Regulations & Directives

Forest Service Directives

The Forest Service Directives System is a series of manuals and handbooks used by Forest Service personnel to guide the agency and manage national forests and grasslands. Forest Service directives are also important tools for tribes, other federal agencies, state and local governments, and the public to understand how the Forest Service works.

Forest Service manuals contain legal authorities, objectives, policies, responsibilities, instructions, and guidance regularly used by agency employees to do their work. Forest Service handbooks provide specialized guidance and instruction for carrying out the directions in the manuals. Field issuances are localized supplements to the national manuals and handbooks.