(a) Exceptions and request for oral argument. (1) Within 20 days after the filing of the Administrative Law Judge's initial decision, each party may take exception to any matter set forth in such decision or to any adverse order or ruling to which he objected during the hearing and may appeal such exceptions to the Environmental Appeals Board for decision by filing them in writing with the hearing clerk, including a section containing proposed findings of fact, conclusions, orders, or rulings. Within the same period of time each party filing exceptions and amicus curiae shall file with the hearing clerk a brief concerning each of the exceptions being appealed. The party shall include, in its brief, page references to the relevant portions of the record and to the Administrative Law Judge's initial decision.

(2) Within 7 days of the service of exceptions, and of a brief under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, any other party or amicus curiae may file and serve a brief responding to exceptions or arguments raised by any other party. Such brief shall include references to the relevant portions of the record. Such brief shall not, however, raise additional exceptions.

(3) Five copies of all material filed under this section shall be filed with the hearing clerk.

(b) Review by Administrator when no exceptions are filed. If no exceptions are filed within the time provided, the hearing clerk shall notify the Administrator 30 days from the date of filing of the Administrative Law Judge's initial decision. Within 10 days after said notification, the Environmental Appeals Board shall issue an order either declining review of the initial decision or expressing its intent to review said initial decision. Such order may include a statement of issues to be briefed by the parties and a time schedule concerning service and filing of briefs adequate to allow the Environmental Appeals Board to issue a final order within 90 days from the close of the hearing.

(c) Argument before the Environmental Appeals Board. (1) A party, if he files exceptions and a brief, shall state in writing whether he desires to make an oral argument thereon before the Environmental Appeals Board; otherwise, he shall be deemed to have waived such oral argument. The Environmental Appeals Board shall, however, on its own initiative, have the right to set an appeal for oral argument.

(2) If the Environmental Appeals Board determines that additional exceptions should be argued, counsel for the parties shall be given reasonable written notice of such determination so as to permit preparation of adequate argument on all of the exceptions to be argued.