Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors Newsletter The
Pennsylvania Surveyor Spring 2016
Surveying Beyond Boundaries
Inside...
SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
By: Gregory Clark, PLS
Boundary Surveying is mostly about history and law. Math and measuring are rather incidental to a boundary location in contrast to most other branches of Surveying. History, or more specifically the re-creation of history, is the primary player in Retracement Surveying because of the fundamental rule “follow the footsteps of the original surveyor”. Law factors in because so much case law hinges on “footsteps”. The reason “original footsteps” are so important is because courts of law have decided it to be the best evidence of “intentions of the parties”. Furthermore, laws are written providing guidelines, or precedence, for situations where evidence of “original footsteps” can no longer be found on the ground. Perhaps the best evidence of “original footsteps” would be documented boundary monuments found in original location on the land.
Sufficient Evidence...1 President’s Message...3 NSPS Report...4 Summer Conference...5 Professional Practice...10 Volunteer Opportunites...14 Sustaining Firms...16
History goes back to the time of creation of a land boundary. As time passes many original monuments become lost, and the Retracement Surveyor rightfully should be suspicious of the accuracy of deed dimensions recorded by the original surveyor since methods and standards of measurement do not remain constant.
Stormwater Short Course...20
Member News..28
The Retracement Surveyor researches records, interviews landowners, scrapes the dirt, and stumbles over stone rows in search of clues that take him back as close as possible to the time of original footsteps. The Surveyor often must step back to gain perspective of an entire neighborhood before deciding on a specific boundary location. I have not seen it written, nor should it be, that a Surveyor is limited to only a specific short list of pertinent evidence to be considered when Continued on Page 18
Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors
2016 Board Meeting Dates
Officers Michael D. Kreiger, PLS, President Shaheed A. Smith, PLS, President-Elect Scott R. Reeser, PLS, Vice President Brian Yorkiewicz, PLS, Secretary Mark E. Hummel, PLS, Treasurer Adam Crews, PLS, Past President Brent L. Birth, PLS, NSPS Director
September 23, Western PA October 21, Harrisburg, PA December 9, Hamburg, PA
State Directors Allegheny Heartlands Chapter Joseph P. Hood, PLS & Bill Lehman, PLS Bucks Chapter Robert J. Snyder, PLS & Jonathan J. Tabas, PE, PLS Delaware Valley Chapter Karl Kriegh, PLS & Bruce E. Lewis, PLS Harrisburg Chapter John Clark, PLS & James Hartman, PLS Laurel Highlands Chapter Joseph Allegra, PLS & Alexander R. Wood Lehigh Valley Chapter Stephen D. Ombalski, PLS & Arthur A. Swallow, PLS Mid-State Chapter Fred M. Henry, PLS North Central Chapter K. Robert Cunningham, PLS & Charles G. Lang, PLS Northeast Chapter Glenn L. Johnson, PLS Northwest Chapter Jeffrey P. Gilmore, & Edward E. Northrop, PLS Pocono Chapter Gregg A. Davis, PLS & Brian J. Zick, PLS
The PSLS board and staff extend condolences to the families of PSLS members who passed away.
John J Graser, PLS, of Wrightstown, PA, a member of the Bucks Chapter passed on May 13, 2016 at the age of 67. John was a 20 year member of the Society.
Reading Chapter John G. Fuehrer II, PE, PLS & John M. Huck, PLS South Central Chapter Thomas E. Farcht Jr., PLS & L. Bradley Foltz, PLS Southwest Chapter Donald R. Housley Sr., PLS & Terry R. Siefers, PLS Susquehanna Chapter Mark J. Brinkash, PLS & David A. Drumheller, PLS
PSLS Staff
Laurie L. Troutman, Business Manager
Editor
Donald E. Rife, PLS
Advertising
Contact psls@psls.org or call 717.540.6811.
Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors 801 East Park Drive, Suite 107, Harrisburg, PA 17111 P: 717.540.6811 F: 717.540.6815 www.psls.org
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PSLS Mission The Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors, a statewide professional organization, exists for the purpose of supporting, improving and enhancing the profession, its members, and the practice of land surveying. To these ends, the critical work of the Society focuses on providing education, legislative involvement, enhancing the public awareness, and the promulgation of the ethics of the profession.
The Pennsylvania Surveyor is published by the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors (PSLS). Articles or opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of PSLS, but are published as a service to its members, the general public, and for the betterment of the surveying profession. Articles may be reprinted with due credit given. We welcome submissions via e-mail in MS Word format. Please forward to psls@psls.org or call 717.540.6811.
President’s Pen
Benchmarks Michael D. Kreiger, PLS
Solstice is upon us, we will soon be basking in the sun, swimming, fishing, and Stheummer enjoying time during the annual vacation trips so many of us partake. I wish everyone best, I hope you are able to find the time to reflect, consider, plan, and act on all the adventures that you have in your summer grab bag.
For many of us, the planning and performance of events such as the annual summer adventures is a compilation of many continuous and uninterrupted events to bring us to the final array of memories. For most people, life seems to be a smooth operation, transitioning between tasks, people, events, activities and responsibilities. However a study by neuroscientists suggest that these processes are actually more like frames of a movie real running through a projector. One frame at a time, while transitioning to the second frame without a moment delay. A “time slice” of processes. I would like to consider the “time slice” as it pertains to the Profession of Surveying and the Society. First the Profession: What is the average length of time for a project, specifically that portion pertaining to the survey? The various “frames” of a survey may transition smoothly, from the planning to the record collection to the performance and finally the process of design and municipal/agency review and approval. Some of these frames require more time and energy than others, and some require that you plan the next step while developing the current frame. But is it possible that these “frames” have been altered during the process of the Survey? A parcel of real estate (subject property or adjoiner) conveyed, thereby providing for incorrect owner information on the plan; a utility line altered or recently installed together with newly created easements and rights; a repaving project just months after your performed the Survey (developed by the Commonwealth in which you no knowledge); property markers found, set, to be set or set by others. Surveyors will certainly never be able to capture all the details and be “true and correct” as changes occur constantly, but rather “true and correct to the best of our knowledge”, or furthermore, “true and correct to the best of my knowledge, based on a site visit on June 13, 2016. One could drive themselves loopy overthinking this time slice process, however it is possible for a credible figure to consider the same time slice process adversely. Therefore I recommend to you, that you consider the time slice and how you should record or establish the frame work, to develop your own Survey movie. Consider developing your Survey or Professional Services in the fourth dimension. The Society: The Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors, is a constantly systematic movie, with new frames for every year, a “time slice” under each President who processes the many settings and prepares for the next Presidents role in hopes for little interruption during the switch. The various settings include a large number of cast members associated with the many essential concepts for the betterment of the Profession. This Society is comprised of 16 chapters (settings), over 800 members (cast), with more concepts than conceivable. In the year 2016, the Society has actively develop the following “frames” and “time slices” in an endeavor to safeguard life, health or property and to promote general welfare while supporting, improving and enhancing the profession, its members, and the practice of land surveying: Continued on Page 13
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Director's Report Brent L. Birth, PLS, NSPS Director of Pennsylvania
Summary: NSPS is active and representing Surveyors and the Survey Profession nationwide. Although, at times,
it would appear the organization moves slow we are making progress and feeling our way through as many more states are getting involved. At the time of the 2016 Spring Conference there were 48 States and District of Columbia at 100% membership. California and Arkansas are the two that have not signed on. However, California is currently considering. The 2016 Spring Conference was held March 14 through 18 and was full of information and continual communication and action. Monday and Tuesday was filled with General Instruction Sessions and Agency Briefings. Capitol Hill Day on Wednesday the 16th was attended by Ron Horst (Rettew), Laurie Troutman (PSLS), Robert Miller (Horizon), Brent L. Birth (Stone Corner Resources), Bob Hanson (Michael Baker), Srinivasan Dharmpuri (Michael Baker), and visited with six individuals which consisted of five Congressmen and one Senator (or their representatives). Two Congressmen did actually meet with us and Senator Robert Casey did not respond. Four major points were to be discussed with the different contacts with at least hitting two of them in some detail. •
Workforce Development – The increase of the supply of PhD instructors in surveying and mapping while also attracting the next generation of surveyors. Avg. age is 58 across the nation. Looking for sponsors to create a public private partnership to develop a plan on how to contribute to economic growth, among several ways to preserve the profession.
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Private Sector Utilization – In essence this is to take the work out of government agencies and contract private sector surveyors to conduct the work. There are three points to this issue. Freedom from Govt. Competition Act, call for private sector utilization, repeal provisions that restrict use of the private sector.
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Flood Insurance Reform & Modernization Act – Current maps lack an inventory of structures and accurate data. Improved surveying and mapping data will provide the information necessary for fairer premiums for homeowners.
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Ocean and Coastal Mapping – A geospatial project in NOAA to improve coordination for coastal mapping and management activities. Also, to be used for navigation related hydrographic surveys and nautical charting programs, benefiting harbors and ports.
Thursday was filled with Council and Committee meetings. Great Lakes Council (16 states) – Lisa VanHorn, Chair (Wisconsin) Issues Discussed: •
Timely reports from the Exec Committee
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Conference Booth sharing with neighboring states
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State Affiliates with more than one origination, ex. NJ, CA, AZ
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Reports on meeting attended
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Continued on Page 24
Keep up with National News by reading the NSPS weekly email, "News & Views".
PSLS 2016
Summer Conference Photogrammetry
O P U S Projects
H a nd s - on Education
3-D Laser Scanning
Dendrology
Wetlands
Exam Preparation
Pittsburgh Monoreville Convention Center Monroeville, PA August 25 - 26, 2016
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2016 Summer Schedule of Events
Registration Information
Thursday, August 25 7:00 AM Registration Opens 8:00 – 11:30 AM Classes 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM Lunch 1:00 -5:30 PM Classes 6:00 PM Dinner
Name:
Friday, August 26 7:00 – 8:00 AM Breakfast 8:00 – 11:30 AM Classes 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM Lunch 1:00 -5:30 PM Classes 5:30 PM – Conference Closes
Address:
Email: Phone: Choose Sessions Tracks 1 and 2 are two days sessions. Tracks 3 and 4 are a choice of 2 one day sessions Thursday & Friday Track 1 OPUS Projects Track 2 PA Exam Review
Class sizes are limited. Register early to ensure availability.
Track 1: OPUS Projects Thursday & Friday OPUS Projects Track 2: State Specific Exam Review Thursday & Friday PA Specific Exam Review Track 3: Emerging Technology Thursday Digital Photogrammetry Friday High Definition Laser Scanning Track 4: Specialized Topics
(Off-site: Transportation, box lunches and beverages will be provided)
Thursday AM: Equipment Calibration PM: Dendrology Friday Wetlands Delineation & Permitting Please note: 1. Registration is exclusive to the event and event registrant. Registration may not be shared. 2. Recording presentations is strictly forbidden. Any attendee caught wearing another person’s name badge or recording presentations may be asked to leave the event without compensation or credit.
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or Thursday Track 3 Digital Photogrammetry Track 4 Equipment Calibration / Dendrology Friday Track 3 High Definition Laser Scanning Track 4 Wetlands Choose Registration Type PSLS Member $490 Non-member $550 Registration cost includes: workshops, Thursday lunch and dinner, Friday breakfast and lunch. Morning and afternoon refreshment breaks are also included both days. Hotel accommodations are not included in registration fees. Lodging: PSLS has arranged a room block at the Hilton Doubletree for attendees at $119++ per night. For reservations call (412) 373-7300 and reference PSLS. Discount ends August 3. 2016.
Payment Options
Check Enclosed Invoice Me Credit Card (VISA / MasterCard / Discover)
____ ____ ____ ____ Expiration Date ____ / ____ CVV code ______ Signature
Conference Workshop Descriptions OPUS Projects - 16 PDH
Presented by: Scott Lokken and Dave Conner Workshop Outline • Introduction • Step 1: Creating a Project • Step 2: Uploading Data To Your Project • Step 3: Session Processing • Step 4: Network Adjustment • Open Discussion • One-on-one What Is OPUS-Projects? A web-based access to process multiple marks and multiple occupations. • Data uploading through OPUS • Data processing using the PAGES software • Visualization and management aids • Least squares adjustment What’s In This Workshop? By attending this workshop, you should have enough information to successfully use OPUSProjects for your own projects. Once the training is completed, you’ll be given an opportunity to register your email address thereby authorizing you to create and process new OPUS-Projects. A project containing a training data set will be assigned to you. You’ll have an opportunity to work along with the presentations. In addition, time is allotted for you to explore your project individually. Note: Participants in this workshop must bring their own laptop computers to the conference Laptops must have an internet browser (Chrome or Firefox), wifi, and access to email.
Dendrology - 4 PDH
Dendrology: Jason Olzak Dendrology is the study of woody plants; typically trees but there are other things such as shrubs and vines that bear similarities to trees so they are studied as well. This workshop explores the basic skills of woody plant and tree species identification. Note: This is a hands-on workshop to be presented at Boyce Park. Transportation to and from the park will be provided. Dress appropriately. Boots are suggested.
Equipment Calibration - 4 PDH Presented by: Alexander Thomas & Daniel Zeigafuse This workshop will provide an overview of common problems and the causes for problems with survey equipment. Also discussed will be how to trouble shoot, how to make adjustments and how to make adjustments and how to calibrate. Instruments that will be covered are prism poles/GPS poles, automatic levels and total station. Attendees are encouraged to bring a tribrach or prism pole to class. Note: This is a hands-on workshop
Introduction to High Definition Laser Scanning and Measurement - 8 PDH Presented by: Lukas Duruttya This course gives a basic overview of 3D laser scanning. Experience the technology first hand with a hardware and software demonstration. At the end of this course you’ll have a good understanding of the basic operating principles, 3D image data, applications and platforms, project planning, scanning procedures and digital modeling that comes with 3D laser scanning.
PA Exam Prep Presented by: Various Instructors This 4 part workshop is designed to prepare attendees for taking the licensure exam in Pennsylvania. Rather than reviewing the materials which the attendee should be familiar with, this workshop prepares individuals for what to expect on the exam. Exam format, sample questions, discussion by a few of those who have recently passed the exam, followed by group discussion and a question and answer period. Part 1. Preparing for the Exam Part 2. Sample questions and solutions Part 3. Panel discussion by recent examinees Part 4. Group discussion – Q/A
Wetlands and Permitting- 8 PDH
Digital Photogrammetry - 8 PDH
Presented by: Kevin Chappell Driven by the rapid evolution of digital photography and personal computing in recent years, close-range photogrammetry with regular cameras and Small UAVs rapidly changes the way surveyors work worldwide. This workshop will review the principles of photogrammetry, introduce real-life case studies of surveying works, and provide practical hands-on best practices for drafting plans and making measurements directly on images of regular cameras.
Persented by Laurel Fisher Mueller Wetlands Recognition: An introduction to plants, hydrology, and hydric soils; significance of land development; surveyor – delineator communication; jurisdictional determination plan requirements. Permitting: An overview of the wetlands permitting process with examples. Note: This is a hands-on workshop to be presented at Boyce Park. Transportation to and from the park will be provided. Dress appropriately. Boots are suggested.
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PDHs are calculated under Pennsylvania guidelines. Acceptance of credit by the PA Registration Board is not guaranteed. PSLS will apply for out-of-state approval.
2016 Summer Conference Speaker Biographies Kevin Chappell: is the Director Surveying and Mapping Technologies at Precision Laser & Instrument . Kevin is a Licensed Surveyor and Engineer in both Pennsylvania and Ohio. Chappell has 25 + years of varied experience in the interdisciplinary fields of engineering, surveying, and mapping.
PAPSS soil scientists. Laurel has a 1977 MS Degree entitled “Resource Conservation/ Land Capability Analysis” from University of Montana, School of Forestry (Soil Science, Geomorphology, Remote Sensing) and a 1974 BS Degree in Resource Economics from University of New Hampshire, Institute of Natural and Environmental Resources (Land Use Planning, Community DeDave Conner is the NOAA Geodetic Advisor for the Appala- velopment). chian Region. Mr. Conner has presented a variety of workshops Brian Naberezny, PLS, GISP is an Instructor of Surveying in through the NGS Corbin Training Center. the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the Lukas Duruttya received a Master in Business Administration Pennsylvania State University. His diverse work experience indegree in 2002 while working for an architectural and engineer- cludes traditional boundary and land development surveying; ing firm in Slovakia. After graduation he relocated to the United software development for several Departments of TransportaStates. Lukas started working as a technical survey equipment tion; serving as a Geospatial Analyst and Operations Manager engineer and survey equipment trainer in 2004 at DiCarlo Pre- for a U.S. Department of Energy funded research project; workcision Instrument. He is a certified support and training person ing as a self-employed consultant developing and implementfor Topcon, Ashtech and FARO and is the head GPS network ad- ing technological solutions for surveying and mapping applicaministrator for DiCarlo Precision Instrument encompassing all tions, and teaching numerous surveying and mapping courses of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia & DC since 2005. and workshops at the undergraduate level as well as for practicing and aspiring professionals. Mark Hummel, PLS began his surveying career in 1983 in West Mr. Naberezny is a graduate of the Surveying Program at the Palm Beach, Florida then furthered his career in 2006 by mov- Pennsylvania State University and received his M.S. in Spatial ing to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He possesses a degree in both Information Science and Engineering from the University of Architectural and Civil Technology and an Associates Degree in Maine. Mr. Naberezny is a licensed Professional Land Surveyor Land Surveying. Mark taught surveying for more than 12 years in the State of Maine and a certified GIS Professional. at Palm Beach State College and has been teaching at ComJason Olczak is a Staff Environmental Scientist with Pennoni munity College of Allegheny County for over two years. Mark Associates serving in our Pittsburgh, PA office. Since joining became active with PSLS in 2005 prior to moving to PennsylvaPennoni, Mr. Olczak has worked on over 100 Phase I Environnia. He has served on the Southwest Chapter as Treasurer and mental Site Assessments, Phase II Site Investigations, drill logBoard Member. Mark currently holds the PSLS State Treasurer’s ging, wetland presence/absence evaluations, and wetland deposition. lineations. Mr. Olczak is very knowledgeable in the geological Scott Lokken is the North Carolina State Geodetic Advisor and sciences and his background gives him, a solid understanding a graduate of Oregon Institute of Technology where he studied of geology/hydrogeology and environmental sampling and geomatics. Mr. Lokken has presented a variety of workshops assessment, as well as identification of soils and plants related through the NGS Corbin Training Center. to the presence of wetlands. As a Certified Arborist, he adds a new dimension to the firm’s CSLA services. Robert R. Miller, PLS, became licensed as a Professional Sur- Prior professional experience has provided Mr. Olczak with exveyor in 1979 in Pennsylvania, and 1994 in Delaware. He is a tensive background in soil and tree biology particularly with Past State President of the Pennsylvania Society of Land Survey- the use of mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial soil bacteria in the ors (PSLS) and is a founding trustee of the Pennsylvania Land landscape, arboriculture, and surface mineland restoration and Surveyors Foundation, which has presented over $120,000 in reclamation industry. Mr. Olczak holds a B.S in Environmental scholarships in the last twelve years to students enrolled in Science with a Minor in Geology from Slippery Rock University College Survey curriculums. For the last 18 years, Mr. Miller has and an A.S. in Wildlife Technology from Penn State Universitybeen teaching workshops in Basic and Applied Survey Math- DuBois Campus. ematics, Construction Surveying, Writing Legal Descriptions, ALTA Surveys and Boundary Survey Law. Mr. Miller is a member Alexander Thomas, Service Technician with Keystone Preciof the Pennsylvania State University Surveying Curriculum Ad- sion Instruments. Alex came to KPI in 2016 after working as a visory Board. Test Technician in the Marine Display industry. Alex specializes in Laser, Auto Level, and Conventional Total Station repair and Laurel F Mueller, CPSS, President, Soil Services Co., Inc. Lau- troubleshooting. rel F. Mueller is a Certified Professional Soil Scientist and Soil Classifier, and began delineating jurisdictional wetlands in PA Daniel Zeigafuse, Senior Service Technician with Keystone and NJ in 1985. She was originally trained in wetland classifica- Precision Instruments. Dan has worked with Keystone as a sertion by US Fish and Wildlife, while conducting soil survey map- vice technician for over 17 years. He specializes in Robotic Total ping in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. Since 2009, she has Station troubleshooting and repair, however he has worked co-trained “Hydric Soil Indicators” with Frank Plewa of the US on various types of service equipment such as Lasers, GPS and Army Corp of Engineers Baltimore District, and USDA-NRCS & Data Collectors.
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Professional Practice: Do You Measure Up? by Donald H. Kamp, PLS, PP, CP All of us, who are privileged to practice Surveying, hold varying opinions about professional practice, what it means, and how it is applied in day to day situations. Many times we face issues where we’re challenged to determine what is right and what is wrong in a given matter. The harder decision is when we’re faced with what is right, and what is more right. For those of us with gray hair, (or no hair), you would think those answers come more easily for us than our younger counterparts. They say with age comes wisdom, but this is not always the case. In fact, at times age can be a marked disadvantage. We tend to develop a bit of tunnel vision, and don’t always remember to step back a little and make sure we see the whole picture. This is a trait I’ve seen many times, and I believe it traces back to the very nature of surveying practice itself. We collect information and evidence, review, analyze and calculate, and then make our final interpretation and present this in the form of plans, descriptions and reports. In most cases, this is a solitary endeavor, and the quality of the results is determined by the experience and judgment of the professional. The key principle here was once explained to me as “Judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.” All of us have faced this situation, and will again. Given the apprenticeship nature of surveying, we all have been heavily influenced by those who served as our mentors, (or tormentors), and if we’re honest with ourselves, would admit that the roots of many of the ideas, methods and reasoning we now use are found there. The key is to use this as a foundation to build on, and strengthen it by seeking to improve ourselves by expending the effort and resources needed to further our individual professional development. And don’t forget, no matter your age, you too are a mentor to the next generation of surveyors. Don’t miss the opportunity to pass on what you’ve learned. Just remember to teach, not preach. There are so many aspects to professional practice today; it can be overwhelming trying to keep up. (I kiddingly tell people I’m an analog guy living in a digital world). You not only have to be well versed in the practical and legal aspects of surveying, but also need a firm
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command of the software and technology that was not required of previous generations of surveyors. Now add to this the requirements of people skills, tact, and ethical considerations, (including political correctness), needed to attract and retain employees and clients, and to avoid the complications which can arise. Fortunately, there are many sources available to help today’s practitioner meet these demands. There are numerous workshops available through professional societies through conferences, webinars and other on-line sources, as well as a number of great books by authors such as Dr. Charles Ghilani, Jeff Lucas, and many others too numerous to mention, but no less important. I have found my exposure to these types of programs and people has given me a distinct advantage in dealing with the day to day issues of the technical and practical aspects of surveying. Standards of Practice have proven to be a hot button issue for many. PSLS has attempted to address this by publishing a Manual of Practice which provides a practical outline for performance of surveying in a professional manner. Like any document, it cannot address every possible scenario you may face, but it provides a solid basis for conducting your practice in a manner which serves both the profession and public. Remember, standards should be viewed as a tool to be used, not as a club to hit someone with. This manual was the result of much effort and discussion, (heated at times), and is a great example of what can happen when caring professionals sit down and share ideas. We are indebted to them for this effort. As I stated earlier, there are so many aspects to professional practice that no one essay can address them all. Standards, ethics, technology, legal considerations, as well as personal and professional development are ongoing. The practice of surveying today has many complexities and considerations not faced by earlier practitioners. All of the items shown above are important, and each one becomes paramount at various times in our careers, each in its own way.
Professional Practice continued
The Pennsylvania Surveyor Newsletter Advertising Rate Schedule
You’ll often hear that surveying is a diminishing, if not dying enterprise. I do not agree with that opinion. While the technologies and methodologies may change, the underlying fundamentals and principles remain. It is the duty of everyone that practices the art and science of surveying, in whatever capacity, (from technician to licensed professional), to hold themselves to the highest standards of personal and professional conduct and performance. This is something that must come from within; it cannot be forced upon you. If in doubt, consider how you would feel if the issue you face, or the actions you took, were to appear on a billboard on Main Street. The true measure of what you are, and what you do, is at those times when no one is looking. The vast majority of the surveying professionals I have crossed paths with meet or exceed this criteria. Let’s all try to conduct ourselves and our practices in ways that enhance our chosen profession, and serve to represent the best of professional practice. We can do it, if only we try.
Have You Seen The PSLS Website Lately? PSLS now has a Career page on our website. The page contains information and links for students considering entering the profession. Also on the page is a career poster which can be dowloaded and printed for use in schools, scouting programs, exhibiting, and civic events. Check it out at www.psls.org/Careers. Other changes to the website include moving the Links page and the Newsletter to the Events/News tab. And coming soon, a Young Surveyors page and additional Public Relations materials for use by members. PSLS is continually striving to improve communication with our members and the public. If you haven't looked at the website lately, take a few minutes to do so, and send us your comments and thoughts to psls@psls.org.
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PSLS PAC Membership Application Become a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors Political Action Committee (PSLS PAC) today! Your crucial donation provides the necessary funding to help PSLS cultivate political support from legislators who take interest in issues that are important to Pennsylvania surveyors. PSLS PAC is bipartisan and operates with full transparency in compliance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Election Campaign Act and applicable laws. PSLS PAC’s strength comes from you and your commitment to the surveying profession. For a $50 PAC Membership, you will receive a polo shirt with the PSLS logo and PAC Member embroidered on it so you can proudly show your support of PSLS legislative initiatives. With your commitment, together we can make Pennsylvania a better place to practice land surveying for today’s and tomorrow’s working professionals. Thank you! Questions? Contact Mark Hummel, PLS, PSLS PAC Chairman at mhummelpgh@comcast.net
PSLS PAC Membership Voluntary Contribution Form I support the work of the PSLS Political Action Committee! Make personal checks payable to PSLS PAC and remit to:
Political Action Committees cannot accept corporate checks.
PSLS PAC c/o PSLS 801 E. Park Drive Suite 107 Harrisburg, PA 17111
Enclosed is my personal donation. $50 PSLS PAC Membership Additional Donation $100 $500 Other __________
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Name:
___________________________________
Address: ___________________________________ __________________________________________ City, State, ZIP: ______________________________ E-mail:_____________________________________
PAC contributions are not tax deductible.
Continued from Page 3
Early this year the Leadership Development Committee, President and Past President acted on the Strategic Plan put into place last year and developed a Leadership Training Seminar for Committee Chairs, Chapter Leaders, and the Board of Directors; During Surveyors Week, the Public Relations Committee and the Surveyors Week Team developed a Photo Contest and a Career Poster. Amazingly 83 photos were submitted demonstrating unique uses of tools and procedures with picturesque settings. Visit https://www.facebook.com/PSLSsocial to view the photos. The Career Poster is an eye catching display demonstrating the roles of a Surveyor created for you to display in your local community. The Career Poster can be found at http://www.psls.org/careers.; After years of partnering with Geospatial Practitioners, PSLS has become a part of the Geospatial Coordinating Board, which is a vital working assembly developing details for recommendation to the Governor. Look to board meeting minutes for details on reports provided by our representative Matthew Warner, PLS; The Young Surveyors Network is formalizing its efforts through correspondence across the Commonwealth through social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter at PSLS Young Surveyors Network. Take a moment to visit these sites and support those following in your footsteps; Following in these footsteps are also many new faces, joining the Board of Directors, Committees, and Chapters. Activity is contagious and I extend a grand welcome to these new faces. It is great to see the passion that these faces have brought along to continue the mission that we have all been charged; Making initial footsteps, the Society has been working with Department of Environmental Protection to reinstate a Surveyor to the Sewage Advisory Committee. Our progress is positive and we look forward to continue motion. The PSLS Board of Directors approved Kieth Heigel, PLS; as our representative; In an effort to provide information about surveying to our youth, PSLS has participated in different activities. The Trig Star Program has just concluded with 20 schools taking an active role. See page 30 for Pennsylvania’s top TrigStars. During the month of May, Northern York County School Districts STEM program received a donation of surveying tools from Dawood Engineering, Inc. I was happy to be a part of the process by assisting the schools in the ordering of other tools. The PSL Foundation is in the process of presenting 11 deserving students with scholarship awards. Activities such as these, within the educational system will provide a boost to the Surveying curriculum; It should be noted that the Profession is active, the Southwest Chapter has joined together to provide for Surveying lectures at a seminar on Boundaries and Easements, facilitated by others, for an audience of PA engineers, surveyors, attorneys, landmen and title insurance professionals. In the past, the majority of those providing the lectures are attorneys, but this time it is four Surveyors and one Attorney; Continuing the activity, the Geospatial Committee attended and exhibited at the Pennsylvania GIS Conference and I attended the DelMar VA GIS Conference in order to promote general welfare, educate, and build relationships; The activity must go on and in the May, the Society sent out a message requesting that you complete a membership survey and review the Opportunities/Activities page. The activity is a function of your involvement, we received a completed survey from 14 members out of 800. The survey takes about two minutes and can still be completed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z5K6CJW. Thinking forward, prepare yourself for the Summer Conference, a hands-on learning opportunity in August of this year, the PSLS/Penn State Stormwater Short Course, also in August, and the monthly Webinar Wednesdays which provide opportunities without leaving your desk. Can you say “time slice” or movie “frame”? One frame at a time, while transitioning to the next frame without a moments delay. Great job by all those involved in each frame, I thank you and am honored to be your President.
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PSLS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors has opportunities for members to be active in the society and the profession by volunteering for a variety of tasks and programs. Different programs require a different level of commitment varying from short term as little as one day or long term over one or more years. Each of these activities offers members a chance to learn, network, and grow in the profession, while helping the profession to grow and flourish. Contact us at psls@psls.org for more information or to volunteer. Creating and Maintaining Publications •
The Boundary Retracement Principles and Procedures for PA book needs to be edited and updated for the next printing.
•
The Municipal and County Boundary Descriptions book needs to be updated and edited.
•
The PA Manual of Practice needs to be updated to be more in line with NCEES standards and to address changes in the industry.
•
Brochures: Volunteers are needed to help write and maintain brochures about surveying for a variety of uses such as promoting surveying to high school students, educating the public, and educating township and municipal supervisors. Brochures written on these topics could then be used a PSLS exhibit opportunities in order to directly target the area of interest.
•
Professional Articles and Opinions: Articles written by society members make publications such as the PA Surveyor and the PSLS website more valuable to surveyors. You don't need to be a professional authors or editors. Some of the best material published has been written by Surveyors for Surveyors.
Year Round Activities •
Pennsylvania Reaching New Heights: PSLS is asking volunteers to recover bench marks published in the NGS database and occupy them with dual-frequency GPS receivers for a minimum of four hours and to document the occupation by taking photographs. This is a program that will benefit surveyors directly as well as the public and anyone using geospatial data with a vertical component for years to come
•
Conference and Webinar Planning: The PSLS Education Committee plans and executes two annual conferences, webinars, seminars and is now in the process of developing an online education program.
Program Specific Opportunities •
TrigStar: The Trig-Star program contest is an annual high school mathematics competition sponsored by the National Society of Professional Surveyors based on the practical application of trigonometry.
•
PSLS Anniversary Celebration: On May 6, 2019, the society will be 50 years old. The Semicentennial Celebration planning will take a few years as it will be a year-long event. We need volunteers to plan and execute the celebration.
There are many more opportunites for Society Members to contribute. For more information, check out the Society Opportunities page on the website at http://www.psls.org/careers, contact a committee chair , or speak to your chapter State Director.
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Make a difference. Volunteer!
15
Thank you
Keystone Aerial Surveys Attn: John Schmitt PO Box 21059 Philadelphia, PA 19114 P: 215-677-3119 F: 215-464-2889 jschmitt@kasurveys.com www.kasurveys.com/index.
CivilTraining, LLC/SmartDraft Attn: John Cooke 5300 Wellington Branch Drive, Suite 100 Gainesville, VA 20155 P: 732-859-8353 F: 732-377-5454 john.cooke@civiltraining.com www.civiltraining.com
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2016
Sustaining Firm Members
Berntsen International, Inc. Attn: Tim Klaben PO Box 8670 Madison, WI 53708-8670 P: 608-249-8549 F: 608-249-9794 surveymark@berntsen.com www.berntsen.com
Keddal Aerial Mapping Attn: Bradley Piper 1121 Boyce Road, #3100 Pittsburgh, PA 15241-3918 P: 724-942-2881 F: 724-942-2885 l.castelli@keddalaerial.com www.keddalaerial.com
to our
Keystone Precision Instruments Attn: George Allport Jr. 1670 East Race Street Allentown, PA 18109 P: 800-833-9250 F: 610-266-3240 sales@keypre.com www.keypre.com
Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. Attn: Shelley Speelman 369 East Park Drive Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111 P:717-564-1121 F:717-564-1158 sspeelman@hrg-inc.com www.hrg-inc.com
Thank you
to our
2016
Sustaining Firm Members Precision Laser & Instrument Attn: Robert J. Barth 85 11th Street Ambridge, PA 15003 P: 724-266-1600 F: 724-266-8161 rjb@laserinst.com www.laserinst.com
Klein Agency, LLC Attn: Mark Amirault PO Box 219 Timonium, MD 21094 P: 410-832-7600 F: 410-832-1849 mamirault@eakagency.com www.kleinagencyllc.com
Nor East Mapping, Inc. Attn: Ron Henry, CP PO Box 270 Kylertown, PA 16847-0270 P: 814-345-1167 F: 814-345-1176 noreastmapping@verizon.net www.noreastmapping.com
Print-O-Stat, Inc. Attn: Lou Mazero 1011 West Market Street York, PA 17404 P: 717-854-7821 F: 717-846-4084 lmazero@printostat.com www.printostat.com
Oswald Companies Attn: Paula M. Selvaggio, RPLU 3401 Enterprise Parkway, Suite 101 Beachwood, OH 44122-7340 P: 216-839-2815 F: 216-839-2801 pselvaggio@oswaldcompanies.com www.oswaldcompanies.com Trimble Corporation Attn: Kelly Liberi 10355 Westmoor Drive Westminster, CO 80021 P: 720-587-4606 F: 720-887-6101 kelly_liberi@trimble.com www.trimble.com
Szalankiewicz Engineering, PC Attn: James J. Szalankiewicz Box 206 Elderton, PA 15736 P: 724-354-4852 F: 724-354-4273 sellc@windstream.net
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Continued from Page 1
SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
resolving conflicts in boundary location. Even the “order of importance of conflicting elements” familiar to most Boundary Surveyors should not be seen as cast in stone. If the Surveyor has justifiable reason to do so, that “order” should be rearranged if needed to arrive at a more correct solution of location. Every case is different and the well-reasoned conclusions of the surveyor should not be limited by cookie cutter rules. Respected monuments, parole evidence, record information, ancient fences and stone rows, dendrology, and aerial photos are but a few of the items that may be considered while arriving at a defendable conclusion when retracing a boundary (the key word being “defendable”). Surveyors have no inherent authority to force landowners, client or neighbors, to agree with the location of the stakes we set in the ground. Will your opinion prevail if challenged? Surveyors offer expert professional opinion on boundary location. If diligent in the performance of our services, we can defend our opinions if needed. The courts have concluded “original footsteps” to be a standard and we should be able to defend our boundary locations accordingly. A few years back I was contacted by a landowner to survey his farm boundaries. A year prior the gentleman had his property surveyed by another, but wasn’t comfortable with the results and wanted another opinion. My conclusions differed from the first surveyor by many feet and I set new pins accordingly. The irony of it all came a few months later when that first surveyor was hired to stake the neighbor’s boundaries for timbering and now the line common to both farms is marked in three (yes, 3) different locations. That surveyor not only disagreed with me, but he also disagreed with himself by several feet from a couple years prior. A meeting with both surveyors and the neighbor’s forester ended with the other surveyor adamantly claiming both of his lines were correct (really?), and the forester decided to stay safely away from the disputed area. The moral is: If you rely only on deed dimensions when retracing boundaries you will find yourself in disagreement with
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the person in the mirror. Deed staking is not the same as retracement surveying. On the one hand, we should be respectful of fellow surveyors and realize more than one viable conclusion may be had from the same collection of evidence. On the other hand, what can or should be done when one of us relies solely on deed dimension when retracing boundaries without regard to other significant, and often obvious, evidence of footsteps? Not only is this possibly a misrepresentation of services, but it can also complicate future boundary retracements anywhere in that vicinity. I was fortunate having chance to work with an older surveyor knowledgeable in boundary retracement when I was fresh out of school. He definitely realigned some of my brain cells. The old gent liked eating hot, and I mean HOT, peppers out of a jar. Maybe that’s why he made me eat some, to get my attention.
To do what we do means being half blood hound, half ground hog, half hawk, and half squirrel with a taste for hot peppers and a knack for math. If that doesn’t sound like an appealing profession I don’t know what does. It has been claimed that a blood hound can smell a trail over 300 years old, but we have the advantage of being able to read and write. On top of that we are pretty good at math and measuring. I freely acknowledge in all probability that many of the retracement boundaries I have staked over the years are not in the exact location of the “original footsteps”. The best we can do is come as close as possible based on the available evidence. How much effort do we spend digging for evidence? As a group of practitioners we should not be shy about continually raising that bar. The public will be better served and the profession elevated.
PSLS Public Relations Contest What Does a Surveyor Do? The PSLS Public Relations Committee is kicking off another contest! Most of the words used to describe what surveyors do are really big and hard for kids to understand. The challenge is to describe what you do as if you were talking to a five year old. Analogy: what does a doctor do? Fixes you. Takes pictures of your bones. Makes you feel not sick. Use short words; easy for kids to read and understand. Post your answers on teh PSLS Facebook page. The top five 5 kid-friendly answers, (phrases with 10 words or less) will win gift cards from Sheetz, Turkey Hill, or Wawa. Take the challenge and help us to spark the imagination of the next generation!
Generosity At the June 10 Board of Directors Meeting, DelVal State Director Richard Shewman announced that the March State Exam Review Course had been successful. To share that success, the chapter made two generous dnations. $800 was given to the PLS Foundation. $600 was given to the TrigStar fund. PSLS appreciates the generosity of the members of the Delaware Valley Chapter. PLS Foundation Chair Scott Reeser accepts the donation from Delaware Valley Chapter on behalf of the Foundation
NSPS Director Brent Birth accepts the donation from Delaware Valley Chapter on behalf of the TrigStar Program
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Computational Methods in
Stormwater Management Sponsored by
Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors in partnership with Penn State Wilkes-Barre
This is a three-day short course in computer methods for stormwater management design professionals. Presentation of topics include a comprehensive array of hydrologic and hydraulic tools for stormwater management design, including detention facility design and structural BMP design.
Invited Speaker Domenic Rocco, PE Environmental Program Manager PA-DEP Southeast Regional Office Norristown, Pennsylvania Technical Staff Thomas A. Seybert, PE, Conference Chair Professor Emeritus of Engineering Penn State Wilkes-Barre Lehman, Pennsylvania Clayton Hodges, PE Vice President Altizer, Hodges, and Varney, Inc. Blacksburg, Virginia Thomas F. Smith II, PE, PLS President Bercek and Smith Engineering, Inc. Royersford, Pennsylvania
Who Should Enroll This course is intended for stormwater facility designers with previous exposure to urban runoff calculations involving NRCS (SCS) methods, channel and reservoir routing principles, and Rational methodologies. Because hands-on computer work is emphasized in the course, the fundamental concepts behind these methods will not be presented in great detail. However, specific details for each of the methods presented will be documented or referenced in the supplemental short-course notes. Each participant is encouraged to bring a hand calculator for occasional use. Each attendee will receive course handout materials that include a set of notes documenting standard stormwater computational methods, speaker presentation notes, and a copy of the VT/PSUHM version 8.3 program. Nittany Lion Inn, State College, PA
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August 10-12, 2016
Description The topics presented in this short course represent a comprehensive array of hydrologic and hydraulic tools for stormwater management design, detention facility design, and subdivision planning. The Virginia Tech/ Penn State Urban Hydrology Model (VT/PSUHM) will be used to illustrate how these tools can assist in the design of stormwater management facilities. Special emphasis will be placed on the fundamental calculations for detention facility design, particularly outlet structure design. The Multiple Stage Routing Model (MSRM) in the VT/PSUHM will be used to assist in understanding the design process. Additional emphasis will be placed on BMP design, particularly enhanced detention, enhanced extended detention, bioretention cells and infiltration basins. Example analysis and design situations will be addressed and solved using the software. The participants will be guided through practice problems that deal with stormwater management design. Computer Requirements PARTICIPANTS MUST BRING A LAPTOP COMPUTER TO THIS SHORT COURSE. The user must have administrative rights to the computer so that the VTPSUHM software can be installed. A time for advanced software installation is provided on Wednesday evening, August 9, 2016 between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. in Boardroom 2 of The Nittany Lion Inn. Only MS Windows–based laptop computers will be supported, using Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10. Microsoft Excel 2003, 2010, 2013 or 2016 is also required. The laptops should have viewing screens from 14 to 17 inches. Apple computers, notebook computers, iPads and similar devices will not be supported. Laptops can be shared with a colleague if so desired. The Computer Model The VT/PSUHM is written in Visual Basic for operation under Microsoft Windows. The program provides for the transfer of VT/PSUHM output to Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word. The program contains twenty-three interactive modules organized under five submenus as follows: Utility modules: CN weighting, travel-time calculations, hydrograph addition, graphics plotting, swale design, circular pipe normal and critical depth calculations, basin-empty calculations, and storage volume of pipe on a slope Rainfall modules: U.S. Weather Bureau, Maryland, Pennsylvania Penn DOT PDT-IDF (1986) and Publication 584 (2008)], and Virginia rainfall distributions; SCS type II and III rainfall distributions; and manual hyetograph entry Runoff modules: NRCS unit hydrograph, NRCS tabular hydrograph, Rational hydrograph, and manual hydrograph entry Routing modules: Muskingum channel routing, modified Puls reservoir routing, MSRM, and ProBasinDesigner. MSRM is a design tool that allows engineers to configure up to ten stages in a complex outlet structure to meet a variety of peak discharge and water-quality target releases and manual input of outlet rating curves. ProBasinDesigner integrates several of the MSRM design modules into one streamlined module for the design of a basin for multiple events. Surface profile module: Standard step-method backwater calculations VT/PSUHM Distribution Because of the history and nature of the software, copies of the VT/PSUHM will be issued only to participants who attend all three days of the short course. The VT/PSUHM is not freeware (copyright Penn State 1984–2016 Virginia Tech 1995–2016) and was developed primarily for educational purposes. During its thirty two year existence the software has never been available for purchase. It has always been distributed as a teaching aid in this short course. The participants and their co-workers are welcome to use the software in private practice if they so desire. However, Penn State policy does not permit distribution of the software to parties who have not attended the short course. Any distribution beyond the short course remains exclusively the right of Penn State and Virginia Tech.
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Fees and Registration Information Fee The registration fee is as follows: Early (before July 8, 2016) PSLS member $1,275 PSLS non-member $1,300
Regular (July 8, 2016 and later) $1,325 $1,350
The registration fee covers all instruction, course notes, program flash drive, refreshment breaks, and three lunches. Registrants are responsible for all other meals and lodging. How to Register You can register online at www.psls.org or by mailing the printable registration form (with a check, money order, purchase order, or letter of authorization from your employer or sponsoring organization). Deadline The registration deadline is July 29, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. EST. After this date, please check the website for information about on-site check-in, or call the conference planner at 717-540-6811; if space permits, you can register for an additional $25. Confirmation PSLS will confirm your registration. You will be alerted promptly of any cancellations or changes. If some unforeseen event forces PSLS to cancel or postpone the program, you will receive a full refund of your registration fee; however, PSLS cannot be held responsible for any related costs, including cancellation fees assessed by airlines or travel agencies. Refunds If your request to withdraw is received by July 8, 2016 we can issue a partial refund. Send your written request by fax to 717-540-6815 or by email to laurie@psls.org. A $50 administrative fee will be charged for each withdrawal. Anyone who is registered but cannot attend may send a substitute. Access PSLS encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing special accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the PSLS conference planner at 717-540-6811 at least two weeks prior to the program. Location and Accommodations The program will be held at Penn State Nittany Lion Inn, University Park, Pennsylvania. A limited number of rooms have been set aside at the program location. For room reservations, call The Nittany Lion Inn at 800233-4505 or visit the website at www.pennstatehotels.com. Refer to group code PEN0809 before Sunday, July10. Travel By Air: The University Park Airport is located approximately six miles from the conference site. Call 814-865-5511 or visit www.UniversityParkAirport.com for information on flights. By Car The University Park campus is located within driving distance of many major cities, including Harrisburg (1.5 hrs., 90 mi.), Pittsburgh (3 hrs., 137 mi.), Philadelphia (3.5 hrs., 194 mi.), Baltimore (3.5 hrs., 155 mi.), Washington, D.C. (4 hrs., 190 mi.), New York City (5 hrs., 250 mi.), and Toronto (6.5 hrs., 304 mi.). See www.psu.edu/ur/visitors.html for detailed visitor information, including maps. Contact information For registration and payment information, please contact Laurie Troutman at psls@psls.org or by phone at (717) 540-6811. Registration forms can be mailed to: PSLS, 801 East Park Drive, Suite 107, Harrisburg, PA 17111. For program content questions, please contact Thomas A Seybert at tseybert@psu.edu.
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Professional Development Hours The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has enacted a law requiring Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors licensed in Pennsylvania to complete 24 hours of continuing education during each two-year license renewal cycle as a condition of renewal. The Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists has developed and published a set of proposed rules to implement the provisions of the law. Participation in this program will award you 24 PDH units. Continuing Education Units Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are based upon a standard of 1 unit per 10 hours of classroom instruction. Upon completion of this program, each participant will be awarded a certificate for the CEUs earned during this program for a maximum of 2.4 CEUs. Return by July 8, 2016 to psls@psls.org or via fax at (717) 540-6811. Late Registrations accepted until July 29, 2016 Name ( Last, First, Middle) Badge Name
(Early registrations postmarked by July 8, 2016)
PSLS Member q$1,275 pp early
q$1,325 pp regular
Non-Member q$1,300 pp early
q$1,350 pp regular
PAYMENT
Company
q
Check (made payable to PSLS)
Charge my
Address City
State
ZIP
q
q
q
Cardholder’s Name
Purchase Order q
CCV Code
Cardholder’s Signature
Phone:
Card No.
Fax:
TOTAL PAYMENT
Exp. Date $
Penn State Continuing Education Information * Federal law requires that institutions of higher education gather the following information regarding the ethnicity and race of its students and employees. Your individual information will be kept strictly confidential. The law only requires institutions to report aggregate totals for each category.
Date of Birth: ** SSN or PSU ID #: Gender:
q
Male
* Ethnicity: qHispanic/Latino
q
Female
qNot Hispanic/Latino
* Race qWhite qBlack or African American qAsian q American Indian or Alaska Native qNative Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
**The Social Security number (SSN) you provide for enrollment purposes, or when requesting specific services, will be used by the University to verify your identity for official record keeping and reporting. If you choose not to supply your SSN, certain services, such as transcripts, enrollment verification, tax reporting, financial aid and other services may not be available to you, and Penn State cannot guarantee a complete academic record for you. Your SSN will be stored in a central system and only used for official reporting and record keeping. It will not be used as a primary source to identify you within the Penn State system; the PSU ID will be used as the primary identifier. PSLS will not keep a record of this information.
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NSPS Director's Report cont.
Continued from Page 3
Public Relations Committee – Lisa VanHorn, Chair (Wisconsin) Issues Discussed: •
State Reports and Public Relation Publications
•
Banners available (3 sizes available)
•
PR Project Competition Winners
•
Possible hiring of Professional PR Firm
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What age group to market ~ middle school through Jr. High School
Other item already in play in conjunction with Workforce Development is to attend the ASCA American School Counselor Association in New Orleans. Workforce Development Committee •
Issues Discussed:
•
Progression of average age of 58 nationwide
•
Young Surveyors Coordinator input
•
Ideas of how to encourage individuals to entertain surveying as a Profession
UAS/UAV Committee – Joanne Williamson, Chair (Hawaii) Recently Created: Members being recruited. Created to monitor and strategize and take action to keep the integrity of mapping using unmanned vehicles. Friday was mainly the General Meeting •
Formal motions were made of various items
•
Geospatial Workforce Development-Policy ChangesPrivacy Best Practices-
•
Geospatial in Stem-Young Surveyors MOU ApprovalMeeting Schedule-Meeting
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Reports-Create Ad Hoc Communications CommitteeCreate a Humanitarian Award
•
Funding a Western Director-Realtor Letter-Create a UAV Statement-Create a UAV Committee
Executive Officers were installed Awards were distributed. Information about these awards can be found under the overall heading “About Us”, subheading “Competitions/ Awards” on the homepage of the NSPS website, www. nsps.us.com.
Now that the conference is past here are some of the ongoing work of the NSPS: Workforce Development – NSPS will be attending an American School Counselors Association conference to talk about the profession of Land Surveying. During the conference, NSPS is given an 8 to 9-minute time slot during a presentation called “Careers Your Students Should Know About”. Everyone working on this project is very excited about the contacts NSPS will be making because the average attendance is 2000, but even better the registration is up this year. The Conference is July 7-9th in New Orleans. We have our President Tony Cavell, a Young Surveyor named Bradley (BJ) Roberts, and a local volunteer from the Louisiana Society of Professional Surveyors (LSPS) District 1 (New Orleans) working the show to promote Land Surveying to high school counselors as a profession their students may want to explore for their career. Digital Coast Act - The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee last week unanimously approved S. 2325, the NSPS-supported Digital Coast Act. The bill would authorize a program of multiple geospatial data assets to assist coastal communities with planning, economic development and environmental protection. A “Letter to Realtors” will be coming out soon with suggestive language to change the way realtors present property that they may be marketing. It is using language similar to that of using legal statements that may be considered practicing law and is typically under the purview of lawyers. Thus, a realtor indicating property corners or property lines outside of the counsel of Professional Land Surveyors charge will fall into a similar statement. Stayed tuned.
Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors is affiliated with NSPS through our Memorandum of Understanding. For complete information on the MOU and PSLS' affiliation, go to http://www.psls.org/whoispsls and click on the 100% Membership Affiliation link.
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NSPS cont. Finally, for this article is a position statement of the newly formed UAV committee. This committee is to monitor regulations concerning primarily drones and the performance of mapping and take proactive measures with states and the FAA to insure that Land Surveyors are in responsible charge of any mapping. The follow is the position statement from the conference. “Any aerial mapping that rises to the level of usage by surveyors, engineers, governmental agencies, etc for determining contours on the earth’s surface or the location of fixed works, requires ground survey control and this would include UAV mapping whether by photogrammetric or LiDAR methods; Existing aerial mapping is produced and identified through one or more of the recognized mapping standards, such as NMAS and ASPRS standards. Some of these standards may not be suitable for UAS mapping and new standards will undoubtedly need to be developed; It is in the surveyors’ interest to take a lead role in working with governmental agencies in establishing policies of usage for UAS technology with respect to mapping; It is in the surveyors’ interest to maintain involvement with UAS technology and become as educated as possible in its usage so that this will represent another tool in the surveyor toolbox;” There is a considerable amount of time and money to insure the profession continues and proliferates on a national level. For more information on these items and other issues please take the time to read your NSPS News and Views. There are a lot of tidbits of information. If there is any suggestions or recommendations, you would like to be voiced don’t hesitate to contact me via my email brent@ stonecornerresources.com.
PSLS CALL TO ACTION
PSLS needs you! We need your time, talent, professional knowledge, and even your hobbies! We are a dynamic professional organization whose main source of accomplishments comes from the members who volunteer their time and talents for the betterment of the profession. As with all member driven associations, there is more work to be done than there are people to perform the work. No matter what your skills, talents or hobbies, PSLS can use your help. Whether you are an IT genius or an amateur cartoonist, a tech fanatic or a bookworm, there is an opportunity for you to shine with PSLS. Even if you think you have no special talents to offer, there is an opportunity for you. Still don’t think you can? Check out our ‘Society Opportunities’ page on the website. You will find a task to fit every talent, and we need your talents to perform these tasks. Check out Page 14 for more information.
Just for Fun
Just for Fun. The first person who emails psls@psls.org with a caption for this photo wins a $10 gift card. Captions will be published in the next issue of the PA Surveyor.
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Upcoming 2016 PA Safety Days 05/17/16—Mohegan Sun Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, PA 05/19/16—The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Center, Oaks, PA 06/23/16—The York Expo Center, 334 Carlisle Ave., York, PA 09/15/16—Monroeville Convention Center, 209 Mall Blvd., Monroeville, PA
Information: www.paonecall.org/SAFETYDAYS Register online: www.paonecall.org/EVENTS #PASafetyDays16
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2016 South Central PA Safety Day – Thursday, June 23rd York Expo Center, Memorial Halls, 335 Carlisle Ave., York, PA You’re invited to a free event that brings together damage prevention, underground utility and excavation professionals from all over the region for a day of education, exhibits and enjoyment. Register now to attend. To register online you must log-in on our website at www.paonecall.org/events or you can fax this form to 412-464-7104. Must be 18-years old to attend.
Contact Information
List the person responsible for coordinating and distributing the registration information to the group.
Group Badges
List the names and the DEP numbers (if applicable) for each person in the group.
Name – Attending lunch
Yes
No
DEP #
Name – Attending lunch
Yes
No
DEP #
Your Title
Name – Attending lunch
Yes
No
DEP #
Your Company
Name – Attending lunch
Yes
No
DEP #
Address
Name – Attending lunch
Yes
No
DEP #
City, State, Zip
Name – Attending lunch
Yes
No
DEP #
Phone
Name – Attending lunch
Yes
No
DEP #
Email – we will send confirmation
Name – Attending lunch
Yes
No
DEP #
Fax – we will send confirmation
Name – Attending lunch
Yes
No
DEP #
Name Are you attending? Attending lunch?
DEP # Yes Yes
No No
For current event information: www.paonecall.org/events
Pennsylvania 811 and the Department of Environmental Protection Agency have partnered to offer a unique opportunity to all licensed water and wastewater operators in their 3-year cycle. The PA DEP will award contact hours if you pre-register, provide your active DEP CLIENT ID NUMBER and your FULL NAME as listed on your wallet card. You only have 2 opportunities to give Pennsylvania 811 your basic information—1) on this registration form, or 2) when you check-in at the event. Pennsylvania 811 will not accept your basic information after the event.
Release 02-01-2016
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Member news and events
Allegheny Heartlands Chapter The Chapter’s April 20th meeting topic was Bedford County GIS. GIS Planning Specialist Joe Saxfield was looking for input from surveyors to improve the Bedford County GIS system. This was an opportunity for professionals to offer their expertise in improving the County system. On May 18th, the chapter had a presentation on Mobile Mapping Systems by Randy Miller from Topcon. Bucks Chapter On March 17, the Bucks Chapter held a dinner and presentation at the Lower Bucks County Technical School. The meeting showcased Seniors in the Civil Technology Curriculum. It was a great opportunity to meet the graduating Seniors from BCTHS, especially for firms interested in hiring entry level personnel who have technical training and on-the-job experience in drafting and land surveying. The April 21st meeting offered a presentation by Brendan Kane of Smart Vent Products, Inc. Mr. Kane reviewed the Biggert-Waters and Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Acts. He explained how the NFIP rates the flood risk for a property using the Elevation Certificate. He also identified what sections of the Elevation Certificate are most critical when rating risk. Harrisburg Chapter Harrisburg Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors hosted a Lyme Disease Awareness presentation on May 18th. The presentation was made by Eric Huck, President of the Harrisburg Area Lyme Disease Support Group. As a group, Land Surveyors are at high risk of contracting Lyme Disease and other insect borne illnesses. This meeting offered a great opportunity to learn more about protecting yourself and your field staff. Laurel Highlands Chapter The Laurel Highlands Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors held their quarterly scheduled dinner meeting on March 24th in Mount Pleasant, PA. They offered a class on CPR Training and certification presented by Ann Dugan, Training Center Coordinator for the Shirley M. Kimble Training Center, WVU Safety & Health Extension, and Ron Herrington, CPR Instructor for the Heartsaver CPR Class. North Central Chapter On March 23rd, the North Central Chapter offered attendees the opportunity to offer input on the upcoming Amendment to the McKean County Planning & Land Development Manual. The County asked for direct input from local surveyors to update/revise their Planning Manual. This meeting gave surveyors a chance to help in the process to regulate subdividing /land development from technical/profession prospective. The program was presented by Jeremy S. Morey, Director of McKean County Planning. South Central Chapter At the March 30th meeting, Carrie Wilt of DEP presented Sewage Facilities Planning Module. At the Gettysburg Battlefield Brewery. Afterwards, Brewmaster Dan Kulick hosted a tour of the brewery and distillery. The chapters April 28th meeting offered a presentation on UAS and the Surveyor by Richard Johnston & Paul DeAngelo of Skelly & Loy. The presentation included a live demo.
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Member news and events
The Northeast Chapter offered a seminar titled Ethical Considerations for Surveyors on Saturday, April 30 at Penn State’s Wilkes-Barre Campus. The seminar covered various topics of legal considerations, Ethics, and professional responsibility. The presenter was PSLS member D. Robert (Rob) Davidson, PLS, Esq., an attorney with the RHP Law Group where he focuses on real estate, zoning, land use,
permitting, right of ways and easements. Rob received his B.A. degree in Land Use Planning from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. degree from Widener University School of Law. The seminar was well attended and provided useful information to the participants. If you were unable to attend, consider attending the 2017 Annual Conference were Rob will be presenting a 3.5 hour workshop on Ethics. Southwest Chapter On March 31st, the Southwest Chapter had a presentation on ALTA/ NSPS Standards and Revisions. Terry Siefers and Mark Hummel presented the timely topic. The chapter held a Survey Crew Appreciation Night on April 27th. The topic of the event was Operation Lifesaver – Working Around Active Railroads. Gary Mang, Director of Track Maintenance of the Allegheny Valley and Southwest Pennsylvania Railroads was the guest speaker. Student Events On May 26th, Matthew Boyes of the Penn State Student Chapter hosted a Surveyors Token Quest at Northwest Area High School. Surveyors from the local area and current Penn State Surveying students worked with the high schools students showing them the basic of surveying and offered some hands-on experiences. The PSLS Northeast Chapter provided refreshments, and Penn State offered prizes. Attendees were also offered information packets and PSLS, as well as NSPS logo items.
Host: Matthew Boyes- Penn State Surveying and Civil Engineering Student/ PSLS Member (Northwest 2015 Alumni) Where? - Northwest Area High School When? – Starting in the morning of May 23rd (Rain date of May 26th) Purpose? – In this Presentation/ Event, Students will learn some of the basics of surveying as well as experience hands-on what surveyors do. From the real world application of trigonometry, to setting up a tripod over a point, this event’s goal is to show students an often overlooked field of engineering that is offered right in their backyard at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. With 100% job security, it’s a great profession to think about! So what is a Surveyor’s Token Quest? - In this portion of the event, students will gather into teams and work with either professional surveyors or current Penn State surveying students in order to solve basic surveying problems. The goal of the event to give students a taste of what it’s like to be a surveyor as well as see which team can collect the most tokens with the correct work (only tokens collected with the correct work will be counted towards the teams’ points). Note: It is advised that the students are either currently in Trigonometry or have taken it in the past (Maximum 30 students, first come, first served basis).
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Member news and events
Sighting in on the Horizon Students at NYCSD are Sighting in on the Horizon, or maybe better said as “Surveying the Future”. Within the Northern High School is a curriculum titled STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. To better serve this curriculum and provide for practicality, a group of surveyors have been working together with the School. During a visit on May 10, 2016, Scott Miller of Dawood Engineering and his survey team donated surveying tools to the school. As seen in the pictures, Dawood donated a modern electronic total station capable of measuring accurate distances and angles that will provide practicality into the future. “Our team at Dawood was excited to support NYCSD with this endeavor. We look forward to these students as next generation of surveyors, helping to bring the profession to the next level,” stated Scott Miller, Manager of Surveying Services. Dawood, founded in 1992, is a multi‐disciplined consulting firm with a Corporate Office located in the Harrisburg region. Mr. Geesaman, PE, the Engineering Teacher, was pleased with the gift. The donation will go a long way in the education of the students interested in this career field. Over the past three years, Michael Kreiger, PLS of Herbert, Rowland, & Grubic, Inc. a central Pennsylvania based engineering and surveying company, has built a relationship with Mr. Geesaman and the curriculum. Michael is a resident of the school district and the President of the Professional Society of Land Surveyors, a statewide association of individuals interested in the practice of land surveying. Michael has been laying the cornerstone of what he plans to be a relationship that will bring not only the surveying profession closer to the curriculum, but all STEM related professions. Over the past three years, Michael has introduced bringing surveying into the classroom, a scholarship for students enrolled or accepted in surveying college curriculum, and assisted the school in the process of purchasing various other surveying tools. This curriculum and the student of Northern have a bright future, specifically when the communities’ profession mentors the future. TrigStar 2016 The 2016 Pennsylvania portion of the TrigStar program has been completed. Yiwie Lyu from Bethlehem Catholic High School took the top prize with a score of 100%. Spencer Yacuboski and Hyunseok Jung took second and third places respectively, both with a score of 86. The average score among the top three from each school was 68%. Competing schools and their top winners are listed below. Antietam – Kelsey Yochum; Berks Catholic Hyunseok Jung; Berwick – Spencer Yacaboski; Bethlehem Catholic – Yiwei Lyu; Fleetwood – Jeffrey Eager-Heffner; Germantown – Kevin Liv; Kutztown – Jarrett Mohn; Muhlenberg – Asher Fair; Oley Valley – Allyson Kemmerer; Reading – Keyvin Martinez; Seneca Ryan Stelitano; Sharon – Reed Martine; Wilson – Jacob Lemelin; Wyalusing Valley Destiny Rae Barto; Wyamissing – Emily Waxler; Wyoming Area – Evan Esposito; Wyoming Seminary – Wisdom Lu; Wyoming Valley – Helia Hosseinpour Congratulations to Pennsylvania’s TrigStars!
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New Members
Please join us in welcoming these new members
Allegheny Heartlands Jeffrey S Doughty , PLS Bucks Steven Herbert Ronald King, PLS Patrick Markward Delaware Valley Robert E. Blue, Jr., PLS Scott B. Fusco, PLS/EIT James A. Oakes, PLS Keith D. Tripler Harrisburg Douglas M. Allwein, SIT Laurel Highlands Dan Angelo Dascani Lehigh Valley Douglas B. Harwick
Member At Large William E. Baze, RPLS C.D. Hamilton, PLS Aaron W. Musick, PLS North Central Stephen Ellis, GISP, CMS Northeast Jess D. Kronenwetter, PLS John Micheal Neyer Christopher A. Skorny Ian Wood Wade D. Weber Northwest Ryan M. Courtney, PLS Corry J Lambert PCT Student Howard L. Knapp V Thomas Patrick Poust Luke Updegrave Kent E. Wilkinson
Penn State Student Khalid B Liburd Pocono Thomas E. Nawrocki, PLS Angie K. Zick South Central Keith E. Bailey, PLS Andrew Barshinger Eric Yost, PLS Southwest Michael K. Austen, PLS Steven D. Graff Charles R. Jurden, Jr. Matthew Neuder, SIT Stephen Stock, PLS Susquehanna Nicholas Gehr
Welcome 31
Membership Application Name: ____________________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ City, State, ZIP: ______________________________________ County:________________________ qResidence
qBusiness
Phone (preferred): (
If business, please include firm name: __________________________ Business Website (optional): ___________________________________
)
Mobile: (
E-mail:
)
Fax:
Alternate E-mail (optional): Publish my contact information on the PSLS website: qYes Professional Registration (optional): State: State:
qNo
Number: Number:
Chapter Affiliation Requested ___________________________________ (Not required for Affiliate or Sustaining membership):
Please indicate membership grade. Membership valid until December 31, 2015.
q Member…………………………………...$200/yr PSLS + $40 NSPS Membership = $240 (Surveyor licensed in Pennsylvania) q Associate..……………………………….$120/yr.............q Optional NSPS Membership $40 (Non-licensed surveyor or engaged in mapping or GIS) q Affiliate.............………………………….$105/yr.............q Optional NSPS Membership $40 (Member of another state society) q Retired.............…………………………..$100/yr.............q Optional NSPS Membership $40 (Having license retired by State Registration Board) q Retired-PSLS....………………………….$50/yr...............q Optional NSPS Membership $40 (Retired license plus 10 years prior PSLS membership) q Sustaining……….……………………….$385/yr (Firms having an interest in land surveying) q Student…….……………………………...$15/yr...............q Optional NSPS Membership $10 (Enrolled in a Pennsylvania college or university) q Auxiliary…….…………………………….$15/yr (Spouse/significant other of a member)
Payment: q
q Mailing Check (payable to PSLS)
q
C #:dar
Exp. Date:
CCV Code:
I hereby apply for membership in the Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors and, in doing so, agree that I will actively support the bylaws, aims, and objectives of the organization. Signature of Applicant:
Return form to PSLS: 801 East Park Drive, Suite 107 | Harrisburg, PA 17111 P: 717-540-6811 | F: 717-540-815 | psls@psls.org | www.psls.org
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Date: