Introduction to the 2009 Manual

This website is uniquely dedicated to the Manual of Surveying Instruction 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.

You may purchase a hard-copy through the NSPS e-store or add it to any course purchase made through this site ($49.95, shipping included). An electronic version is available free of charge, (PDF), while the BLM webpage is located here. Get to know individual segments through the following overview:

Segment NameVideo LinkDurationTranscript PDF
Intro Animation1:13Not Available Not Available
Intro to the 2009 Manual10:05
Meet the Editor of the 2009 Manual55:53
Three-Mile Method9:13
Meander Lines3:01
Closing Corners6:10
Fractional Sections10:33
Riparian2:47
Controlling Intermediate Monuments10:58
Mineral Surveys6:59
Areas3:34
Units of Measure1:59
Irregular Boundary Adjustments4:53
1/4 Corners of Minimum Control2:57
Double Proportions11:07
Limits of Closure2:16
Supplemental Plats3:39
Conclusion3:00
Outro Animation0:34Not AvailableNot Available