(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), or (d) of this section, the appropriate department official may delegate his or her responsibilities under this subpart to employees of his or her agency as follows:

(1) In the national office of the agency, to a level no lower than two levels below the agency head;

(2) In a field component of an agency, to a level no lower than the official who heads a state office.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, the Chief of the Forest Service may delegate his or her responsibilities under this subpart as follows:

(1) In the national office of the Forest Service, to a level no lower than a Deputy Chief of the Forest Service;

(2) In a field component of the Forest Service, to a level no lower than a Regional Forester or Station Director.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, the General Counsel may delegate his or her responsibilities under this subpart as follows:

(1) In the national office of the Office of the General Counsel, to a level no lower than an Assistant General Counsel;

(2) In the field component of the Office of the General Counsel, to Regional Attorneys who may redelegate their responsibilities to Associate Regional Attorneys and Assistant Regional Attorneys who report to them.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, the Counsel to the Inspector General may delegate his or her responsibility under this subpart to the Deputy Counsel or an Assistant Counsel.