Code of Federal Regulations Title 43. Public Lands:  Interior § 43.3430.5–2 Appeals, lack of showing

(a) If the application is rejected because the existence of commercial quantities of coal has not been shown, the applicant may, in accordance with the procedures in part 4 of this title, file a notice of appeal and a statement of the reasons for the appeal.

(b) The applicant shall have the right to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge if the applicant alleges that the facts in the application are sufficient to show entitlement to a lease.

(c) In such a hearing, the applicant shall bear both the burden of going forward and the burden of proof to show, by a preponderance of evidence, that commercial quantities of coal exist in the proposed lease area.