Applications for prospecting leases will be received during business hours in the office of the Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, Washington. Applications must be submitted on forms prescribed by the department and accompanied by the application fee.

All applications received by any means other than United States mail will be stamped with the date and time of receipt in the Olympia office. Applications received by United States mail will be considered received as of the close of business on that day. Applications will be accepted in the order received and priority of leasing will be established on this basis. The priority among applications filed simultaneously will be by drawing of lots.

If an application is rejected by the department, the application fee will be refunded and the applicant informed of the reason for rejection. If a portion of the lands applied for are encumbered or otherwise not available, such portion will be deleted from the application and the applicant notified of the change.