Specifications for Descriptions of Land: For Use in Land Orders, Executive Orders, Proclamations, Federal Register Documents, and Land Description Databases

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov

May 18, 2015

In Reply Refer To:

9601 (350) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 08/12/2015

Information Bulletin No. 2015-067

To:                   All Washington Office and Field Office Officials

Attn:  Realty, and Cadastral Survey and Lands Leads and all Field/District Office Managers

From:               Assistant Director, Energy, Minerals, and Realty Management

Subject:           Specifications for Descriptions of Land:  For Use in Land Orders, Executive Orders, Proclamations, Federal Register Documents, and Land Description Databases

This Information Bulletin (IB) transmits the link to the revised publication, Specifications for Descriptions of Land:  For Use in Land Orders, Executive Orders, Proclamations, Federal Register Documents, and Land Description Databases.  The Specifications provide guidance for writing accurate boundary descriptions and locations by survey, the form and arrangement to be followed for Executive and public land orders and proclamations, and examples of boundary descriptions.  Prior to being finalized, this guidance was reviewed by a host of BLM officials, including a panel of Realty and Cadastral Survey subject matter experts, as well as by officials from the Office of the Federal Register and the National Geodetic Survey.  

The revised Specifications update and include mandatory land description requirements.  Since 1931, the Specifications have been used by those who must write and interpret land descriptions within land orders, Executive orders, proclamations, and the Federal Register.

A limited number of booklets will be printed at the National Operations Center and distributed to State Offices.  Therefore, the revised Specifications will also be posted on the BLM Cadastral Survey website at http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/cadastralsurvey.html.

If you have any questions concerning the content of this IB, please contact me at 202-208-4201, or your staff may contact Don Buhler, Branch Chief, Branch of Lands, Realty and Cadastral Survey, at 202-912-7353 for further guidance and direction.  If you have any questions concerning the Specifications, your staff may contact Bob Dahl, Cadastral Surveyor, Washington Office, (bdahl@blm.gov; 202-912-7344).

Signed by:                                                                   Authenticated by:

Karen Mouritsen                                                         Robert M. Williams

Acting, Assistant Director                                          Division of IRM Governance, WO-860

Energy, Minerals, and Realty Management