(a) The administrative law judge shall issue and file with the hearing clerk his or her decision as soon as practicable after the period for filing proposed findings as provided for in §209.29 has expired.

(b) The administrative law judge's decision shall become the decision of the Environmental Appeals Board (1) when no notice of intention to appeal as described in §209.31 is filed, 30 days after its issuance, unless in the interim the Environmental Appeals Board shall have taken action to review or stay the effective date of the decision; or (2) when a notice of intention to appeal is filed but the appeal is not perfected as required by §209.31, 5 days after the period allowed for perfection of an appeal has expired unless within that 5 day period, the Environmental Appeals Board has taken action to review or stay the effective date of the decision.

(c) The administrative law judge's decision shall include a statement of findings and conclusions, as well as the reasons or basis therefore, upon all the material issues of fact or law presented on the record and an appropriate rule or order. The decision shall be supported by a preponderance of the evidence and based upon a consideration of the whole record.

(d) At any time prior to issuing his or her decision, the administrative law judge may reopen the proceeding for the reception of further evidence.

[43 FR 34132, Aug. 3, 1978, as amended at 57 FR 5345, Feb. 13, 1992]