Recently I posted a picture of a township corner stone found about 360 feet from where I believe its original location was in the middle of a plowed field. This corner does not control the boundary of the survey I am doing because I eventually found pins at my corners. There is a fence 1/2 mile east, going east. Another fence 400 feet south going south. Remains of a fence 1/2 mile north going north. Nothing but a meandering canal and farm/ranch to the west as far as the eye can see. These fence projections and the monuments found north and east are the basis of my calculated point in the middle of the field. I have single proportion projections from two directions that differ by 1.8 feet.
Since I do not need this monument, I have no intention of resetting it at this time.
Should I file a monument record showing what I found and indicate nothing set, or just let the world be? I fear that setting something could end up being a problem if somebody else surveys in from the west. If they do they will be coming from at least two miles away.
Yes. State exactly what you found and where you found it. Invaluable information to someone later.
> Should I file a monument record showing what I found and indicate nothing set, or just let the world be? I fear that setting something could end up being a problem if somebody else surveys in from the west. If they do they will be coming from at least two miles away.
If you are fearful of causing problems, maybe you don't have all the evidence? If you are not certain of your position, instead of filing a corner record, maybe you should make note of what evidence you have on your record of survey, be sure and state what makes you doubtful of the location.
I doubt I'd set a monument and file a corner record for something that I feel I do not have enough evidence to support the location.
If you are certain of the location, set the monument (or at least a couple reference monuments) and file the corner record fully explaining what you have done and why.
My opinion:
File a monument record. Do not check-mark the section corner it's supposed to represent, but check "other". (but do Mark the correct designation on where it should be filed). State on the monument record that you did not determine the validity of the monument as correctly representing the actual corner location, but that the purpose of the monument record is to document and preserve the location of the monument found.
You might even want to further state your suspicions about thinking it may have been moved and why. To me, the more straight-up you are about exactly what you did and why, the less likely anyone can complain about it.
Of course I am trying to make it clear that it's my opinion only, because I can't speak for some clown who might think you are breaking some rule. I've done similar things, for monuments I have found and have not had any repercussions at least to date.
I do know a guy who filed a monument record on a rebar he found that he used to install a panel-point at, and used it for coordinate control. He felt he should file a monument record on it since he used it. He got in trouble for it, but I suspect he did not actually state any kind of disclaimer but represented it as the actual corner (and it wasn't).
I just plugged my coordinate into Google Earth and then realized that when I looked to the west I was looking from the wrong spot or in the wrong direction. There is a fence to the west and it agrees. The east end of the red line is where I think it should be more or less.
yes, you found the original, go ahead and let everyone know it's been removed.
Should I file a monument record? duh
When in doubt, file it. No harm no foul.
I really do not understand these kinds of questions? Are we professionals who want to not only follow footsteps, but leave our own behind. Yes, no??
I still do not understand the logic behind somebody who would not want to record their "footsteps".
$0.02
Should I file a monument record? duh
That is kinda my point. I'm not making any footsteps at this particular location however my knowledge will not be evident by any other means than a monument record basically reporting nothing.
BTW, I already made up my mind to file a record prior to making the post. Just wanted to see if anybody showed up with a good reason not to.
yes, absolutely. It could save some poor slob like me a lot of time looking.
... and noting that there is a fence corner in the general area of where the monument should be would be nice too.
no idea what effort you need to go to, but in Ca it is very easy to file a corner record (if the County Surveyor is a reasonable human being that is 😉 )
It isn't too bad here, just do it up and mail to Denver. They distribute it to the proper county for recording which might happen in a timely manner or not.
Vern,
There really shouldn't be a question on whether to file or not to file. Working in Colorado the corner "monument" record is really an "opinion" record based upon the incompetence or competence of the individual filing it. Some are good and some inherently ignorant of law and evidentiary retracement rules....Anyway, by all means you should file a record and let the next surveyor know what you found and let the decision and evaluation of evidence remain for the next surveyor. Who knows, you will either support and assist or confirm and deny what the next surveyor discovers. What is more important is filing and providing constructive notice.
Pablo B-)
> yes, you found the original, go ahead and let everyone know it's been removed.
:good:
Just rescued a 1897 20" Pine, opened up with a double-bitted axe from the 60's... uncovered a perfect flat face with T. R. & S., roots and all... beautiful specimen... bout 300-500lbs! Behemoth of a piece of original record evidence that got removed because it was not doing it's intended job and will be referenced to in the official record and "removed for educational purposes" and taken to the local historical museum for public appreciation!! Boo ya!!!
