The Electronic Library of Interior PolicieS (ELIPS) is a library of official policies, procedures, programs, and functions of the bureaus and offices of the Department of the Interior. ELIPS contains the following:

Departmental Manual Chapters - Permanent policy documents approved by the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary - Policy, Management and Budget. These include organization descriptions; delegations of authority; and policies, procedures, and standards for administrative, legal, legislative, informational and program activities of the Department. ELIPS contains current chapters as well as a limited number of previously approved versions of each chapter, as appropriate. DM chapters dating back to 1996 can be found in the system along with a limited number of chapters dating back to 1994. Earlier versions of chapters as well as chapters that have been removed or become obsolete are contained in the system's archive files.

Secretary's Orders - Temporary or interim policies approved by the Secretary that expire after a specified period of time or that are converted to the Departmental Manual. ELIPS also contains all current and expired Secretary's Orders dating as far back as 1992.

Handbooks - Handbooks issued by authorized DOI Management officials that generally provide policy guidance for Interior based on broader government regulations in the areas of Personnel, Federal Acquisition Regulations, Federal Travel Regulations, Information Technology, etc. Handbooks must be related to a DM chapter or chapters. Handbooks issued or updated beginning in FY 2011 are contained in the current and/or archive files.

Succession Memorandums - Memorandums that contain designations of officials authorized to act in the absence of a decision-maker or supervisor. ELIPS contains only succession memorandums for Office Directors in the Office of the Assistant Secretary - Policy, Management and Budget. Succession Memorandums were place in the system beginning in 2006. Earlier versions of the memorandums, if available, and dating back only 8 years, are maintained in the archive file.

NOTE: If you need a DM Chapter or Secretary's Order issued prior to 1996, please click on the "Feedback" link located on this page and submit your request.