Twice in the last month, once from an oil and gas company and once from an engineering firm I got the statement that they are using the PLSS lines as if there is some official set of lines that you can get, what the heck are they talking about?
Is there some program that is called PLSS, or is it the GCDB lines?
Whatever lines they are using are sure "off" from the actual PLSS and they seem to have it in there head that their PLSS lines are official and HAVE to be used.
> Whatever lines they are using are sure "off" from the actual PLSS and they seem to have it in there head that their PLSS lines are official and HAVE to be used.
I have to say that "General Non-Surveying" was an excellent category choice.
Yes, more of a GIS question, what does the term or acronym PLSS exactly mean to a GIS computer guy? To me it means the public land survey system and PLSS lines mean the lines formed by connecting monuments on the ground. But apparently that isn't what it means to a computer GIS operator.
And I'm not being sarcastic, I would really like to know what industry "standard" is being used.
In Utah you can download from the AGRC (Utah's GIS) data sets for the PLSS. And yes they are based upon the BLM GCDB. AND there is a disclaimer about accuracy if you bother to read it. AND ALSO it's caused me some problems. Everybody wants this data online and for free BUT nobody so far has ponied up the funds to make it correct.
Utah AGRC - PLSS data for download
Yes, there are many places to get section lines, the GCDB, county GIS, state GIS, all kinds of downloads available, Earth Point for Google and on and on. When they first started coming out I would use them to get started on a search or for rough presentation, but finally came to the conclusion it was just easier to make my own up from records and info I had. Saved lots of time in the long run.
Now I'm getting feedback that the "PLSS" lines are some kinda GIS fixed position gospel available from some clearinghouse and "have" to be used.
One client is so adamant about it he just isn't changing (fine with me as long as I'm not involved with the permitting) while the oil and gas guys are more realistic.
When I ask what they are talking about they just say; "you know, the PLS". I don't know if it's being taught in school or just GIS speak gone amok.
Moe..
I have two clients with GIS records departments and spacial graphics software. I'm not sure, but it is pretty evident that their software comes with a PLSS database, either uploaded or out-of-the-box. While it can really be useful for finding your way around, it's not anywhere near what we would call survey grade.
It can be close, it can be really, really far off. We've had plenty of discussions about map locations and legal locations.
A client that clings to a database rather than a surveyed location may need some help extracting his head out of a tight spot.
Clinging
The perfect description, they just won't let go. It's very odd:-(
I have a section breakdown I did last year, there are at least 3 GIS versions of the section lines and interior lines in that area, all three are different, one is WAYYY off, about 600-800' or so and guess which one the state guy was using with his handheld to "find" my corners. 😛
Opportunity knocks - Answer the door!
I think there might be opportunity here. It's obvious that the public/business/government/etc. wants this stuff. The technology is in place to deliver it (already is at corrupted data level). What needs to be done is finish the job and get the surveying/legal work done to make the data valid. Huge opportunity for surveyors if they WILL pursue the work. Let's get these stories and problems in front of our legislatures and get the funding to DO THE WORK and have it done BY SURVEYORS!
Opportunity knocks - Answer the door!
We are fortunate in our community to have an active (and very competent) County Surveyor. The Office has pushed for Control networks based on our PLSS Corners. While the coordinate system choice was an unfortunate mistake, it's great to have search coordinates within a few tenths or so on every project. The problem is keeping folks from getting tunnel vision. Fortunately most of us do the research AND the work...
My Utah work of late has been interesting. I tip my hat to Ernest Rowley, PLS at Weber County. He has been great to work with. In another un-named County I get 'Corner Records never caught on around here'. Still another won't let us have copies to check the accessories. It's surreal...
More on point- My spreadsheet for proposals is great. The numbers I input include a certain amount of time to educate those I will encounter through the life of the project. It's part of the cost of doing business, CHARGE for it...
My .02, Tom
Opportunity knocks - Answer the door!
Weber County may have gone from good to bad. The Recorder is combined with the Surveyor. When combined the office doesn't require a license to be the county surveyor. Rowley lost the primary election to one of the staff that wants things to go back to how they used to be (recorders are boundary gods and surveyors are crap). To be a county recorder all that is required to be qualified is you are a registered voter. So that is the experience and knowledge to be a boundary god in Utah (and county surveyor if the office is consolidated with another). There is a bunch of us wanting to get that changed via the legislature - wish us luck! A regular county surveyor in Utah (not combined with another office) must be licensed. It's goofy for sure but what else is new? So as far as county surveyors and the records they keep, Utah has great counties, bad counties and counties where surveyors and survey records don't exist (and where they don't see any need or want any either).