(a) General. Any applicant or any person with an interest which is or may be adversely affected and who has participated in the administrative hearings as an objector may appeal as provided in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if—

(1) The applicant or person is aggrieved by the decision of the hearing authority in the administrative hearing conducted pursuant to §775.11 of this chapter; or

(2) Either the regulatory authority or the hearing authority for administrative review under §775.11 of this chapter fails to act within applicable time limits specified in the Act, this chapter, or the regulatory program.

(b) Judicial review under State programs. The action of the hearing authority identified in paragraph (a) of this section shall be subject to judicial review by a court of competent jurisdiction, as provided for in the State program, but the availability of such review shall not be construed to limit the operation of the rights established in section 520 of the Act.

(c) Judicial review under Federal programs and Federal lands programs. The action of the hearing authority identified in paragraph (a) of this section is subject to judicial review by the U.S. District Court for the district where the coal exploration or surface coal mining and reclamation operation is or would be located, except for judicial review of State regulatory authority actions in a State court of competent jurisdiction as may be provided for in a cooperative agreement, in the time and manner provided for in section 526 (a)(2), (b) and (e) of the Act. The availability of such review shall not be construed to limit the operation of the rights established in section 520 of the Act.