What's New

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 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