(a) An interested person may appeal from the Administrative Law
Judge's initial decision by filing written exceptions with the Assistant
Secretary within 15 days of the issuance of the Administrative Law
Judge's initial decision (or such additional time as the Assistant
Secretary may allow), together with supporting reasons for such
exceptions. Blanket appeals shall not be received. Impertinent or
scandalous matter may be stricken by the Assistant Secretary, or an
appeal containing such matter or lacking in specification of exceptions
may be dismissed.
(b) In the absence of either an appeal to the Assistant Secretary or
review of the Administrative Law Judge's initial decision by the
Assistant Secretary on his own motion, such initial decision
shall become the decision of the Assistant Secretary.