the manual of surveying instructions, the plss datum, and the local surveyor presented by: stephen...

The Manual of Surveying Instructions, the PLSS Datum, and the Local Surveyor Presented by: Stephen K. Haddock, PLS, CFedS Witness Tree Surveying Pilot Rock, OR and Bob Dahl, BLM Cadastral Surveyor Division of Lands, Realty & Cadastral Survey Washington, D.C. American Congress on Surveying and Mapping & ESRI Survey Summit San Diego, CA July 10, 2011 August 2, 2011

Agenda I.What is the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) Datum II.When is it relevant to the local surveyor

Principles of PLSS Surveying I.Measurements A.Correct B.Consistent C.Repeatable D.Following in the Footsteps II.Measurement at Proportionate or Intersection III.Gathering & Reporting Measurements A.Past B.Current C.Future

Manual of Surveying Instructions Chapter II Methods of Survey Highlight of new issues in the 2009 edition. How is the Manual the same as the 1973 edition? Examples.

Why is the Manual and/or the PLSS Datum Relevant to the Private, County, Tribal, and State Surveyor in Your State(s)?

The Public Land Survey System May 20, 1785 The first Land Ordinance enacted by Congress and first description of the PLSS Datum Today The 2009 edition of the Manual is the latest description of the PLSS Datum 1785 to Today The Federal statutes, and Instructions and Manuals issued by Surveyors General, GLO Commissioners, BLM Directors, under the authority of the Secretaries of the Treasury and Interior, have described the PLSS Datum

The Manual is: The Rules to Survey the PLSS by An Expression of Intent when the Federal Government is the Grantor The DOI/BLM Instructions and Directives, and Authority Surveys are governed by the edition of the Manual/Instructions in force at the time a survey was authorized State Law: Upon Adoption by State legislature, administrative rule, attorney general opinion, common law, and/or common practice Sections 1-2 & 1-3

MONTANA STATUE LAW Title 76 Land Resources and Use Chapter 3 Local Regulation of Subdivisions Part 4 Survey Requirements 76-3-402 Survey and platting requirements for subdivided lands. All division of sections into aliquot parts and retracement of lines must conform to the Manual of Surveying Instructions

Washington Administrative Code 332-130-030 Land subdivision and corner restoration standards. Reestablishment of lost GLO or BLM corners and subdividing of sections shall be done according to applicable GLO or BLM plats and field notes and in compliance with the Manual

Office of the Attorney General of the State of California 64 Opinions of the Attorney General 224 (1981) Manual of Surveying Instructions is the authoritative reference book on the subject of accessories to corner monuments

Minnesota Land Surveyors Association Public Land Survey in Minnesota State statutes state that the section subdivision methods follow the rules of the Federal Government Subdivision by survey of descriptions which are Federal in origin must follow Federal method down to the smallest size sold

NORTH DAKOTA SUPREME COURT Nystrom v. Lee, 16 N.D. 561 (1907) The courts of this state in the matter of restoration of corners and subdivision of sections are governed by the laws of the U.S., and the instructions issued by the officers thereof, in charge of the public land surveys

Randall v. Burk Township, 4 S.D. 337 (1893) The rule is well settled that in a resurvey of land originally belonging to the United States, and which it has caused to be surveyed under its authority, such resurvey must conform to the survey made under the authority of the government SUPREME COURT OF SOUTH DAKOTA

Randall v. Burk Township, 4 S.D. 337 (1893) The rule is well settled that in a resurvey of land originally belonging to the United States, and which it has caused to be surveyed under its authority, such resurvey must conform to the survey made under the authority of the government SUPREME COURT OF SOUTH DAKOTA Using Ground Penetrating Radar system to locate subsurface monuments.

The Manual of Surveying Instructions describes how cadastral surveys are made in conformance with statutory law and its judicial interpretation. (Section 1-3.) The Director of the Bureau of Land Management has the authority to determine what lands are Federal interest lands, what lands have been surveyed, what are to be surveyed, what have been disposed of, what remains to be disposed of, and what are reserved. (Section 1-15.) MANUAL

1973 Edition 2009 Manual Ch. 1 - The General Plan Ch. 2 - Methods of Survey Ch. 3 - The System of Rectangular Surveys Ch. 4 - Monumentation Ch. 5 - Lost or Obliterated Corners Ch. 6 - Resurveys Ch. 7 - Special Surveys and Instructions Ch. 8 -Field Notes Ch. 9 -Plats Ch. 10 -Mineral Surveys Ch. 1 - The General Plan Ch. 2 - Methods of Survey Ch. 3 - The System of Rectangular Surveys Ch. 4 - Monumentation Ch. 5 - Principles of Resurveys Ch. 6 - Resurveys and Evidence Ch. 7 - Resurveys and Restoration Ch. 8 -Resurveys and Water Boundaries Ch. 9 -Special Instructions, Field Notes, and Plats Ch. 10 -Special Surveys and Mineral Surveys Chapters Crosswalk

What do you mean I am not the Competent Jurisdiction?

Court of Competent Jurisdiction Source of Law When are the Manual (Federal rules) applicable and when should the Surveyor look elsewhere for the governing (State) rules, i.e., source of law question Sections 1-6, 1-7, & 1-7(n), & 8-57 through 8-60

Court of Competent Jurisdiction Source of Law Land Status Public Domain Land Federal Rules Acquired Land Federal or State Rules Non-Federal Land State Rules Sections 1-13 & 1-13(n)

Owner of land when boundary line is created, i.e., Last Common Grantor Federal Federal Rules Non-Federal State Rules Some States have adopted Federal rules for some situations Federal has borrowed State rules for some situations Source of Law Intent Court of Competent Jurisdiction Source of Law Sections 1-6, 1-7, & 1-7(n), & 8-57 through 8-60

Measurement Technology Chapter II - Change in Principal The 2009 edition is largely technology independent. How the surveyor determines the relationship between point A and point B (measurement procedures; what instrumentation and computational techniques is used) will be determined for each survey from the best available technology to meet the purpose of that survey. How to measure is better handled by special instructions.

2-1. Surveyor to consult previous Manuals, textbooks, and references for past and present measurement technology and techniques PLSS is orthogonal, with reference to an ellipsoid surface Chapter II Methods of Survey Introduction

Specimen Plat Appendix I Original Survey

2-2. Horizontal measurement Mean ground elevation For the line above sea level Exceptions to be documented Chapter II Methods of Survey Measurement Basis of Distance

2-3. Reference to the true meridian Defined by the axis of the earths rotation True meridian = line along a meridian of longitude Geodetic meridian = Astronomic meridian deflection of the vertical Chapter II Methods of Survey Measurement Basis of Direction

2-5. Basis for reporting directions is Bearings = angular measure with reference to the true meridian in degrees, minutes, and seconds Basis for reporting bearings is mean bearing referenced to the true meridian at the point of record Chapter II Methods of Survey Measurement Methods of Measurement Sections 2-4 through 2-8

2-5 & 2-6. Basis for reporting distances is Horizontal measure in chains U.S. Survey Foot At actual ground elevation Horizontal mean ground elevation of line above sea level Chapter II Methods of Survey Measurement Methods of Measurement

2-7. The Alaska exception Distances reported at zero elevation (sea level) Chapter II Methods of Survey Measurement Methods of Measurement

2-8. Direct vs. indirect methods of survey measurement Direct - Measured data gathered and reported in proper basis Indirect - Measured data not gathered in proper basis Chapter II Methods of Survey Measurement Methods of Measurement

2-9. The reference system by which measurements of the PLSS are reported Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Public Land Survey System Datum

2-10. Lines, and most elements of the PLSS, are defined in a geodetic sense Meridional boundaries that converge Latitudinal boundaries, similar to latitudinal arcs Boundaries are lines of constant bearing measured at ground elevation Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Public Land Survey System Datum

2-10. Large-scale = difference between plane and geodetic computation methods is significant Mix of astronomic, geodetic, and plane methods The surveyor is expected to distinguish and discern their effect Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Public Land Survey System Datum

2-11. Basis for reporting direction = true mean bearing Stated in terms of angular measure referred to true meridian north Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys True Meridian at the Point of Record

2-11. Referenced to the true meridian at the point of record Point of record = meridian at the midpoint of the line of sight between the end points Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys True Meridian at the Point of Record

2-12. Forward bearing Back bearing Mean bearing Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys True Meridian at the Point of Record

2-13. Straight line = line of constant bearing Straight line line of sight or a geodesic Line of constant bearing crosses each meridian at the same angle Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Line of Constant Bearing

Figure 2-1. Lines of exaggerated converging meridians.

2-13. Examples of lines of constant bearing Parallel of latitude Rhumb line Small circles Loxodromes Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Line of Constant Bearing

2-14. 2 points 20 chains apart on parallel of latitude defines the direction of the curve at either point Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Line of Constant Bearing

2-15. Shortest distance between 2 points Line of constantly changing bearing A great circle Passes each meridian at a different angle Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Line of Sight

2-15. Is not a straight line Mean bearing is bearing at midpoint Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Line of Sight

2-16. Some boundaries are defined as line of sight Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Line of Sight

2-17 & 2-18. Increment/amount/degree of curvature = Angular difference in the direction of the true meridians through each end point. Expressed in minutes/seconds Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Curvature

2-17 & 2-18. Correction or adjustment for curvature = Distance, along a meridian, between points on lines with the same end points, one on the line of sight and one on the line of constant bearing Expressed in linear distance Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Curvature

Offset from line of sight to line of constant bearing

2-19. Correction for convergency Reference spheroidal / ellipsoidal, e.g. Clarke Spheroid of 1866 Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Convergency of Meridians

2-20. Horizontal distance, at Mean elevation above sea level Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Lengths of Arcs of the Earths Surface

2-21. Geometric effect = Differences between plane surveying and computations and PLSS datum surveying and computing Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Geometric Effects and Apparent Misclosure

Figure 2-2. Apparent misclosure due to convergency of the meridians.

2-22. Geometric effects To and from true meridian To and from mean bearings Between ground horizontal and grid or sea level distances Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Geometric Effects and Apparent Misclosure

2-22. Geometric effects Correction between mean, forward and back bearings Elevation of line Misclosure and apparent misclosure Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Geometric Effects and Apparent Misclosure

2-23. Computed at mean ground elevation Double meridian distance or equivalent Record data Compass rule adjustment prior to calculations (but not apparent misclosure) Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Area

2-24. Area & geometric effects Grid area PLSS area Scale factor Elevation factor Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Area

2-25. PLSS Parallel lines = 2 lines a constant distance apart To produce as many regular legal subdivisions as possible Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Parallel Lines of the PLSS

2-26. Height above or below mean sea level Alaska exception at sea level Proportionate measurement and significant elevation difference Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Elevation

2-27 & 2-28. Astronomic meridian Geodetic meridian Laplace correction = difference Method clearly stated in the record Chapter II Methods of Survey The Geodesy of Large-Scale Cadastral Surveys Deflection of the Vertical

2-29. National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) Chapter II Methods of Survey Coordinate Systems and Projections Geodetic Reference Systems

2-30. Latitude = latitudinal difference Departure = longitudinal difference Chapter II Methods of Survey Coordinate Systems and Projections Latitudes and Departures

Figure 2-3. Curvature of lines of a large triangle.

A tangent to the parallel.

A secant of the parallel.

2-31 & 2-32. Two corners tied to NSRS Coordinate data to be replicated with known uncertainty Used on Plats State Epoch, Datum, Field Observations, and Computational Techniques Chapter II Methods of Survey Coordinate Systems and Projections Geographic Positions

2-33 & 2-34. Differences between SPCS and PLSS Sea level factors Elevation factors Grid scale factors Mapping angle Acreage Chapter II Methods of Survey Coordinate Systems and Projections Grid Coordinate Systems and Coordinates

Double Proportionate Measurement Sections 7-8 & 7-9 Better definition/example of the double proportion measurement. Discussion of cardinal equivalents.

2-34. Repeatable coordinates Quantifiable accuracy standard May be collateral evidence May be best available evidence May be substantial evidence Chapter II Methods of Survey Coordinate Systems and Projections Grid Coordinate Systems and Coordinates

Repeatable coordinates may be the best available evidence for the position of an obliterated corner. ... if the first surveyor documents how he or she obtained the coordinates so the second surveyor can, within an acceptable degree of confidence, determine the same point on the earth's surface (following in the computational footsteps) within an acceptable level of certainty, then coordinates may be the best available evidence of the corner position. Sections 2-32 & 2-34

2-35 & 2-36. Basis of Bearings Coordinate basis Chapter II Methods of Survey Coordinate Systems and Projections Use of Local Survey Measurements

2-37. If different from the Manual is stated in the special instructions Expected that accuracy is consistent with instrument specifications Chapter II Methods of Survey Coordinate Systems and Projections Accuracy of Survey Measurements

2-38. Geospatial data Cadastral data Federal Geographic Data Committee Cadastral Data Content Standards Chapter II Methods of Survey Coordinate Systems and Projections National Spatial Data Infrastructure

2-39. Special instructions to define Methods Expectation of accuracy Chapter II Methods of Survey Coordinate Systems and Projections Statistical Analysis of Survey Data

2-40. Summary of these issues Line of constant bearing True mean bearing Proper use of grid projections Converting geodetic or grid data to PLSS datum Chapter II Methods of Survey Coordinate Systems and Projections Computations in the PLSS Datum

2-40. Summary of these issues Specialized computations Elevation, elevation variation, scale factor Area Chapter II Methods of Survey Coordinate Systems and Projections Computations in the PLSS Datum

2-41. Bearings Reported consistent with specials accuracy requirements Minutes; minutes & portions thereof; minutes & seconds Chapter II Methods of Survey Coordinate Systems and Projections Units of Direction

2-42. By law, chain is unit of linear measure Other units will be specified in specials Chapter II Methods of Survey Coordinate Systems and Projections Units of Distance

2-43. Chain unit defined by U.S. Survey Foot French, Spanish, & Mexican units Chapter II Methods of Survey Coordinate Systems and Projections Units of Distance

Know where you are working Research-Research-Research

Know how to resurvey these Special Surveys

By fundamental law, upon the issuance of a patent for land by the Federal government; it is just as if the monuments, survey plat and field notes, and the laws, regulations and rules governing how to survey the land described in the patent, are stapled to the face of the patent. The survey rules are spelled out in the manuals, circulars, instructions and regulations issued by the GLO and later by the BLM. SUMMARY

http://www.blmsurveymanual.org/

Errata

Resources

the manual of surveying instructions, the plss datum, and the local surveyor presented by: stephen...

Documents