On the eve of the release of the 2009 Manual of Surveying Instruction for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States, the Public Land Survey System Foundation (PLSSF) was created through a partnership between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). Then and now, the foundation’s guiding purpose was to support the education of the survey profession in the proper legal procedures associated with retracing PLSS surveys and other Federal boundaries.
Additional goals include:
*The creation of a single point of contact for surveyors in the United States for knowledge and information about the PLSS;
*To fund educational opportunities, scholarships, and other training for the improvement of the survey profession as it relates to PLSS issues;
*To fund projects for research or special efforts related to PLSS issues; and
*To publish additional BLM materials which are of interest to the private and public sector surveying community but for which BLM has no budget to produce.
Via https://plssfoundation.org, the foundation has made available (for a fee) three initial professional development courses, including Accretions, Avulsions and Relictions in the Public Land Survey System. The courses, previously available only to Certified Federal Surveyors (CFedS), are now available to anyone that wishes to further their understanding of water boundaries within the PLSS.
Glen Thurow, Certified Federal Surveyor (CFedS) program liaison, remarked: “It is my belief that professional land surveyors nationwide will find this material interesting. After all, it is an excellent example of the kind of training CFedS receive and enjoy on an ongoing basis”.
About the PLSS Foundation Panel
Made up of nine volunteer surveyors, the PLSSF panel is committed to preserving the United States’ unique cadastral infrastructure through the support and study of the PLSS. To contact the panel or suggest an idea, please visit https://plssfoundation.org/contact/
KSLS is not the official distributor of this information.It is being shared as a service to the members.The mentioned courses have not been approved by KSBTPfor continuing education.
The Surveyors Historical Society’s Rendezvous 2024 will be September 18–21 at the Hotel Julien in Dubuque, Iowa. The Rendezvous is an annual gathering of those interested in the history of land surveying and includes education sessions and social events/outings.
Click here for the Rendezvous page on the SHS website. If you have any questions or need additional information, contact Paula Hammer, CAE, executive director of the Surveyors Historical Society, at phammer@ohiosurveyor.org or 614-798-5257.
KSLS is not the official distributor of this information.It is being shared as a service to the members.This webinar has not been approved by KSBTP for continuing education.
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ (KDWP) Ecological Services Division (ESD) is responsible for providing statutorily required ecological reviews of proposed development projects in accordance with the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act. Strategies used for ecological reviews are to address ecological concerns during the earliest stages of project planning by using the latest technology and scientific information in developing sound ecological recommendations. Actions that require a review are any that involve public funds, government assistance, require another state or federal permit, or potentially affect a current listed species or its critical habitat. To date, project information has been submitted to KDWP Ecological Services Division and results from the ecological review were provided within 30 days.
KDWP ESD has collaborated with NatureServe to develop an online Kansas Ecological Review Tool (ERT). The ERT will allow project managers to submit project details electronically and receive their review generally within 15 minutes. Ecological reviews from the ERT will provide clearance and best management practices (BMPs) or inform the project manager the project will require further review by KDWP Ecological Services Division staff. This presentation will discuss the ERT and ecological review process in more detail.
REGISTER HERE
Last week, Rep. John Joyce (R-Pennsylvania) introduced House Concurrent Resolution (H.Con.Res.) 96, a “sense of the Congress” resolution expressing the view that design professional licensure (architects, engineers, surveyors) is critical to public health, safety, and welfare; recognizing the role these professions play in our economy; and sending a signal to states that they should not affect these professions in occupational licensing reform.
“While the case for reform of licensing in some occupations is desirable, bills introduced in some state legislatures are too broadly drafted and fail to exempt or recognize the importance of licensing of design professionals. Introduction of this resolution sends a strong signal from Congress to the states that care should be taken to preserve the necessary and legitimate licensing of architects, engineers, and surveyors,” said John Palatiello, an advisor to the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS).
“As a medical doctor, Rep. Joyce has a first-hand appreciation for professional licensure, and as the son of a PE, LS, is well aware of the importance of licensure of design professionals,” Palatiello said. “We applaud his recognition of the distinction between these important professions and others where licensure may be of questionable value or benefit to the public.”
For all who are signed up as Brand Ambassadors (BAs) and those wanting to sign up, Get Kids into Survey (GKiS) has a brand NEW community. The idea is that Ambassadors will be able to support each other better and provide more resources each month to aid outreach.
All thanks to the sponsorship from Topcon. GKiS can’t thank them enough for helping to progress its volunteer program.
Find a local BA on the interactive map. Each map point shows the BAs within that area. Follow the links to their profiles so you can reach out to them.
THE NORTHEAST CHAPTER OF KSLS
PRESENTS
A MOCK TRIAL: “HOBERT V. ROGERS”
8 Hours PDH
Friday, March 15, 2024
ROBERT J. DOLE HALL WASHBURN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW 2073 SW Washburn Terrace E, Topeka, KS 66604
Hurry! Late registration fee assessed after March 1.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION
KSLS board members Bill Haverkamp, Topeka, and James Meis, Hays, appeared before the Kansas Senate transportation committee earlier today to support SB 424, providing for geographic positions or locations of points within the state of Kansas under the Kansas Plane Coordinate System Act. You can read the society’s written testimony here.
The Kansas State Board of Technical Professions requested an attorney general opinion about the authority of registers of deeds. Recently, the Kansas AG’s office provided an opinion on that issue. In short, a register of deeds cannot require a submitting land surveyor to certify that a survey complies with all zoning ordinances and regulations. You can read the full opinion by clicking here.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which oversees the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), has announced a delay in the implementation of the new Elevation Certificate (EC) that had been announced June 29. Due to problems with access to the new form, the existing EC will be accepted until November 1, 2023. The new form can be accessed from the FEMA website, but technical difficulties continue to impede downloading. A guidance document provides assistance in the interim. Questions can be directed to FEMA at NFIPUnderwritingMailbox@fema.dhs.gov.
Use FEMA Form FF-206-FY-22-152 (formerly 086-0-33) to provide elevation information needed to comply with community floodplain management ordinances; to inform the proper insurance premium; and/or to support a request for a Letter of Map Change to remove a building from the Special Flood Hazard Area.
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For more information: Email: info@ksls.com Phone: 785-234-7983
