(b) Preserving identification. All identifying marks placed on an unprocessed log to identify the National Forest System origin of that log and/or to identify the log as requiring domestic processing shall be retained on the log until the log is domestically processed. If the identifying marks are lost, removed, or become unreadable, they shall be replaced. If the log is cut into two or more segments, each segment shall be identified in the same manner as the original log.

1. (1) A generic log hammer brand, known as a “catch brand”, used to identify ownership, may be used to replace lost, removed, unreadable or otherwise missing brands where such use is authorized by the Regional Forester and approved by the Contracting Officer. Use of such a catch brand on a log or log segment will signify Federal origin.
2. (2) The requirement to preserve identification of log pieces shall not apply to logs cut into two or more segments as a part of the mill in-feed process immediately before processing. Log segments that are returned to or placed in storage must be marked on both ends with yellow paint.

(c) National Forest System logs. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, all unprocessed logs originating from National Forest System timber sales west of the 100th meridian in the contiguous 48 States shall, before being removed from the timber sale area, be marked on each end as follows:

1. (1) Painted on each end with a spot of highway yellow paint not less than three square inches in size; and,
2. (2) Branded on each end with a hammer brand approved for use by the Forest Supervisor of the National Forest from which the logs originate. The brand pattern may not be used to mark logs from any other source for a period of 24 months after all logs have been removed from the sale area and until such brand pattern is released in writing by the Forest Supervisor.

(f) Waiver of branding requirements. Regional Foresters may waive the branding requirements pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this section as follows:

1. (1) Regions 1, 2, 3, and 4. On an individual timber sale basis, all or a portion of the branding requirements pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this section may be waived, if:

   1. (i) Unprocessed logs from any origin are not known to have been exported by any person from the person's area of operations within the previous 5; years.

   2. (ii) The person certifies as follows:

      “I hereby request waiver of the requirements to brand each end of individual logs originating from the ____ timber sale, Forest Service contract number ____ pursuant to 36 CFR 223.195. I certify that I have not exported or sold for export unprocessed timber from private lands within my area of operations in five years. I certify that I understand, that if granted, the waiver applies only to unprocessed logs being processed within my area of operations. I certify that any unprocessed logs to which this waiver applies that are transferred, or sold for transfer, outside my area of operations will be branded on both ends in full compliance with 36 CFR 223.195. I make this certification with full knowledge and understanding of the requirement of the Forest Resources Conservation and Shortage Relief Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 620, et seq.) (Act) and its implementing regulations at 36 CFR part 223. I fully understand that failure to abide by the terms of the waiver will be a violation of this Act (16 U.S.C. 620, et seq.) and the False Statements Act (18 U.S.C. 1001) and may subject me to the penalties and remedies provided for such violation.”;

      and,

   3. (iii) The person otherwise complies with the regulations relating to transfers of logs between persons.
   4. (iv) If the Regional Forester determines that unprocessed logs from my origin are being exported, or are known to have been exported within the previous 5 years, by any person from the person's area of operations, the Regional Forester shall revoke the waiver.

2. (2) Regions 5 and 6. On an individual timber sale basis, the branding requirement pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this section may be waived for logs ten (10) inches or less in diameter inside bark on the large end may be waived if:

   1. (i) One end of each log is branded;

   2. (ii) The person certifies as follows:

      “I hereby request waiver of the requirement to brand each end of individual logs ten (10) inches or less in diameter inside bark on the large end, originating from the ____ timber sale, U.S. contract number ____ pursuant to 36 CFR 223.195. I certify that I understand, if granted, that the waiver applies only to unprocessed logs being processed at ____, and further certify that any and all unprocessed logs to which waiver would apply that are transferred, or sold for transfer, will be branded on both ends in full compliance 36 CFR 223.195. I make this certification with full knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Forest Resources Conservation and Shortage Relief Act of 1990 (Pub. L. No. 101-382, August 20, 1990; 16 U.S.C. 620, et seq.) (Act) and its implementing regulations at 36 CFR Part 223. I fully understand that failure to abide by the terms of the waiver will be a violation of this Act (16 U.S.C. 620, et seq.) and the False Statements Act (18 U.S.C. 1001) and may subject me to the penalties and remedies provided for such violation.”;

      and,

   3. (iii) The purchaser otherwise complies with the regulations relating to transfers of logs between persons.
   4. (iv) If the Regional Forester determines that logs ten (10) inches or less in diameter inside bark on the large end are being exported in the Region, the Regional Forester shall revoke the waiver.
3. (3) The Chief of the Forest Service may authorize the testing of alternative methods of branding for consideration in future amendment of these regulations. Such alternative methods and logs marked under those methods shall be closely monitored.