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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
WILLIAMS, ARIZONA
FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 30 – DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
Supplement No.: 1200-2001-1
Effective Date: June 19, 2001
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: COREY P. WONG
Acting Forest Supervisor
Date Approved: 06/19/2001
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Title and calendar year.
Post by document name. Remove entire document and replace with this supplement. Retain this
transmittal as the first page of this document. The last supplement to this title was #1200-98-3 to
FSM 1200
New Document(s):
Superseded Document(s):
(FSM 1200-98-3, 12/23/1998)
1236; 1236.41; 1236.42; 1236.43 &
1236.51.
1236; 1236.41; 1236.4,2 & 1236.43
3 Pages
3 Pages
Digest:
1236
1236.41
1236.42
1236.43
1236.51
No Changes
No Changes
Updates direction on designating Acting.
Updates and clarifies responsibilities at Forest level, also deletes
designations to Forest Contracting Officer and Forest Personnel
Specialist as these positions have been zoned to other units.
Adds responsibilities at District Ranger level.
KNF SUPPLEMENT 1200-2001-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/19/2001
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 30 – DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
1236 - DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY TO FIELD POSITIONS.
1236.41 - Forest Supervisors.
At the beginning of each calendar year, the Forest Supervisor shall designate members of the
Forest Branch Leaders to be Acting Forest Supervisor on a monthly rotating basis. This schedule
can be found in the 1230 files.
1236.42 - Forest Branch Leaders.
The primary Branch Leaders shall sign all routine reports and correspondence within their
assigned functions over their names and titles. This includes all correspondence not containing
line direction or official decisions subject to review or appeal. Branch Leaders have
responsibility within assigned functions for observing and evaluating activities, recommending
policies and actions, and prescribing technical methods and procedures for the guidance of
District Rangers.
1236.43 - National Forest Signing Authorities.
1. Forest Supervisor. The Forest Supervisor shall sign letters and documents involving:
a. Correspondence relating to major issues, program direction, controversial matters,
long term commitments, budget actions, and important policy decisions.
b. Decisions on administrative reviews and all correspondence concerning review
cases with the exception of procurement contracts. The exception does not apply to
letters of transmittal for contract appeals from the Forest Supervisor to the Regional
Forester.
c. Correspondence with people outside the Forest Service concerning new policy,
complex or sensitive decisions that have probable strong external repercussions, and
key relationships.
d. Actions where authority is specifically limited to Forest Supervisor.
e. Transmittal letters and follow-up correspondence for activity and program
reviews.
f. Letters to members of Congress and important City, County, and State officials.
g. Letters requiring special emphasis such as awards, expressions of appreciation or
condolences, or employee activities, safety programs, etc.
h. Disciplinary actions, and responses to grievances and complaints.
KNF SUPPLEMENT 1200-2001-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/19/2001
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 1200 - ORGANIZATION
CHAPTER 30 – DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY
i. Replies to personalized correspondence and selected external contracts where the
Forest Supervisor's signature is desirable.
2. Designated Acting Forest Supervisor. A member of the Forest Branch Leaders shall
be designated as Acting Forest Supervisor. During the absence of the Forest Supervisor, the
designated Acting Forest Supervisor shall sign all correspondence ordinarily signed by the Forest
Supervisor.
The Acting should use personal judgment in deferring action on those matters, which should
have the personal attention of the Forest Supervisor.
The Acting Forest Supervisor is designated and delegated authority to sign as employee
supervisor on Time and Attendance Reports for Branch Leaders, and, in their infrequent absence,
for Specialists that report to them.
3. Signing Authority Below Branch Leaders. Individuals shall be designated specifically
with authorities to sign as Contracting Officer, COR, Certifying Officer, Property Management
Officer, Budget and Finance Officer, etc. All other individuals may sign correspondence over
their own name and title in the following categories:
a. Replies to requests for routine information and routine correspondence based on
established operating procedures.
b. Replies to requests for copies of publications available for distribution.
c. Routine recurring reports assigned to them for preparation.
d. Forest correspondence involving work assigned to them, reports of observations or
accomplishments, suggestions and recommendations, and explanations of events or
situations involving them.
1236.51 – District Rangers.
Signing for the District Ranger shall follow the above procedure. One of the Ranger's District
Branch Leaders will be formally designated as Acting District Ranger. During the absence of the
District Ranger, the designated Acting District Ranger shall sign all correspondence "for" over
the name and title of the District Rangers.