diff --git a/k8s.gcr.io/manifests/README.md b/k8s.gcr.io/manifests/README.md
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+# GCR Manifests
+
+This directory holds the manifest metadata for all of our sub-projects.  These
+files define the source and destination repos and paths that the promoter is
+allowed to operate on.
+
+These subdirectories MUST NOT have delegated OWNERS files - they represent
+sensitive configuration that needs careful review, and should almost never
+change.
+
+Reviewers should ensure that:
+* The source registry is one that we trust.
+* There is one non-source registry for each of {us, eu, asia}.
+* The non-source registries include an appropriate "subdir" for the
+  sub-project (e.g. src `gcr.io/k8s-staging-foobar` promotes to
+  `{us,eu,asia}.gcr.io/k8s-artifacts-prod/foobar`).  Exceptions to this are
+  very rare and must be commented and linked to a PR with discussion.
+* The service account is correct.
diff --git a/k8s.gcr.io/manifests/k8s-staging-build-image/OWNERS b/k8s.gcr.io/manifests/k8s-staging-build-image/OWNERS
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-# See the OWNERS docs at https://go.k8s.io/owners
-
-approvers:
-  - build-image-approvers
-reviewers:
-  - build-image-reviewers
-
-labels:
-  - sig/release
-  - area/release-eng