I just read a reprint of an article from the ACSM Bulletin | June 2011 | #251 in the Oregon Surveyor, entitled "Whither surveying?" by N.W J. Hazelton
Introduction follows:
"A perennial issue in the surveying community is the extent to which surveyors should have a monopoly over spatial measurement. Which measurements must be completed by a registered surveyor, and which measurements can be undertaken by anyone? From time to time there are efforts to extend or enforce various pieces of state legislation over other people in the larger spatial information community. Is this a battle worth fighting? Look for an answer on pp. 18-20."
My personal opinion as stated on this board in the past is that I think there probably should be some regulation of spatial information and he asserts that in the article, and I have suggested ANY PLS license obtained by taking the national portion of the exam in any state might be a starting point to discuss minimal competency to practice ALL BUT BOUNDARY in any other state. I think if the states took that approach we might as a profession stand some chance of keeping some control (pun intended) over spatial measurements, if we keep too tight of grip on it, I think we will see entire boards dissolved and the profession become unregulated, as we know there has already been a few attempts just this year to do that. Sticking our heads in the sand while proclaiming, mine, mine, mine, probably isn't going to win the battle.
I happen to think that like it or not the author is probably pretty close to the truth. I expect to see the state boards having less control over ALL BUT BOUNDARY matters in the not too distant future.
Anybody else read the article and have any comments?
Going off the grid for the weekend, so I may not get to comment much until the first of the week, have a good weekend everyone
SHG
