SUR 360, PUBLIC LAND SURVEY SYSTEM
Great Basin College, Fall 2015
Course Syllabus – July 22, 2015
Instructor:
Steve Parrish, PLS – Reno, NV
Home: 775-852-9331 (eve)
Cell: 775-224-3122
Office hours: Email to set appointment
Email: 445gj65@att.net (home)
Email: steve.parrish@gbcnv.edu (GBC)
Class Meeting Time: 5:00-6:00 pm, Tue (LiveNet - PACIFIC TIME). PLEASE ACQUIRE AND
USE A HEADSET W/MIC FOR THE LIVENET SESSIONS.
Texts: Manual of Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States 2009,
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (Washington: Government Printing
Office, 2009). Restoration of Lost or Obliterated Corners & Subdivision of Sections: A Guide for
Surveyors; U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (Washington:
Government Printing Office, 1973) – This “Restoration Guide” is available free online.
Catalog Description: The U. S. Public Land Survey System (PLSS) as described in Official
Government Manuals (1851-2009) with emphasis on evidence, both federal and state rules,
resurveys, and subdivision of sections. Prerequisite: SUR 261B, RE 104 or permission of
instructor.
Course Description and Objectives: A detailed course that describes and evaluates the survey
procedures contained in the current Manual of Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of
the United States 2009. The history, design, and planning of the rectangular survey system,
original surveys, resurveys, dependent resurveys and independent surveys, protection of bonafide rights, mineral surveys, special surveys, and basic riparian principles are explained. The
importance of the official plats and field notes are presented. The Manual is presented as a guide
as opposed to an absolute directive.
This course presents a detailed analysis of the U. S. Public Land Survey System (PLSS).
The objective is to present a comprehensive study of the history and original surveying
procedures of the PLSS. United States Code Annotated (USCA), Title 43, Public Lands is
frequently referenced in the Manual and pertinent Sections will be discussed as they apply to
Manual concepts and direction. This historical approach will provide an introduction to the basic
principles of boundary surveying and the legal considerations and case law used in boundary
location analysis – particularly as it applies to federal interest lands so prevalent in the western
states.
Expected course outcomes (objectives): Upon completion of the course, students should
meet the following expectations:
1.
List the basic specifications used by the original surveyors in surveying the public
lands of the United States.
2.
Explain the history of the PLSS.
3.
Explain the common technical and legal terminology pertaining to the PLSS and the
role and application of USCA, Title 43, Public Lands.
4.
Describe the procedures employed for laying out and establishing township lines,
section lines, and subdivision of sections into aliquot parts.
5.
Research and utilize the official records of the PLSS.
6.
Recognize the types of monumentation of corners in the PLSS and classify facts in the
evaluation of evidence, both written and physical.
7.
Describe the preparation of the official field notes and plats of the PLSS.
8.
Apply legal principles of the restoration of lost or obliterated corners.
9.
Implement various types of surveys and computations specific to the PLSS.
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SUR 360, PLSS, Fall 2015
Course Syllabus, Page 2
Method of Instruction: Reading the Manual of Instructions – 2009 is an important element
of this course for successful completion. An overview of the key subject matter from the
Manual will be provided in the form of an electronic file in pdf format, supplemented by examples
of official General Land Office (GLO) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) survey and
resurvey records, historical reading material, and assignments. Problems will be assigned for
both practice (not graded) and as take-home problems that will be graded. In addition, students
will complete typical PLSS survey problems involving research, analysis, opinion, and technical
application of PLSS principles. A research project (see Term Project below) will be required of
each student, and will involve research and analysis of an original survey and the subsequent
dependent resurvey by the GLO and/or BLM. The project will result in a written paper.
LiveNet will be the primary Student/Instructor Contact: It is imperative that Students participate in
the LiveNet sessions to discuss the Chapter pdf material and observe the supplemental
PowerPoint lecture material. It is each Students responsibility to Read the Manual assignments
and Study the pdf Chapter material prior to the associated LiveNet session. The LiveNet
discussion will be on Tuesday evenings (5:00-6:00 pm – Pacific Time).
On occasion, the instructor may be out of town on business during regularly scheduled class
times. Instructions will be provided ahead of time as to accessing the lecture and discussion
material.
Term Project: To pass this course, it is required that each student complete and hand in the
Term Project as described hereafter: 1) Portions of an original PLSS township survey and
associated field notes will be provided in electronic form (pdf files). This will include lotted and
fractional sections. 2) Retracement data will be provided for select section lines identifying the
evidence found. 3) The student will be required to evaluate the retracement information, decide
the status of each corner (existent, obliterated or lost) and justify your reasons with Manual
references and/or from classroom discussions. 4) An aliquot part description of one of the lotted
sections will be provided and the student will subdivide the section showing all resulting bearings,
distances, coordinates and area. 5) Original plats and field notes of a Mineral Survey and a
Homestead Entry Survey will be provided in electronic form (pdf files). 6) Retracement data will
be provided for each metes-and-bounds survey. 7) Certain corners will be identified as found or
lost. You will decide what proportionate method to use to reestablish each lost corner and
provide the resulting bearings, distances, coordinates and areas. 8) All calculations and
resulting values must be shown in a complete and understandable format. The quality of
the report will be evaluated for its completeness, clarity, logical development, validity of
conclusions, and correctness of calculations. Completing the project with a passing grade
(=>70%) is required to pass the course; this is regardless of grades received on other
components of the course.
Term Project Deadline:
11:59 pm December 8, 2015
Additional reading: There are somewhat limited texts relating specifically to the PLSS, its
history, its applications, and its challenges. Most are a repeat of the information contained in the
BLM Manuals. Students are encouraged to befriend mentors from the land surveying profession
to supplement their learning experience in this PLSS course of study. Several texts and articles
will be suggested by the instructor and links to their source or the actual text files will be made
available to the student.
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SUR 360, PLSS, Fall 2015
Course Syllabus, Page 3
Grading: Grading will be based on:
LiveNet Class attendance – Successful completion of this course is greatly enhanced by
regular participation in the LiveNet sessions. PLEASE ACQUIRE AND USE A HEADSET
W/MIC FOR THE LIVENET SESSIONS.
Three quizzes (100 points each)
Between 6 to 8 take-home assignments (30 to 50 points each)
Two PLSS survey problems (50 points each)
Term project (200 points)
Final examination (100 points)
At the end of the semester, the percentage of the points will be calculated, and grades
given based on the following categories:
ABCDF-
90-100%
80-89%
65-79%
50-64%
<50%
The lower end of each grade category is guaranteed to go no higher. If it seems
appropriate, the instructor may lower the break points slightly. +'s or -'s may be attached to
grades in “borderline” cases.
A student may receive a “W” (withdraw) grade only if withdrawal occurs before the
beginning of the WEEK 11 (Nov. 2, 2015) of the semester. To withdraw, the student must
formally withdraw through student services. If a student does not complete the course, and
does not formally withdraw, an F grade will be issued. An “I” grade for "Incomplete" will be
given only under the most extenuating circumstances, and only with prior approval of the
instructor.
Assignment completeness, participation, and attendance will be considered in grading.
Attendance: Regular attendance and participation in the LiveNet session is highly
recommended. Prior students who have not attended regularly have not done well in this
course. If it is noted that a student is consistently not attending class (i.e., missing more than
three consecutive classes), that student may be dropped at any time by the instructor. It is the
students’ responsibility to contact the instructor to discuss valid excused absences.
Not a Contract: This document does not in any way represent a contract. It is only a summary of
how the instructor expects the course to proceed. It may be reasonably changed by the instructor
at any time to better fit the needs and progress of the students.
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SUR 360, PLSS, Fall 2015
Course Syllabus, Page 4
SUR 360, PUBLIC LAND SURVEY SYSTEM
GREAT BASIN COLLEGE
Course Outline, Fall 2014
Tuesdays, 5:00-6:00 pm, PACIFIC TIME via WebCampus – Internet.
(LiveNet Section 2158SUR_360_1001)
Text:
Manual of Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States
2009, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (Washington:
Government Printing Office, 2009)
PLEASE OBTAIN HEADPHONES FOR THE LIVENET SESSIONS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF
QUESTIONS ASKED BY THE TEXTING PROCESS DURING THE LIVENET DISCUSSIONS.
Date
Topic
Reading
Aug 25
Week 1
LiveNet - Introductions, Syllabus & Course Overview
The General Plan & Methods of Survey: Origin of the Public
Lands, Survey Instructions, General Rules, Lengths
and Directions of Lines; Introduction to the PLSS
Ch. I & Ch II
LiveNet PowerPoint
Sep 1
Week 2
LiveNet - Discussion of Aug 25 PDF for Chs. I & II
The System of Rectangular Surveys: General Scheme,
Ch. III
Initial Points, Townships, Sections and Fractional Parts
Sep 8
Week 3
LiveNet - Discussion of Sep 1 PDF for Ch. III
Monumentation: Legal Significance, Corner Material,
System of Marking, Corner Accessories
PLSS Case Studies
Sep 15
Week 4
LiveNet - Discussion of Sep 8 PDF for Ch. IV
Principles of Resurveys: Resurveys, Bona Fide Rights,
Dependent and Independent Resurveys
Ch. IV
LiveNet PowerPoint
Ch. V
Quiz No. 1 (Complete by 11:59 pm Sep. 21, 2015)
(Chapters I-IV)
Sep 22
Week 5
LiveNet - Discussion of Sep 15 PDF for Ch. V
Principles of Resurveys & Resurveys and Evidence:
Existent and Obliterated Corners
Walking In the Footsteps
Ch. V – Cont. & Ch. VI
LiveNet PowerPoint
Sep 29
Week 6
LiveNet - Discussion of Sep 22 PDF for Chs. V & VI
Resurveys and Restoration: Restoration of Lost Corners,
Primary & Secondary Methods, Metes and Bounds
Ch. VII
Oct 6
Week 7
LiveNet - Discussion of Sep 29 PDF for Ch. VII
Resurveys and Restoration:
Rectangular Irrigularities
Ch. VII – Cont.
LiveNet PowerPoint
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SUR 360, PLSS, Fall 2015
Course Syllabus, Page 5
Oct 13
Week 8
LiveNet - Discussion of Oct 6 PDF for Ch. VII
Resurveys and Restoration if needed;
Non-Rectangular Survey Case Studies
Ch. VII – Cont.
LiveNet PowerPoint
Oct 20
Week 9
LiveNet - Discussion of Oct 13 PDF for Ch. VII
Resurveys and Water Boundaries: Basics of Water
Boundaries, Protraction Diagrams
Ch. VIII
Quiz No. 2 (Complete by 11:59 pm Oct. 26, 2015)
(Chapters V-VII)
Oct 27
Week 10
LiveNet - Discussion of Oct 20 PDF for Ch. VIII
Resurveys and Water Boundaries & Special Instructions
Field Notes and Plats:
BLM & FS Contract Surveys
Ch. VIII–Cont. & Ch. IX
LiveNet PowerPoint
Nov 3
Week 11
LiveNet - Discussion of Oct 27 PDF for Chs. VIII & IX
Special Instructions Field Notes and Plats:
Ch. IX – Cont.
Nov 10
Week 12
LiveNet - Discussion of Nov 3 PDF for Ch. IX
Special Instructions Field Notes and Plats:
PLSS Challenges
Ch. IX – Cont.
LiveNet PowerPoint
Nov 17
Week 13
LiveNet - Discussion of Nov 10 PDF for Ch. IV
Special Surveys and Mineral Surveys:
Ch. X & Class
Other Non-rectangular Surveys Within the PLSS
Nov 24
Week 14
Thanksgiving Break – Good time to work on the Term Project
Except for Chapter X material.
Dec 1
Week 15
LiveNet - Discussion of Nov 17 PDF for Ch. X
Open Discussion: Student Participation, The Surveyor
as an Expert Witness - Professionalism; An Exception to
Every Rule; Interior Board of Land Appeals; Summary
LiveNet PowerPoint
Quiz No. 3 (Complete by 11:59 pm Dec 6, 2015)
(Chapters VIII-X)
Term Project Report Due by 11:59 pm Dec 8, 2015.
Don’t wait until the last few days to start this project – work on it
throughout the term.
Dec 7-11
FINALS WEEK
Final Exam (Complete by 11:59 pm Dec. 10, 2015)
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