West Virginia Surveyor of the Year

> I don't remember seeing it on here already, but the honor for 2012 goes to Survey Connect/Beer Leg's own R. Michael Shepp (a repeat performance of his 1996 award).
>
> Mr. Shepp's Bio

CONGRATS MR. SHEPP!!

A well deserved honor to be sure.

Larry P

CONGRATS Mr. Shepp!!

Congrats!

?? CONGRATS R. Michael Shepp!! ??

What a wonderful achievement!! TWICE!!! :stakeout:

Thanks everyone! 🙂

What year was the law changed to no longer REQUIRE property boundary surveys to be accomplished with a magnetic compass? I think I recall reading in Sipe's book that it was a requirement for many years ...

§37-12-1. Survey by magnetic meridian; variations; measurement.
When any surveyor is required to survey lands which have been surveyed before, he shall make such survey by the magnetic meridian, but shall also return and certify in his plat the degree of the variation of the magnetic needle from the true meridian, at the time of the resurvey; and also (if the same can be done) the degree of such variation at the time of the original survey; and every survey, whether original or not, shall be made by horizontal measurement, unless otherwise provided by deed or contract.

The law is still on the books. The law never required the survey to be done with a compass; although Henry Sipe was a strong proponent of compass surveying.

magnetic req'd

> The law is still on the books...

Thus, the 3-headed north arrow...

magnetic req'd

I think that it's a GOOD idea myself.

BTW, what kind of instrument (and methodology) do you use to get a magnetic value to the arc-minute.

Loyal

I agree.

In my conversations with F. Henry it was clear that he was not looking to require that a survey be done with a compass, but that the survey be referenced to a localized compass bearing. It was a logical requirement which improved the retraceability of the survey. If he were still with us today I have the feeling that he would be very much in favor of anything, including GPS, which would aid in a retracement.