(a) Approval of Payment. Law enforcement personnel may pay for information and evidence in furtherance of investigations of felonies and misdemeanors related to Forest Service administration.

(1) Criminal investigators in the GS-1811 series and other law enforcement personnel designated by the Chief of the Forest Service, Director of Law Enforcement and Investigations, or Special Agent in Charge may, without prior approval, pay up to $1,000 for information and evidence under this section.

(2) Payments over $1,000 and up to $5,000 require prior written approval from the Special Agent in Charge.

(3) Payments over $5,000 and up to $10,000 require prior written approval from the Director of Law Enforcement and Investigations.

(4) Payments over $10,000 require prior written approval from the Chief of the Forest Service.

(b) Limitations. Payments for information and evidence under this section are restricted to furthering investigations of felony and misdemeanor violations. Payments for information and evidence in furtherance of investigations of infractions are not authorized under this section.

[79 FR 44295, July 31, 2014]