This website is uniquely dedicated to the Manual of Surveying Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States 2009 (also referred to simply as “The Manual”). The 2009 edition is the 9th Manual in the series.

The Manual has guided the original surveys and resurveys of the Public Lands through the General Land Office, and (since 1946) the Bureau of Land Management, an agency within the United States Department of the Interior.

The Manual is directed specifically toward instructing Federal surveyors. However, the principles contained in the Manual on the subject of retracement are an integral part of private surveying in the 30 Public Land States. Additionally, many States have formally adopted the Manual in statute, rule, and/or case law as guidance for private licensed surveyors. Thus, the Manual is a fundamental item in the complex subject of boundary surveys in the United States.

The PLSS Foundation (PLSSF) partnered with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the publishing of the 2009 Manual. We also formerly partnered with the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) for distribution. You may purchase a hard-copy through the NSPS e-store for $49.95, S/H included. An electronic (PDF) version is available free of charge, here, while the BLM webpage is located here.

Get to know the Manual further through our in-depth sectional overview, here.