What's New

By Survey Manual

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Survey Manual (SM) communicates bureau level administrative instructions, delegations, and general procedures for its employees. The manual is undergoing review to maintain compliance with White House instruction (refer to https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/). This page shows a summary of directives finalized in Fiscal Years 2025 and 2024.

U.S. Geological Survey – Directives System 

Survey Manual (SM) – What’s New

Note to Users: This page is updated by the Office of Policy and Analysis on a quarterly basis. This listing also includes relevant updates for chapters in the Departmental Manual (DM) for which the USGS is a primary author.

FY25 –

SM 500.6, Relations with American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations
SM 500.25, Scientific Integrity
IM AP 2025-01, Personal Time During Official Travel
SM 502.4, Fundamental Science Practices: Review, Approval, and Release of USGS Scientific Information Products
SM 205.10, Financial Delegations, and Appendix A
SM 205.16, Equal Employment Opportunity
SM 500.7, Consultation with Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations

FY24 –

305 DM 3, Integrity of Scientific and Scholarly Activities

SM 800.1, International Activities and Collaboration

SM 205.2, Travel Delegations (posted; additional revisions planned for FY25)

SM 205.13, Delegations of Authority to Enter into Agreements and to Accept Contributions, Appendix A

Instructional Memorandum (IM), Derogatory and (or) Offensive Words, Names, and Phrases in USGS Information Products

SM 308.75, Executive Leadership Team

SM 500.18, Grants (Funds-in) Application and Acceptance (revisions reflecting a new form process)

SM 308.26, Hazard Response Executive Committee

SM 200.1, Delegations

SM 200.2, Redelegations

Recently Archived –

IM ARRA 2009-05

IM ARRA 2009-06