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Witness trees. Min Stds. Arkansas

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nate-the-surveyor
(@nate-the-surveyor)
Posts: 10529
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Topic starter
 

Source:

http://www.plat.arkansas.gov/Docs/PlatMinimumStandards.pdf
Down to page 6:
Paragraph 3:

Monument Accessories. For any monument found or set marking the location of a quarter (1/4) corner, or a setion corner, as well as any other corner[hl] for which the surveyor desires accessory evidence[/hl], shall be referenced by at least two (preferably four) permanent or semi-permanent witiless objects (sound trees, when available):.
Horizontal measurements shall be made from the monumented. corner position to the center of the base of reference trees at ground level. and to a readily identifiable point åáor mark on any other witness objects. On steep sites where a horizontal distance cannot be easily obtained, slope distance may be used and noted with the accessory information.

Now, note the highlighted bold text above. Does this mean that getting witness trees is Discretionary?
[hl] for which the surveyor desires accessory evidence[/hl]
I used to get witness trees on ALL my 1/16 corners, or Section Corners, or 1/4 Section corners. But, I notice, MANY plats are filed, these days, without them. So, I go look at the standards.
What is the truth?
How do you read this?
Thanks
Nate

 
Posted : March 5, 2016 10:36 pm
aliquot
(@aliquot)
Posts: 2318
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required for section corners and 1/4 corners, optional for everything else.

 
Posted : March 6, 2016 12:58 am
holy-cow
(@holy-cow)
Posts: 25373
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That's why there are commas separating that phrase from the remainder of the sentence. It is optional everywhere else except for government corners. The wise surveyor knows which other corners truly are in need of references.

BTW, many of my horizontal distances to witness trees would be in the hundreds of feet category and the trees would not be a century in age.

 
Posted : March 6, 2016 3:42 am
 ddsm
(@ddsm)
Posts: 2229
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Nate,
Through the many editions 1/16th corners were added to the standards for WTs.
Cotton Green's added them. Senator Taylor's (current) made them optional.
I understand Shelby and Mr Thornton are reviewing the standards and the corner record forms...they might do away with local accessories and replace/enhance with SPC and GIS metadata.:-S

DDSM:beer:

 
Posted : March 6, 2016 9:30 am
nate-the-surveyor
(@nate-the-surveyor)
Posts: 10529
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I always enjoyed the torture, of the quasi-surveyors, who pretended to set corners, yet never did. You know, they set the ones on the road, or flag on the road, but don't set anything, that the don't have to.... And they were supposed to get w/t.
I'm in favor of keeping, AND enforcing the w/t rule, for ALL 1/4 corners, sec corners, AND 1/16th corners.
Or, at least better monument descriptions. It bothers me to see fip as a monument description.

 
Posted : March 6, 2016 10:39 am

 ddsm
(@ddsm)
Posts: 2229
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Nate,
Write an opinion paper, send to fellow surveyors for discussion and consensus. Forward to State Surveyor and State Legislative representatives. Send a complimentary copy to Asa! and Shelby showing them how your ideas will save money and enhance the cadastrial GIS.
DDSM
[SARCASM](Don't forget to remove any text pertaining to copyright or reserving any of your rights befor sending to GIS central...after all...you don't own your Survey)[/SARCASM]

 
Posted : March 6, 2016 2:04 pm
MightyMoe
(@mightymoe)
Posts: 10002
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So what is required when there aren't trees?

And yes clearly you aren't required to for monuments other than 1/4 and section corners.

My question is do you have to use trees when they are available? And how close is "available"

 
Posted : March 7, 2016 8:07 am
 ddsm
(@ddsm)
Posts: 2229
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Nate The Surveyor, post: 360836, member: 291 wrote: Or, at least better monument descriptions. It bothers me to see fip as a monument description.

Nate,
Don't forget the detailed descriptions of the witness trees. See attached for examples.

MightyMoe, post: 360903, member: 700 wrote: So what is required when there aren't trees?

And yes clearly you aren't required to for monuments other than 1/4 and section corners.

My question is do you have to use trees when they are available? And how close is "available"

Moe,
Power poles, fence corner posts, building corners, etc. About the same as other locations.
If the tree is in somebodies yard, we will not paint/blaze. We try not to select merchantable timber.

DDSM:beer:

Attached files

5703S29W33007817.pdf (579.1 KB) 

 
Posted : March 7, 2016 8:27 am
 Dave
(@dave-tlusty)
Posts: 359
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Way to go Dan B. Robison!

Describe the measuring point... that's been bugging me for years! I see bearing tree distances measured to the hundreth of a foot but absolutely no description of the measurement point on the tree. I've seen: nail in a face blaze, an "x" cut in a side or face blaze, an "X" cut in the bark (side and face), a nail in the face or side of a tree (sometimes in a blaze, sometimes not), measuring notch facing corner, and absolutely no recoverable mark but the trees are at the called for bearings and distances (more or less...)
And I prefer aluminum nails... they don't mess up a chain saw as much as a steel nail.

A surveyor might have his own, known way of doing this but please put that information on the corner form!

 
Posted : March 7, 2016 9:18 am
 ddsm
(@ddsm)
Posts: 2229
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[USER=291]@Nate The Surveyor[/USER]
https://asps.site-ym.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=686626

ASPS TRADE SHOW
4/7/2016 1:30 PM - 2:50 PM Presenter: John Thornton, PS and Shelby Johnson
This session will provide an update on the Certified Land Corner Restoration Perpetuation and filing record. The new digital format and photos of corners and accessories will be reviewed, as well as the process and requirements for a business to enter into contracts through the State Department of Finance and Administration.
The presenters will also be introducing the roll out of the new access to all the Arkansas GLO plats and notes on their website: <"> http://surveyor.arkansas.gov> .
The session will wrap up with a question and answer period.

Also:
Dave Doyle and Charlie Tucker

DDSM:beer:

 
Posted : March 7, 2016 1:05 pm