Policy 16.2 - Authorization of Forest Officers

Effective Date: 01-June-95
Responsible Branch: Compliance and Enforcement Branch

Resource Management Volume Table of Contents | Amendment Log

Scope

This policy covers the authorization of designated Forest Officers, as granted by a District Manager, Regional Manager, the Chief Forester, or the Minister of Forests

Purpose

To ensure that Forest Officers exercising authority under the Forest Act, Range Act, and pursuant regulations are properly authorized for that purpose.

Definitions

For the purposes of this policy:

"Forest Officer" means a person employed in the Ministry of Forests who is designated by name or title to be a Forest Officer by the Minister, Chief Forester, or a Regional Manager

Policy

It is Ministry policy that:

Power to Authorize

The ability to authorize Forest Officers to execute the powers of individual sections in the Forest Act, Range Act, and pursuant regulations is held by District Managers, Regional Managers, the Chief Forester, or Minister of Forests. Several sections allow authorization to be delegated by more than one official whereas other sections require authorization from specific officials.

A complete list of sections in the Forest Act, Range Act and associated regulations that require authorization of Forest Officers are listed on the FS 836, Forest Officer Authorization form. These authorizations have been grouped by act, regulation, and authorizing official.

Recommendation for Authorization

Forest Officers employed in district offices will be given authorization to exercise authority under specific sections of the Forest Act, Range Act, and pursuant regulations by the District Manager for those authorizations which the District Manager can authorize. Recommendations for this authorization will be on an FS 836, Forest Officer Authorization form, prepared for the District Manager’s signature.

Forest Officers employed in district and regional offices will be given authorization to exercise authority under specific sections of the Forest Act, Range Act, and pursuant regulations by the Regional Manager, for those authorizations which only Regional Manager or higher-level officials, are able to authorize.

Forest Officers employed in a district will be recommended for authorization by the Regional Manager only for legislation which the District Manager is not empowered to authorize. Recommendations for this authorization will be on an FS 836, Forest Officer Authorization form, prepared for the Regional Manager’s signature.

Forest Officers employed in district, regional, and branch offices will be given authorization to exercise authority under specific sections of the Forest Act, Range Act, and pursuant regulations by the Chief Forester for those authorizations which only the Chief Forester, or higher-level officials can designate. District and regional staff will be recommended for authorization by the Chief Forester only for legislation which the District Manager and Regional Manager are not empowered to authorize. Recommendations for this authorization will be on an FS 836, Forest Officer Authorization form, prepared for the Chief Forester’s signature.

Personnel employed in district, regional, and branch offices will be given authorization under specific sections of the Forest Act, Range Act, and pursuant regulations by the Minister of Forests for those authorizations which only the Minister of Forests can authorize. Recommendations for this authorization will be on an FS 836, Forest Officer Authorization form, prepared for the Minister of Forests’ signature.

Blanket Authorization

Authorization of Forest Officers will normally be on a FS 836, Forest Officer Authorization form, but may be in writing with application to a position, or person exercising a function, as opposed to an individual.

Authorizations of this nature require listing of the applicable regulations and sections of the Acts which apply. Care is necessary to ensure the appropriate signatures are on the letter of authorization.

Monitoring and Tracking

Upon signature by the Minister of Forests, Chief Forester, Regional Manager, and/or District Manager of the FS 836, Forest Officer Authorization form, or issuance of an authorization letter the original signed copy will be forwarded to the originating office for filing in a central location. Additional copies will be handled according to local protocol and other procedures.

It is a responsibility of the individual Forest Officer to ensure their authorization is current and sufficient for their job requirements. The Enforcement Branch will monitor Forest Officer designation and authorization on a periodic basis through requests to the appropriate office.

Minimum Requirements

Forest Officer authorization will be restricted to employees of the Ministry of Forests who have:

• demonstrated a clear understanding of the Forest Act, Range Act, and associated regulations, for which they are to be authorized
• attended relevant training which is normally available; and
• job duties or functions requiring execution of authorization.

Renewals

It is recommended that authorizations of Forest Officers be reviewed on an annual basis, concurrent with personnel performance planning and review. Renewal or upgrade of the FS 836, Forest Officer Authorization form, is not required unless:

• permanent transfer occurs to another district, region, or division; or
• a significant change in duties requires variation of authorization.

Transferability

Forest Officer authorization by a Regional Manager or District Manager is only valid in their respective region or district. Authorization by the Chief Forester or Minister of Forests is valid across the province unless specified otherwise.

References

• Forest Act
• Range Act
• Ministry of Forests Act