatement order regarding the shellfish.
(c) Any person in possession of shellfish for which the department has issued a hold order must store the shellfish in a suitable place prescribed by the department and prevent the shellfish from being offered for human consumption or other use until:
(i) The hold order is lifted by the department or by a court of competent jurisdiction; or
(ii) The person disposes of the shellfish in accordance with an abatement order issued by the department.
(4) Shellfish that the department seizes or places under a hold order and determines are unsafe for human consumption are subject to such abatement as the department considers appropriate. The department may require any one or more of the following measures be taken by a person in possession of shellfish that are the subject of an abatement order:
(a) Permanent prohibition ((against)) on the ((sale or))
disposition of the shellfish for human consumption;
(((ii))) (b) Immediate destruction of the shellfish ((in
question)) by measures such as denaturing and ((placement))
placing in a sanitary landfill((. Such destruction shall be
accomplished by at least two employees of the department or)),
witnessed by an authorized representative((s.)) of the department
who provides a record of destruction to the person; or
(((iii) At the discretion of the director, shellfish having
been found to be unsafe)) (c) Temporary prohibition on the
disposition of the shellfish for human consumption ((may be
relayed to)) pending relay to an approved growing area for
((subsequent reharvest)) a sufficient period of time to assure
natural purification of the shellfish.
(((g) When the director)) (5) The secretary may issue an
abatement order to the owner or person in charge of a shellfish
operation whenever the department, after conducting an
appropriate investigation, determines ((either)) that((:
(i) A shellfish operation or employee is transmitting a disease; or
(ii) There is a substantial risk a shellfish operation or employee may be transmitting a disease, he or she may thereafter give to the owner or person in charge of the shellfish operation an abatement order, which order may require any or all of the following measures:
(A))) a shellfish operation, or person working on behalf of a shellfish operation, presents a potential risk for transmitting an infectious disease to consumers of shellfish.
(a) The secretary may require any or all of the following measures be taken by the owner or person in charge of a shellfish operation who is issued the abatement order:
(i) Immediate closure of the shellfish operation until, in
the opinion of the ((director)) secretary, no further danger of a
disease outbreak exists;
(((B))) (ii) Immediate exclusion of ((the employee)) any
person suspected to be infected with a disease agent
transmissible through food from all activities with the shellfish
operation((s or food service establishments)); and
(((C))) (iii) Restriction of the ((employee's service))
activities of any person who is suspected to be infected with a
disease agent transmissible through food to some area of the
shellfish operation where there would be no danger of the person
transmitting disease agents to shellfish consumers.
(((h))) (b) As an alternative to the abatement order
described in ((subsection (2)(g) of)) this section, the
((director)) secretary may require ((any or all of the
employees)) the owner, or any person working on behalf of the
shellfish operation to submit to adequate medical and laboratory
examinations, including examination of their bodily discharges as
needed to determine if the person is infected with a microbial
agent transmissible through food.
(((i))) (6) No person ((shall)) may remove or alter a notice
or tag constituting a hold order or abatement order placed on
((the)) shellfish by the ((director, and neither such shellfish
nor its container shall be relabeled, repacked, reprocessed,
altered, disposed of, destroyed, or released without permission
of the director, except on)) department.
(7) No person may relabel, repack, reprocess, alter, dispose of, destroy, or release shellfish or containers of shellfish for which the department has issued a hold order or abatement order without:
(a) Permission of the department; or
(b) An order by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(((j) In the event)) (8) If the owner or person in charge of
((the)) a shellfish operation fails to comply with ((either the))
a hold order or ((the)) an abatement order ((described above))
issued according to this section, then the ((director))
department may revoke the ((certificate of compliance and/or))
license of ((such person and/)) the shellfish operation or
initiate ((such)) other legal enforcement proceedings ((as are))
authorized by law((; except that the director may undertake
summary abatement of the shellfish, an article, or a condition
which is so severely contaminated or contaminating that a delay
in abatement until legal enforcement proceedings could be had
would pose a grave threat to the public health)).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as 246-282-110, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030 and 43.20.050. 85-21-048 (Order 296), 248-58-090, filed 10/14/85. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030. 78-08-059 (Order 163), 248-58-090, filed 7/24/78; Regulation 58.090, effective 3/11/60.]
(1) A fine ((of not less than twenty-five dollars nor more
than one thousand dollars,)); or
(2) Imprisonment in the county jail of the county in which
the offense was committed ((for not less than thirty days nor
more than one year,)); or ((to))
(3) Both fine and imprisonment.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as 246-282-120, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030 and 43.20.050. 85-21-048 (Order 296), 248-58-500, filed 10/14/85. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030. 78-08-059 (Order 163), 248-58-500, filed 7/24/78.]
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20.050. 91-02-051 (Order 124B), recodified as 246-282-130, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.30.030. 78-08-059 (Order 163), 248-58-900, filed 7/24/78.]
Type of Operation | Annual Fee | |||
Harvester | $250. | |||
Shellstock Shipper | ||||
0 - 49 Acres | $275. | |||
50 or greater Acres | $440. | |||
Scallop Shellstock Shipper | $275. | |||
Shucker-Packer | ||||
Plants with floor space < 2000 sq. ft. | $500. | |||
Plants with floor space (( |
$605. |
|||
Plants with floor space > 5000 sq. ft. | $1,115. |
(a) "Shellstock shipper" means shippers growing, harvesting, buying, or selling shellstock. Shellstock shippers are not authorized to shuck shellfish or to repack shucked shellfish.
(b) "Shucker-packer" means shippers shucking and packing shellfish. A shucker-packer may act as a shellstock dealer.
(c) "Harvester" means a commercial shellfish operation with activities limited to harvesting shellstock, and shipping and selling it within Washington state to shellfish dealers licensed by the department. Harvesters do not shuck shellfish; repack shucked shellfish; repack shellstock; or store shellstock in any location other than the approved growing area where the shellstock was harvested.
(3) "Export certificate" means a certificate issued by the
department to a licensed shucker-packer or shellstock shipper for
use in the foreign export of a lot or shipment of shellfish.)) The fee for each export certificate ((shall be)) is $10.
(3) The fee for a harvester shellfish operation license is $125 for the period of time between October 1, 2001, and March 31, 2002. This subsection expires on April 1, 2002.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.250. 00-02-016, 246-282-990, filed 12/27/99, effective 1/27/00; 99-12-022, 246-282-990, filed 5/24/99, effective 6/24/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20B.020 and 69.30.030. 98-12-068, 246-282-990, filed 6/1/98, effective 7/2/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.203.020 [43.20B.020]. 97-12-031, 246-282-990, filed 5/30/97, effective 6/30/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20B.020 and 69.30.030. 96-16-073, 246-282-990, filed 8/6/96, effective 10/1/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. 93-17-096 (Order 389), 246-282-990, filed 8/17/93, effective 9/17/93; 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as 246-282-990, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.20A.055. 85-12-029 (Order 2236), 440-44-065, filed 5/31/85; 84-13-006 (Order 2109), 440-44-065, filed 6/7/84; 83-15-021 (Order 1991), 440-44-065, filed 7/14/83. Statutory Authority: 1982 c 201. 82-13-011 (Order 1825), 440-44-065, filed 6/4/82.]
The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:
WAC 246-282-030 | Storage, cleansing and washing and shipping of shellstock. |
WAC 246-282-040 | Shucking of shellfish. |
WAC 246-282-090 | Certificate of compliance -- Certificate of approval -- Suspension for revocation of certificate of approval -- Licensure -- Revocation of license. |