(a) Except where specified to the contrary in this group, the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to classify lands and make other determinations in accordance with the regulations of this part has been delegated to persons authorized to act in his name; to the Director, Bureau of Land Management and persons authorized to act in his name; to State Directors of the Bureau of Land Management and to any person authorized to act in the name of a State Director.

(b) Classifications and other determinations in accordance with the regulations of this group may be made by the authorized officer whether or not applications or petitions have been filed for the lands.