U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Handbooks
Division of Policy, Economics, Risk Management, and Analytics
Updated:  January 09, 2023
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Handbooks explain how to comply with directives. We use them to convey good and acceptable practices and procedures. We authorize handbooks through the Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, and you can find cross references to many of our handbooks in the Manual chapters.

Following are the handbooks that are available online:

Subject Date Reference
Aquatic Animal Health Procedures and Protocols Handbook   PDF   2022  713 FW 1-2 
Bridge Inspection Handbook   PDF   2014  362 FW 3 
Coastal Program Handbook   PDF   2021  651 FW 2 
Conservation Easement Handbook   PDF   2022  601 FW 6 
Constructed Real Property Handbook   PDF   2016  372 FW 1 
Construction Inspection Handbook (579 KB)   PDF   2004  360 FW 4 
Correspondence Manual - 2020   PDF   2020  282 FW 2 
Data Tracking System (DTS) User Manual (1.18 MB)   PDF   2020  282 FW 2 
Digest of Federal Resource Laws of Interest to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service   Not dated  101 FW 1 
Dive Operations Handbook   PDF   2022  241 FW 10 
Eagle Handling and Distribution Handbook   PDF   2020  720 FW 6 
Employees on the Move (PCS) Handbook   PDF   June 2017  266 FW 1 
Endangered Species Consultation Handbook   1998  N/A 
Federal Duck Stamp Program Handbook (452 KB)   2003  901 FW 1 
Federal Wildlife Officer Dress Code, Grooming, and Personal Protective Equipment Handbook   PDF   2022  470 FW 3 
Fire Management and Invasive Plants - A Handbook   PDF   2009   
Fire Management Handbook   Not dated  621 FW 1 
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Processes and Procedures Handbook   PDF   2018  203 FW 1 
FWS Critical Incident Stress Management Handbook   PDF   2019  227 FW 7 
Habitat Conservation Planning and Incidental Take Permit Processing Handbook   2016  N/A 
Handbook on Publishing Documents in the Federal Register   PDF   2022  202 FW 1 
Heavy Equipment and Off-Road Utility Vehicle (ORUV) Safety Training Handbook   PDF   2016  321 FW 1 
Heavy Equipment Utilization and Replacement Handbook   PDF   2015  322 FW 1 
Honor Guard Operational Handbook   PDF   2019  470 FW 4 
Hours of Work and Leave Handbook   PDF   2022  226 FW 1 
Information Management and Technology (IMT) Project Review and Approval Handbook   PDF   2022  270 FW 2 
Land Survey Handbook   PDF   2015  343 FW 1 
Line of Duty Death (LODD): Response Handbook   PDF   2013  N/A 
Mapping and Cadastral Geographic Information System (GIS) Handbook   PDF   2018  343 FW 5 
Migratory Bird Permitting Handbook   PDF   2022  724 FW 1 
Mosquito Management on National Wildlife Refuges   PDF   2018   
National Canine (K9) Unit Manual   PDF   2015  471 FW 1 
National Environmental Policy Act Handbook (Federal Assistance)(635 KB)   2000   
NEPA for National Wildlife Refuges: A Handbook   PDF   2014   
New Employee Handbook (Orientation)   Not dated  230 FW 2 
Personnel Suitability and Security Handbook   PDF   2022  430 FW 1 
Phased Retirement Handbook   PDF   2020  223 FW 15 
Preplanning Guidance for CCPs: A Handbook   PDF   2006   
Procedures, Roles and Responsibilities Associated with Native Endangered and Threatened Species Permits and Delegation of Permit Signature Authority   PDF   2014  730 FW 1 
Radio Handbook   PDF   2016  272 FW 2 
Real Property Financial Management Handbook   PDF   2010  260 FW 7 
Sign Handbook (Signage Policy and Guidance)   PDF   2019  041 FW 3 
Space Management Handbook   PDF   2012  370 FW 1 
Survey Protocol Handbook: How to Develop Survey Protocols   PDF   2014  701 FW 2 
Temporary Duty Handbook: A Guide to the TDY Process   PDF   2015  265 FW 1 
Tribal Consultation Handbook   2018  510 FW 1 
U.S. Mail Management Handbook   PDF   2012  284 FW 1 
Visitor Services Standards: A Handbook for Evaluating Visitor Services Programs   PDF   2011  N/A 
Writing Refuge Management Goals and Objectives: A Handbook (614 KB)   2004  602 FW 1, 3, & 4 

If you have questions about the Directives pages, please contact Krista Bibb, Policy and Regulations Branch (PRB), Division of Policy, Economics, Risk Management, and Analytics, via email or telephone at 703-358-1914. If you have questions about the specific content of a directive, please contact the originating office.

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