(a) Payment of claims will be made, as applicable, within:

(1) 50 days of EPA's decision to make an award, if the claimant does not request an administrative hearing;

(2) 50 days of an award by an administrative tribunal if no appeal of such award is taken; or

(3) 20 days of the final judicial decision of any appeal taken.

(b) Payment of a claim shall not be seen as EPA's final acceptance of the claimant's response action. Final acceptance shall await EPA's determination that the response action was conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions of the PDD or the consent order or decree, as applicable.