A Guided Tour of

Michigan Public Act 132 (as amended)

Brett A. Dodge, PS

February 2019

Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors

This presentation will discuss:

1. What are the recent changes made to 1970 PA 132? (Old vs. New)

2. What do those changes mean to the surveyor? (Survey Review)

3. What are you and your peers doing to comply? (Surveyors, Clients, Register of Deeds)

2018 has been an interesting year. If you ask a random professional surveyor what happened, the most likely answer would be changes to 1970 PA 132 (Certified Surveys). I have visited many of the chapters to discuss and share information about those changes this past year. If I haven’t visited your chapter and you would like me to come and share with your group, please have your chapter president reach out to me. There are many resources, reports, and meeting minutes on the MSPS website as well.

Types of law:

1. Common Law

2. Statutes (MCL, MSA) Legislative Branch (House of Representatives & Senate)

3. Administrative Law (Rules/Regulations) Executive Branch (LARA, OLSR, BPL)

4. Attorney General Opinions Executive Branch (Interpretation)

5. Judiciary (Local, Appellate, Supreme)

Administrative Rules OPT - ORR: Rules: https://www.michigan.gov/opt/0,5880,7-338-35738_5695---,00.html MI Admin Code (ORR-LARA-BPL) Index https://dmbinternet.state.mi.us/DMB/DTMBORR/AdminCode.aspx?AdminCode=Department&Dpt=LR&Level_1=Bureau+of+Professional+Licensing MI Admin Code (ORR-LARA-BPL) R 339.17101-339.17509; (Professional Surveyors - General Rules) https://dmbinternet.state.mi.us/DMB/ORRDocs/AdminCode/1438_2014-107LR_AdminCode.pdf MI Admin Code (ORR-LARA) Index http://dmbinternet.state.mi.us/DMB/DTMBORR/AdminCode.aspx?AdminCode=Department&Dpt=LR&Level_1=Bureau+of+Construction+Codes MI Admin Code (ORR-LARA-BCC-OLSR) R 54.201-54.213; (Survey & Remon Commission) http://dmbinternet.state.mi.us/DMB/ORRDocs/AdminCode/1791_2018-011LR_AdminCode.pdf MI Admin Code (ORR-LARA-BCC-OLSR) R 54.251-54.261; (Land Corner Recordation) http://dmbinternet.state.mi.us/DMB/ORRDocs/AdminCode/1508_2015-011LR_AdminCode.pdf MI Admin Code (ORR-LARA-BCC-OLSR) R 123.1-123.75; (State Boundary Commission - Rescinded) http://dmbinternet.state.mi.us/DMB/ORRDocs/AdminCode/1850_2018-072LR_AdminCode.pdf MI Admin Code (ORR-LARA-OPLA) R 559.101-559.903; (Condominiums - General Provisions) https://dmbinternet.state.mi.us/DMB/ORRDocs/AdminCode/1425_2014-096LR_AdminCode.pdf MI Admin Code (ORR-LARA-OLSR) R 560.101-560.135; (Subdivisions of Land - Part 1 DLEG) http://dmbinternet.state.mi.us/DMB/ORRDocs/AdminCode/1850_2018-072LR_AdminCode.pdf MI Admin Code (ORR-DOT) R 560.201-560.205; (Subdivisions of Land - Part 2 DOT) http://dmbinternet.state.mi.us/DMB/ORRDocs/AdminCode/910_10874_AdminCode.pdf MI Admin Code (ORR-DEQ) R 560.301-560.304; (Subdivisions of Land - Part 3 DEQ-1) http://dmbinternet.state.mi.us/DMB/ORRDocs/AdminCode/911_10875_AdminCode.pdf MI Admin Code (ORR-DEQ) R 560.401-560.428; (Subdivisions of Land - Part 4 DEQ-2) http://dmbinternet.state.mi.us/DMB/ORRDocs/AdminCode/912_10876_AdminCode.pdf

Statutes (Laws) MI Chapter 54 (Surveyors) – RS 1846, Entry, LCRCs, PA132, Section/Quarter Posts, SPC, County Surveyor, Remon, MI/IN Line http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(4zgvnaeakt0wqtwgmn5jz4x2))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-chap54 MCL 123.1001-123.1020; PA 191of 1968 (State Boundary Commission) http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(iauok1kukoszvquebcqde2qh))/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-act-191-of-1968.pdf MCL 220.1-244.10; PA 283 of 1909 (Public Highways and Private Roads) http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(nf41acxmp1wvqa332ygdelf2))/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-Act-283-of-1909.pdf MCL 559.101-559.276; PA 59 of 1978 (Condominium Act) http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(nwiharfzhpky24egi1al4giv))/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-act-59-of-1978.pdf MCL 560.101-560.293; PA 288 of 1967 (Land Division Act) http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(2pnkgrghxodr1pnu2u4digrm))/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-act-288-of-1967.pdf MCL 565.201-565.203; PA 103 of 1937 (Recording Requirements) http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(0gbvrncjr4got0eumdcxfhn0))/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-Act-103-of-1937.pdf MCL 565.451-565.453; PA 123 of 1915 (Recording Affidavits Affecting Real Property) http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(dvhwbwsv2moxonoubr3j02za))/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-act-123-of-1915.pdf MCL 600.2567; PA 236 of 1961 (Revised Judicature Act of 1961 (EXCERPT)) http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(il2pgvfsptwphlj4ixo3k4ss))/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-600-2567.pdf

Other

Michigan Legislature (Bills & Laws): http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(alswznvi0t3syjf3d3y2fzoz))/mileg.aspx?page=Home MCL Index: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(kioafypxfnzfl0hwpzwva52w))/mileg.aspx?page=ChapterIndex AG Opinions: http://www.ag.state.mi.us/opinion/opinions.aspx

Statutory Construction:

1. Preamble (Sense of purpose, but not law)

2. Definitions (Terms of art?)

3. Lack of Definitions (Plain language meaning of text)

4. Body of Statute (The law)

5. Sections, Layout, Arrangement

6. What the statute says is important. What it doesn’t say is just as important.

CORNER RECORDATION ACTAct 74 of 1970

AN ACT to protect and perpetuate land survey corners; to require the establishment of monuments and therecording of information concerning original and protracted public land survey corners; to prescribe the dutiesof certain state and local governmental officers and entities; to require the promulgation of rules; and toprescribe penalties.

History: 1970, Act 74, Imd. Eff. July 16, 1970;Am. 1975, Act 313, Eff. Mar. 31, 1976;Am. 2014, Act 420, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30,2014.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

54.201 Short title; corner recordation act.Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “corner recordation act”.History: 1970, Act 74, Imd. Eff. July 16, 1970.

54.202 Definitions.Sec. 2. As used in this act:(a) "Accessory", means any exclusively identifiable physical object whose spatial relationship to the corner

is recorded on a land corner recordation certificate that has been filed under this act.(b) "Corner" means an original public land survey corner, a protracted public land survey corner, a

property controlling corner, a witness monument, or a property corner.(c) "County representative" means the individual performing the duties of county representative under

section 9 of the state survey and remonumentation act, 1990 PA 345, MCL 54.269.(d) "Department" means the department of licensing and regulatory affairs.(e) "Land corner recordation certificate" means a written record for a corner in the form prescribed under

section 5 that is to be filed as provided by this act.(f) "Monument" means a marker that occupies the position of a corner and that possesses or is made to

possess a magnetic field.(g) "Original public land survey corner" means a corner established and monumented pursuant to orders

and instructions issued by the United States government for the purposes of delineating the United Statespublic lands and private lands or subdividing the public lands for conveyance.

(h) "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or other legalentity.

(i) "Property controlling corner" means either of the following:(i) A position misidentified as and used as an original public land survey corner or as a protracted public

land survey corner that serves to control property.(ii) A corner that does not lie on a property line of a property but that controls the location of 1 or more of

the property corners of the property.(j) "Property corner" means a geographic point on the surface of the earth that is on, is a part of, and

controls a property line.(k) "Protracted public land survey corner" means any of the following:(i) A closing quarter section position along a township or range line or a center quarter section position that

was not actually monumented on the ground in the field notes of the original federal government survey, butthat serves to complete the nominal half-mile grid of government corners.

(ii) A monumented position that is not an original public land survey corner, that lies on a section line orquarter line near a body of water, and that serves to define the section line or quarter line in lieu of asubmerged government position or an omitted meander position.

(iii) A section or quarter section corner that appears by the field notes and plats of the United States surveyof this state, on file in the state archives, to have been omitted and not properly established or monumented.

(l) "Reference monument" means an accessory that is employed if the site of a corner is such that amonument cannot be set or is liable to destruction or if occupation of the site provides for unsafe conditions.

(m) "Surveyor" means a professional surveyor who is licensed to practice professional surveying underarticle 20 of the occupational code, 1980 PA 299, MCL 339.2001 to 339.2014.

(n) "Witness monument" is an accessory that is a monumented point near a corner. A witness monument isestablished only if it is impracticable to occupy the site of a corner with a monument. A witness monument isa witness to the true corner point. If the true point for a corner falls at an inaccessible place, such as on aprecipitous slope or cliff where the corner cannot be monumented, a witness monument is established at aRendered Thursday, October 4, 2018 Page 1 Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 341 of 2018

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suitable point where the monument may be permanently constructed.History: 1970, Act 74, Imd. Eff. July 16, 1970;Am. 1975, Act 313, Eff. Mar. 31, 1976;Am. 1988, Act 26, Eff. May 1, 1988;

Am. 2000, Act 34, Imd. Eff. Mar. 15, 2000;Am. 2014, Act 420, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 2014.

54.203 Original public land survey corner; completion and filing of land corner recordationcertificate.Sec. 3. If an original public land survey corner is used by a surveyor, not more than 90 days after the

original public land survey corner is used, the surveyor shall complete, sign, seal, and file with the register ofdeeds of the county where the original public land survey corner is situated, a land corner recordationcertificate for the original public land survey corner, unless the original public land survey corner monumentand its accessories are as described in an existing land corner recordation certificate that has been filed underthis act.

History: 1970, Act 74, Imd. Eff. July 16, 1970;Am. 2000, Act 34, Imd. Eff. Mar. 15, 2000;Am. 2014, Act 420, Imd. Eff. Dec.30, 2014.

54.203a Protracted public land survey corner; completion and filing of land cornerrecordation certificate.Sec. 3a. If a protracted public land survey corner is monumented by a surveyor, or if a previously

monumented protracted public land survey corner is used by a surveyor, not more than 90 days after theprotracted public land survey corner is monumented or used, the surveyor shall complete, sign, seal, and filewith the register of deeds of the county where the protracted public land survey corner is situated a landcorner recordation certificate for the protracted public land survey corner, unless the protracted public landsurvey corner monument and its accessories are as described in an existing land corner recordation certificatethat has been filed under this act.

History: Add. 2014, Act 420, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 2014.

54.203b Property controlling corner; recordation.Sec. 3b. If a property controlling corner has been recorded or used as an original public land survey corner

or protracted public land survey corner, the property controlling corner must be recorded on the same landcorner recordation certificate required to be filed under section 3 or 3a.

History: Add. 2014, Act 420, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 2014.

54.204 Corner record; completion and filing of land corner recordation certificate.Sec. 4. If sections 3, 3a, and 3b do not apply, a surveyor who monuments or uses a corner may complete,

sign, seal, and file with the register of deeds of the county where the corner is situated a land cornerrecordation certificate for the corner.

History: 1970, Act 74, Imd. Eff. July 16, 1970;Am. 2014, Act 420, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 2014.

54.205 Land corner recordation certificate; information to be included; promulgation ofrules.Sec. 5. (1) The department, by rule, shall prescribe the information that must be included in a land corner

recordation certificate and the form in which a land corner recordation certificate must be presented and filed.(2) The department shall promulgate rules pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA

306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328, to implement this act.History: 1970, Act 74, Imd. Eff. July 16, 1970;Am. 2014, Act 420, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 2014.

54.206 Preservation of completed land corner recordation certificate; numerical order;placement of book and page number on index; public inspection; filing fee.Sec. 6. (1) A register of deeds shall receive for filing a completed land corner recordation certificate and

preserve it in a hardbound book. The books must be numbered in numerical order as filed.(2) A register of deeds shall number land corner recordation certificates in numerical order as they are

filed.(3) A register of deeds shall place the book and page number in which a land corner recordation certificate

is filed on an index provided by the register of deeds for that purpose.(4) A register of deeds shall make the records described in this section available for public inspection

during all usual office hours.(5) A register of deeds shall determine the fee for filing a land corner recordation certificate as provided in

section 2567(1)(a) of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.2567.

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History: 1970, Act 74, Imd. Eff. July 16, 1970;Am. 1975, Act 313, Eff. Mar. 31, 1976;Am. 1988, Act 26, Eff. May 1, 1988;Am. 2000, Act 34, Imd. Eff. Mar. 15, 2000;Am. 2014, Act 420, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 2014.

54.207 Monumenting corner and each accessory to corner; physical condition; witnessmonument; reference monuments; report.Sec. 7. (1) If a land corner recordation certificate is required to be filed under this act, the surveyor shall

monument the corner, record and identify each accessory to the corner, and leave the monument in such aphysical condition that it remains as permanent a monument as is reasonably possible.

(2) If a witness monument is set, the surveyor may monument the corner and shall set the witnessmonument as follows:

(a) In a secure location.(b) On a line of survey or protracted line of survey as shown on the general land office plats that intersects

the corner.(c) As close to the corner as practicable.(3) A surveyor who sets a witness monument under subsection (2) shall report on the land corner

recordation certificate the relation between the witness monument and the true corner and the directconnecting course and distance from the corner to the witness monument.

(4) If a surveyor sets reference monuments, the surveyor shall install at least 4 reference monumentsinterrelated and visible with the corner and each other by angular and linear measurements. If a surveyor setsreference monuments, the surveyor is not required to set the corner.

(5) A surveyor who sets reference monuments under subsection (4) shall report all of the following on theland corner recordation certificate:

(a) The relation between the reference monuments and the corner.(b) The direct connecting courses and distances between the reference monuments and the corner.(c) The distances between each reference monument and the 2 reference monuments that are closest to the

reference monument.History: 1970, Act 74, Imd. Eff. July 16, 1970;Am. 2000, Act 34, Imd. Eff. Mar. 15, 2000;Am. 2014, Act 420, Imd. Eff. Dec.

30, 2014.

54.208 Signing, dating, and sealing land recordation certificate.Sec. 8. A land corner recordation certificate may not be filed unless it is signed, dated, and sealed by the

surveyor. However, for a certificate prepared by or on behalf of an agency of the United States government orthis state, the certificate must be approved, signed, dated, and sealed by the surveyor in responsible charge ofthe agency and may also be signed by the chief of the survey party making the survey.

History: 1970, Act 74, Imd. Eff. July 16, 1970;Am. 1988, Act 26, Eff. May 1, 1988;Am. 2000, Act 34, Imd. Eff. Mar. 15, 2000;Am. 2014, Act 420, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 2014.

54.209 Repealed. 2000, Act 34, Imd. Eff. Mar. 15, 2000.Compiler's note: The repealed section pertained to corners previously established.

54.210 Monuments; placement; magnetic field.Sec. 10. (1) When set, a monument shall possess a magnetic field, be at least 1/2 inch in diameter and a

minimum of 18 inches in length, and be legibly capped showing the license number of the surveyor.(2) Unless it is to be set in a public roadway, a monument shall be set with not less than 2/3 of its length

below the surface of the surrounding ground.(3) If a corner is located in a public roadway and the roadway is not hard-surfaced at the corner, the

monument shall be placed at least 6 inches below the surface of the roadway.(4) If a corner is located in a public roadway and the roadway is hard-surfaced at the corner, whether by

concrete, asphalt, or otherwise, the monument, including, but not limited to, a monument set before theeffective date of the 2000 amendatory act that amended this section, shall be visible or contained within avisible protected enclosure and shall comply with any requirements of the agency having jurisdiction over theroadway.

(5) If a corner to be monumented is located on a rock outcropping, the monument shall be an iron bar atleast 1/2 inch in diameter, drilled and grouted into solid rock to a depth of at least 8 inches.

History: Add. 1975, Act 313, Eff. Mar. 31, 1976;Am. 2000, Act 34, Imd. Eff. Mar. 15, 2000.

54.210a Repealed. 2000, Act 34, Imd. Eff. Mar. 15, 2000.Compiler's note: The repealed section pertained to monuments furnished by county.

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54.210b Repealed. 1988, Act 26, Eff. May 1, 1988.Compiler's note: The repealed section pertained to coding, indexing, and transfer of corner records.

54.210c Effect of noncompliance.Sec. 13. Failure to comply with the provisions of this act is sufficient grounds for the suspension or

revocation of the license of a surveyor.History: Add. 1975, Act 313, Eff. Mar. 31, 1976;Am. 1988, Act 26, Eff. May 1, 1988;Am. 2000, Act 34, Imd. Eff. Mar. 15,

2000.

54.210d Defacing, destroying, altering, or removing monument, accessory, witnessmonument, or reference monument; penalty; temporary removal; resetting andrewitnessing; report.Sec. 14. (1) Except as provided in this subsection or subsection (2), a person who defaces, destroys, alters,

or removes a monument, accessory, witness monument, or reference monument is guilty of a misdemeanorpunishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 or imprisonment for not more than 180 days, or both, and isresponsible for the costs of reestablishment and replacement of the monument, accessory, witness monument,or reference monument and filing of the associated land corner recordation certificate by a surveyor. Thissubsection does not apply to an accessory that is on private property.

(2) A monument, accessory, witness monument, or reference monument may be temporarily removed forconstruction purposes if the corner is properly witnessed by a surveyor before removal. A monument,accessory, witness monument, or reference monument that is removed under this subsection must be reset andrewitnessed and an associated land corner recordation certificate filed by a surveyor within 30 days after thecompletion of the construction. A monument, accessory, witness monument, or reference monument shall notbe temporarily removed for more than 1 year.

(3) A person who knows that a monument, accessory, witness monument, or reference monument has beendefaced, destroyed, altered, or removed shall report that fact in writing to the county representative and thecounty prosecutor of the county in which the corner is located.

History: Add. 1975, Act 313, Eff. Mar. 31, 1976;Am. 1988, Act 26, Eff. May 1, 1988;Am. 2000, Act 34, Imd. Eff. Mar. 15,2000;Am. 2014, Act 420, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 2014.

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CERTIFIED SURVEYSAct 132 of 1970

AN ACT to provide for the filing of surveys in the office of the register of deeds relative to land divisions;and to prescribe the conditions of the survey.

History: 1970, Act 132, Eff. Apr. 1, 1971.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

54.211 Certified copy of survey; recordation; exemptions.Sec. 1. (1) If lands are surveyed into parcels under sections 108 to 109b of the land division act, 1967 PA

288, MCL 560.108 to 560.109b, or any boundary survey where permanent corners are monumented, theprofessional land surveyor who prepared the survey shall record a certified copy in the office of the register ofdeeds in the county in which the land is situated.

(2) If a survey is made for the purposes of describing a parcel in a conveyance of title or describing aparcel as created in a lease for a year or more, a certified copy of that survey shall, within 90 days after thedelivery of the survey to the professional land surveyor's client, be filed for recording with the register ofdeeds in the county in which the land is situated. The requirements of this act are in addition to those of theland division act, 1967 PA 288, MCL 560.101 to 560.293. Land platted under that act, or land previouslysurveyed and recorded and for which no change in boundary description is made from a previously recordedsurvey, need not be recorded.

History: 1970, Act 132, Eff. Apr. 1, 1971;Am. 1972, Act 280, Eff. Jan. 1, 1973;Am. 2018, Act 193, Eff. Sept. 18, 2018.

54.212 Performance of survey; preparation of map; permanent markers for corners.Sec. 2. (1) The survey shall be performed and the map prepared by a land surveyor licensed in this state.(2) All corners shall be monumented in the field with permanent markers which possess a magnetic field

unless previously monumented with iron stakes, capped with some device legibly showing the license numberof the licensed land surveyor placing them, and shall include points of intersection of boundary or lot lineswith highways, streets, alleys, section lines, and meander lines, and corners of the United States public landsurvey from which the parcel or parcels are described.

History: 1970, Act 132, Eff. Apr. 1, 1971;Am. 1988, Act 24, Imd. Eff. Feb. 25, 1988.

54.213 Map; requirements.Sec. 3. (1) The survey map under section 1 shall be prepared on durable white paper 8-1/2 inches wide by

14 inches long. Lines on a map shall be made with nonfading black ink on a scale of not more than 500 feet toan inch. The scale shall be shown on the map, and a true scale reproduction of the map pursuant to the recordsreproduction act, 1992 PA 116, MCL 24.401 to 24.406, shall be recorded. The map shall meet all of thefollowing requirements:

(a) Include a certificate signed and sealed by the licensed professional surveyor who surveyed the parcel orparcels. The certificate shall meet all of the following requirements:

(i) Be typed, lettered, or reproduced legibly with nonfading ink.(ii) Give a clear, concise description of the land surveyed by bearings and distances, commencing with a

corner marked and established in the United States Public Land Survey, or reestablished in accordance withaccepted methods.

(iii) Include the relative positional precision of each corner, which shall be within limits accepted by thepractice of professional surveying.

(iv) Include certification by the licensed professional surveyor that the requirements of this section havebeen met.

(b) For land not included in a platted subdivision or condominium, include the exterior boundaries of theland surveyed and divided, together with the line or lines leading to the United States Public Land Surveycorner, or corners, from which the land is described. A boundary along a lake or stream shall be defined by ameander line connecting the side boundaries of the parcel. If a lot in a recorded platted subdivision issurveyed or divided, the exterior boundaries of the lot surveyed and divided shall be referenced to existing lotcorners and the controlling monuments used for that survey.

(c) If the boundary of the parcel follows or parallels a section line, all of the following requirements:(i) The section line shall be defined at its extremities by corners established in the United States Public

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(ii) Each corner of the United States Public Land Survey shall be duly witnessed under the cornerrecordation act, 1970 PA 74, MCL 54.201 to 54.210d.

(iii) The map shall indicate the kind of object, the bearings and distances to the object, and the kind andmaterial of monumentation marking the corner.

(d) A curved boundary or a curved highway, street, or lot line, shall be defined as follows:(i) If the curve is contained within the line, by the points of curvature and tangency and compound

curvature, central angle, length of arcs, radius, and length and bearing of the long chord.(ii) If the curve is only partially contained within the line, by the length of arc along the curve, radius, and

length and bearing of the short chord.(iii) If the curve is not regular, by traverse courses and distances.(e) If an exterior boundary line shows a bearing or length that varies from that recorded in an abutting plat

or certified survey, the following note shall be placed along the line "previously recorded as (show bearing orlength or both)".

(f) Include all of the following:(i) The length and bearing of each line.(ii) The exact width of each street, highway, alley, and easement.(iii) The distance on a boundary or lot line from the point of intersection with a meander line to the

apparent ordinary high-water line of Great Lakes waters and to the water's edge of inland lakes and streams.(iv) A north arrow properly oriented.(2) The register of deeds shall accept certified survey maps prepared pursuant to this section upon payment

of the regular fee as provided in section 2567(1)(a) of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL600.2567. The register of deeds shall consecutively number the maps and record them in bound volumes or ina manner adapted to a system of preserving records pursuant to the records reproduction act, 1992 PA 116,MCL 24.401 to 24.406. The maps shall be known as the "certified survey maps of .............. county", and shallbecome a part of the land records of the county. The register of deeds shall keep a separate card file orelectronic file of the county land records system. The file shall be indexed within the land records system. Thefile shall specify the unique identifying number or liber and page of the recorded surveys in the bound volumeor other record. The specification shall be by section, township, and range and, if the map is a resurvey withinthe plat, by title of the recorded plat.

History: 1970, Act 132, Eff. Apr. 1, 1971;Am. 1988, Act 24, Imd. Eff. Feb. 25, 1988;Am. 1992, Act 183, Imd. Eff. Oct. 5, 1992;Am. 2018, Act 193, Eff. Sept. 18, 2018.

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2016 Legislative Survey Results

Yes, for someone who previously held a license, but has let the license expire due to retirement .

With the time and cost of continuing education it puts a burden on some of our older surveyors to let their license go. Even though he wasn't practicing my father was very upset when he would out his license was basically being taken away because he did not follow thru with the required continuing education. It would be nice if there was some kind of path to address this problem.

I would like to see retired professionals, who are not practicing, be able to retain a retired status license without the need for CEUs

with the caveat that that the Code provide a way to reactivate the licensee to active status if they so desire and the bi-annual license fee to be limited to 1/2 of active license fee Also, many PS have spent their entire life time in the profession and are proud of their profession and want to maintain their "license". This would also preserve a PS member of MSPS full benefits of membership

I don't see any difference between being licensed or retired. I don't see a reason for adding a 3rd category

Many licensed surveyors are moving into retired status and it would be good to have a provision allowing them to remain current without the higher fee and full requirements for continuing education. They could then work part time and continue to use their valuable experience and expertise. They may even be able to mentor the techno savvy younger surveyors. many older surveyors are not going to catch up in technology but are still valuable and qualified as a PS.

If you are retired, you should not practice or advise in a Professional Surveyor capacity.

If you are using your license, pay for it. If the problem in older surveyors sitting on Peer Review Groups, pay them enough to get their continuing education credits and pay for their license.

I see no need for regulation of this. If they are retired they can simply so state so on their credentials (i.e. Joe Smith, PS (Retired)

Its not necessary, if you are retired don't renew your license, if you don't maintain a license, don't practice its pretty simple

There are some good surveyors out there turning in their license because of continuing ED. You should be able to put your license on hold no matter what age you are. (Illness, out of state, etc.) If you are over 65 and preform less than three surveys a year you should be able to have a Retired license.

It would create a large can of worms. And the public would suffer in the end.

Once retired and out of the mainstream daily grind of working for a business, continuing education is very difficult to manage. Our senior surveyors have a wealth of knowledge and to make them go through continuing education is an undue burden. I would be in favor of a 5 year Retired category from age 62-67 or something like that that would allow for the transition of business to occur more fluidly.

I don't see the point in having another state regulation on someone who is not practicing unless just symbolic but I don't see think the State needs to be involved.

Retirees should be able to retain their professional recognition, even if they can no longer certify surveys.. Licenses which are placed into a "shelved or inactive" status should be able to be reactivated assuming continuing education requirements are met.

So accurate reporting of active members can be reported.

Retired Professional Surveyors should not have the meet the CEU requirements

Retired Licensed, Surveyors need not be regulated, as they are not doing "for hire, professional" work. Retired status should allow the survey to have their license "put on a shelf, no need for CEU's. If they desire to come out of retirement, they should be allowed to re-activate their license and accumulate the required CEU's.

I think licensees have a choice at certain times in their lives. Some guys I know just gave up their license because there is no category for them. Those that keep their license are then burdened to obtain CEU's, and this gets expensive for them. I like the idea of some of these guys having a choice to keep their license. Many will probably not practice, but they have earned a right to serve as a professional for their lifetime. Some can become consultants, expert witnesses, and active Peer Group members. I know I will retire some day, and I hate to think I may have to give up my license.

There should be a way to "escrow" my license after I retire and no longer do surveying.

I have spent my whole life as a surveyor/engineer. Starting in the surveying field at the age of 15. 4 years of college to obtain my engineer license- surveying license at age 26- Would like to continue having the designation of PS-PE

The knowledge retention is invaluable.

The older surveyors (70+) should have a way to stay active without the expense of CEU's

I think for the vast majority of Professional Surveyors their occupation is a life's labor and that, if they choose, they should be able to hold that honorary title.

It allows a PS to maintain their licensure and status, in case they decide to come out of retirement or do part-time work later in life.

Good way to regulate those individuals

our legislative efforts should be focused on generating work for our industry. this is not important

I believe there may be a problem with non regulated individuals involved in surveying that should have regulation. Since there is no regulation for non professionals, I think they are seen as above the law and untouchable. My license is easily questionable and fined or censured through regulation. Retired surveyors I don't see as a problem, but owners of companies that are not licensed surveyors, I do see as a problem.

THERE SHOULD BE SOME PROVISION FOR THOSE WHO ARE RETIRED OR NOT WORKING IN SURVEYING FIELD (DUE TO ECONOMICS, FAMILY OBLIGATIONS, ETC.) TO PLACE LICENSE ON SOME TYPE OF HOLD THAT WOULD INCLUDE REDUCED OR NO FEES AND NO CEU CREDITS. IF INDIVIDUAL WANTS TO RETURN TO THE PROFESSION, THEN FEES AND CEU SHOULD BE REINSTATED.

A category where you can still be licensed without having to pay for license. ex. over 65 years of age.

I like the idea of "honoring" a person that is retired. I feel there should be criteria that comes with it

You are either a practicing Professional Surveyor, or you are not. Additional categories will just make things more confusing, and make surveying even less relevant than it is now.

Not sure what article 20 says

That would make the monetary gap between the Engineers and the surveyors closer. So I am in favor of that.

I need more clarification as to what you are specifically requesting.

Allowing the 3 professions to operate independently is not a good idea. -First, there is more strength in numbers when it comes to legislative issues. When something needs to be changed in Article 20, A, E, & S's should be working together to make the changes and show support for one another. There is no reason that the group should be butting heads or arguing over additions or omissions from the Article. -If split up, the other professions may make changes to their portions of the codes which may negatively impact the surveying profession behind our backs. Such as adding sections to their portion that would allow for them to practice surveying essentially. -Article 20 needs to be cleaned up, it reads terribly and uses terms that are inaccurate for what they are intending to mean. If split up, each profession would be wording everything differently when they rewrite portions of their section, which will only add more confusion to the whole thing.

Only if it benefits us as a surveying profession. If not, we need to continue to work with them.

this would ease the ability of any of the three categories to make changes without having to involve the other two categories

Before changing the occupational code I would need to see a lot more research into what the changes would be. There could be a lot of unintentional consequences.

I think, as far as our (architects, engineers, and surveyors) professions go, we have similar philosophies that can be grouped together. I don't see a reason to change it

We, as surveyors, need to combine to increase our influence within state activities.

We are much stronger as a group

Similar to Ohio a Regulatory Board for multiple professions is not a bad thing.

I don't really see any rationale for making this change. The 3 group already have their own administrative rules and each has its own licensing board.

Although we are all professionals, we operate differently, and to place us all under the same code of restrictions is not necessary. I would rather see a code that recognizes the unique challenges I face in my profession and make sure the code responds to that.

Maybe depends on wording and how this will change things

To eliminate potential conflicts of interest and allow statutes to be tailored to the specific profession.

I do not understand intended meaning of "independently" in this question.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The last thing we need are wanna be surveyors out there.

It ain't broke. Don't fix it.

They are independent professions.

don't know context

Our legislative efforts should be focused on generating work for our industry. this is not important

The question is unclear. Could you rephrase the question. These are three separate professions, though do frequently compliment each other.

Currently, all three professions are at risk of something running amok, when the Code is opened up for any of the other groups.

It works when the rules are followed, which isn't often enough.

There is to much protection of private records done by surveyors of private firms. Every aspect of setting monuments and retracing boundary's should be a matter of public record, as it serves to benefit the public. The register of deeds is not an effective means for housing survey records and there needs to be a rework as to how surveys are recorded and how you can access them. Every ROD office in the state has different means for accessing records and there needs to be a movement to unify this at the state level.

If surveyor's pay attention to it... many do not.

it should be mandatory for the PS to record at the Courthouse; it should be mandatory that there has to be a recorded survey on file before a deed creating a new parcel can be recorded or a recordable survey accompany the deed at the same time; there needs to be penalties if a PS or attorney or realtor or Reg. of Deeds or any other person to attempting to record a deed creating a new parcel.

If I had one complaint it is that realtors, property owners, builders, etc...will use a survey form 10 years ago or more to sell or build/pull permits on the property without getting the property resurveyed. I have seen this cause trouble as a lot can happen in 10 years. Buildings and additions may not be shown, zoning requirements may have changed, or even the boundary/easements. This may open up a big debate but if we really wanted to look out for the public health, safety, and welfare I would like to discuss having a new survey be required at the point of sale if one is not available in the past so many months/years. In my opinion this is the best form of insurance a land owner has for their property. They will pay house insurance yearly, pay for title work that often has a clause in it that excepts any issues that would be disclosed with a survey. Why not just require a survey?

it doesn't always get recorded because of various reasons, it should be up to the property owner to record it, by law

Very few of them are recorded in my area. I believe a more effective tool would be to have them required as part of the submittal application for a parcel split and once the split is approved by the municipality they should be required to be recorded by the municipality or the surveyor. Obviously, leaving the recording responsibility with the owner/client is not effective.

I look at it more a checklist to surveyors that guides us how to survey correctly and consistently, but it keeps us from being lazy, which protects the public

Not everyone follows it though which makes it hard to compete on price

See Indiana's requirements as an example

It WAS, at one point adequate. In today's litigious society, it is inadequate. It also needs updated to modern standards and practices.

It is effective as long as the standards are enforced.

This is important especially for new surveys and splits so they can be retraced properly as one would be working with the original survey document not just a recorded description that an attorney could have chopped up.

its confusing and too easily circumvented

It would be fine if the requirements contained in it were adequately enforced.

It promotes accurate and recorded land division for current land owners and posterity.

The lack of mandatory recording does nothing but harm the public's welfare. Many boundary conflicts are created from not making information available to the public. Not only should recording be mandatory, all boundary surveys should be made available over the internet like they do in Montana.

It defines the standard for the preparation of Certificates of Survey.

However, the loophole that it is not the surveyor's responsibility to record is a problem. Change the law to make it mandatory that the surveyor record if the purpose of the survey is for describing a parcel for the purpose of conveyance.

But working with the Register of Deeds Association to allow for ALTA Type surveys or Condominium Survey Plans on 24" x 36" sized drawings would be an improvement.

It give some basic guidelines as to what a survey should entail.

It is becoming antiquated and need to be revisited and revised to reflect present day standards. PA 132 is way better than nothing - that's for sure.

The intent of the law was for land divisions and when reviewing the number of surveys recorded, it is not being used

needs to be stronger and address a wider varity of surveys including ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys

I am NOT in favor of forced Recording of Certificates of Survey. I am also opposed to requiring a Certificates of Survey for every corner pin put in the ground.

The unlicensed ones will never record anything.

This is sort of related: Why should the Register of Deeds tell ME that a drawing cannot be recorded? What does she know? Just as an example, where is it written that my drawing MUST have an error of closure (specifically saying one part if 5000)? I think the Society or the State should tell me what has to be on a drawing to qualify. I just do not like a Register of Deeds telling me a drawing cannot be recorded just because the phrase, "I Declare" must be "I Certify."

Enforcement of recording needs to occur

Not really. I run into so many inferior products produced by a few individuals that think just because is says act 132 on it, (even though 1/2 the time it may not comply) and they record the survey with the register, that is is more correct then another opinion.

The problem with PA132 is that the requirement for recording such surveys is somewhat ambiguous. It is likely hundreds if not thousands of surveys are not recorded yearly, which creates an issue for the public and other surveyors as this information is lost. An idea would be to require proof that a certified survey has been recorded within the last 10 years with any transfer of title. This would create a chain of surveys for all/most parcels in the state over time and ensure that new home/land owners are aware of the extent of there boundary as well as any issues at the time off purchase, which would likely head off many boundary disputes.

I think it was a good start but has not evolved to protect the public. Even thought the survey may exist most people will only ever know what is in there deed or worse, tax description. We should seek to limit those who are allowed to write a legal description and push for a survey to be mandatory when new descriptions are created. Many townships already have this a requirement for their land division applications. I also feel that the source of the legal description should be included in any subsequent documents that use that legal description. Ohio has done this for a very long time. We should work to push assessors away from using abbreviated versions of legal descriptions. I have seen a lot of Sheriff's Deeds copied from tax descriptions simply because they have no funds or care to do proper title search.

Changes or new legislation is needed to keep up with today's needs.

To some extent, due to the minimum standards required.

guessing this will need answer too

Without mandatory recording, it is not useful for safeguarding the public.

I believe a majority are never recorded.

the majority never get recorded. Many survey drawing don't comply with the act.

Not followed. Who records survey? Can't enforce. Public doesn't know about it or understand it. Municipalities do what ever they want.

The law and the language have not kept up with the times.

yes

With the technologies that are available today, we need to start REQUIRING surveyors to put state plane coordinates and if not on state plane coordinate requiring a translation, scale factor, and rotation from grid on their surveys and legal descriptions to tie monuments down to more precise and accurate positions as well as eliminating confusion to location.

Need to define who is responsible for recording when it is required by the statute

I know recording sizes are being discussed with the register of deeds and that will be a lengthy process to change. It would good to have other size formats that can be recorded.

it needs updated

Again, I believe it is not effective tool to the surveying industry because they do not get recorded.

See Indiana's requirements as an example

See previous comment.

Mostly it is effectively applied by a majority of well trained surveyors

It could be, but very few people record their surveys.

The act needs to be updated to require a Surveyor's Report similar to those required in Indiana.

However, it needs to be amended to include the creation of administrative rules.

Needs revision to keep up with the times. Add a positional tolerance option. Allow for larger map size.

Same comment offered in item above.

May need some updating such as what should be done with platted lot surveys (really doesn't cover those and if there are to be any penalties for not following

It is becoming antiquated and need to be revisited and revised to reflect present day standards. PA 132 is way better than nothing - that's for sure.

Lack of use

needs to be stronger and address a wider varity of surveys including ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys

some updating may be warrented.

If used properly, it is a good 'step down' from a more expensive ALTA survey. We do need different products and price points for the public.

I feel that PA 132 is out of date and needs to be updated to allow for alternate papers sizes, if a condo can be recorded on 24x36 and a plat on 18x22, I don't see why an Act 132 cannot also be. Also a form of "Surveyors Report" should be required whereby the Surveyor details the purpose of the survey (Boundary Survey, Land Division, Property line adjustment, etc), research performed and materials referenced, what decisions were made, what monuments were used and which ones were not, etc.

it needs to be expanded to allow survey drawings done on larger format.

Yes, when surveys are actually recorded.

Needs update to coincide with new technology

The only time I see one is when it is recorded because of the land division act.

The law and the language have not kept up with the times. PA132 surveys may be more of a burden than a benefit.

There is no enforcement as far as I can tell.

Currently I have no specific suggestions, but am in favor of exploring.

It should fall under our licensing and regulation department.

Make are licensing department at the state accountable for what they are supposed to be doing.

need to think more about it; like to see others ideas

Unlicensed activity and surveyors in responsible charge are the two biggest issues I see. I would like to see MSPS have more pull when it comes to enforcement. MSPS is made up of surveyors. We make our livings surveying and understand the profession better than any other agency. It would be great to have the relationship with LARA to have investigated a case, discussed/reviewed and voted on it it among whatever panel MSPS may put together recommend a specific action to LARA and have it followed through with. It would give us the ability to handle issues internally as well without getting the state involved.

let surveyors know what the best way to report the activities to law enforcement and what steps to take before and after reporting

No specific suggestions. Any ideas to make improvements would be good.

Start a group within MSPS or some organization that constantly enforces laws through donations and dues

We need to better be able to police and enforce surveying requirements on unlicensed surveyors practicing surveying illegally.

It depends on the other options. Increasing penalties to a value that would serious hamper someone illegally practicing would be a start.

The biggest problem seems to be with unlicensed work.

Ohio has a very strong Board for Engineers and Surveyors with an enforcement division. They are constantly investigating companies and individuals who are practicing surveying unlicensed and illegally furthermore affecting the welfare of the citizens of the State. Michigan could model off what John Greenhalge is doing in Columbus.

Ohio seems to have an effective enforce model. try to pattern theirs.

More open encouragement to report inadequate surveying activities.

Stop waste $1000's to have an attorney write a letter to tell unlicensed people to stop surveying. Enforce the rules. I cannot count the number of recorded surveys that don't met PA132 or how many times I have been to a section corner to find nails and sometimes tags with a licence number, but no record witnesses.

NOBODY should be allowed to perform "surveying" tasks without being a licensed land surveyor or working directly under a licensed land surveyor. This includes ALL types of spacial related measurements including GIS, construction, engineering, etc.... The public is best protected when ONLY a licensed land surveyor performs these tasks.

Many laws are difficult to enforce and require gathering evidence. If we want the law to be enforce we have to be willing to spend the time gathering evidence. It would be more productive to develop a plan for evidence gathering and provide to members when they raise a concern.

More strigent and public review as noticed in OHIO board reviews and publications.

I would not be in favor of further restrictions. I would expect that through the continuing education requirements, and through the regular auditing process that should occur, that there are enough restrictions in place to allow for proper enforcement.

Sue Licensing. They have proven to be corrupt and completely worthless (pawns of the AG). Instead of MSPS suing engineers and foresters on an individual basis, sue Licensing so that they do what they are supposed to do; protect the public and enforce the Occupational Code.

There are many folks who survey that are not surveyors - engineers that collect information (topographic information) if fine for in-house use but they should not be allowed to sell that service to the public. Same with contractors. Staking your own projects is fine but once you sell that service to others you are now practicing surveying and seems that there is no ability to enforce such action.

I'm not sure how, but there needs to be an easier way to prosecute persons practicing without a license.

I believe it's a 'too little, too late moment' for the society. The amount of advances that have passed by the profession are immense and I do not feel the society has the technical prowess or leadership skills to govern these policies.

We need more enforcement. Look out how other states do it, namely Ohio.

Yes, I would be in favor of approaching the enforcement (with real teeth) of our surveying laws. I have filed two or three complaints (some twenty-five or so years ago) that were ultimately successful. But the process at the time was less than satisfactory. I am not saying the State cannot enforce the laws. But a slap on the wrist? It denigrates our profession. Because the process is so "lame" and the results are so unsatisfactory I probably would not file a complaint. That, and the fact that things around here have settled down and unlicensed surveying seems to have skipped over my area.

Utilize the County remon. board as a peer review group for Surveyors performing poor work which could then escalate the issue to the state board.

Self regulation by the state or MSPS by legislative changes.

"Rubber stamping" by a PS that is not in responsible charge of a survey crew, or not even in the same office as a survey crew should be made more easy to punish. They are essentially enabling unlicensed activity. Unlicensed activity needs to be punishable.

State Surveyor

The laws need to be written in ways that allow them to be enforced. Law enforcement also need to be educated on these laws to help the public

Change the occupational code to include unlicensed activity and assign fees for abuse.

Don't like regulation.

Treat violations of survey law as Civil Infractions instead of misdemeanors or felonies. County prosecutors won't bring charges because surveying violations are such a low priority.

our legislative efforts should be focused on generating work for our industry. this is not important

1 or 2 per year. I encounter an agent (realtor/attorney) working on behalf of the client, approving surveying services and are unconnected to the location of the survey. A lien is not useful. ( I think)

4 OR 5 IN LAST 10 YEARS

3 instances in the last 3 years.

2

4 for myself, not sure company wide

do not recall; most of the time it is written off as a bad debt

I do not have experience with this. I am not in private practice.

I do not know the number. We mostly quit the process because of the lack of effectiveness and challenges.

Not sure. Just hear "hope they pay. The last one didn't. They still owe us money."

Each and every time we have filed a lien the client has eventually paid the bill.

2 within last 10 years, for amounts of money that really matter. I'm not worried about a few hundred dollars, but these two were in the tens of thousands.

At least 30 instances in the past 10 years. LLC laws provide an cloak for developers and owners to hide behind where bills can be ignored with little concern for repercussion. Someone can be sent to jail for stealing a loaf of bread, but bilk your professional out of $10,000 in fees and there is no recourse. Laws need to be enacted that protect professionals from this type of situation. As a profession, we need to adopt more stringent policies for retainers and money collection procedures. As a profession, we are too fragmented. We need to be more united in fighting these causes.

At least 12 instances in the past 10 years

Maybe 10 in 5 years (1 percent of projects)

6 instances over 15 years.

The notice of intent to claim a lien is to early in the design process

Since 2005, most of our private clients are required to pay in full upfront.

Maybe twice it 10 years......chalked it up to experience. I think all business owners experience this once in a while.

0 - Get a down payment of half and a credit card number. Do not release any signed drawings until payed in full. Problem solved!

2 major in the last 5 years

A couple every year

3 times this has happened to me. We should be able to directly file a lien. Service directly adds value even though, physically, there is often times little to visually observe. It is a hassle and a cost to us to have to go through the Notice of Furnishing procedure when working indirectly through other service providers on a project. My biggest loss occurred when we did work on a subdivision development and were contracted to the engineer. By doing so I wasn't able to lien the project directly because we didn't provide the Notice of Furnishing to the project owner.

Have not had this problem in the last 6 years.

15 instances in the past 10 years

A whole restructuring of the register of deeds, the recording process, and how information is stored, recorded, and accessed needs to be completely reworked. All recording should be able to complete online and GIS needs to be utilized for accessing the information. Searching by Libers and Pages, Grantors and Grantees, Section, Town, and Range is archaic and pathetic with the technologies that are available and where the future is headed. The ROD is way behind on getting all of their records digitized. It is pathetic that you still have to use film to access records. If we continue to wait to update and modernize the system, they will never be able to catch up with the amount of records. Our profession is always willing to embrace new technology when someone brings it to us, but we never take action to push a new technology to others and do something that will ultimately benefit our profession, other professions, and the public.

One item that I believe needs to be updated is the amount of the deposits posted for monumentation. As a municipality, we require the same deposit for site condos as that required under the subdivision control act. The amount of $10 per property corner and $25 per monument (1968) is far from what it should be with today's costs. I believe it should be increased to at least $100 per property corner and $250 per monument. We have had a couple projects where the monumentation was never completed and we have had to cover the costs of having it set by others and obviously the deposit was far from what it costs to complete.

More or additional funding, possibly through the Remonumentation Program, to accomplish the resurvey of the State line.

We really need to take a look at including GIS professionals under our "governance." They are an important portion of our society and should not be ignored.

I am happy to see continuing education hours enforced. It is so easy to stagnate in this profession and technology is changing so fast it can be hard to keep up. This is an absolute must and I am happy to see it. Unfortunately with it comes enforcement and potentially more cost. Michigan must also crack down on unlicensed activity and surveyors acting as surveyors and practicing surveying but who are not and will never be surveyors. We have all worked hard for our degree and our license and we are passionate about protecting it. Lastly we need to continue to promote surveying so the next generation knows what we are doing and try to close this massive generation gap.

Everyone claims there is a shortage of surveyors, but in reality there is a shortage of qualified field personal. Over the years I have worked with some good people who would have made great surveyors, but going back to college in their 40's or 50's was not an option. Years ago you started as a rodman, then instrument man, crew chief and for many became a Surveyor. Now it is a dead end job. For the most part you need a degree before starting the distance Ed program and a great majority of graduates are PEs with no field experience and couldn't traverse their way out of their office.

unlicensed land surveying activity- Continuing Ed requirements amount to a competitive advantage problem when dealing with non-PS who are doing land surveys- no repercussions against them! Why? LARA will not prosecute- why? Only will go after the PS who somehow does not come up to LARA's perceived Continuing Ed requirements. What about the unlicensed individual? this does not make any sense!

DO NOT LOWER THE REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A LICENSED SURVEYOR!!! A shortage of medical doctors does not mean their board will lower the requirements to become a doctor! Any shortage will be fixed in time by the market! The result is surveyors will be PAID MORE which in turn means MORE STUDENTS will matriculate into surveying programs at universities. Lowering the requirements to become a licensed surveyor will HURT THE PUBLIC in the end. There are not many brain surgeons out there. But the AMA is not lowering the requirements to become a brain surgeon. Like I said, the PUBLIC will be hurt in the end if requirements are lowered.

Considering PA 132 currently has no administrative rules and is harming the public, I believe amending that act should be the top priority of the legislative committee.

We respect and feel a sense of lost of the retiring membership, most of which had not gone to school to recieve their licence. People of a younger age, but many years past college age see no future in the industry without a path to a licence.

We really need to address the Certificate of Merit as it relates to frivolous lawsuits. Often times, professionals are the only ones with insurance on a project and we are all to regularly on the wrong end of lawsuits. As a specific example, our firm was sued by a nurse that tripped over an extension cord on the inside of a building. We only performed site civil services on the project and had nothing to do with the interior of the building or the placement of an extension cord. However, we were one of the few with insurance, so we got named and had to pay $30K to get out of the lawsuit. Another example...we design a road extension that was clearly closed to traffic. Type III barricades across the whole road. A driver gets out of his car, moves the barricade and proceeds down the road hitting a construction worker. We get named in the suit and have to pay up to get out of the suit. I for one do not understand why our system would allow this to occur. I have multiple examples of this in our firm which I'm sure could be matched by others. This needs to stop.

Repeal and replace the LDA. Make subdivisions a viable option again. Make regulations in this regard reasonable. There should be a balance between protecting the public and development. This together with the elimination of "site condominiums".

Someday I would like to propose modifications to the Land Division Act so that it becomes conjoined with the Condominium Act or at least more compatible. I personally would like to see

condo plans reviewed by the state again as they have become sloppy in many cases. Unfortunately, this could be a serious undertaking with a lot of politics to go with it.

The first question hits home for me. I work in an area of surveying few surveyors are truly knowledgeable or proficient in. I work in heavy construction, machine control and emerging technologies. I have successfully constructed some of the most complex, high-paced, prominent infrastructure projects in the Midwest. I hold myself to uphold professional standards because I care about the future beneficiaries of my work as well as my clients and employees. I can't find licensed surveyors who want to perform this work at the pace and accuracy required. Yet I am subject to a requirement to find one to do what I love. Then I deal first-hand with so-called professionals who loose their temper in meetings and lower the ethical standards of the profession. I believe Land Surveying should be highly regulated. My definition of Land Surveying includes surveys such as boundaries and ALTA's. I believe construction and the emerging technologies such as drones should be left to its own categorization. It should still be regulated but should not require a degree. Especially a degree that cannot be obtained by a normal citizen of this state without uprooting his or her family to live in Houghton or Big Rapids. This used to be an amazing profession but the degree requirement has ruined it. I'd even be ok with a degree requirement as long as it is not more specific than a bachelors of science degree. From there testing and professional scrutiny should take priority. You would develop more high quality surveyors and at the same time cultivate a culture of imagination and ingenuity. If you made it this far, thank you for your consideration of the words.

GPS on Cell Phones and drones used to mark boundaries is a huge threat to our industry.

We need to address the unlicensed activity. As I understand it, the State of Michigan will pursue a licensed surveyor, but not an unlicensed individual. This is a no brainer...we need to strengthen our law regarding licensed and unlicensed activity in our profession. I have fence companies, builders, and realtors flagging stuff (my opinion only), but I cannot find proof to file a complaint. If the laws were clear cut, we surveyors could make an example of some of these people by prosecuting them.

Regarding Continuing Education: I would like the State to give me direction. If I earn a degree in surveying at Ferris, for example, and I take surveying classes and other topics the question for me is, "What counts?" If a class in basket weaving gets me closer to a degree in surveying then would my taking time to learn to fly a drone also count? How about reading professional journals? How about taking a seminar in running a business (even if it is a book binding business)? Where is the line? I will tell you that if I were ever audited I will tell "The State" I spent all kinds of time learning all kinds of stuff that, in my opinion, clearly does not or should not count as Continuing Education. They give me no clear instruction. They seem to only offer the threat of a challenge. I will be the guy to call their bluff.

The general public has no idea what is involved and required to perform a proper boundary survey. They have no reason to either, and it is up to individual firms to perform that education at the time of contact. The bigger issue is the astonishing lack of knowledge in sister professions, such as title companies, realtors and attorneys. It should be a action item of MSPS to promote our professional products and expertise to complimentary professions, to help stop (realtors for example) discouraging surveys at all costs even when it would be beneficial to their own client. The calls with someone saying my attorney said a full boundary survey in a conflicted region should never cost more then $400 should never happen.

Was MSPS involved at all with the increase in recording fees at the Register of Deeds? This was obviously a loser for Surveyors and will only further discourage surveyors from recording their work.

We need to stream line the plating process with different catagories. Major revamping is needed along with condominium act changes.

The now "unconstitutional and vague law" concerning the removing, moving, destroying, etc., corners markers.

.

Transportation Funding (MDOT), fair procurement rules. Infrastructure Funding, 21st century infrastructure commission....expanding SAW to other utilities. Legislating GUIDE (geospatial utility infrastructure data exchange) as a part of the MISS Dig act. All of these will directly impact surveying companies in Michigan

I would like to reiterate my statement about the path to licensure. My story is such that I am an B.S. degree holder from Michigan Tech in Civil Engineering. I live / work in Northern Forest County (on the boarder of MI) and have the opportunity to work in both states. I am currently a licensed engineer in WI & MI and a licensed surveyor in WI. I have gone through and tested for all of these with the current standards (NCEES). I applied (with the NCEES Record) to take the MI state specifics due to lack of education. I need to take an additional 30 credits of classes (in various categories). I just feel this is a little "above and beyond" in my case. I cannot say this is true to all cases, so maybe there could just be a way that with board approval is there a way to waive this portion of the education.

The Legislative Committee is cool!

2/4/19, 12(17 PMMichigan Society of Professional Surveyors PA 132 Questionnaire - Responses | SurveyMonkey

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Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors PA132 Questionnaire

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74.24% 147

25.76% 51

Do you believe that the public is protected by a surveyrecording law?Answered: 198 Skipped: 0

TOTAL 198

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES

Yes

No

74.24% 147

25.76% 51

Do you believe that 1970 PA 132 (Certified Surveys)protects the health, safety, and welfare of the public?Answered: 198 Skipped: 0

TOTAL 198

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES

Yes

No

198 responses Share Link https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-9JY9QZJQV/ Tweet Share COPY Share Share

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Q3 �

Q4 �

Q5 �

81.82% 162

18.18% 36

Do you believe that surveyors benefit from a surveyrecording law?Answered: 198 Skipped: 0

TOTAL 198

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES

Yes

No

47.45% 93

52.55% 103

Do you believe that 1970 PA 132 (Certified Surveys) meetsthe needs of the surveying industry? Answered: 196 Skipped: 2

TOTAL 196

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES

Yes

No

Do you believe that 1970 PA 132 (Certified Surveys) shouldbe left alone and no further changes made? Answered: 195 Skipped: 3

2/4/19, 12(17 PMMichigan Society of Professional Surveyors PA 132 Questionnaire - Responses | SurveyMonkey

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Q6 �

Q7 �

24.10% 47

75.90% 148

Answered: 195 Skipped: 3

TOTAL 195

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES

Yes

No

8.67% 17

91.33% 179

Do you believe that 1970 PA 132 (Certified Surveys) shouldbe repealed and abolished altogether? Answered: 196 Skipped: 2

TOTAL 196

Yes

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES

Yes

No

Do you believe that 1970 PA 132 (Certified Surveys) shouldbe amended? Answered: 195 Skipped: 3

Yes

2/4/19, 12(17 PMMichigan Society of Professional Surveyors PA 132 Questionnaire - Responses | SurveyMonkey

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Check out our sample surveys and create your own now!

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76.92% 150

23.08% 45

TOTAL 195

No

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES

Yes

No

S03725'17 (S-1) TMV

SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL NO. 733

A bill to amend 1970 PA 132, entitled

"An act to provide for the filing of surveys in the office of the register of deeds relative to land divisions; and to prescribe the conditions of the survey,"

by amending sections 1 and 3 (MCL 54.211 and 54.213), section 3 as

amended by 1992 PA 183.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

1 Sec. 1. (1) Whenever IF lands are surveyed into 4 parcels or

2 less, or a greater number when such parcels are of 10 acres or

3 more, PARCELS UNDER SECTIONS 108 TO 109B OF THE LAND DIVISION ACT,

4 1967 PA 288, MCL 560.108 TO 560.109B, or any boundary survey where

5 permanent corners are monumented, THE PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYOR

6 WHO PREPARED THE SURVEY SHALL RECORD a certified copy may be

7 recorded in the office of the register of deeds in the county in

S03725'17 (S-1) TMV

2

1 which the land is situated. , if such survey meets the requirements

2 of this act.

3 (2) If a survey is made for the purposes of describing the A

4 parcel in a conveyance of title OR DESCRIBING A PARCEL AS CREATED

5 IN A LEASE FOR A YEAR OR MORE, a certified copy of that survey

6 shall, be recorded at the time of recording the conveyance of title

7 WITHIN 90 DAYS AFTER THE DELIVERY OF THE SURVEY TO THE PROFESSIONAL

8 LAND SURVEYOR'S CLIENT, BE FILED FOR RECORDING with the register of

9 deeds in the county in which the land is situated. The requirements

10 of this act are in addition to Act No. 288 of the Public Acts of

11 1967, as amended, being sections 560.101 to 560.923 of the Compiled

12 Laws of 1948. THOSE OF THE LAND DIVISION ACT, 1967 PA 288, MCL

13 560.101 TO 560.293. Land platted in accordance with Act No. 288 of

14 the Public Acts of 1967, as amended, UNDER THAT ACT, or land

15 previously surveyed and recorded and for which no change in

16 boundary description is made from a previously recorded survey,

17 need not be recorded. Surveys solely for mortgage certificate

18 purposes need not be recorded.

19 Sec. 3. (1) The SURVEY map UNDER SECTION 1 shall be prepared

20 on durable white paper 8-1/2 inches wide by 14 inches long. Lines

21 on a map shall be made with nonfading black ink on a scale of not

22 more than 500 feet to an inch. the THE scale shall be shown on the

23 map, . The map may instead be prepared on tracing cloth or paper,

24 and a true scale reproduction of the map pursuant to the records

25 media REPRODUCTION act, may 1992 PA 116, MCL 24.401 TO 24.406,

26 SHALL be recorded. The map shall include MEET all of the following

27 REQUIREMENTS:

S03725'17 (S-1) TMV

3

1 (a) A INCLUDE A certificate signed and sealed by the licensed

2 land PROFESSIONAL surveyor who surveyed and mapped the parcel or

3 parcels. , THE CERTIFICATE SHALL MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING

4 REQUIREMENTS:

5 (i) BE typed, lettered, or reproduced legibly with nonfading

6 ink. , giving

7 (ii) GIVE a clear, concise description of the land surveyed by

8 bearings and distances, commencing with some A corner marked and

9 established in the United States public land survey, PUBLIC LAND

10 SURVEY, or reestablished in accordance with accepted methods. The

11 certificate shall also include the ratio of closure of latitudes

12 and departures,

13 (iii) INCLUDE THE RELATIVE POSITIONAL PRECISION OF EACH

14 CORNER, which shall be within limits accepted by the profession of

15 land PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL surveying. , and certification

16 (iv) INCLUDE CERTIFICATION by the licensed land PROFESSIONAL

17 surveyor that the requirements of this section have been met.

18 (b) The FOR LAND NOT INCLUDED IN A PLATTED SUBDIVISION OR

19 CONDOMINIUM, INCLUDE THE exterior boundaries of the land surveyed

20 and divided, together with the line or lines leading to the United

21 States public land survey PUBLIC LAND SURVEY corner, or corners,

22 from which the land is described. A boundary along a lake or stream

23 shall be defined by a meander line connecting the side boundaries

24 of the parcel. If a lot in a recorded PLATTED subdivision is

25 SURVEYED OR divided, the exterior boundaries of the lot surveyed

26 and divided shall be referenced to existing lot corners and the

27 controlling monuments used for that survey.

S03725'17 (S-1) TMV

4

1 (c) If the boundary of the parcel follows or parallels a

2 section line, the ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

3 (i) THE section line shall be defined at its extremities by a

4 corner CORNERS established in the United States public land survey

5 PUBLIC LAND SURVEY or reestablished pursuant to accepted methods OR

6 PROTRACTED CORNERS MONUMENTED UNDER THE STATE SURVEY AND

7 REMONUMENTATION ACT, 1990 PA 345, MCL 54.261 TO 54.279.

8 (ii) Each corner of the United States public land survey

9 PUBLIC LAND SURVEY shall be duly witnessed to a permanent object

10 and the UNDER THE CORNER RECORDATION ACT, 1970 PA 74, MCL 54.201 TO

11 54.210D.

12 (iii) THE MAP SHALL INDICATE THE kind of object, and the

13 bearings and distances to it, together with THE OBJECT, AND the

14 kind and material of monumentation marking the corner. , shall be

15 shown on the map.

16 (d) A curved boundary or a curved highway, street, or lot

17 line, if SHALL BE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

18 (i) IF the curve is contained within the line, shall be

19 defined by the points of curvature and tangency and compound

20 curvature, central angle, length of arcs, degree of curvature,

21 RADIUS, and length and bearing of the long chord. , or, if

22 (ii) IF the curve is only partially contained within the line,

23 by the length of arc along the curve, degree of curvature, RADIUS,

24 and length and bearing of the short chord. , or by

25 (iii) IF THE CURVE IS NOT REGULAR, BY traverse courses and

26 distances. if the curve is not regular.

27 (e) If an exterior boundary line shows a bearing or length

S03725'17 (S-1) TMV

5

1 that varies from that recorded in an abutting plat or certified

2 survey, the following note shall be placed along the line

3 "PREVIOUSLY recorded as (show bearing or length or both)".

4 (F) INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

5 (i) (f) The length and bearing of each line.

6 (ii) (g) The exact width of each street, highway, alley, and

7 easement.

8 (iii) (h) The distance on a boundary or lot line from the

9 point of intersection with a meander line to THE apparent ordinary

10 high water HIGH-WATER line of Great Lakes waters and to the water's

11 edge of inland lakes and streams.

12 (iv) (i) A north point ARROW properly located.ORIENTED.

13 (2) Certified THE REGISTER OF DEEDS SHALL ACCEPT CERTIFIED

14 survey maps prepared pursuant to this section shall be accepted,

15 upon payment of the regular fee schedule as provided in section

16 2567(1)(a) of the revised judicature act of 1961, Act No. 236 of

17 the Public Acts of 1961, being section 600.2567 of the Michigan

18 Compiled Laws, shall be numbered consecutively by the register of

19 deeds, shall be recorded 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.2567. THE REGISTER OF

20 DEEDS SHALL CONSECUTIVELY NUMBER THE MAPS AND RECORD THEM in bound

21 volumes , or in a manner adapted to a system of preserving records

22 pursuant to the records media REPRODUCTION act, and 1992 PA 116,

23 MCL 24.401 TO 24.406. THE MAPS SHALL BE known as the "certified

24 survey maps of .............. county", and shall become a part of

25 the land records of the county. A separate card file shall be kept

26 showing by section, township, and range and also by title of

27 recorded plat if a resurvey within such plat, the designating

6

S03725'17 (S-1) Final Page TMV

1 number, liber, and page of the certified maps filed in the bound

2 volume, or other record.THE REGISTER OF DEEDS SHALL KEEP A SEPARATE

3 CARD FILE OR ELECTRONIC FILE OF THE COUNTY LAND RECORDS SYSTEM. THE

4 FILE SHALL BE INDEXED WITHIN THE LAND RECORDS SYSTEM. THE FILE

5 SHALL SPECIFY THE UNIQUE IDENTIFYING NUMBER OR LIBER AND PAGE OF

6 THE RECORDED SURVEYS IN THE BOUND VOLUME OR OTHER RECORD. THE

7 SPECIFICATION SHALL BE BY SECTION, TOWNSHIP, AND RANGE AND, IF THE

8 MAP IS A RESURVEY WITHIN THE PLAT, BY TITLE OF THE RECORDED PLAT.

9 (3) If a certified survey map is recorded pursuant to this

10 section, the parcels of land in the map may be described with a

11 supplemental reference to the number of the survey, the volume and

12 page where recorded, and the name of the county, for all purposes,

13 including assessment, taxation, devise, descent, and conveyance.

14 Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days

15 after the date it is enacted into law.

***OLD*** Certified Surveys (Act 132 of 1970) (REFORMATTED TEXT FROM ORIGINAL DOCUMENT FOR READABILITY)

AN ACT to provide for the filing of surveys in the office of the register of deeds relative to land divisions; and to prescribe the conditions of the survey. History: 1970, Act 132, Eff. Apr. 1, 1971.

The People of the State of Michigan enact: 54.211 Certified copy of survey; recordation; exemptions. Sec. 1.

(1) Whenever lands are surveyed into 4 parcels or less, or a greater number when such parcels are of 10 acres or more, or any boundary survey where permanent corners are monumented, a certified copy may be recorded in the office of the register of deeds in the county in which the land is situated, if such survey meets the requirements of this act.

(2) If a survey is made for the purposes of describing the parcel in a conveyance of title, a certified copy of that survey shall be recorded at the time of recording the conveyance of title with the register of deeds in the county in which the land is situated. The requirements of this act are in addition to Act No. 288 of the Public Acts of 1967, as amended, being sections 560.101 to 560.923 of the Compiled Laws of 1948. Land platted in accordance with Act No. 288 of the Public Acts of 1967, as amended, or land previously surveyed and recorded and for which no change in boundary description is made from a previously recorded survey need not be recorded. Surveys solely for mortgage certificate purposes need not be recorded.

History: 1970, Act 132, Eff. Apr. 1, 1971;Am. 1972, Act 280, Eff. Jan. 1, 1973.

Compiler's note: In the second sentence of subsection (2), the reference to “sections 560.101 to 560.923 of the Compiled Laws of 1948” evidently should read “sections 560.101 to 560.293 of the Compiled Laws of 1948.”

54.212 Performance of survey; preparation of map; permanent markers for corners. Sec. 2.

(1) The survey shall be performed and the map prepared by a land surveyor licensed in this state.

(2) All corners shall be monumented in the field with permanent markers which possess a magnetic field unless previously monumented with iron stakes, capped with some device legibly showing the license number of the licensed land surveyor placing them, and shall include points of intersection of boundary or lot lines with highways, streets, alleys, section lines, and meander lines, and corners of the United States public land survey from which the parcel or parcels are described.

History: 1970, Act 132, Eff. Apr. 1, 1971;Am. 1988, Act 24, Imd. Eff. Feb. 25, 1988.

***CURRENT*** Certified Surveys (Act 132 of 1970) (REFORMATTED TEXT FROM ORIGINAL DOCUMENT FOR READABILITY)

AN ACT to provide for the filing of surveys in the office of the register of deeds relative to land divisions; and to prescribe the conditions of the survey. History: 1970, Act 132, Eff. Apr. 1, 1971.

The People of the State of Michigan enact: 54.211 Certified copy of survey; recordation; exemptions.

Sec. 1. (1) If lands are surveyed into parcels under sections 108 to 109b of the land division act,

1967 PA 288, MCL 560.108 to 560.109b, or any boundary survey where permanent corners are monumented, the professional land surveyor who prepared the survey shall record a certified copy in the office of the register of deeds in the county in which the land is situated.

(2) If a survey is made for the purposes of describing a parcel in a conveyance of title or describing a parcel as created in a lease for a year or more, a certified copy of that survey shall, within 90 days after the delivery of the survey to the professional land surveyor's client, be filed for recording with the register of deeds in the county in which the land is situated. The requirements of this act are in addition to those of the land division act, 1967 PA 288, MCL 560.101 to 560.293. Land platted under that act, or land previously surveyed and recorded and for which no change in boundary description is made from a previously recorded survey, need not be recorded.

History: 1970, Act 132, Eff. Apr. 1, 1971;Am. 1972, Act 280, Eff. Jan. 1, 1973;Am. 2018,

Act 193, Eff. Sept. 18, 2018. 54.212 Performance of survey; preparation of map; permanent markers for corners.

Sec. 2. (1) The survey shall be performed and the map prepared by a land surveyor licensed in

this state. (2) All corners shall be monumented in the field with permanent markers which possess a

magnetic field unless previously monumented with iron stakes, capped with some device legibly showing the license number of the licensed land surveyor placing them, and shall include points of intersection of boundary or lot lines with highways, streets, alleys, section lines, and meander lines, and corners of the United States public land survey from which the parcel or parcels are described.

History: 1970, Act 132, Eff. Apr. 1, 1971;Am. 1988, Act 24, Imd. Eff. Feb. 25, 1988.

***OLD*** Certified Surveys (Act 132 of 1970) 54.213 Map; requirements.

Sec. 3. (1) The map shall be prepared on durable white paper 8-1/2 inches wide by 14 inches

long. Lines on a map shall be made with nonfading black ink on a scale of not more than 500 feet to an inch the scale shall be shown on the map. The map may instead be prepared on tracing cloth or paper, and a true scale reproduction of the map pursuant to the records media act may be recorded. The map shall include all of the following:

(a) A certificate signed and sealed by the licensed land surveyor who surveyed and mapped the parcel or parcels, typed, lettered, or reproduced legibly with nonfading ink, giving a clear concise description of the land surveyed by bearings and distances, commencing with some corner marked and established in the United States public land survey, or reestablished in accordance with accepted methods. The certificate shall also include the ratio of closure of latitudes and departures, which shall be within limits accepted by the profession of land surveying, and certification by the licensed land surveyor that the requirements of this section have been met.

(b) The exterior boundaries of the land surveyed and divided, together with the line or lines leading to the United States public land survey corner, or corners, from which the land is described. A boundary along a lake or stream shall be defined by a meander line connecting the side boundaries of the parcel. If a lot in a recorded subdivision is divided, the exterior boundaries of the lot surveyed and divided shall be referenced to existing lot corners and the controlling monuments used for that survey.

(c) If the boundary of the parcel follows or parallels a section line, the section line shall be defined at its extremities by a corner established in the United States public land survey or reestablished pursuant to accepted methods. Each corner of the United States public land survey shall be duly witnessed to a permanent object and the kind of object and the bearings and distances to it, together with the kind and material of monumentation marking the corner, shall be shown on the map.

(d) A curved boundary or a curved highway, street, or lot line, if the curve is contained within the line, shall be defined by the points of curvature and tangency and compound curvature, central angle, length of arcs, degree of curvature, and length and bearing of the long chord, or, if the curve is only partially contained within the line, by the length of arc along the curve, degree of curvature, and length and bearing of the short chord, or by traverse courses and distances if the curve is not regular.

1967 PA 288 (LAND DIVISION ACT – EXCERPT) monuments and markers in the ground as certified on the plat, at a cost not to exceed the amount of the security deposited and shall pay the surveyor.

History: 1967, Act 288, Eff. Jan. 1, 1968. Popular name: Plat Act Popular name: Subdivision Control

560.126 Survey accuracy. Sec. 126. (1) The survey of all subdivisions shall be performed by a surveyor. (2) The relative error of closure of the surveyed land shall be less than the ratio of 1 part in 5,000. (3) Bearings shall be expressed in relation to the true meridian, or a previously established meridian or

bearing and a statement by the surveyor on the plat stating the source of information in obtaining the bearings outlined.

History: 1967, Act 288, Eff. Jan. 1, 1968. Popular name: Plat Act Popular name: Subdivision Control

FINAL PLATS

General survey requirements; date of expiration of approval. Sec. 131. (1) Following final approval of the preliminary plat under section 120, the proprietor shall cause

a survey and a true plat thereof to be made by a surveyor. (2) All approvals made on the preliminary plat shall expire as provided in section 120. (3) A final plat shall not be accepted after the date of expiration of the preliminary plat approval. (4) A final plat received by the department of labor and economic growth more than 1 year following the

date of approval of the city or county treasurer shall be returned to the city or county treasurer who shall make a new certificate currently dated, relative to paid or unpaid taxes, special assessments, and tax liens or titles.

(5) All final plats of subdivided land shall comply with the provisions of this section and sections 132 to 151.

History: 1967, Act 288, Eff. Jan. 1, 1968;Am. 2004, Act 525, Eff. July 1, 2005. Popular name: Plat Act Popular name: Subdivision Control

Plats; specifications. Sec. 132. All plats shall be legibly prepared according to the following general requirements: (a) On 1 or more sheets, 18 inches wide by 24 inches long in size, leaving a 1 1/2 inch binding margin and

a 1/2 inch margin on all other sides. (b) Of an approved material, according to published specifications of the department of the treasury. (c) Drawn or printed with nonfading black ink true to an adequate and plainly readable scale of not more

than 100 feet to an inch. (d) The name of the plat shall not duplicate the name of any plat previously recorded in the same county

unless it is an addition contiguous to the same, or which is a part of the same previously approved preliminary plat under section 120. The first subdivision bearing the name may be designated as number 1, and all additions to it shall be consecutively numbered, beginning with number 2.

(e) Lots shall be numbered consecutively beginning with lot number 1 in the first subdivision bearing the name and continuing in consecutive order throughout the several additions.

(f) A north point shall be properly located thereon. History: 1967, Act 288, Eff. Jan. 1, 1968;Am. 1969, Act 308, Imd. Eff. Aug. 14, 1969. Popular name: Plat Act Popular name: Subdivision Control

Final plat; caption. Sec. 133. The caption of the final plat shall be printed at the top of the plat in large, bold letters, and shall

include: (a) Name of the plat. (b) Part of section, number of section, town and range, municipality and county. (c) If a private claim, the number of the claim and the municipality in which the land is situated. (d) If a tract of land that is not a section or part of a section, the name by which the tract is legally known

and the town and range and municipality in which the land is situated. Rendered Thursday, October 4, 2018 Page 11 Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 341 of 2018

Legislative Council, State of Michigan Courtesy of www.legislature.mi.gov

***CURRENT*** Certified Surveys (Act 132 of 1970) 54.213 Map; requirements.

Sec. 3. (1) The survey map under section 1 shall be prepared on durable white paper 8-1/2 inches

wide by 14 inches long. Lines on a map shall be made with nonfading black ink on a scale of not more than 500 feet to an inch. The scale shall be shown on the map, and a true scale reproduction of the map pursuant to the records reproduction act, 1992 PA 116, MCL 24.401 to 24.406, shall be recorded. The map shall meet all of the following requirements:

(a) Include a certificate signed and sealed by the licensed professional surveyor who surveyed the parcel or parcels. The certificate shall meet all of the following requirements:

(i) Be typed, lettered, or reproduced legibly with nonfading ink. (ii) Give a clear, concise description of the land surveyed by bearings and

distances, commencing with a corner marked and established in the United States Public Land Survey, or reestablished in accordance with accepted methods.

(iii)Include the relative positional precision of each corner, which shall be within limits accepted by the practice of professional surveying.

(iv) Include certification by the licensed professional surveyor that the requirements of this section have been met.

(b) For land not included in a platted subdivision or condominium, include the exterior boundaries of the land surveyed and divided, together with the line or lines leading to the United States Public Land Survey corner, or corners, from which the land is described. A boundary along a lake or stream shall be defined by a meander line connecting the side boundaries of the parcel. If a lot in a recorded platted subdivision is surveyed or divided, the exterior boundaries of the lot surveyed and divided shall be referenced to existing lot corners and the controlling monuments used for that survey.

(c) If the boundary of the parcel follows or parallels a section line, all of the following requirements:

(i) The section line shall be defined at its extremities by corners established in the United States Public Land Survey or reestablished pursuant to accepted methods or protracted corners monumented under the state survey and remonumentation act, 1990 PA 345, MCL 54.261 to 54.279.

(ii) Each corner of the United States Public Land Survey shall be duly witnessed under the corner recordation act, 1970 PA 74, MCL 54.201 to 54.210d.

***OLD*** Certified Surveys (Act 132 of 1970)

(e) If an exterior boundary line shows a bearing or length that varies from that recorded in an abutting plat or certified survey, the following note shall be placed along the line “recorded as (show bearing or length or both)”.

(f) The length and bearing of each line. (g) The exact width of each street, highway, alley, and easement. (h) The distance on a boundary or lot line from the point of intersection with a

meander line to apparent ordinary high water line of Great Lakes waters and to the water's edge of inland lakes and streams.

(i) A north point properly located. (2) Certified survey maps prepared pursuant to this section shall be accepted, upon payment

of the regular fee schedule as provided in section 2567(1)(a) of the revised judicature act of 1961, Act No. 236 of the Public Acts of 1961, being section 600.2567 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, shall be numbered consecutively by the register of deeds, shall be recorded in bound volumes, or in a manner adapted to a system of preserving records pursuant to the records media act, and known as the “certified survey maps of county”, and shall become a part of the land records of the county. A separate card file shall be kept showing by section, township, and range and also by title of recorded plat if a resurvey within such plat, the designating number, liber, and page of the certified maps filed in the bound volume, or other record. (2) If a certified survey map is recorded pursuant to this section, the parcels of land in the

map may be described with a supplemental reference to the number of the survey, the volume and page where recorded, and the name of the county, for all purposes, including assessment, taxation, devise, descent, and conveyance.

History: 1970, Act 132, Eff. Apr. 1, 1971;Am. 1988, Act 24, Imd. Eff. Feb. 25, 1988;Am. 1992, Act 183, Imd. Eff. Oct. 5, 1992.

***CURRENT*** Certified Surveys (Act 132 of 1970) (iii)The map shall indicate the kind of object, the bearings and distances to

the object, and the kind and material of monumentation marking the corner.

(d) A curved boundary or a curved highway, street, or lot line, shall be defined as follows:

(i) If the curve is contained within the line, by the points of curvature and tangency and compound curvature, central angle, length of arcs, radius, and length and bearing of the long chord.

(ii) If the curve is only partially contained within the line, by the length of arc along the curve, radius, and length and bearing of the short chord.

(iii)If the curve is not regular, by traverse courses and distances. (e) If an exterior boundary line shows a bearing or length that varies from that

recorded in an abutting plat or certified survey, the following note shall be placed along the line "previously recorded as (show bearing or length or both)".

(f) Include all of the following: (i) The length and bearing of each line. (ii) The exact width of each street, highway, alley, and easement. (iii)The distance on a boundary or lot line from the point of intersection

with a meander line to the apparent ordinary high-water line of Great Lakes waters and to the water's edge of inland lakes and streams.

(iv) A north arrow properly oriented. (2) The register of deeds shall accept certified survey maps prepared pursuant to this

section upon payment of the regular fee as provided in section 2567(1)(a) of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.2567. The register of deeds shall consecutively number the maps and record them in bound volumes or in a manner adapted to a system of preserving records pursuant to the records reproduction act, 1992 PA 116, MCL 24.401 to 24.406. The maps shall be known as the "certified survey maps of county” and shall become a part of the land records of the county. The register of deeds shall keep a separate card file or electronic file of the county land records system. The file shall be indexed within the land records system. The file shall specify the unique identifying number or liber and page of the recorded surveys in the bound volume or other record. The specification shall be by section, township, and range and, if the map is a resurvey within the plat, by title of the recorded plat.

History: 1970, Act 132, Eff. Apr. 1, 1971;Am. 1988, Act 24, Imd. Eff. Feb. 25, 1988;Am. 1992, Act 183, Imd. Eff. Oct. 5, 1992;Am. 2018, Act 193, Eff. Sept. 18, 2018.

Page 1 of 3

MICHIGAN SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL SURVEYORS 1970 PA 132, MCL 54.211 – 54.213 (CERTIFIED SURVEYS) POSITION STATEMENT

12/20/2018 ADVOCACY AND POSITION STATEMEMNT: The Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors (MSPS) strongly advocates that all individuals engaged in the practice of professional surveying comply with the laws, regulations, and rules set forth within the jurisdiction of practice. Information presented in this document is not legal advice and was not developed by a licensed attorney. The dissemination and use of the information below do not establish a contractual relationship (implied or expressed) between the reader, MSPS, or 3rd Parties. If legal questions are raised, MSPS recommends the inquiring party seek legal counsel from a licensed attorney within the jurisdiction for which the question(s) apply. MSPS recommends that the minimum threshold approach be the basis for the interpretation of “within limits accepted by the practice of professional surveying” for the reasonable and prudent practitioner. The professional surveyor may choose to use a threshold that exceeds the minimum but is not required to do so. The following guidelines and recommendations are intended to reflect the consensus of Michigan Professional Surveyors engaged in the practice of professional surveying and serve as a guide for evaluating and performing Certified Surveys. MSPS GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS: 54.211(1) & (2): Determining what situations trigger (or do not trigger) the requirement for recording a

Certified Survey (1970 PA 132) is a fact dependent evaluation. Trying to list all the scenarios will inevitably lead to the omission of some obscure situation. MSPS recommends the following parameters:

A Certified Survey is required in the following situations (and shall be recorded within 90 days of delivery to client):

a. Set corner monuments when there is a change in the parcel description. b. Generating a description(s) for new parcel(s). c. Leases with a period of one (1) year or more. d. Professional judgment dictates that you record a PA132 survey.

A Certified Survey is not required for the following situations:

a. Leases with a period of less than one (1) year. b. Set corner monuments, and there is a recorded survey, and there is no change

in parcel description. c. Set corner monuments, and the survey is performed for reasons other than

conveyance of title. d. Michigan Administrative Code Rule 339.17403(3), which states:

“Surveys and drawings not intended to delineate, monument, or define property boundaries and limits shall be clearly identified as not being boundary surveys.”

54.212(1): Survey performed, and map prepared by a Michigan Professional Surveyor.

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MSPS GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (continued from Page 1) 54.212(2): All corners of completed survey shall be monumented in the field.

Permanent markers set (possess a magnetic field) shall be capped with some device showing PS # of the surveyor who set them. Monument points of intersection of boundary/lot lines with: highways, streets, alleys, section lines, meander lines and PLSS corners from which the survey is described.

54.213(1): Durable white paper; 8-1/2”x14”; nonfading black ink; scale not more than 500’ to 1”;

scale shown on map; true scale reproduction of the map shall be recorded. Shall meet all the requirements of 54.213(1)(a) – 54.213(1)(f)(iv), as outlined below.

54.213(1)(a): Signed/sealed certificate (Certified Survey, which includes the map), as outlined below: 54.213(1)(a)(i): Typed/lettered/reproduced legibly (nonfading ink). 54.213(1)(a)(ii): Metes & bounds legal description beginning with a PLSS corner (original/reestablished). 54.213(1)(a)(iii): MSPS recommends the following language for reporting relative positional precision:

The relative positional precision of the corners identified for this survey and shown on the map are within the limits accepted by the practice of professional surveying.

54.213(1)(a)(iv): MSPS recommends the following language for certification:

I certify that the requirements for 1970 PA 132, MCL 54.213 have been met. 54.213(1)(b): For land not included in a platted subdivision or condominium, map to include:

Exterior parcel boundaries, including line(s) leading to PLSS corners of land described. Boundary along a lake or stream: meander line connecting side boundaries of parcel. Recorded platted subdivision lots reference lot/block corners & controlling monuments.

54.213(1)(c): Boundary follows/parallels section line, 54.213(1)(c)(i-iii) are required, as listed below: 54.213(1)(c)(i): Section line defined at its extremities by PLSS Corners (original corners, reestablished

pursuant to accepted methods, or protracted remonumentation corners). 54.213(1)(c)(ii): PLSS Corner witnessed in accordance with MCL 54.201 – 54.210d (1970 PA 74). 54.213(1)(c)(iii): Map indicates the kind of object (ex: found/set), bearings/distances to the object (ex:

metes & bounds boundary calls), kind and material of object marking the corner (ex: 1/2”x18” iron rebar with PS#12345 Cap).

54.213(1)(d): Curved boundary, highway, street, or lot line defined as follows (54.213(1)(d)(i-iii)): 54.213(1)(d)(i): Curve within line: PC, PT, PCC, central angle, arc length, radius, length/bearing of long

chord. 54.213(1)(d)(ii): Curve partially within line: arc length, radius, length/bearing of short chord.

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MSPS GUIDELINES AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (continued from Page 2) 54.213(1)(d)(iii): Curve is irregular: by traverse courses and distances. 54.213(1)(e): If measured exterior boundary line length/bearing differs from record, map must show

“Previously Recorded As” show (record length/bearing). 54.213(1)(f): Map shall include information outlined in sections 54.213(1)(f)(i-iv), as listed below: 54.213(1)(f)(i): Length and bearing of each line. 54.213(1)(f)(ii): Widths of: street, highway, alley, and easement (if known). 54.213(1)(f)(iii): Distance tie (intersection of boundary/lot line with meander line to the apparent ordinary

high-water line of Great Lakes waters and to the water’s edge of inland lakes/streams). 54.213(1)(f)(iv): North Arrow (properly oriented relative to the survey). 54.213(2): Pay the recording fee and Register of Deeds should accept your survey as submitted.

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MINIMUM STANDARD DETAIL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALTA/NSPS LAND TITLE SURVEYS

(Effective February 23, 2016)

NOTE - Attention is directed to the fact that the National Society of Professional Surveyors, Inc. (NSPS) is the legal successor organization to the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) and that these 2016 Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys are the next version of the former Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys.

1. Purpose - Members of the American Land Title Association® (ALTA®) have specific needs, unique to title insurance matters, when asked to insure title to land without exception as to the many matters which might be discoverable from survey and inspection, and which are not evidenced by the public records. For a survey of real property, and the plat, map or record of such survey, to be acceptable to a title insurance company for the purpose of insuring title to said real property free and clear of survey matters (except those matters disclosed by the survey and indicated on the plat or map), certain specific and pertinent information must be presented for the distinct and clear understanding between the insured, the client (if different from the insured), the title insurance company (insurer), the lender, and the surveyor professionally responsible for the survey. In order to meet such needs, clients, insurers, insureds, and lenders are entitled to rely on surveyors to conduct surveys and prepare associated plats or maps that are of a professional quality and appropriately uniform, complete, and accurate. To that end, and in the interests of the general public, the surveying profession, title insurers, and abstracters, the ALTA and the NSPS jointly promulgate the within details and criteria setting forth a minimum standard of performance for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys. A complete 2016 ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey includes:

(i) the on-site fieldwork required pursuant to Section 5, (ii) the preparation of a plat or map pursuant to Section 6 showing the results of the fieldwork

and its relationship to documents provided to or obtained by the surveyor pursuant to Section 4,

(iii) any information from Table A items requested by the client, and (iv) the certification outlined in Section 7.

2. Request for Survey - The client shall request the survey, or arrange for the survey to be requested, and shall provide a written authorization to proceed from the person or entity responsible for paying for the survey. Unless specifically authorized in writing by the insurer, the insurer shall not be responsible for any costs associated with the preparation of the survey. The request shall specify that an "ALTA/NSPS LAND TITLE SURVEY" is required and which of the optional items listed in Table A, if any, are to be incorporated. Certain properties or interests in real properties may present issues outside those normally encountered on an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey (e.g., marinas, campgrounds, trailer parks; easements, leases, other non-fee simple interests). The scope of work related to surveys of such properties or interests in real properties should be discussed with the client, lender, and insurer; and agreed upon in writing prior to commencing work on the survey. The client may need to secure permission for the surveyor to enter upon the property to be surveyed, adjoining properties, or offsite easements.

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3. Surveying Standards and Standards of Care A. Effective Date - The 2016 Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/NSPS Land Title

Surveys are effective February 23, 2016. As of that date, all previous versions of the Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys are superseded by these standards.

B. Other Requirements and Standards of Practice - Many states and some local jurisdictions have adopted statutes, administrative rules, and/or ordinances that set out standards regulating the practice of surveying within their jurisdictions. In addition to the standards set forth herein, surveyors shall also conduct their surveys in accordance with applicable jurisdictional survey requirements and standards of practice. Where conflicts between the standards set forth herein and any such jurisdictional requirements and standards of practice occur, the more stringent shall apply.

C. The Normal Standard of Care - Surveyors should recognize that there may be unwritten local, state, and/or regional standards of care defined by the practice of the “prudent surveyor” in those locales.

D. Boundary Resolution - The boundary lines and corners of any property being surveyed as part of an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey shall be established and/or retraced in accordance with appropriate boundary law principles governed by the set of facts and evidence found in the course of performing the research and fieldwork.

E. Measurement Standards - The following measurement standards address Relative Positional Precision for the monuments or witnesses marking the corners of the surveyed property. i. “Relative Positional Precision” means the length of the semi-major axis, expressed in feet or

meters, of the error ellipse representing the uncertainty due to random errors in measurements in the location of the monument, or witness, marking any corner of the surveyed property relative to the monument, or witness, marking any other corner of the surveyed property at the 95 percent confidence level. Relative Positional Precision is estimated by the results of a correctly weighted least squares adjustment of the survey.

ii. Any boundary lines and corners established or retraced may have uncertainties in location resulting from (1) the availability, condition, history and integrity of reference or controlling monuments, (2) ambiguities in the record descriptions or plats of the surveyed property or its adjoiners, (3) occupation or possession lines as they may differ from the written title lines, or (4) Relative Positional Precision. Of these four sources of uncertainty, only Relative Positional Precision is controllable, although, due to the inherent errors in any measurement, it cannot be eliminated. The magnitude of the first three uncertainties can be projected based on evidence; Relative Positional Precision is estimated using statistical means (see Section 3.E.i. above and Section 3.E.v. below).

iii. The first three of these sources of uncertainty must be weighed as part of the evidence in the determination of where, in the surveyor’s opinion, the boundary lines and corners of the surveyed property should be located (see Section 3.D. above). Relative Positional Precision is a measure of how precisely the surveyor is able to monument and report those positions; it is not a substitute for the application of proper boundary law principles. A boundary corner or line may have a small Relative Positional Precision because the survey measurements were precise, yet still be in the wrong position (i.e., inaccurate) if it was established or retraced using faulty or improper application of boundary law principles.

iv. For any measurement technology or procedure used on an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey, the surveyor shall (1) use appropriately trained personnel, (2) compensate for systematic errors, including those associated with instrument calibration, and (3) use appropriate error propagation and measurement design theory (selecting the proper instruments, geometric layouts, and field and computational procedures) to control random errors such that the

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maximum allowable Relative Positional Precision outlined in Section 3.E.v. below is not exceeded.

v. The maximum allowable Relative Positional Precision for an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey is 2 cm (0.07 feet) plus 50 parts per million (based on the direct distance between the two corners being tested). It is recognized that in certain circumstances, the size or configuration of the surveyed property, or the relief, vegetation, or improvements on the surveyed property, will result in survey measurements for which the maximum allowable Relative Positional Precision may be exceeded. If the maximum allowable Relative Positional Precision is exceeded, the surveyor shall note the reason as explained in Section 6.B.x. below.

4. Records Research - It is recognized that for the performance of an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey, the surveyor will be provided with appropriate and, when possible, legible data which can be relied upon in the preparation of the survey. The request for an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey shall set forth the current record description of the property to be surveyed or, in the case of an original survey prepared for purposes of locating and describing real property that has not been previously separately described in documents conveying an interest in the real property, the current record description of the parent parcel that contains the property to be surveyed. In order to complete an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey, the surveyor must be provided with complete copies of the most recent title commitment or, if a title commitment is not available, other title evidence satisfactory to the title insurer. In addition, the surveyor must be provided with the following:

(i) The following records established under state statutes for the purpose of imparting constructive notice of matters relating to real property (public records): (a) The current record descriptions of any adjoiners to the property to be surveyed, except

where such adjoiners are lots in platted, recorded subdivisions; (b) Any recorded easements benefitting the property; (c) Any recorded easements, servitudes, or covenants burdening the property;

(ii) Any unrecorded documents affecting the property being surveyed and containing information to which the survey shall make reference, if desired by the client.

Except, however, if the documents outlined above in (i) and (ii) of this section are not provided to the surveyor or if non-public or quasi-public documents are required to complete the survey, the surveyor shall be required to conduct only that research which is required pursuant to the statutory or administrative requirements of the jurisdiction where the property being surveyed is located and that research (if any) which is negotiated and outlined in the terms of the contract between the surveyor and the client. 5. Fieldwork - The survey shall be performed on the ground (except as otherwise negotiated pursuant to Table A, Item 15 below, if selected by the client). The fieldwork shall include the following, located to what is, in the surveyor’s professional opinion, the appropriate degree of precision based on (a) the planned use of the property, if reported in writing to the surveyor by the client, lender, or insurer, or (b) the existing use, if the planned use is not so reported:

A. Monuments i. The location, size, character, and type of any monuments found during the fieldwork. ii. The location, size, character, and type of any monuments set during the fieldwork, if item 1 of

Table A was selected or if otherwise required by applicable jurisdictional requirements and/or standards of practice.

iii. The location, description, and character of any lines that control the boundaries of the

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surveyed property. B. Rights of Way and Access

i. The distance from the appropriate corner or corners of the surveyed property to the nearest right of way line, if the surveyed property does not abut a right of way.

ii. The name of any street, highway, or other public or private way abutting the surveyed property, together with the width of the travelled way and the location of each edge of the travelled way including on divided streets and highways. If the documents provided to or obtained by the surveyor pursuant to Section 4 indicate no access from the surveyed property to the abutting street or highway, the width and location of the travelled way need not be located.

iii. Visible evidence of physical access (e.g., curb cuts, driveways) to any abutting streets, highways, or other public or private ways.

iv. The location and character of vehicular, pedestrian, or other forms of access by other than the apparent occupants of the surveyed property to or across the surveyed property observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork (e.g., driveways, alleys, private roads, railroads, railroad sidings and spurs, sidewalks, footpaths).

v. Without expressing a legal opinion as to ownership or nature, the location and extent of any potentially encroaching driveways, alleys, and other ways of access from adjoining properties onto the surveyed property observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork.

vi. Where documentation of the location of any street, road, or highway right of way abutting, on, or crossing the surveyed property was not disclosed in documents provided to or obtained by the surveyor, or was not otherwise available from the controlling jurisdiction (see Section 6.C.iv. below), the evidence and location of parcel corners on the same side of the street as the surveyed property recovered in the process of conducting the fieldwork which may indicate the location of such right of way lines (e.g., lines of occupation, survey monuments).

vii. Evidence of access to and from waters adjoining the surveyed property observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork (e.g., paths, boat slips, launches, piers, docks).

C. Lines of Possession and Improvements along the Boundaries i. The character and location of evidence of possession or occupation along the perimeter of

the surveyed property, both by the occupants of the surveyed property and by adjoiners, observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork.

ii. Unless physical access is restricted, the character and location of all walls, buildings, fences, and other improvements within five feet of each side of the boundary lines, observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork. Trees, bushes, shrubs, and other natural vegetation need not be located other than as specified in the contract, unless they are deemed by the surveyor to be evidence of possession pursuant to Section 5.C.i.

iii. Without expressing a legal opinion as to the ownership or nature of the potential encroachment, the evidence, location and extent of potentially encroaching structural appurtenances and projections observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork (e.g., fire escapes, bay windows, windows and doors that open out, flue pipes, stoops, eaves, cornices, areaways, steps, trim) by or onto adjoining property, or onto rights of way, easements, or setback lines disclosed in documents provided to or obtained by the surveyor.

D. Buildings The location of buildings on the surveyed property observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork.

E. Easements and Servitudes i. Evidence of any easements or servitudes burdening the surveyed property as disclosed in

the documents provided to or obtained by the surveyor pursuant to Section 4 and observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork.

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ii. Evidence of easements, servitudes, or other uses by other than the apparent occupants of the surveyed property not disclosed in the documents provided to or obtained by the surveyor pursuant to Section 4, but observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork if they appear to affect the surveyed property (e.g., roads; drives, sidewalks, paths and other ways of access; utility service lines; water courses; ditches; drains; telephone, fiber optic lines, or electric lines; or water, sewer, oil or gas pipelines on or across the surveyed property and on adjoining properties).

iii. Surface indications of underground easements or servitudes on or across the surveyed property observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork (e.g., utility cuts, vent pipes, filler pipes).

iv. Evidence on or above the surface of the surveyed property observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork, which evidence may indicate utilities located on, over or beneath the surveyed property. Examples of such evidence include pipeline markers, manholes, valves, meters, transformers, pedestals, clean-outs, utility poles, overhead lines and guy wires.

F. Cemeteries As accurately as the evidence permits, the perimeter of cemeteries and burial grounds, and the location of isolated gravesites not within a cemetery or burial ground, (i) disclosed in the documents provided to or obtained by the surveyor, or (ii) observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork.

G. Water Features i. The location of springs, ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, canals, ditches, marshes, and swamps

on, running through, or outside, but within five feet of the perimeter boundary of, the surveyed property, observed during the process of conducting the fieldwork.

ii. The location of any water feature forming a boundary of the surveyed property. The attribute(s) of the water feature located (e.g., top of bank, edge of water, high water mark) should be congruent with the boundary as described in the record description or, in the case of an original survey, in the new description (see Section 6.B.vi. below).

6. Plat or Map - A plat or map of an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey shall show the following information. Where dimensioning is appropriate, dimensions shall be annotated to what is, in the surveyor’s professional opinion, the appropriate degree of precision based on (a) the planned use of the property, if reported in writing to the surveyor by the client, lender, or insurer, or (b) existing use, if the planned use is not so reported.

A. The evidence and locations gathered, and the monuments and lines located during the fieldwork pursuant to Section 5 above, with accompanying notes if deemed necessary by the surveyor or as otherwise required as specified below.

B. Boundary, Descriptions, Dimensions, and Closures i. (a) The current record description of the surveyed property, or

(b) In the case of an original survey, the current record description of the parent tract that contains the surveyed property.

ii. Any new description of the surveyed property that was prepared in conjunction with the survey, including a statement explaining why the new description was prepared. Except in the case of an original survey, preparation of a new description should be avoided unless deemed necessary or appropriate by the surveyor and insurer. Preparation of a new description should also generally be avoided when the record description is a lot or block in a platted, recorded subdivision. Except in the case of an original survey, if a new description is prepared, a note shall be provided stating (a) that the new description describes the same real estate as the record description or, if it does not, (b) how the new description differs from

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the record description. iii. The point of beginning, the remote point of beginning or point of commencement (if

applicable) and all distances and directions identified in the record description of the surveyed property (and in the new description, if one was prepared). Where a measured or calculated dimension differs from the record by an amount deemed significant by the surveyor, such dimension shall be shown in addition to, and differentiated from, the corresponding record dimension. All dimensions shown on the survey and contained in any new description shall be ground dimensions unless otherwise noted.

iv. The directional, distance and curve data necessary to compute a mathematical closure of the surveyed boundary. A note if the record description does not mathematically close. The basis of bearings and, where it differs from the record basis, the difference.

v. The remainder of any recorded lot or existing parcel, when the surveyed property is composed of only a portion of such lot or parcel, shall be graphically depicted. Such remainder need not be included as part of the actual survey, except to the extent necessary to locate the lines and corners of the surveyed property, and it need not be fully dimensioned or drawn at the same scale as the surveyed property.

vi. When the surveyed property includes a title line defined by a water boundary, a note on the face of the plat or map noting the date the boundary was measured, which attribute(s) of the water feature was/were located, and the caveat that the boundary is subject to change due to natural causes and that it may or may not represent the actual location of the limit of title. When the surveyor is aware of natural or artificial realignments or changes in such boundaries, the extent of those changes and facts shall be shown or explained.

vii. The relationship of the boundaries of the surveyed property with its adjoiners (e.g., contiguity, gaps, overlaps), where ascertainable from documents provided to or obtained by the surveyor pursuant to Section 4 and/or from field evidence gathered during the process of conducting the fieldwork. If the surveyed property is composed of multiple parcels, the extent of any gaps or overlaps between those parcels shall be identified. Where gaps or overlaps are identified, the surveyor shall, prior to or upon delivery of the final plat or map, disclose this to the insurer and client.

viii. When, in the opinion of the surveyor, the results of the survey differ significantly from the record, or if a fundamental decision related to the boundary resolution is not clearly reflected on the plat or map, the surveyor shall explain this information with notes on the face of the plat or map.

ix. The location of all buildings on the surveyed property, located pursuant to Section 5.D., dimensioned perpendicular to those perimeter boundary lines that the surveyor deems appropriate (i.e., where potentially impacted by a setback line) and/or as requested by the client, lender or insurer.

x. A note on the face of the plat or map explaining the site conditions that resulted in a Relative Positional Precision that exceeds the maximum allowed pursuant to Section 3.E.v.

xi. A note on the face of the plat or map identifying areas, if any, on the boundaries of the surveyed property, to which physical access within five feet was restricted (see Section 5.C.ii.).

xii. A note on the face of the plat or map identifying the source of the title commitment or other title evidence provided pursuant to Section 4, and the effective date and the name of the insurer of same.

C. Easements, Servitudes, Rights of Way, Access, and Documents i. The location, width, and recording information of all plottable rights of way, easements, and

servitudes burdening and benefitting the property surveyed, as evidenced by documents provided to or obtained by the surveyor pursuant to Section 4.

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ii. A summary of all rights of way, easements and servitudes burdening the property surveyed and identified in the title evidence provided to or obtained by the surveyor pursuant to Section 4. Such summary shall include the record information of each such right of way, easement or servitude, a statement indicating whether or not it is shown on the plat or map, and a related note if: (a) the location cannot be determined from the record document; (b) there was no observed evidence at the time of the fieldwork; (c) it is a blanket easement; (d) it is not on, or does not touch, the surveyed property; (e) it limits access to an otherwise abutting right of way; (f) the documents are illegible; or (g) the surveyor has information indicating that it may have been released or otherwise

terminated. In cases where the surveyed property is composed of multiple parcels, indicate which of such parcels the various rights of way, easements, and servitudes cross or touch.

iii. A note if no physical access to a public way was observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork.

iv. The locations and widths of rights of way abutting or crossing the surveyed property, and the source of such information, (a) where available from the controlling jurisdiction, or (b) where disclosed in documents provided to or obtained by the surveyor pursuant to Section 4.

v. The identifying titles of all recorded plats, filed maps, right of way maps, or similar documents which the survey represents, wholly or in part, with their recording or filing data.

vi. For non-platted adjoining land, recording data identifying adjoining tracts according to current public records. For platted adjoining land, the recording data of the subdivision plat.

vii. Platted setback or building restriction lines which appear on recorded subdivision plats or which were disclosed in documents provided or obtained by the surveyor.

D. Presentation i. The plat or map shall be drawn on a sheet of not less than 8 ½ by 11 inches in size at a

legible, standard engineering scale, with that scale clearly indicated in words or numbers and with a graphic scale.

ii. The plat or map shall include: (a) The boundary of the surveyed property drawn in a manner that distinguishes it from other

lines on the plat or map. (b) If no buildings were observed on the surveyed property in the process of conducting the

fieldwork, a note stating “No buildings observed.” (c) A north arrow (with north to the top of the drawing when practicable). (d) A legend of symbols and abbreviations. (e) A vicinity map showing the property in reference to nearby highway(s) or major street

intersection(s). (f) Supplementary or detail diagrams when necessary. (g) Notes explaining any modifications to Table A items and the nature of any additional

Table A items (e.g., 21(a), 21(b), 21(c)) that were negotiated between the surveyor and client.

(h) The surveyor’s project number (if any), and the name, registration or license number, signature, seal, street address, telephone number, company website, and email address (if any) of the surveyor who performed the survey.

(i) The date(s) of any revisions made by the surveyor who performed the survey. (j) Sheet numbers where the plat or map is composed of more than one sheet. (k) The caption “ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey.”

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iii. When recordation or filing of a plat or map is required by law, such plat or map shall be produced in recordable form.

7. Certification - The plat or map of an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey shall bear only the following certification, unaltered, except as may be required pursuant to Section 3.B. above:

To (name of insured, if known), (name of lender, if known), (name of insurer, if known), (names of others as negotiated with the client):

This is to certify that this map or plat and the survey on which it is based were made in accordance with the 2016 Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys, jointly established and adopted by ALTA and NSPS, and includes Items ___________ of Table A thereof. The fieldwork was completed on ___________ [date].

Date of Plat or Map: ___________ (Surveyor’s signature, printed name and seal with

Registration/License Number) 8. Deliverables - The surveyor shall furnish copies of the plat or map of survey to the insurer and client and as otherwise negotiated with the client. Hard copies shall be on durable and dimensionally stable material of a quality standard acceptable to the insurer. A digital image of the plat or map may be provided in addition to, or in lieu of, hard copies pursuant to the terms of the contract. When required by law or requested by the client, the plat or map shall be produced in recordable form and recorded or filed in the appropriate office or with the appropriate agency.

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TABLE A

OPTIONAL SURVEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND SPECIFICATIONS NOTE: The twenty (20) items of Table A may be negotiated between the surveyor and client. Any additional items negotiated between the surveyor and client shall be identified as 21(a), 21(b), etc. and explained pursuant to Section 6.D.ii.(g). Notwithstanding Table A Items 5 and 11, if an engineering design survey is desired as part of an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey, such services should be negotiated under Table A, Item 21. If checked, the following optional items are to be included in the ALTA/NSPS LAND TITLE SURVEY, except as otherwise qualified (see note above): 1. _____ Monuments placed (or a reference monument or witness to the corner) at all major

corners of the boundary of the property, unless already marked or referenced by existing monuments or witnesses in close proximity to the corner.

2. _____ Address(es) of the surveyed property if disclosed in documents provided to or obtained

by the surveyor, or observed while conducting the fieldwork. 3. _____ Flood zone classification (with proper annotation based on federal Flood Insurance Rate

Maps or the state or local equivalent) depicted by scaled map location and graphic plotting only.

4. _____ Gross land area (and other areas if specified by the client). 5. _____ Vertical relief with the source of information (e.g., ground survey, aerial map), contour

interval, datum, and originating benchmark identified. 6. _____ (a) If set forth in a zoning report or letter provided to the surveyor by the client, list the

current zoning classification, setback requirements, the height and floor space area restrictions, and parking requirements. Identify the date and source of the report or letter.

_____ (b) If the zoning setback requirements are set forth in a zoning report or letter provided to the surveyor by the client, and if those requirements do not require an interpretation by the surveyor, graphically depict the building setback requirements. Identify the date and source of the report or letter.

7. _____ (a) Exterior dimensions of all buildings at ground level. (b) Square footage of: _____ (1) exterior footprint of all buildings at ground level. _____ (2) other areas as specified by the client. _____ (c) Measured height of all buildings above grade at a location specified by the client. If no

location is specified, the point of measurement shall be identified.

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8. _____ Substantial features observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork (in addition to

the improvements and features required pursuant to Section 5 above) (e.g., parking lots, billboards, signs, swimming pools, landscaped areas, substantial areas of refuse).

9. _____ Number and type (e.g., disabled, motorcycle, regular and other marked specialized

types) of clearly identifiable parking spaces on surface parking areas, lots and in parking structures. Striping of clearly identifiable parking spaces on surface parking areas and lots.

10. _____ (a) As designated by the client, a determination of the relationship and location of certain

division or party walls with respect to adjoining properties (client to obtain necessary permissions).

_____ (b) As designated by the client, a determination of whether certain walls are plumb (client

to obtain necessary permissions). 11. _____ Location of utilities existing on or serving the surveyed property as determined by:

observed evidence collected pursuant to Section 5.E.iv.

evidence from plans requested by the surveyor and obtained from utility companies, or provided by client (with reference as to the sources of information), and

markings requested by the surveyor pursuant to an 811 utility locate or similar request

Representative examples of such utilities include, but are not limited to:

Manholes, catch basins, valve vaults and other surface indications of subterranean uses;

Wires and cables (including their function, if readily identifiable) crossing the surveyed property, and all poles on or within ten feet of the surveyed property. Without expressing a legal opinion as to the ownership or nature of the potential encroachment, the dimensions of all encroaching utility pole crossmembers or overhangs; and

Utility company installations on the surveyed property. Note to the client, insurer, and lender - With regard to Table A, item 11, source

information from plans and markings will be combined with observed evidence of utilities pursuant to Section 5.E.iv. to develop a view of the underground utilities. However, lacking excavation, the exact location of underground features cannot be accurately, completely, and reliably depicted. In addition, in some jurisdictions, 811 or other similar utility locate requests from surveyors may be ignored or result in an incomplete response, in which case the surveyor shall note on the plat or map how this affected the surveyor’s assessment of the location of the utilities. Where additional or more detailed information is required, the client is advised that excavation and/or a private utility locate request may be necessary.

12. _____ As specified by the client, Governmental Agency survey-related requirements (e.g., HUD

surveys, surveys for leases on Bureau of Land Management managed lands).

American Land Title Association® (ALTA®) Minimum Standard Detail Requirements National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) For ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys

Page 11 of 11

Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. American Land Title Association and National Society of Professional Surveyors

13. _____ Names of adjoining owners according to current tax records. If more than one owner, identify the first owner’s name listed in the tax records followed by “et al.”

14. _____ As specified by the client, distance to the nearest intersecting street. 15. _____ Rectified orthophotography, photogrammetric mapping, remote sensing, airborne/mobile

laser scanning and other similar products, tools or technologies as the basis for the showing the location of certain features (excluding boundaries) where ground measurements are not otherwise necessary to locate those features to an appropriate and acceptable accuracy relative to a nearby boundary. The surveyor shall (a) discuss the ramifications of such methodologies (e.g., the potential precision and completeness of the data gathered thereby) with the insurer, lender, and client prior to the performance of the survey, and (b) place a note on the face of the survey explaining the source, date, precision, and other relevant qualifications of any such data.

16. _____ Evidence of recent earth moving work, building construction, or building additions

observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork. 17. _____ Proposed changes in street right of way lines, if such information is made available to the

surveyor by the controlling jurisdiction. Evidence of recent street or sidewalk construction or repairs observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork.

18. _____ If there has been a field delineation of wetlands conducted by a qualified specialist hired

by the client, the surveyor shall locate any delineation markers observed in the process of conducting the fieldwork and show them on the face of the plat or map. If no markers were observed, the surveyor shall so state.

19. _____ Include any plottable offsite (i.e., appurtenant) easements or servitudes disclosed in

documents provided to or obtained by the surveyor as a part of the survey pursuant to Sections 5 and 6 (and applicable selected Table A items) (client to obtain necessary permissions).

20. _____ Professional Liability Insurance policy obtained by the surveyor in the minimum amount

of $____________ to be in effect throughout the contract term. Certificate of Insurance to be furnished upon request, but this item shall not be addressed on the face of the plat or map.

21. _____ ___________________________________________________________________ Adopted by the Board of Governors, American Land Title Association, on October 8, 2015. American Land Title Association, 1800 M St., N.W., Suite 300S, Washington, D.C. 20036-5828. www.alta.org Adopted by the Board of Directors, National Society of Professional Surveyors, on October 9, 2015. National Society of Professional Surveyors, Inc., 5119 Pegasus Court, Suite Q, Frederick, MD 21704. http://www.nsps.us.com/

Todd Horton, PE, PLS

February 2018

Relative Positional

Precision

Explained in

Everyday Language

Seminar Faculty

Todd Horton, PE, PLS, is an associate professor

and the director of the land surveying and

construction management degree programs at

Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois, where he

has taught since 1998. He also teaches surveying to

University of Illinois civil engineering students.

Beyond the campus, he presents continuing

education seminars across the country for land

surveyors and engineers.

Mr. Horton has several years of experience in

planning, surveying, design, construction, and

maintenance of civil engineering projects, including

commercial structures, residential subdivisions,

airfields, utility systems and highways. His previous employers include the US Air

Force, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and engineering and surveying

firms in central Illinois.

Mr. Horton is the faculty advisor of the Parkland College Student Chapter of the

Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association. He received his B.S. Civil

Engineering degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Todd.Horton.PE.PLS@gmail.com

(217) 493-3371 mobile

thorton@parkland.edu

(217) 373-3785 office

Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association

Todd Horton, PE, PLS

Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

1

Relative Positional Precision

Explained in Everyday Language

Todd Horton, PE, PLSFebruary 2018

Truth versus Address

• Physical monument– Truth

– Relatively stable

• Point coordinate– Merely an address

– Contains error

– Subject to change

American Land Title Association (ALTA)

and

National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS)

MINIMUM STANDARD DETAIL REQUIREMENTS

FOR

ALTA/NSPS LAND TITLE SURVEYS

(Effective February 23, 2016)

Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

2

Allowable RPP

0.07 feet + 50 ppm

Application of ALTA Standards

E. Measurement Standards - The following measurement standards address Relative Positional Precision for the monuments or witnesses marking the corners of the surveyed property.

Two types of RPP

• For each possible line, you must calculate 2 relative positional precisions– Actual RPP

• Generated by least squares analysis

– Allowable RPP• Based solely on line length

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

3

Actual RPP Defined

“Relative Positional Precision” means the

• length of the semi-major axis, expressed in feet or meters,

• of the error ellipse representing the uncertainty due to random errors

• in measurements in the location of the monument, or witness, marking any corner of the surveyed property

• relative to the monument, or witness, marking any other corner of the surveyed property

• at the 95 percent confidence level.

Error Ellipse

Semi-major axis

Semi-minor axis

95% confidence2 X dRMS

Relative Positional Precision

Actual RPP

Coordinate error ellipse

RPP is not expressed at a point.

The size of the RPP error ellipse is a function of the error ellipses at the two end points of a line.

Coordinate error ellipse

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RPP Evaluation

“… the location of … any corner …relative to … any other corner of the surveyed property

ALTA requires RPP evaluation

for boundary lines and all possible lines between

corners.

Least Squares gives Actual RPP

Relative Positional Precision is estimated by the results of a correctly weighted least squares adjustment of the survey.

Maximum Allowable RPP

The maximum allowableRPP for an ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey is

• 2 cm (0.07 feet) plus 50 parts per million

• (based on the direct distance between the two corners being tested).

Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

5

Allowable RPP

Boundary corner

Allowable RPP is based on line length.

Boundary corner

0.07 ft + (50/1,000,000) x 1000.00 ft = 0.12 ft

(2 cm (0.07 feet) plus 50 parts per million)

Satisfying ALTA Requirements

• For each possible line, you must calculate 2 relative positional precisions– Actual RPP

• Generated by least squares analysis

– Allowable RPP• Based solely on line length

Actual versus Allowable

It is recognized that in certain circumstances, … the maximum allowable Relative Positional Precision may be exceeded.

If the maximum allowable Relative Positional Precision is exceeded, the surveyor shall note the reason as explained in Section 6.B.ix.

Actual RPP < Allowable RPP

Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

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Accuracy versus Precision

• Accuracy:– agreement of observed values

with the “true value”.

– A measure of results.

• Precision:– agreement among readings of the

same value (measurement).

– A measure of methods.

IMPROVING PRECISION

IMP

RO

VIN

G A

CC

UR

AC

Y

Error & Accuracy

• The terms errorand accuracy can be used to describe a single condition from opposite perspectives.

Erro

r

Accu

racy

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

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Error Defined

• the difference between an observed or calculated value and a true value;– specifically: variation in measurements, calculations,

or observations of a quantity due to mistakes or to uncontrollable factors

• the amount of deviation from a standard or specification

• http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/error

Mistake ≠ Error

• Mistake - a gross error or blunder resulting usually from misunderstanding, carelessness or poor judgment.

• Error - The difference between a measured or calculated value and the true value.

Systematic Errors

• Errors that conforms to mathematical and physical laws.– Can be measured / quantified– Have a positive or negative value– Can be determined and/or

corrected by procedure

• Examples– Incorrect prism offset– Erroneous EDM settings– Incorrect rod height

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

8

Random Error

• Errors that remain after mistakes and systematic errors have been eliminated.– Caused by factors beyond

observers’ control

– Cannot be measured / quantified

– Tend to be small and compensating

– Governed by laws of probability

Nature of Random Errors

• Positive and negative errors will occur with the same frequency.

• Minor errors will occur more often than large ones.

• Very large errors will rarely occur.

Managing Errors

• Mistake– Must be removed

• Systematic – Must be corrected

• Random – Must be minimized

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

9

Introduction to Adjustments

Adjustment:“A process designed to remove inconsistencies in measured or computed quantities by applying derived corrections to compensate for random, or accidental errors, such errors not being subject to systematic corrections”.

Definitions of Surveying andAssociated Terms,

1989 Reprint

Compass Rule (Bowditch Rule)

• Assumes angles and distances are measured with equal accuracy.

• Applies distance corrections in proportion to traverse course lengths.

Least Squares Adjustment

• Allows full random error modeling.

• Can mix different accuracy and precision measurements.

• Provides measurement uncertainties.

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

10

Least Squares gives Actual RPP

Relative Positional Precision is estimated by the results of a correctly weighted least squares adjustment of the survey.

Least Squares Is ...

• A rigorous statistical adjustment of survey data based on the laws of probability and statistics.

• Provides simultaneous adjustment of all measurements.

• Measurements can be individually weighted to account for different error sources and values.

Least Squares Is Not ...

• A way to correct a weak strength of figure

• A cure for sloppy surveying -Garbage in / Garbage out

• The only adjustment available to the land surveyor

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

11

Adjustment of:• Conventional Traverse

• Control Networks

• GPS Networks

• Level Networks

• Resections

Collected By:• Theodolite & Tape

• Total Stations

• GPS Receivers

• Levels

• EDMs

Use Least Squares for ...

What Happens in Least Squares?

• Iterative Process

• Each iteration applies adjustments to observations, working for best solution

• Adjustments become smaller with each successive iteration

Requirements for Least Squares

• Redundant measurements

• Some controls (constraints)

• Precision estimates for measurements

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

12

Measurement Scenario

• Measure a line that is very close to 100 feet long and determine the precision of your measurement.

Measures of Central Tendency

• The value within a data set that tends to exist at the center.– Arithmetic Mean

– Median

– Mode

Average Result

• Most commonly used is Arithmetic Mean• Considered the “most probable value”

n = number of observations

• Mean = 1000.00 ft / 10 • Mean = 100.00 ft

nmean

meas.

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

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Standard Deviation

• Standard Deviation is a comparison of the individual readings (measurements) to the mean of the readings.

• Therefore, Standard Deviation is a measure of

PRECISION

Residuals

• The difference between an individual reading in a set of repeated measurements and the mean.

• Residual (n) = reading – mean

• Sum of the residuals squared (Sn2) is used in future calculations.

Residual (n) = reading – meanReadings Residual (Residual)2

99.96 -0.04 0.0016100.02 +0.02 0.0004100.04 +0.04 0.0016100.00 0 0100.00 0 099.98 -0.02 0.0004

100.02 +0.02 0.0004100.00 0 099.98 -0.02 0.0004

100.00 0 0Sn = 0 Sn2 = 0.0048

Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association

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Standard Deviation Formula

( ) ( )1-n σdeviation Standard

2n

0.023'9

0.0048σ

Measurement Components

• Each measurement consists of two components.

100.00 ft ± 0.023 ft

• The uncertainty statement is not a guess but is an estimate of precision calculated as standard deviation.

measurementuncertainty statement

100.

00

100

.02

100

.04

99.9

6

99.9

8

Occ

urr

ence

s

1

2

3

4 99.96

100.04100.00100.02

99.98100.02100.00

99.98100.00100.00

0.023'σ

Histogram

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

15

• 100 measurements of 1 distance

• Mean = 2000.00 feet

• Standard deviation = ±0.10 feet

Mean = 2000.00

1999.80

1999.90

2000.20

2000.10

• 100 measurements of 1 distance

• Mean = 2000.00 feet

• Standard deviation = ±0.04 feet

Mean = 2000.00

1999.92

1999.96

2000.08

2000.04

Minor Errors

• Minor errors will occur more often than large ones.

• The area within one standard deviation (s) of the mean is 68.3% of the total area.

68%

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Large Errors

• Very large errors will rarely occur.

• The total area within 2s of the mean is 95% of the sample population.

95%

Confidence Levels

68%

95%

99%

Expressions of Error

• E is a general term for error.

• These are specific terms for error.– CEP

– Standard Deviation

– 90%, 95%, 99% errors

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• 95% level of certainty is normal for surveying applications.

σ).(E 96195

95% Error

95% Error

• Given 100.00 ft ± 0.023 ft (68% confidence)

• Distance = 100.00 ft ± 0.046 ft (95% confidence)

'046.0)023.02()2(95 sE

95%

Meaning of E95

“If a measurement falls outside of two standard deviations, it isn’t a

random error, it’s a mistake!”

Francis H. Moffitt

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

18

How Errors Propagate

• Errors of a Series

• Errors of a Sum

• Error of Redundant Measurement

Error of a Series

nEEseries

• Describes the error of multiple measurements with identical standard deviations, such as measuring a 1000’ line with using a 100’ steel tape.

Eseries Application

• A control level circuit of 64 rod readings was run between two benchmarks.

• All readings were made to the nearest 0.01 ft; the error in each reading was ±0.005 ft.

• For reading errors only, what total error would be expected in the elevation of the ending benchmark?

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

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Eseries Solution

• E = ±0.005 ft

• n = 64 readings

• Eseries = ±0.040 ft

– Elevation error at ending benchmark

640.005Eseries

Constant & Scalar Errors

Constant error

Scalar error

RTK horizontal error: ±10mm + 1ppm

Scalar error increases with distance.

Error of a Sum

)...( 2222321 nsum EEEEE

• Esum is the square root of the sum the errors of each of the individual measurements squared.

• It is used when there are multiple unique error sources with differing standard deviations.

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

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Esum Application

• You have measured the distance of 3609.14 feet using a total station and fixed targets.

• Your EDM has an accuracy of ±(3mm + 3 ppm).

• Your instrument centering error is ±2mm.

• Your target centering error is ±4mm.

Scalar Error• EDM accuracy = ±(3mm + 3 ppm).

– 3 mm = constant error

– 3 ppm = scalar error (distance dependent)

• Convert distance to metric– 3609.14 ft X (12/39.37)m/ft = 1100.068 m

• 3 ppm = 3/1000000 x distance

– 3/1000000 X 1100.068 m = 0.0033 m

– 0.0033 m = 3.3 mm

Esum Solution• Compute the standard deviation for the measured line.

)(E 22223.3mm3mm4mm2mmsum

Instrument centering

error

Target centering

error

EDMconstant

error

EDMscalarerror

Esum = ±6.3 mm

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Relative Positional Precision Explained in Everyday Language

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Esum Solution

• Distance = 1100.068 m ± 6.3 mm

• Distance = 3609.14 ft ± 0.021 ft

measurementuncertainty statement

Relative Positional Precision

Coordinate error ellipse

RPP is not expressed at a point.

The size of the RPP error ellipse is a function of the error ellipses at the two end points of the line.

Coordinate error ellipse

Actual RPP (approximation)

)...( 2222321 nsum EEEEE

0.037 ft 0.061 ft0.071 ft

)..( 22 06100370 RPP

ftRPP 0710.

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Allowable RPP

0.07 feet + 50 ppm

ALTA allowable RPP

• What is the allowable ALTA RPP for a line of 1,000 feet?– Constant component = 0.07 ft

– Scalar component = 50 ppm• 1000 ft X (50/1,000,000) = 0.05 feet

• RPP = 0.07 + 0.05 = 0.12 ft

Note: the constant and scalar components are not random errors, so the error of a sum does not apply.

What if RPP goes bad?

• If actual RPP exceeds the allowable RPP, decrease the size of the error ellipses at the endpoints of the line in question.

• How?– make redundant measurements

– use higher precision equipment

– develop a different survey design

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23

RPP Keys for Success

Choose equipment and measurement methods based on accuracy needs of the project.

Standard errors

• A standard error is an estimated error expected from a particular field procedure and equipment application. – Instrument angular error

– EDM errors, constant & scalar

– Centering errors

EDM Error Sources • Systematic

– Incorrect reflector constant

– Instrument calibration• Constant & scalar error

– Temperature

– Atmospheric pressure

• Random– Unequal refraction

– Tripod settlement

– Instrument miscentering

– Target miscentering

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EDM Error Sources

Instrument Specifications

Distance Measurement accuracy

5602 5603 5605

Arithmeticmean value

±(2 mm + 2 ppm) ±(2 mm + 2 ppm) ±(3 mm + 3 ppm)

Standardmeasurement

±(3 mm + 2 ppm) ±(3 mm + 2 ppm) ±(5 mm + 3 ppm)

Fast standard ±(8 mm + 2 ppm) ±(8 mm + 2 ppm) ±(8 mm + 3 ppm)

Fast tracking ±(10 mm + 2 ppm) ±(10 mm + 2 ppm) ±(10 mm + 3 ppm)

• Trimble 5600 Series total stations

Angular Measurement Error Sources

• Systematic– Maladjustment of plate

bubble

– Horizontal and vertical axes not perpendicular

– Horizontal and sight axes not perpendicular

– Vertical circle indexing error

– Eccentricity of centers

– Circle graduation errors

• Random– Pointing

– Unequal refraction

– Tripod settlement

– Parallax

– Wind effects

– Centering

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Vertical Axis

Angular Errors

• Instrument angle least count ≠ accuracy

• Instrument angular accuracy specified by DIN 18723– Deutsches Institut für Normung

– German Institute for Standards

– http://www.din.de/

DIN 18723

DIN 18723 Specification5 “ TS 3 “ TS 2 “ TS

Faces Pointings Resultant error

Resultant error

Resultant error

Directonly

2 10” 6” 4”

1 set D & R

4 7” 4” 3”

2 sets D & R

8 5” 3” 2”

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Instrument Specifications

• Trimble 5600 Series total stationsAngle Measurement accuracy

5602 5603 5605

Accuracy (Standard Deviation based on DIN 18723)

2” 3” 5”

Angle reading (least count)

1” 1” 1”

GNSS Error Sources

• Clock synchronization error

• Orbital error– Predicted versus as-flown

trajectories

– Dilution of precision

• Multipath error

• Atmospheric error

RTK Positional Error

RTK positional error increases with distance from the base.

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Trimble R8 Accuracy Specs

http://trl.trimble.com/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-140079/022543-079J_TrimbleR8GNSS_DS_1109_LR.pdf

Constant error

Scalar error

RTK Vector Errors

• Vector is the line from base to rover.– 10 mm + 1 ppm horizontal error for RTK

vectors is typical.

– 10 mm = 0.033 ft = constant error

– 1 ppm = scalar error (distance dependent)• 1 part error to 1,000,000 parts measurement

• 1 mm error / 1 km RTK vector

• 0.005 ft error / 1 mile RTK vector

RTK Vector Errors

)( 22scalarconstdist EEE

RTK vector(miles)

E const(feet)

E scalar(feet)

E dist(feet)

1 0.033 0.005 0.0332 0.033 0.011 0.0344 0.033 0.021 0.0398 0.033 0.042 0.053

16 0.033 0.084 0.09132 0.033 0.169 0.172

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TS vs GNSS comparison

Vector

Vector

dRMS

dRMS

3 second TS versus GNSS

0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

0.07

0.08

0.09

0.1

200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800 3000

dRM

S (fe

et)

Vector Length (feet)

dRMS: Total Station vs GNSSTrimble T5603: 3 seconds, 3mm+2ppmTrimble R8: 10mm+1ppm RTK horizontal

Single angles

1 set D&R

2 sets D&R

3 sets D&R

RTK GNSS

1 RTK shot

2 RTK shots

Match the tool to the task

• GPS methods give greater accuracy over long distances.

• Total station methods give greater accuracy over shorter distances.

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RPP Keys for Success

Use well adjusted instruments and procedures to eliminate systematic errors in measurements.

Line of Sight Error

a: Tilting axis

b: Line perpendicular to tilting axis

c: Horizontal collimation, or line-of-sight, error

d: Line-of-sight

The line-of-sight error, or horizontal collimation error is the deviation from the perpendicular between the tilting axis and the line of sight. The effect of the line-of-sight error to the horizontal direction increases with the vertical angle.

Vertical Index Error

a: Mechanical vertical axis of the instrument

b: Axis perpendicular to vertical axis. True 90°

c: Vertical angle is reading 90°

d: Vertical index error

The vertical circle should read exactly 90° when the line of sight is horizontal. Any deviation from this figure is termed vertical index error. This is a constant error that affects all vertical angle readings.

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Tilting Axis Error

The tilting axis error is caused by the deviation between the mechanical tilting axis and the line perpendicular to the vertical axis. This error affects horizontal angles. To determine this error, it is necessary to point to a target located significantly below or above the horizontal plane.

Tribrach Optical Plummet

Tribrach Adjusting Cylinder

RPP Keys for Success

Make internal checks to detect blunders in measurements.

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Blunder Check

Redundant measurements are those measurements in excess of the minimum number needed to determine the unknown coordinates.

Known coordinates

Known coordinates

Total Station Blunder Prevention

• Measure network angles as sets– Direct and reverse

– Multiple sets

• Measure all traverse leg distances twice– Foresight and backsight distances

– Use average distance

GNSS Blunder Prevention

• Repeat the RTK observation using a new base location.

• Repeat the RTK observation using a new base instrument height.

• Repeat the observation with base and rover receivers swapped.

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Independent Methods

• Check GNSS distances with total station.

• Check total station distances with GNSS.

• Check GNSS elevation differences with:– Total station

– Leveling

• Check total stations elevation differences with:– GNSS

– leveling

RPP Keys for Success

Make redundant measurements to have a large degree of freedom.

Degree of freedom

• The degree of freedom is an indication of how many redundant measurements are in the survey.

• Degree of freedom is defined as the number of measurements in excess of the number of measurements necessary to solve the network.

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Redundant measurements

• Running additional cut-off traverses, or additional traverses to existing control points, creates redundancy.

Redundant measurements

Measuring points in the network that have already been located creates redundancy.

Error in Redundant Measurements

If a measurement is repeated multiple times, the accuracy increases, even if the measurements have the same value.

n

EE measred ..

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34

Error in Redundant Measurements

• With Errors of a Sum (or Series), each additional variable increases the total error of the network.

• With Errors of Redundant Measurement, each redundant measurement decreases the error of the network.

Redundant Measurement Example

• Example: Angle measured with 5” total station

– 5” error in direct & reverse pointing at BS

– 5” error in direct & reverse pointing at FS

• Standard error in 1 set, direct & reverse

)...( 2222321 nsum EEEEE

"7)55( 22 sumE

Redundant Measurement Example

• Example: Angle measured with 5” total station• Standard error in 1 set, direct & reverse

• 1 set

• 2 sets

• 3 sets

• 4 sets

"52

"7..

n

EE measred

"43

"7..

n

EE measred

"5.34

"7..

n

EE measred

"7)55( 22 sumE

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Adding Redundancy: Total Station

• Measure network angles as sets– Direct and reverse– Multiple sets

• Measure all traverse leg distances twice– Foresight and backsight

distances– Use average distance

Adding Redundancy: GNSS

• Repeat the observation with different satellite geometry.– Re-measure control

points before, during, and after survey session.

Satellite geometry changes.9:00 AM 11:00 AM

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Complexity & Redundancy

As a network becomes more complex, maintain accuracy by increasing the number of redundant measurements.

Ne

two

rk c

ompl

exity

Red

und

ancy

nee

ded

RPP Keys for Success

Assess the precision of measurements accurately.

Error Ellipses

• Used to described the accuracy of a measured survey point.

• Error Ellipse is defined by the dimensions of the semi-major and semi-minor axis and the orientation of the semi-major axis.

• Assuming standard errors, the measurements have a 39.4% chance of falling within the Error Ellipse.

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Error Ellipses

Semi-major axis

Semi-minor axis

Northing standard deviation

Easting standard deviation

MeasuredN 583,511.32E 2,068,582.47

39% confidence

Error Ellipse versus dRMS

)( 22

21 EEdRMS E1

E2

≈ 65% confidenceRadius = dRMS

Distance Root Mean Square

• HRMS – Trimble

– Topcon

• 2DCQ– Leica

≈ 65% confidence

MeasuredPosition

(address) Radius = dRMS

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Reported Precision

Displayed at data collector

Specified in contracts

Reported in NGS datasheets

Error circles: 1dRMS & 2dRMS

• Contrary to one-dimensional statistics, there is no fixed probability level for this error measure.

• The confidence level depends on the ratio of standard deviations.

• Owing to the low probability content of the dRMS error circle, 95% is generally required for position-finding errors.

σx

σy

1dRMS & 2dRMS

σy/σx 1*dRMSConfidence@ 1*dRMS

2*dRMSConfidence@ 2*dRMS

0.0 1.0 68.27% 2.0 95.45%

0.25 1.0308 68.15% 2.0616 95.91%

0.5 1.1180 66.29% 2.2361 96.97%

0.75 1.25 63.92% 2.5 97.87%

1.0 1.4142 63.20% 2.8284 98.16%

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Confidence at 1dRMS

σy/σx=0.2568.15%

σy/σx=0.068.27%

Increasing confidence

σy/σx=0.5066.29%

σy/σx=0.7563.92%

σy/σx=1.063.20%

Confidence at 2dRMS

σy/σx=0.2595.91%

σy/σx=0.095.45%

Increasing confidence

σy/σx=0.5096.97%

σy/σx=0.7597.87%

σy/σx=1.098.16%

Confidence Levels

Observed Position

GroundTruth

65%95%99%

• 65% confidence = 65% probability that the TRUTH falls within 1 dRMS of the ADDRESS (mean).

• 95% confidence = 95% probability that the TRUTH falls within 2 dRMS of the ADDRESS (mean).

1dRMS

2dRMS

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RPP Keys for Success

Assess the quality of control which will be used.

Old: Order & Class CodesLC1766 ***********************************************************************LC1766 CBN - This is a Cooperative Base Network Control Station.LC1766 DESIGNATION - ALEXANDER 2LC1766 PID - LC1766LC1766 STATE/COUNTY- IL/PIATTLC1766 USGS QUAD - SEYMOUR (1970)LC1766LC1766 *CURRENT SURVEY CONTROLLC1766 ___________________________________________________________________LC1766* NAD 83(1997)- 40 06 20.45303(N) 088 29 42.90776(W) ADJUSTED LC1766* NAVD 88 - 231.3 (meters) 759. (feet) GPS OBS LC1766 ___________________________________________________________________LC1766 X - 128,287.167 (meters) COMPLC1766 Y - -4,883,624.381 (meters) COMPLC1766 Z - 4,087,096.112 (meters) COMPLC1766 LAPLACE CORR- -0.58 (seconds) DEFLEC99LC1766 ELLIP HEIGHT- 199.36 (meters) GPS OBSLC1766 GEOID HEIGHT- -31.94 (meters) GEOID99LC1766LC1766 HORZ ORDER - BLC1766 ELLP ORDER - FOURTH CLASS I

Current: Numeric AccuracyLC1766 ***********************************************************************LC1766 CBN - This is a Cooperative Base Network Control Station.LC1766 DESIGNATION - ALEXANDER 2LC1766 PID - LC1766LC1766 STATE/COUNTY- IL/PIATTLC1766 COUNTRY - USLC1766 USGS QUAD - SEYMOUR (1970)LC1766LC1766 *CURRENT SURVEY CONTROLLC1766 ______________________________________________________________________LC1766* NAD 83(2011) POSITION- 40 06 20.45302(N) 088 29 42.90701(W) ADJUSTED LC1766* NAD 83(2011) ELLIP HT- 199.346 (meters) (06/27/12) ADJUSTEDLC1766* NAD 83(2011) EPOCH - 2010.00LC1766* NAVD 88 ORTHO HEIGHT - 231.3 (meters) 759. (feet) GPS OBS LC1766 ______________________________________________________________________

LC1766LC1766 FGDC Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standards (95% confidence, cm)LC1766 Type Horiz Ellip Dist(km)LC1766 -------------------------------------------------------------------LC1766 NETWORK 0.77 2.21LC1766 -------------------------------------------------------------------LC1766 MEDIAN LOCAL ACCURACY AND DIST (039 points) 1.00 2.67 69.56LC1766 -------------------------------------------------------------------

2dRMS=0.77 cm

95% confidence

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Control

• Occupy at least one control point.

• Control points need not be adjacent to each other.

Control

Control

Control

• It is permissible to have one control point on one side of the project and a reference direction on the other side of the project.

Control

RPP Keys for Success

Avoid weak network geometry.

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Poor strength of figure

Figure lacks rigidity.

Poor strength of figure

Added line

Figure still lacks rigidity.

Poor strength of figure

Added line

Figure still lacks rigidity.

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Triangulation Network Example

Triangles provide rigidity.

Good strength of figure

Triangles provide rigidity.

Good PDOP

AVolume of

enclosed figure is high.

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Poor PDOP, Poor HDOP

AVolume of

enclosed figure is low.

GoodVDOP

Poor PDOP, Poor VDOP

A

Volume of enclosed figure

is low.

GoodHDOP

RPP Keys for Success

Organize all field measurements for software input.

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Flexibility

• Least squares is very flexible in terms of how the survey data needs to be collected.

• Generally speaking, any combination of angles and distances, combined with a minimal amount of control points and azimuths, are needed.

• This data can be collected in any order.

Preliminary Control

• There may be situations where no control point is ever occupied in the network, but only backsighted.

• In these situations, a preliminary value for one of the occupied points needs to be computed and entered as a floating point control point.

Control Data Management

• It is always best to explicitly define the control for the project.

• A good method is to put all the control for a project into a separate raw file.

• A big source of problems with new users is a misunderstanding in defining their control for a project.

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Point Number Management

• The majority of all problems in processing raw data are related to point number problems. – Using the same point

number twice for different points

– Not using the same point number when shooting the same point

Inspect data for obvious blunders.

• Misnumberingbacksights or foresights

• Misnumberingcontrol points

RPP Keys for Success

Establish standard errors for all observation conditions.

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Standard errors

• A standard error is an estimated error expected from a particular field procedure and equipment application. – Instrument angular error

– EDM errors, constant & scalar

– Centering errors

Definition: A Priori

• Latin for “from what comes before”.

• In the sense in which it is used in the subject of probability, it means– Derived by logic, without observed facts

– Involving deductive reasoning from a general principle to a necessary effect; not supported by fact

– Based on hypothesis or theory rather than experiment

Standard errors

• Standard errors are an estimate of the different errors you would expect to obtain based on the type equipment and field procedures you used to collect the raw data. – For example, if you are using a 5 second

theodolite, you could expect the angles to be measured within +/- 5 seconds (Reading error).

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Overriding standard errors

• There are times when the default standard errors for points values may need to be overridden.

– For example, the control may be from GPS and the user has differing standard errors for his various GPS points.

– Or maybe some of the control points were collected with RTK methods, and other GPS points collected with more accurate static GPS methods.

Standard Error Input

Standard Errors, Traverse 1

• Distance– Constant: 0.010 ft Scalar: 5 PPM

• Horizontal angle– Pointing: 3.0” Reading: 3.0”

• Vertical angle– Pointing: 3.0” Reading: 3.0”

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Standard Errors, Traverse 1

• Total Station– Centering: 0.005 ft Height: 0.010 ft

• Target– Centering: 0.005 ft Height: 0.010 ft

• Azimuth: 5”

• Coordinate Control– N: 0.010 ft E: 0.010 ft Z: 0.020 ft

RPP Keys for Success

Adjust and analyze results.

Weight of Measurement

• The concept of weighting measurements to account for different error sources is fundamental to a least squares adjustment.

• Weighting can be based on error sources, if the error of each measurement is different, or the quantity of readings that make up a reading, if the error sources are equal.

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Weight of Measurement

• Weight - “The relative reliability (or worth) of a quantity as compared with other values of the same quantity.”

Definitions of Surveying and

Associated Terms,

1989 Reprint

Weighted Adjustment

A

BC

Perform a weighted adjustment based on this data

A = 4324’36” ± 5”

B = 4712’34” ± 15”

C = 8922’20” ± 30”

1/5 = 0.2000

1/15 = 0.0666

1/30 = 0.0333

W (1 σ) (Error Sources)

Angle Measuredvalue

Wt Correction Roundedcorrection

Adjustedvalue

A 43 24’ 36” 0.2000 (0.3000/0.2000)x +3” 43 24’ 39”

B 47 12’ 34” 0.0667 (0.3000/0.0667)x +9” 47 12’ 43”

C 89 22’ 20” 0.0333 (0.3000/0.0333)x +18” 89 22’ 38”

Σ 17959’ 30” 0.3000 15.00x 30” 180 00’ 00”

Weighted Adjustment Weight inversely proportional to standard deviation

15.00x = 30”x = 2”

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Demonstration Project 1

Simple 2D Network

Traverse and Side Shots

Traverse 1

• 2 fixed control points

• 8 occupations

• Each angle measured once, direct only

• Data imported to software from data collector file

Standard Errors, Traverse 1

• Distance– Constant: 0.010 ft Scalar: 5 PPM

• Horizontal angle– Pointing: 3.0” Reading: 3.0”

• Vertical angle– Pointing: 3.0” Reading: 3.0”

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Standard Errors, Traverse 1

• Total Station– Centering: 0.005 ft Height: 0.010 ft

• Target– Centering: 0.005 ft Height: 0.010 ft

• Azimuth: 5”

• Coordinate Control– N: 0.010 ft E: 0.010 ft Z: 0.020 ft

Allowable RPP Settings

Enter other tolerance values here.Enter ALTA tolerance values here.

Allowable RPP Settings

This dialog box allows the user to define the points to be included in the ALTA report processing.

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Adjusted Local Coordinates

Sta. N: E: StErr N: StErr E:

TR2 5003.321 4132.516 0.023 0.011

TR1B 4781.616 4998.993 0.013 0.009

TR3 4198.753 4130.552 0.026 0.022

TR4 3706.868 4124.208 0.027 0.03

TR5 3702.894 4995.439 0.019 0.029

TR6 3705.783 5818.431 0.015 0.028

TR7 4191.594 5819.269 0.011 0.019

TR7B 4196.277 4998.248 0.037 0.025

Traverse 1

Adjusted Coordinate Error Ellipses

Sta. Semi-Major Semi-Minor Max. Error Az.

Axis Axis

TR2 0.087 0.04 N 03-37'06.5"E

TR1B 0.05 0.034 N 00-15'51.0"E

TR3 0.111 0.061 S 37-06'43.7"E

TR4 0.135 0.067 S 49-44'56.9"E

TR5 0.114 0.065 S 69-58'38.0"E

TR6 0.107 0.053 N 83-42'32.0"E

TR7 0.072 0.04 N 86-38'05.6"E

TR7B 0.139 0.09 S 13-20'09.7"E

Traverse 195% confidence interval

ALTA Tolerances, Traverse 1

Allowable RPP is exceeded when ratio is greater than 1.

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Adjustment Statistics, Traverse 1

Indicator of redundancy

Traverse 2

• 2 fixed control points

• 8 occupations

• Each angle measured in direct & reverse, 1 set

• Same standard errors as traverse 1

Adjusted Coordinate Error Ellipses

Traverse 295% confidence interval

Sta. Semi-Major Axis Semi-Minor Axis

Trav 1 Trav 2 Δ Trav 1 Trav 2 Δ

TR2 0.087 0.044 -0.043 0.04 0.025 -0.015

TR1B 0.05 0.028 -0.022 0.034 0.017 -0.017

TR3 0.111 0.058 -0.053 0.061 0.033 -0.028

TR4 0.135 0.072 -0.063 0.067 0.037 -0.03

TR5 0.114 0.06 -0.054 0.065 0.037 -0.028

TR6 0.107 0.056 -0.051 0.053 0.034 -0.019

TR7 0.072 0.037 -0.035 0.04 0.026 -0.014

TR7B 0.139 0.072 -0.067 0.09 0.048 -0.042

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ALTA Tolerances, Traverse 2

Allowable RPP is exceeded when ratio is greater than 1.

Adjustment Statistics, Traverse 2

Indicator of redundancy

Traverse 3

• 2 fixed control points

• 8 occupations

• Each angle measured in direct & reverse, 2 sets

• Same standard errors as traverse 1

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Adjusted Coordinate Error Ellipses

Traverse 395% confidence interval

Sta. Semi-Major Axis Semi-Minor Axis

Trav 1 Trav 3 Δ Trav 1 Trav 3 Δ

TR2 0.087 0.027 -0.06 0.04 0.018 -0.022

TR1B 0.05 0.022 -0.028 0.034 0.012 -0.022

TR3 0.111 0.037 -0.074 0.061 0.023 -0.038

TR4 0.135 0.047 -0.088 0.067 0.025 -0.042

TR5 0.114 0.038 -0.076 0.065 0.026 -0.039

TR6 0.107 0.036 -0.071 0.053 0.026 -0.027

TR7 0.072 0.023 -0.049 0.04 0.02 -0.02

TR7B 0.139 0.045 -0.094 0.09 0.031 -0.059

ALTA Tolerances, Traverse 3

Adjustment Statistics, Traverse 3

Indicator of redundancy

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Traverse 4

• 2 fixed control points

• 8 occupations

• Each angle measured in direct & reverse, 4 sets

• Same standard errors as traverse 1

Adjusted Coordinate Error Ellipses

Traverse 495% confidence interval

Sta. Semi-Major Axis Semi-Minor Axis

Trav 1 Trav 4 Δ Trav 1 Trav 4 Δ

TR2 0.087 0.018 -0.069 0.04 0.015 -0.025

TR1B 0.05 0.02 -0.03 0.034 0.011 -0.023

TR3 0.111 0.026 -0.085 0.061 0.017 -0.044

TR4 0.135 0.034 -0.101 0.067 0.019 -0.048

TR5 0.114 0.027 -0.087 0.065 0.02 -0.045

TR6 0.107 0.026 -0.081 0.053 0.019 -0.034

TR7 0.072 0.017 -0.055 0.04 0.015 -0.025

TR7B 0.139 0.031 -0.108 0.09 0.023 -0.067

ALTA Tolerances, Traverse 4

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Adjustment Statistics, Traverse 4

Indicator of redundancy

Traverse 5

• 2 fixed control points

• 10 occupations• Each angle

measured in direct & reverse, 4 sets

• Same standard errors as traverse 1Added traverse legs

strengthen redundancy

Adjusted Coordinate Error Ellipses

Traverse 595% confidence interval

Sta. Semi-Major Axis Semi-Minor Axis

Trav 4 Trav 5 Δ Trav 4 Trav 5 Δ

TR2 0.018 0.023 0.005 0.015 0.019 0.004

TR1B 0.02 0.023 0.003 0.011 0.014 0.003

TR3 0.026 0.032 0.006 0.017 0.021 0.004

TR4 0.034 0.04 0.006 0.019 0.024 0.005

TR5 0.027 0.032 0.005 0.02 0.023 0.003

TR6 0.026 0.033 0.007 0.019 0.022 0.003

TR7 0.017 0.022 0.005 0.015 0.016 0.001

TR7B 0.031 0.023 -0.008 0.023 0.016 -0.007

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ALTA Tolerances, Traverse 5

Adjustment Statistics, Traverse 5

Indicator of redundancy

Traverse 6

• 2 fixed control points

• Sideshotsadded to Traverse 5

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ALTA Tolerances, Traverse 6

Allowable RPP is exceeded on 2 lines to 1 sideshot.

Adjustment Statistics, Traverse 6

Indicator of redundancy

Traverse 6, Revised Errors

Target centering error changed

from 0.005 ft to 0.015 ft

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Traverse 6, Revised Errors

Allowable RPP improved with more realistic standard errors.

Demonstration Project 2

Combined Network

GNSS and Open Traverse

Project 2 Scope

• 4 instrument traverse occupations

• 8 GNSS vectors

Client boundary

Two control points

Two control points

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Standard Errors, Project 2

• Distance– Constant: 0.0075m Scalar: 2 PPM

• Horizontal angle– Pointing: 1.0”

• Vertical angle– Pointing: 3.0”

Standard Errors, Project 2

• Total Station– Centering: 0.002m Height: 0.002m

• Target– Centering: 0.002m Height: 0.002m

• GNSS errors– Factor supplied std errors by 8.0

– Centering: 0.002m Height: 0.002m

Allowable RPP Settings

Enter other tolerance values here.Enter ALTA tolerance values here.

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Allowable RPP Settings

Optical Measurements

• 4 instrument points– Open traverse

Two control points

Two control points

Optical Measurement Data

Traverse measurements

Fixed control positions

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GNSS Observations

• 8 GNSS vectors– 4 static sessions

GNSS Observation Data

ECEF XYZVector Deltas

Vector endpoints

GNSS Observations

The better the network, the more circular the

error ellipses.

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Adjustment Statistical Summary

Station Coordinate Standard Deviations (Meters)

Station N E Elev

0012 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000

0013 0.002664 0.002517 0.000000

0015 0.003059 0.002957 0.004816

0016 0.001954 0.001876 0.003328

0017 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000

0018 0.002536 0.002478 0.004381

0051 0.005797 0.007355 0.019418

0052 0.006476 0.007042 0.019776

0053 0.007334 0.008010 0.023305

Station Coordinate Error Ellipses (Meters)

Confidence Region = 95%Station Semi-Major Semi-Minor Azimuth of Elev

Axis Axis Major Axis0012 0.000000 0.000000 0-00 0.0000000013 0.006527 0.006154 172-20 0.0000000015 0.007703 0.007008 145-31 0.0094390016 0.004796 0.004580 13-58 0.0065230017 0.000000 0.000000 0-00 0.0000000018 0.006219 0.006053 15-51 0.0085860051 0.018162 0.013985 78-05 0.0380580052 0.017621 0.015423 64-32 0.0387600053 0.020631 0.016764 57-44 0.045678

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Positional Tolerance Check

Point list for RPP Check

Least Squares Adjustment

Interpreting Results

Coordinate Standard Deviations and Error Ellipses

• Coordinate standard deviations represent the accuracy of the coordinates.

• Error ellipses are a graphical representation of the standard deviations.

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Coordinate Standard Deviations and Error Ellipses

• The better the network, the more circular the error ellipses.

• High standard deviations can be found in networks with a good standard deviation of unit weight and well weighted observations due to effects of the network geometry.

Degree of freedom = Redundancy

• The degree of freedom is an indication of how many redundant measurements are in the survey.

• Degree of freedom is defined as the number of measurements in excess of the number of measurements necessary to solve the network.

Statistics

==========

Solution converged in

2 iterations

Total Observations: 20

Total Unknowns: 16

Degrees of Freedom: 4

Standard Residual

• The standard residual is a measure of the similarity of the residual to the a-priori standard error.

• The standard residual is the measurement’s residual divided by the standard error displayed in the unadjusted measurement section.

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Observed Distances

From Sta To Sta Dist StErrTR1 TR100 820.991 0.011TR1 TR2 867.486 0.011

TR1 TR1B 218.387 0.01TR2 TR3 804.571 0.011TR3 TR4 491.926 0.009

TR4 TR5 871.245 0.011TR5 TR6 823.002 0.011TR6 TR7 485.811 0.01

TR7 TR7B 821.034 0.016TR7 TR100 808.408 0.011

Adjusted Distances

From Sta To Sta Distance Residual StdResTR1 TR100 820.99 -0.001 0.1TR1 TR2 867.491 0.004 0.4TR1 TR1B 218.387 0.000 0.0TR2 TR3 804.57 0.000 0.0TR3 TR4 491.926 0.000 0.0TR4 TR5 871.24 -0.004 0.4TR5 TR6 822.998 -0.004 0.4TR6 TR7 485.811 0.000 0.0TR7 TR7B 821.034 0.000 0.0TR7 TR100 808.408 0.000 0.0

Standard Residual

• A standard residual greater than 2 is typically flagged.

• A high standard residual may be an indication of a blunder.

• A large number of high standard residuals may indicate that the entered standard errors are not realistic.

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Total Observations: 20

Total Unknowns: 16

Degrees of Freedom: 4

Observation Sum Squares Error

Count of Std Res Factor

Angles: 10 3.648 1.351

Distances: 10 0.444 0.471

Total: 20 4.092 1.011

Reference Variance: 1.023

Standard Error Unit Weight: (+/-)1.011

Passed the Chi-Square test at the 95.00 significance level

0.484 <= 4.092 <= 11.143

Error Factor

• r = degrees of freedom (redundancy)

• n = total number of observations

• k = number of observations of Type

Observation Sum Squares Error

Count of Std Res Factor

Distances: 10 0.444 0.471

Error Factor

• Error Factors should be roughly equal, and should all approximately be within a range of 0.5 to 1.5.

• If for example, the Error Factor for angles is equal to 15.7 and that for distances is equal to 2.3, then there is very likely a problem with the angles.

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Total Error Factor

• r = degrees of freedom (redundancy)

Total Error Factor = Standard Error Of Unit Weight

Observation Sum Squares Error

Count of Std Res Factor

Angles: 10 3.648 1.351

Distances: 10 0.444 0.471

Total: 20 4.092 1.011

Standard Error Of Unit Weight

• The standard error of unit weight relates to the overall adjustment and not to an individual measurement.

– So = 1 indicates that the results of the adjustment are consistent with the a-priori standard errors.

Reference Variance

• The Reference Variance is the Standard Error of Unit Weight squared.

Observation Sum Squares Error

Count of Std Res Factor

Angles: 10 3.648 1.351

Distances: 10 0.444 0.471

Total: 20 4.092 1.011

Reference Variance: 1.023

Standard Error Unit Weight: (+/-)1.011

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Chi-square Test

• The chi-square test result describes the quality of fit of the adjustment.

– The a-priori standard errors are used to determine the weights of the measurements.

– These standard errors can also be looked at as an estimate of how accurately the measurements were made.

Chi-square Test

• The chi-square distribution is a function of degrees of freedom.

Degrees of Freedom: 4

Observation Sum Squares Error

Count of Std Res Factor

Total: 20 4.092 1.011

Passed the Chi-Square test at the 95.00 significance level

0.484 <= 4.092 <= 11.143

Significance Level

• Significance ≠ Confidence

• Typical significance for Chi-square test is 95%.

– 95% chance of result being true, and• Used in Carlson Surv Net

– 5% chance of result being false• Used in Microsurvey Star*Net

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Chi Square & Degrees of Freedom

DoF X2v,a X2

v,b DoF X2v,a X2

v,b

1 0.001 5.02 12 4.40 23.3

2 0.051 7.38 14 5.63 26.1

3 0.216 9.35 16 6.91 28.8

4 0.484 11.1 18 8.23 31.5

5 0.831 12.8 20 9.59 34.2

6 1.24 14.4 25 13.1 40.6

7 1.69 16.0 30 16.8 47.0

8 2.18 17.5 40 24.4 59.3

9 2.70 19.0 60 40.5 83.3

10 3.25 20.5

Chi-square Test

– The chi-square test merely tests whether the results of the adjusted measurements are consistent with the a-priori standard errors.

– If you change the project standard errors and then reprocess the survey the results of the chi-square test change, even though the measurements themselves did not change.

Failing on the low end

Failing on the low end indicates that the data is actually better than expected compared to our a-priori standard errors.

Degrees of Freedom:84Reference Variance: 0.657Standard Error Unit Weight: (+/-)0.810Failed the Chi-Square test at the 95.00 significance level

60.540 <= 55.171 <= 111.242

Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association

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Failing on the high end

If the test failed on the high end, then check for

• blunders in your actual observations,

• field book recording errors, or

• data preparation errors such as – incorrectly entered measurements or

– misnamed stations in the input data file.

Reporting Compliance

with Standards

Allowable RPP

0.07 feet + 50 ppm

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ALTA allowable RPP

• What is the allowable ALTA RPP for a line of 1,000 feet?– Constant component = 0.07 ft

– Scalar component = 50 ppm• 1000 ft X (50/1,000,000) = 0.05 feet

• RPP = 0.07 + 0.05 = 0.12 ft

Note: the constant and scalar components are not random errors, so the error of a sum does not apply.

ALTA Measurement Standards

It is recognized that in certain circumstances, the size or configuration of the surveyed property, or the relief, vegetation or improvements on the surveyed property will result in survey measurements for which the maximum allowable Relative Positional Precision may be exceeded.

If the maximum allowable Relative Positional Precision is exceeded, the surveyor shall note the reason as explained in Section 6.B.ix below.

Allowable RPP Settings

Enter other tolerance values here.Enter other tolerance values here.

Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association

Todd Horton, PE, PLS

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Allowable RPP Settings

This dialog box allows the user to define the points to be included in the ALTA report processing.

Traverse 6, Revised Errors

Allowable RPP improved with more realistic standard errors.

Planning for good RPP

1. Understand the primary sources of random errors in your measurements.

2. Develop reliable estimates of the random error sizes from each of those sources.

3. Use a correctly weighted Least Squares adjustment to process your data.

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Contact Information

Todd Horton, PE, PLS

Todd.Horton.PE.PLS@gmail.com(217) 493-3371 mobile

thorton@parkland.edu(217) 373-3785