36 CFR 215.19 : Parks, Forests, And Public Property (Section 1.1 To Parts 1601-1699) — Forest Service, Department Of Agriculture (Parts 200 - 299) (Section 200.1 To Parts 298-299) — Notice, Comment, And Appeal Procedures For National Forest System Projects And Activities (Section 215.1 To Section 215.22) — Appeal Reviewing Officer.

(a) Designation. The Appeal Reviewing Officer shall be:

(1) Designated by the Chief or designee, and shall be a line officer at least at the level of the agency official who made the initial decision on the project or activity that is under appeal, who has not participated in the initial decision and will not be responsible for implementation of the initial decision after the appeal is decided; or

(2) Designated by the Secretary in the case of Chief's decisions.

(b) Review and recommendation. The Appeal Reviewing Officer shall review an appeal and the decision documentation and make a written recommendation to the Appeal Deciding Officer on the disposition of the appeal. That recommendation shall be released only upon issuance of an appeal decision.

(c) Multiple appeals. In cases involving more than one appeal of a decision, the Appeal Reviewing Officer may consolidate appeals and issue one or more recommendations.