Is the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Manual mandatory for private surveyors?

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Manual serves as a comprehensive guide for surveying and managing public lands. While it provides valuable standards and practices, it is not inherently mandatory for private surveyors. Instead, it functions primarily in an advisory capacity unless specific state regulations or statutes incorporate it into their legal framework. This means that private surveyors can reference the manual and follow its guidelines; however, they are not obligated to do so unless their state has adopted these guidelines as a part of its surveying regulations.

This distinction is essential because it allows for flexibility in how surveyors operate within different jurisdictions. Although the manual offers best practices and national standards that can enhance the quality and accuracy of surveying work, private surveyors often adhere to state-specific laws and standards, which can differ from the BLM guidelines. As a result, the application of the BLM Manual hinges on whether or not individual states have legislated its use, making it non-mandatory for private surveyors in the absence of such adoption.