Attachment_1_USFWSSignHandbook2019.pdf

PDF 13 MB Posted Feb 3, 2026

Attached to: MI SENEY NWR KIOSK INTERPRETIVE PANELS & BASES
Solicitation number: 140FS226Q0035
Issued by: Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service

About this file

Written by GovTribe AI · Feb 3, 2026

This is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sign Handbook, a comprehensive policy and guidance document that establishes uniform standards for signage across all Service lands and facilities. The handbook, amended in June 2022, provides detailed requirements for planning, ordering, installing, inspecting, and maintaining signs while ensuring compliance with federal standards including the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) guidelines. The document establishes sign program goals focused on quality customer experiences, brand recognition, consistent appearance, accessibility, safety, and cost-effectiveness while minimizing wildlife and habitat disturbance.

The handbook specifies standardized sign types including entrance signs, area management (A-Series) signs, information signs, guide signs, interpretive signs, traffic control devices, safety signs, and emblems. Materials standards emphasize High-Density Overlay (HDO) plywood, aluminum, and weathered steel with retroreflective vinyl sheeting for visibility and durability. Specific requirements address placement, lateral clearance (minimum 6 feet from roadway), mounting heights (5 feet minimum for road signs), and structural engineering per American Society of Civil Engineers standards. The document mandates that field stations maintain sign inventories with digital photographs and GPS coordinates, conduct annual inspections of traffic control signs, and ensure all signs comply with MUTCD standards for viewing distance and letter size based on traffic speed. Procurement rules require most standard signs be ordered from Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) or approved commercial vendors under Title 18, United States Code, Section 4124, with regional sign coordinators providing approval and guidance. Sign maintenance procedures, vandalism mitigation strategies, and accessibility guidelines for persons with visual, auditory, mobility, and cognitive disabilities are thoroughly documented to ensure equitable access to all visitor communications.

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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

R o A F g s n E f

Sign Handbook Signage Policy and Guidance March 2019 (Amended by Decision Memorandum, “Approval of Revisions to ~350 Directives to Remove Gender-Specific Pronouns,” 6/22/2022)

Table of Contents 1

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction to the Service Sign Handbook �� 1-1 Service Sign Goals �� 1-1 Sign Program Objectives �� 1-2 Organization of this Handbook �� 1-3 Legal Requirements for Sign Programs �� 1-4 Regional Office Responsibilities �� 1-4 Project Leader Responsibilities �� 1-4 Sign Plan �� 1-4 Inventory �� 1-5 Mounting and Installation �� 1-5 Inspection �� 1-5 Maintenance �� 1-5 General Sign Recommendations �� 1-5

Chapter 2 Sign Types Standards, Materials, and Designs �� 2-1

Sign Types �� 2-1 Advance Notice Signs �� 2-1 Entrance Signs �� 2-1 Guide Signs �� 2-1 Area Management Signs (A-Series Signs) �� 2-2 A-Series Sign Specifications �� 2-2 Information Signs �� 2-3 Navigational Signs �� 2-3 Interpretive Signs �� 2-4 Traffic Control Devices �� 2-4 National Recreation Symbols �� 2-4 Safety Signs �� 2-4 Emblems �� 2-5 Decals �� 2-5

Selection of Sign Materials �� 2-5 Engineering Criteria �� 2-6 Substrates �� 2-6 Sign Face �� 2-8 Reflectivity �� 2-8 Sign Colors �� 2-9

Design Standards for Service Signs �� 2-9 Sign Rules of Thumb �� 2-9

Sign Placement �� 2-10 Overview �� 2-10 MUTCD Placement Guidelines �� 2-11 Lateral Clearance �� 2-11 Viewing Distance �� 2-12 Position �� 2-13

2 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sign Handbook

Site Placement �� 2-14 Spacing �� 2-14 Safety �� 2-14 Angle �� 2-14 Height �� 2-14 Field Test �� 2-15 Clear Zone Description �� 2-15

Planning – Station Sign Plans �� 2-16

Chapter 3 Procedures �� 3-1 Ordering Signs �� 3-1

Ordering Standard Signs �� 3-1 Ordering Custom Signs �� 3-1 Sign Warranties �� 3-3

Mounting and Installation �� 3-4 Standard Mounting Methods �� 3-4 Guidelines for Installing Signs �� 3-5

Inventory and Inspection �� 3-5 Sign Inventory �� 3-5

Legal Requirements �� 3-5 Sign Inspection �� 3-6

Chapter 4 Sign Maintenance �� 4-1 General �� 4-1 Sign and Decal Maintenance �� 4-1

General Maintenance Tips �� 4-1 Sign Panel Maintenance �� 4-1

Storing Sign Panels �� 4-1 Sign Cleaning �� 4-2 Cleaning Aluminum Signs and Plywood Signs �� 4-2 Cleaning Wood-Routed Signs �� 4-2 Removing Stains �� 4-2

Sign Repair �� 4-2 General �� 4-2 Bent Signs �� 4-3 Bullet Holes and Punctures �� 4-3 Replacing Vinyl Sheeting and Legends �� 4-4 Repairing Wood-Routed Signs �� 4-5 Repainting and Refinishing �� 4-5

Maintenance of Sign Hardware and Supports �� 4-6 Ground Maintenance �� 4-6 Vandalism �� 4-6

Vehicle Decal Maintenance �� 4-7 Methods for Removing Vehicle Decals �� 4-7

Sign Maintenance References �� 4-8 Sign Posts and Supports �� 4-9

Sign Posts and Supports �� 4-9 Small Sign Supports �� 4-9

Chapter 5 Catalog �� 5-1 Entrance Signs, Footboard, and Welcome Signs �� 5-1

Description �� 5-1

Table of Contents 3

Entrance Sign Guidance �� 5-3 Welcome and Secondary Entrance Sign Guidance �� 5-4 Installation and Mounting �� 5-4

Ready Reference Guide to Area Management Signs �� 5-5 Area Management Signs �� 5-6

Description �� 5-6 Installation and Mounting �� 5-6 Maintenance �� 5-6 A-Series Signs �� 5-7 Boundary Signs �� 5-8 Guidance �� 5-8 Posting A-Series Signs �� 5-8 Tips �� 5-8 Types of Boundary Signs �� 5-8

Designated Area Signs �� 5-10 Guidance �� 5-10 Types of Designated Area Signs �� 5-10

Other Area Management Signs (FWS-A-19 – FWS-A-24) �� 5-13 Other Site-Specific Signs �� 5-13 Ready Reference Guide to Information Signs �� 5-15 Information Signs �� 5-16

Placement �� 5-17 Maintenance �� 5-18

General Information Signs �� 5-18 Use/Purpose �� 5-18

Concession Area Signs �� 5-19 Service Building Identification Signs �� 5-19

Placement �� 5-19 Mounting �� 5-19

Ready Reference Guide to Guide Signs �� 5-20 Guide Signs �� 5-21

Description �� 5-21 Advance Notice Signs �� 5-23

Guidance �� 5-23 Placement �� 5-24 Maintenance �� 5-24

Interpretive Signs �� 5-25 Emblems and Decals �� 5-25 The Service Emblem �� 5-25

Description �� 5-25 Vehicle Mounting �� 5-26 Mounting Reflective Decals �� 5-26 Methods for Removing Vehicle Decals �� 5-26 Ordering �� 5-27 Maintenance �� 5-27

Other Emblems �� 5-27 Description �� 5-28

Federal Recreation Symbols �� 5-28 Description �� 5-28 Placement �� 5-29 Maintenance �� 5-29 Ordering �� 5-29

Traffic Control Devices �� 5-30 Description �� 5-30 Other Traffic Control Devices �� 5-31 Ordering �� 5-31

4 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sign Handbook

Safety Signs �� 5-31 Description �� 5-32 Placement �� 5-32 Mounting �� 5-33 Ordering �� 5-33 Maintenance �� 5-33

Appendix 1 References �� A1-1 Legal Authorities for Sign Program �� A1-1 Additional References �� A1-2

Appendix 2 Color Specifications �� A2-1 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Emblem Color Specifications �� A2-1 U.S. Department of the Interior Seal Color Specifications �� A2-2 Common Uses of Sign Colors �� A2-3 Pantone Matching Colors for MUTCD �� A2-4

Appendix 3 Design Standards for Service Signs �� A3-1 Overview �� A3-1 Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices Design Requirements �� A3-1 Message �� A3-2

Typography �� A3-4 Case �� A3-4 Letter Size �� A3-4 Line Length �� A3-4 Linespace �� A3-5 Color �� A3-5 Layout �� A3-5 Size �� A3-5 Arrows �� A3-7

Conventional Road Guide Sign Sizes �� A3-8 Regulatory Sign and Plaque Sizes (Sheet 1 of 4) �� A3-9 Regulatory Sign and Plaque Sizes (Sheet 2 of 4) �� A3-10 Regulatory Sign and Plaque Sizes (Sheet 3 of 4) �� A3-11 Regulatory Sign and Plaque Sizes (Sheet 4 of 4) �� A3-12 Minimum Letter and Numeral Sizes for Expressway Guide Signs According to Interchange Classification �� A3-13 Minimum Letter and Numeral Sizes for Expressway Guide Signs According to Sign Type �� A3-14 Minimum Letter and Numeral Sizes for Freeway Guide Signs According to Interchange Classification �� A3-15 Minimum Letter and Numeral Sizes for Freeway Guide Signs According to Sign Type �� A3-16

Appendix 4 Guidelines for Use of Quick Response Codes (QRs)/Tags/NFC Chip Tags on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Signs �� A4-1 Definitions �� A4-1 Generic Guidance �� A4-1

Table of Contents 5

Appendix 5 Sign Color Equivalents Chart �� A5-1

Appendix 6 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recreational Symbols �� A6-1

Appendix 7 Sign Planning �� A7-1 Purpose of this Sign Planning Guide �� A7-2 Why Do a Sign Plan? �� A7-2 Planning for the Sign Plan �� A7-2 Visitor Services Review Questions for Your Sign Program �� A7-3 Signs and Communicating Important information to People with Disabilities �� A7-4 Sign Inventory and Condition Assessment �� A7-4 Sign Plan Map Samples �� A7-5 Sign Plan Map Code Classification �� A7-6 Creating the Sign Plan Document �� A7-8 Appendix 1 �� A7-13

Appendix 8 Accessible Signs �� A8-1 Legislation �� A8-1 Types of Disabilities �� A8-2 Types of Accessible Signs �� A8-2 Guidelines for Accessible Signs �� A8-2 Signs Required at Accessible Facilities �� A8-6 References �� A8-9 Appendix A �� A8-10

Design �� A8-10 Content �� A8-10

Appendix B – Alternative Formats �� A8-11 Communicating to Visually Impaired People �� A8-11 Communicating to Learning Impaired People �� A8-12

Appendix 9 Bilingual Signs and Exhibits �� A9-1

Some Things to Consider When Planning Signs and Exhibits �� A9-1 Tips for Writing Bilingual Text �� A9-2 Design Bilingual Media �� A9-2 Planning and Managing the Project �� A9-2 Building your Bilingual Infrastructure �� A9-2

Appendix 10 Interpretive Signs �� A10-1

General Signage Principles �� A10-1 Ordering �� A10-2

Appendix 11 Small Sign Pocket Guide �� A11-1

Introduction to the Service Sign Handbook 1-1

Chapter 1 Introduction to the Service Sign Handbook

Signs are frequently the first things that people see when visiting U�S� Fish and Wildlife Service lands� They are important for branding our identity, providing a welcoming experience, ensuring public safety, and minimizing or avoiding wildlife and habitat disturbance� Signs are one of our most effective tools for offering quality customer experiences, sharing key messages with the visiting public, sharing key resource messages, and assisting with navigation both off- and on-station�

An effective sign system enhances our public image and identity� Signs need to share clear messaging and information, be simple and understandable to visitors, and respond to visitors’ needs and interests� Too much signage or information can confuse and frustrate visitors� Too little or inadequate signage can create extra workload for staff, Friends organizations, and volunteers to answer questions and assist people with basic information� It may even lead to an unsafe situation�

The Service’s policy is to provide a uniform system of signs and markers along our roads, trails, and office buildings to inform, guide, educate, and protect visitors and employees� You can find our policy about Service signs in Service Manual chapter 041 FW 3 Signs�

Our goal is to provide professional and attractive signs that, as a whole, communicate messages succinctly and apply sign format and guidelines consistently throughout the Service�

This handbook explains the Service sign program in detail, offers guidance for managing Regional and field station sign programs, and discusses how to develop a basic sign plan and how to determine the appropriate signs to ensure a safe and quality experience for our visitors�

Service Sign Goals Goals of the Service sign program are to:

■ Contribute to quality customer experiences on our lands.

■ Increase brand recognition and identity.

■ Communicate key messages and information.

■ Establish a uniform and consistent appearance and format for signs on all Service lands and buildings.

■ Establish a uniform sign plan and inventory strategy.

■ Adhere to all regulations in the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and national accessibility requirements.

■ Improve the graphic and aesthetic quality of all signs.

■ Increase the effectiveness of communicating to diverse audiences.

■ Reduce accidents and personal injuries on Service lands.

■ Develop a cost-effective program.

■ Develop a sustainable and environmentally sound sign program at all levels.

■ Minimize the amount of signage to reduce wildlife and habitat disturbance.

http://www.fws.gov/policy-library/041fw3 http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/index.htm

1-2 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sign Handbook

Sign Program Objectives Our objectives are to:

■ Establish uniform standards for Service signs and sign programs.

■ Facilitate effective sign program management.

■ Provide guidance for planning, ordering, inventorying, installing, inspecting, and maintaining signs.

■ Provide a catalog of standard Service signs.

■ Meet all legal requirements for reflectivity, readability, and installation.

■ Improve the quality and durability of signs.

The following are guidelines to use in administering a sign program:

1. Signs should deliver understandable messages to visitors.

2. The Service emblem must be used, where appropriate.

3. Signs should convey the Service’s primary mission and general information to the public.

4. Signs must comply with accessibility standards (Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA] and Architectural Barriers Act [ABA] Accessibility Guidelines, 216 [ADA and ABA 216]) and, where appropriate, accommodate individuals who speak another language. Also relevant are the Outdoor Developed Area Guidelines. (See Appendix 8.)

5. International symbols developed by Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) should be used where appropriate.

6. Signs must comply with pertinent Federal, State, and local laws in outdoor public use areas, as appropriate.

7. Safety signs must be installed to warn the public of non-obvious safety hazards or to direct safe behavior.

http://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm http://www.access-board.gov/the-board/laws/architectural-barriers-act-aba http://www.access-board.gov/the-board/laws/architectural-barriers-act-aba https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/recreation-facilities/outdoor-developed-areas/final-guidelines-for-outdoor-developed-areas/single-file-version-of-rule?highlight=WyJvdXRkb29yIiwib3V0ZG9vcnMiLCJkZXZlbG9wZWQiLCJkZXZlbG9waW5nIiwiZGV2ZWxvcCIsImRldmVsb3BtZW50IiwiZGV2ZWxvcHMiLCJkZXZlbG9wbWVudHMiLCJkZXZlbG9wZXJzIiwiZGV2ZWxvcGVyIiwiZGV2ZWxvcG1lbnQncyIsImRldmVsb3BlcnMnIiwiYXJlYXMiLCJhcmVhIiwiYXJlYSdzIiwib3V0ZG9vciBkZXZlbG9wZWQiLCJvdXRkb29yIGRldmVsb3BlZCBhcmVhcyIsImRldmVsb3BlZCBhcmVhcyJd

Introduction to the Service Sign Handbook 1-3

Organization of this Handbook The table below shows how we organized this handbook.

Section This section…

Introduction Describes the goals and objectives of our sign program.

Planning Provides an overview of sign planning. The information in this section is general in nature and, except as noted, applies to all categories of signs.

Sign Types and Standards

Provides an overview of Service sign standards. The information in this section is general in nature and, except as noted, applies to all categories of signs.

Procedures Instructions and graphics for how to inventory, plan, order, install, inspect, and maintain signs are provided.

Sign Maintenance Provides guidelines and tips for the maintenance and care of all types of signs. Sign repair procedures and suggestions for ways to reduce vandalism are included.

Catalog Lists all standard Service signs. Information is organized by the following categories of signs:

■ Entrance Signs

■ Area Management Signs

■ Information Signs

■ Advanced Notice Signs

■ Interpretive Signs

■ The Service Emblem and Other Decals

■ Federal Recreation Symbol Signs

■ Traffic Control Signs and Devices

■ Safety Signs

■ Fee Area Signs

The Catalog section features a Ready Reference Guide, which outlines area management, information, and guide signs. Ready Reference Guides will be your brief overview of the standards and procedures for these signs. We intend for employees who are familiar with our sign program to use them as a quick reference. This subsection does not replace a thorough reading of this Handbook for those who are new to the Service or unfamiliar with the sign program.

A brief description is provided for traffic control signs and devices, Federal recreation symbol signs, safety signs, and the Service emblem and other decals.

Appendices Includes the sign program policy of the Administrative Handbook, suggested vendors, and includes other pertinent information. We will periodically update the vendor and product information.

Legal Requirements for Sign Programs Highway Safety Act of 1966 (Title 23, USC Highways, redesignated in 2003) requires Federal agencies with jurisdiction over roadways open to public travel to comply with three standards:

■ They must have programs to apply traffic engineering measures and techniques, including the use of signs and other traffic control devices, to reduce the number and severity of traffic accidents on these roads.

■ They must evaluate their programs periodically and provide a summary to the Federal Highway Administration.

■ They must meet the Federal Highway Standards prescribed in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

To fulfill these requirements, the Service sign program includes:

The national sign inventory website and application that records photos, location and attributes using a mobile device.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=1c079d2f0eadb23b78f86beefbc6852f&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title23/23tab_02.tpl http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/index.htm http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/index.htm http://www.fws.gov/policy/041fw3.html http://www.fws.gov/policy-library/041fw3 https://fws.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=88d59f1047584be2b27b296f6277e271

Introduction to the Service Sign Handbook 1-5

Inventory Each field station must maintain a current inventory of all signs used on Service lands and buildings� An inventory should be a complete list, description, photograph, and map of the current signs and their conditions� Sign inventory sheets insize of lettering, sign dimensions, the type of post or mounting, the installation date, photograph of the sign and mounting, as well as vendor information and purchase cost� Inventories can be paper based or digital based using an app or other technology�

Field stations should be prepared to provide information from their sign inventories to the Regional and/or the National Sign Coordinator� Field stations must also maintain a separate listing of signs needed to satisfy highway safety requirements�

Where relevant, field stations should use their sign inventory to augment their needs listed in the Service Asset Maintenance Management System (SAMMS) and in deferred maintenance (DM)� This will make funding for sign needs more feasible since they will be listed as a station asset and can be part of an ongoing replacement project� Staff should coordinate their efforts with their Regional SAMMS Coordinator�

Mounting and Installation Each field station must ensure that all signs on the station are properly installed� Proper installation includes location, placement, and mounting� Mounting and structures must be engineered to American Society of Civil…

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