Handbooks
Division of Policy, Economics, Risk Management, and Analytics
Updated:  December 22, 2020
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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
Agency Tender Handbook (175 KB)    PDF   2008  291 FW 2 
Aquatic Animal Health Procedures and Protocols      2004  713 FW 1 
Audit Guide for Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs (317 KB)    PDF   2003  417 FW 1 
Bridge Inspection Handbook    PDF   2014  362 FW 3 
Career Intern Program Handbook (250 KB)    PDF   2003  223 FW 10 
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   2008  282 FW 2 
Digest of Federal Resource Laws of Interest to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service      Not dated  101 FW 1 
Eagle Handling and Distribution Handbook    PDF   2020  720 FW 6 
Economic Analysis for Hydropower Project Relicensing: Guidance and Alternative Methods      1998  N/A 
Employees on the Move (PCS) Handbook    PDF   June 2017  266 FW 1 
Endangered Species Consultation Handbook      1998  N/A 
Environmental and Disposal Liabilities Identification, Documentation, and Reporting Handbook (11 MB)    PDF   2006  260 FW 6 
Federal Duck Stamp Program Handbook (452 KB)    PDF   2003  901 FW 1 
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 
Guidelines for Compliance with Federal Assistance Nondiscrimination Requirements    PDF   2009  063 FW 1 - 3 
Habitat Conservation Planning and Incidental Take Permit Processing Handbook      2016  N/A 
Habitat Evaluation Procedures Handbook      1980  870 FW 1 
Handbook for Dedications and Other Special Events (40 KB)    PDF   1999  042 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 
Human Use and Economic Evaluation (9 MB)    PDF   1985  872 FW 1 
Internal Review Process for Authorizing Harassment under Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act    PDF   2016  036 FW 2 
Land Survey Handbook    PDF   2015  343 FW 1 
Line of Duty Death (LODD): Response Handbook    PDF   2013  N/A 
Manual for Conducting Natural Resource Damage Assessment: The Role of Economics      Not dated  N/A 
Mapping and Cadastral Geographic Information System (GIS) Handbook    PDF   2018  343 FW 5 
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 
Outreach Handbook      2001  N/A 
Performance Work Statement (PWS) Handbook (275 KB)    PDF   2008  291 FW 2 
Personnel Suitability and Security Handbook    PDF   2020  430 FW 1 
Phased Retirement Handbook    PDF   2020  223 FW 15 
Post-Competition Implementation and Accountability Handbook (523 KB)    PDF   2008  291 FW 2 
Preliminary Planning and Integrated Data Collection (175 KB)    PDF   2008  291 FW 2 
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 
Rulemaking Guide      2000  202 FW 1 
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    PDF   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 
Volunteer Program Handbook (595 KB)    PDF   1999  150 FW 3 
Writing Refuge Management Goals and Objectives: A Handbook (614 KB)    PDF   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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