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FSM 1200 – ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230
– DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY
Supplement No.: 1200-2003-2
Effective Date: March 21, 2003
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: KATHLEEN A. MCALLISTER FOR Date Approved: 03/13/2003
BRADLEY E. POWELL
Regional Forester
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by title and calendar year.
Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this title was 1200-2003-
1 to chapter 1220.
New Document 1200-2003-2 10 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
Digest:
R-1 Supp 56 (8/82)
1230-1232
1233-1239
1 Page
8 Pages
1230 – Converts format and style to current corporate word processing application. Makes minor technical changes throughout chapter.

R1 SUPPLEMENT 1200-2003-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/21/2003
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230 – DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
1230.3 - Policy
Ensure accountability and coordinated decision-making through proper redelegation of delegable authorities. Commensurate authority and responsibility should be delegated to organizational units or individuals within the limits of Agency regulations and Forest Service policy. All
Regional delegations must be in accordance with: (1) Agency regulations or Forest Service policy; and, (2) FSM 1236.14--R-1 and FSM 1239--R-1.
Delegations can be divided as follows: (1) line versus staff; or (2) delegable versus nondelegable.
Delegable authorities may be further divided into those that are delegable either to positions or to specific individuals.
Authorities are delegated to positions on the basis of organizational and operational considerations. Such considerations include logical assignments of duties and responsibilities, span-of-control, workload, staffing, lines of communication and control, and so forth.
Authorities are delegated to specific individuals on the basis of that person's unique qualifications, experience, training, demonstrated competency, and so forth. Authorities to specific individuals cannot be exercised by a person who is "acting" for the name-designated person vacates their position. All name-designated authorities delegated to specific individuals must be documented in FSM 1239--R-1 and cross-referenced in the appropriate subject matter of the FSM. Line and staff officers may use the "name designation" procedure to delegate their authorities to specific individuals in their own or subordinate organizations.
Delegable line authority may be redelegated to line positions (Deputy Regional Forester, Forest
Supervisors, Deputy Forest Supervisors, District Rangers, and Job Corps Center Directors) or, based on their individual expertise in the affected subject matter, to staff people. Delegations of line authority to staff people must be to specific individuals (not positions) who are designated by name in writing.
Proper use of signing authorities (FSM 1236.14--R-1) and the practice of designating an acting unit head when a unit head is absent (FSM 1238.1--R-1) or when the position becomes vacant
(FSM 1238.2--R-1), ensures accountability and that: (1) Forest Service commitments and obligations are made only by properly authorized line and staff officers or name-designated individuals; and, (2) accomplishment and coordination of routine administrative and staff work continues in the absence of principal line and staff officers.
1236.11 - Regional Foresters
1236.12 - Deputy Regional Forester
The Deputy Regional Forester's responsibilities and authorities are identical to those assigned to the Regional Forester.

R1 SUPPLEMENT 1200-2003-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/21/2003
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230 – DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
1236.14 - Regional Signing Authorities
Regional Forester, Forest Supervisor, District Ranger, or Job Corps Center Director authorities delegated to subordinate positions must: (1) be in accordance with existing laws, regulations, and policies; and, (2) be documented in the appropriate section of the FSM.
Authorities delegated to name-designated individuals must meet the above criteria; in addition, such delegations must be authorized in Regional or Forest supplements to FSM 1239--R-l and be crossreferenced between FSM 1239 and the appropriate subject matter directives.
The distinction between authorities delegated to positions and those delegated to namedesignated individuals is crucial to the proper use of signing authorities. Authorities delegated to a position can be exercised by an "acting". Name-designated authorities cannot be exercised by an "acting" or anyone other than the designated person (see FSM 1238.1--R-l).
General Signing Practices for People Exercising Authorities Delegated to Positions. The
Regional Forester or the Deputy Regional Forester will exercise their authorities by signing all documents and correspondence requiring Regional line approval over the Regional Forester's name and title (see the following section for specific practices). Exception: The Regional
Forester or the Deputy Regional Forester will sign commercial timber sales and other timber use documents over the title of "Contracting Officer." (See FSM 2404.12--R-l.)
Forest Supervisors, District Rangers, and Job Corps Center Directors will exercise their authorities by signing over their own name and title. Deputy Forest Supervisors can sign documents and correspondence requiring Forest line approval either by using their own name
(Signing "for") over the Forest Supervisor's name and title or by using their own name and title, using procedures established by their Forest Supervisor (FSM 1236.43--R-l). Exception: Forest
Supervisors, Deputy Forest Supervisors, and District Rangers will sign commercial timber sales and other timber use documents over the title of "Contracting Officer" (see FSM 2404.12-- R-l).
Staff Directors will sign over their own name and title within the limits of authorities and responsibilities assigned to their positions.
Forest Program Officers and/or Staff Officers will sign over their own name and title within the limits of authorities and responsibilities assigned to their positions. All delegations will be documented in a Forest supplement to the appropriate section of the FSM.
People designated to "act" for an absent unit head will sign their own name "for" and over the name and title of absent unit head. (FSM 1238.1--R-l.)
People appointed to "act" for vacant line or staff positions will sign over their own name and appropriate "acting" title. (FSM 1238.2--R-l.)

R1 SUPPLEMENT 1200-2003-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/21/2003
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230 – DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
General Signing Practices for People Exercising Name-Designated Authorities. (See FSM
1230.3--R-l.) Name-designated staff people will sign their name "for" and over the name and title of the person in the position that has the "organizationally" delegated authority to sign-unless the name-designation authorizes a specific title, for example, Contracting Officer, and so forth.
When a person who has been delegated name-designated signing authorities is absent, these delegations cannot be exercised by an "acting." In these situations, the "actings" will route documents and correspondence to the next higher name-designated individual or the next higher position with the needed authority.
Examples:
1. When specifically designated by name, the Recreation, Wilderness, and Lands Staff
Director may be delegated authority to approve or recommend case accomplishments pertaining to land transfers "for" the Regional Forester (FSM 5540.4--R-l).
2. When specifically designated by name, a Forest Timber Staff Officer or Specialist may be redelegated up to the level of timber sale authority that is delegated to their Forest
Supervisor's position (FSM 2404.12--R-l and 2404.13--R-l). A name designated Timber Staff
Officer or Specialist may then sign the Forest Supervisor level timber use contracts over the title
"Contracting Officer." In the absence of the Timber Staff Officer or other name-designated
Specialist, an Acting Timber Staff Officer will route Forest Supervisor level timber use contracts to the next higher individual with the required authority. If the next higher individual is the
Forest Supervisor, the Forest Supervisor will sign over the title "Contracting Officer," if the
Forest Supervisor is absent, since timber sale authority has been delegated to the Forest
Supervisor by position, an Acting Forest Supervisor may sign timber use contracts "for" the
Forest Supervisor, over the title "Contracting Officer." When the Forest Supervisor's position is vacant, the designated Acting Forest Supervisor will sign timber use contracts over their own name and the title "Contracting Officer."
All name-designated delegations granted to specific individuals will be documented in FSM
1239, Summary of Specific Delegations of Authority and in the appropriate section of the FSM.
See Regional Supplements FSM 1230.3, 1236.12, 1236.4, 1238.1, and 1238.2 for further explanation of the above guidelines and the following specific procedures that follow.
Specific Signing Practices--Regional Office. Correspondence that affects dollars, targets, and
WYE ceilings require line approval and will be prepared for the Regional Forester's signature.
Secretaries to Regional Forester/Deputy Regional Forester are responsible for insuring that proper file designations are used and that all needed coordination is completed before routing material to Regional Forester/Deputy Regional Forester for signing.

R1 SUPPLEMENT 1200-2003-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/21/2003
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230 – DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
All documents and correspondence should be prepared in accordance with FSH 6209.12.
1. Regional Forester. The Regional Forester will sign documents and correspondence relating to Regional direction, policies, and standards. a. All documents and correspondence requiring Regional line approval will be prepared for the Regional Forester's signature. The Regional Forester will generally sign material that the receiver would normally expect to be signed by the Regional
Forester, for example., letters to members of Congress, broad Regional policy and direction, and so forth. b. During the absence of the Regional Forester, the Deputy Regional Forester will sign documents or correspondence normally signed by the Regional Forester "for" the
Regional Forester. c. During the absence of the Regional Forester and the Deputy Regional Forester, an
Acting Regional Forester will be designated in writing. Line authority is then executed over the title "for" the Regional Forester (see FSM 1238.1--R-l). d. When the Regional Forester's position is vacant, the "Acting" appointed by the
Chief will sign over own name and the "Acting" title (FSM 1238.2--R-l).
2. Deputy Regional Forester. The Deputy Regional Forester will use the following signing practices:
The Deputy Regional Forester will sign his name "for" over the Regional Forester's name and title on documents and correspondence prepared for the Regional Forester's signature. Exception: The Deputy Regional Forester may also originate and sign correspondence over his/her own name and title. b. When a Deputy Regional Forester's position is vacant, an Acting Deputy Regional
Forester may be appointed by the Regional Forester to sign documents and correspondence "for" the Regional Forester. Exception: An Acting Deputy Regional
Forester originating correspondence may sign correspondence over his/her own name and the Acting title.
3. Regional Office Staff Directors and Other Regional Staff Positions
Staff signing authority in the Regional Office is restricted to Staff Directors and Assistant
Directors. Group Leaders, Staff Assistants, Staff Specialists, and Specialists reporting to Staff
Directors may initiate and sign correspondence to Region 1 field units as noted below. No other
Regional Office positions are authorized to sign material and correspondence, although some namedesignated authorities may be granted to specific individuals.

R1 SUPPLEMENT 1200-2003-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/21/2003
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230 – DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY a. Staff Directors and Assistant Directors. In accordance with the role (FSM
1206.12) and operating relationships (FSM 1206.22) described for Regional Offices, and within their specifically assigned areas of responsibility, Staff Directors and
Assistant Directors will sign In-Service or external material and correspondence over their name and designated title, for example, Director, Assistant Director, and so forth.
Staff Directors will exercise judgment in recognizing which correspondence should go to the
Regional Forester for signature. When questions arise regarding authority to sign, send the material or correspondence to the higher level.
Staff Directors may sign requests for "Replies Due" information from field units. However,
Staff Directors will restrict such requests to the minimum necessary and use sampling procedures whenever possible.
Staff Directors are responsible for insuring that all needed coordination is completed before signing material and correspondence. Staff Secretaries are responsible for the proper use of file designations; particular attention should be paid to the proper coding and coordination of material that is or should be dual designated. Initials of concerned Staff Directors should always be obtained prior to signing.
(1) Staff Directors and Assistant Directors may use their own names and titles when signing documents and correspondence in accordance with above guidelines.
(2) When exercising authorities delegated to the Director's position, Acting Directors will sign their own name "for" and over the name and title of the Staff Director. (FSM 1238.1--
R-l.)
(3) When Staff Directors' positions are vacant, Acting Staff Directors will sign over their own name and the appropriate "acting" title. (FSM 1238.2--R-l.)
(4) Assistant Directors may use their own names and titles to sign Regional documents and correspondence that fall within the limits of the duties and responsibilities assigned to their specific Assistant Director positions. External and/or in-Service material and correspondence directed outside the Region may be signed by an Assistant Director at the option of the Director.
During periods of absence from the office, Staff Directors will designate, in writing, an Acting
Director. (See FSM 1238.1--R-l.) Copies of such designations should be sent to the Regional
Forester's Office.
When a Staff Director's position is vacant, the Regional Forester will designate, in writing, an
Acting Director. (See FSM 1238.2--R-l.)

R1 SUPPLEMENT 1200-2003-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/21/2003
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230 – DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
Staff Directors or a designated Acting Staff Director must be available during the standard office hours of the Regional Office which are 7:30- 11:30 and 12:00-4:00. (FSM 6161.13a--R-l.) b. Staff Assistants Reporting to the Regional Forester or the Deputy Regional
Forester. Signing authorities are identical to those authorized for Staff Directors (see item 3 above).
Responsibility normally involves coordination of a specific activity between and/or among numerous organizational units. Appropriate title should be used. Example: Staff Assistant to the Regional Forester, Civil Rights. c. Staff Assistants Reporting to Staff Directors. Staff Directors may delegate Staff
Assistants the authority to sign routine correspondence to other Region 1 units within limits of their assigned duties and responsibilities. Such responsibilities normally involve providing general administrative and/or other broad staff support to their supervisor. Staff Assistants use their own name and title. Appropriate titles should be used.
Example: Staff Assistant to the Director, Engineering, and so forth. d. Group Leaders, Staff Specialists, and Specialists Reporting to Staff Directors. At the option of the Staff Director, Group Leaders, Staff Specialists, and Specialists within Staff Units may initiate and sign correspondence to Region 1 field units within their area of work using their own name and title. Use of this signing authority will be limited to the following specific items:
(1) Response to requests for routine information involving a single field or Staff Unit.
(2) Routine correspondence to a single field or Staff Unit concerning established operating or reporting procedures.
Group Leaders, Staff Specialists, and Specialists reporting to Staff Directors may only sign external correspondence in unusual situations, using the procedures for specialists, below. e. Specialists Reporting to Group Leaders and Staff Specialists. Specialists have no signing authority. Exception: On a case-by-case basis Staff Directors may authorize specialists to sign correspondence over their own names and titles. All such correspondence must be coordinated with the Staff Director before signing. Staff
Directors will use the following criteria:
(1) The subject matter concerned; and
(2) The professional relationship between the specialist and the external recipient.

R1 SUPPLEMENT 1200-2003-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/21/2003
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230 – DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
Specialists may be authorized to sign correspondence on a continuing basis only under unusual situations or due to unique operational situations or circumstances. Such authority must be documented under the "name-designated" procedure (FSM 1236.14--R-l). The delegation should also include the unusual circumstances involved and the length of time the authority will exist as well as any other restrictions. f. Leader, Task Force Team. The leaders of task force teams may sign correspondence and/or reports to other members of the task force team relating to the team's assigned task. Team Leaders will use their own names and titles. Example:
Leader,______________________Task Force.
4. Examples Showing Proper Use of Names and Titles: (Designation must be in accordance with FSM 1236.14--R-l.) a. Position delegations:
/s/ R.A.Smith
R. A. SMITH
Forest Supervisor b. Named-designated delegations:
/s/Axel Griese /s/Peter Parvenu
AXEL GRIESE
Contracting Officer c. People "acting" for an absent unit head:
/s/ J. A. Jones for R. A. SMITH
Forest Supervisor
/s/John Doe
JOHN DOE
Director
Timber Management
PETER PARVENU
Employee Suggestion
Coordinator
/s/ John Green for JOHN DOE
Director
Timber Management

R1 SUPPLEMENT 1200-2003-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/21/2003
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230 – DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY d. People serving as "acting" in a vacant position:
/s/ J.A. Jones
J. A. JONES
Acting Forest Supervisor
/s/ I.M. Green
I. M. GREEN
Acting Director
Timber Management
1236.4 - National Forests
General delegations of authorities to Forest Supervisors are accomplished through the issuance of Agency regulations, subject matter material in the FSM, and FSM 1239--R-1.
Forest Supervisors may delegate name-designated authorities in accordance with the policies and procedures outlined in FSM 1230.3--R-l and FSM 1236.14--R-1.
Deputy Forest Supervisors. A Deputy Forest Supervisor has duties, responsibilities, and authorities identical to those assigned or delegated to the position of their respective Forest
Supervisor.
1236.43 - National Forest Signing Authorities
Forest Supervisors will establish approval and signing authorities for their Forest, including signing authorities for Deputy Forest Supervisors. Signing authorities for the Forest Supervisor,
Deputy Forest Supervisor, Program Officers, Staff Officers, and other Forest staff people must follow the guidelines and policy outlined for the Regional Office.
All name-designated signing authorities approved by Forest Supervisors must be documented in a Forest supplement to FSM 1239 (Ref. FSM 1230.3--R-l, FSM 1236.14--R-l, and FSM 1236.4--
R-l for policies and procedures) prior to use.
Forest Supervisors or a designated Acting must be available during the standard office hours established by the Forest. (FSM 6161.13a--R-l.) During the absence of a Forest Supervisor or a
Forest Supervisor and his Deputy, an Acting Forest Supervisor will be designated in writing.
The designated Acting Forest Supervisor may then execute line authority and sign "for" the
Forest Supervisor. (FSM 1238.1--R-l.)
When the Forest Supervisor's position is vacant, the "acting" appointed by the Regional Forester will sign over own name and the "acting" title. (FSM 1238.2--R-l.)

R1 SUPPLEMENT 1200-2003-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/21/2003
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 1230 – DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
During the absence of a District Ranger, an Acting District Ranger will be designated in writing.
The designated Acting District Ranger may then execute line authority and sign "for" the District
Ranger. (See FSM 1238.1--R-1.)
When the District Ranger's position is vacant, the "acting" appointed by the Forest Supervisor will sign over own name and the "acting" title. (FSM 1238.2--R-l.)