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. 07.22.2015/jsp 1 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. 07.22.2015/jsp 2 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. 07.22.2015/jsp 3 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 07.22.2015/jsp 4 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) 07.22.2015/jsp 5