BLM and Troy University partner with Alabama Society of Professional Land Surveyors in annual survey exercise to retrace historic land surveys

Organization

BLM

BLM Office:

Lower Potomac Field Station

Media Contact:

Davida Carnahan

WHAT: A surveying retracement camp will be held for Troy University surveying students, private surveyors, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) employees. Participants will be divided into crews in order to perform an actual retracement of historic surveys from field notes and instructions. Their objective is to recover and perpetuate original survey corners that were established in the early 1800s.WHO: The BLM-Eastern States (BLM-ES), Troy University, and the Alabama Society of Professional Land Surveyors (ASPLS) present a seminar that will include classroom instruction and field work. BLM instructors provide a complete historical background on the development and implementation of the Public Land Survey System from the Land Ordinance Act of 1785, to present day surveys executed by the BLM. WHEN: May 10-14, 2010WHERE: Classroom instruction: Lakeshore Inn, Highway 278 East, Double Springs, AL Retracement camp surveys will be conducted on the Bankhead National Forest. RSVP: Media is invited to observe retracement camp surveys. Contact Ann Galloway, ASPLS, phone: 334.279.7040 or e-mail to: aspls1@bellsouth.net for times, dates and site-specific information.Background: The BLM, Troy University, and ASPLS have partnered to instruct and sponsor the Retracement Seminar for 20 years. The objective is to teach survey students and surveyors the methods used by the original Government Land surveyors over 200 years ago. Course content includes a familiarization with the laws that governed the original surveys, as well as the tools used by the first surveyors. Students will be instructed in the procedures used today to find and perpetuate the surveys that were laid by those early surveyors.


The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.